Shaylee Bug's 1st Hair Cut

I took the boys to Cindy's Salon, Clipitz, today. They were so way over due for haircuts. Kind of last minute Cindy and I decided to give Shaylee a haircut too. Good thing my camera was in the car! She sat so quiet and still in the chair with her little smock on watching Cindy in the mirror as she trimmed away. Don't panic yet, she only had a tiny trim. There was no way I was going to cut off her beautiful curls ... she loves them waaaay to much.

Then Cindy styled her hair so darn cute! She did all sorts of fun, fancy stuff and told me her hair should stay in for up to a week. I can wash it and everything! I could tell my little Shaylee Bug felt so grown up sitting there in that chair with a professional doing her beautiful "puzzle" (Rapunzel) hair.

It was a fun afternoon, but at the same time a little sad. No more first haircuts until I have grandchildren ...
my little one's are growing up.

Summer Sundays

The thing about Sunday is the peacefulness of having to do nothing, but spend time with family...and maybe wash a few dishes. Talking and laughing, playing games, visiting with friends and eating dessert what could be more enjoyable?

Summer Sunday evenings are the best! They're the ones that seem to etch themselves into our memories as the happiest of all. Being able to spend an amazing afternoon in the backyard with the cool mountain breeze, my kiddos and grandpa playing Frisbee, jumping on the tramp with friends and playing in the kiddie area is truly a blessing.

Sleeping Spot

{Shaylee Bug's perfect little sleeping spot 6/03/11}

As I was going through pictures tonight this one of my little Shaylee Bug caught my eye and made me laugh. Not only cuz I love the memory, but she's wearing her all time favorite furry boots with shorts!

Shaylee was always Daddy's little girl and couldn't go to sleep without him laying next to her. If he wasn't ready for bed when she was she'd lay down on a stair going into the family room and fall asleep. Lucky for her she happened to be just the right size to fit there and be comfy. I'm not sure why she chose a stair over a couch, but I'm thinking it's so her daddy would have to pick her up on his way to bed. Soon after Mota left she started falling asleep on the kitchen set of stairs when I was cleaning it...that's where this priceless memory was captured.

4th Of July

I'd like to give thanks to all those who've served and or given their lives for this amazing country. Without them we would not be free and would not be celebrating on this day. A special thanks to my grandpa's, dad, and friends too many to name who have served and also thanks to all my friends families who've gone without their dad's for me and my kiddos...thank you for the gift of our freedom.

Usually, well for the past 14 years, we celebrate the 4th with a camping trip. This year things were different all the way around...it was the first time Mota was taking my kiddos for the weekend, so despite it being a holiday I let them go. Being Utah he had them for the big Stadium of Fire fireworks display.

Me and my kiddos celebrated the 4th in a different way this year. Today Parker and Hunter got up with Grandpa and Grandma Susie at 6:30am! They went to the church for their annual flag ceremony which included lots of doughnuts and chocolate milk. Not really being morning people the rest of us slept in.
Towards the middle of the day we packed up the boat and headed out to Utah Lake. It was Tanner and Shaylee's first time ever being on a boat! Hunter had his first experience last Friday. The kids laughed and giggled as the boat suddenly sped up after leaving the wake free zone.

We cruised out to the middle of the lake where we ate chicken sandwiches, Cheetos, grapes, lemonade and red, white and blue doughnut holes. The boys were so excited they hardly ate a thing.

Parker did a belly flop in the water and Hunter just jumped right in. Tanner slid in with a little help from Grandpa. The wind had kicked up and the waves were huge! Shaylee wanted in so badly, but was way too scared.

All in all my kiddos had a blast! They were completely worn out by the time we got home. We finished off the day with showers and baths, then had some of Grandma Susie's fried chicken and topped it off with her famous cherry apple pie...what's more American than that?

















{Parker - proud as can be & Hunter - Thrilled to be wearing pink!}
















{Tanner-lovin' the water spray in his face & Shaylee-ready to go!}















{Jenn & Tanner . . . . . . Shaylee & Grandpa}