Our Fabulose Fourth

As most of you know the 4th of July is my FAVORITE Holiday! I started the count down and planning what we where all going to where a week or two before it came! My kids are at the age that they get very excited for it to and that makes it even funner for me to see them enjoy as much as I do! We started the day of with none other than the Clearfield parade, we sat with our friends the Wood family and Cook family. The weather was perfect, a cloudy over cast so it wasn't blazing hot but not cold either. After the parade we decided to go to Layton and enjoy some of there carnival the kids went on some of the inflatables and face paintings. From there we went home so my sister could come over for a little bbq (since I have lived in Clearfield I have bragged about how awesome their fireworks are and my sister said she wanted to judge it for her self I was so excited to show her that I wasn't lying and they didn't disappoint they were ridiculously awesome again this year.) Nate filled 300 water balloons and the kids had a blast throwing them at each other and Glade! :) We headed over to the festivities for the Clearfield fireworks and did more inflatables then just hung out ate junk food and talked with great friends. The Aardemas meet us there and the Cooks joined us later! the kids played and loved the glow sticks. Just as it was getting dark Nate asked where Sky was I looked at him with that dumb struck look and said what do you mean..... We lost Sky can I just tell you it was the most terrifying moment as a mother that I have ever had! I felt defeated as I looked around and saw thousands of people and didn't know where to even start. That is when I stopped in my tracks and folded my arms and cried out in prayer, When I was done I turned to tell Nate I was going to go report him as lost. When I turned around I saw him (Sky) crying and running to us, my first reaction was to also cry then I asked him where he was and why he left and wanted every detail. He followed me to a see a friend and I didn't know then he got detracted and kept walking when he realized he was lost he turned around and went back to the general area where we were and asked an adult for help, I am so proud of him that he handled it the way he did and so grateful he didn't fall into the wrong hands! Come to find out he was gone for almost 10 min before we even noticed I know I know that is horrible and I feel terrible about it.

the fireworks started shortly after we found him and the night ended with a bang! literally.... On the way home Nate rear ended someone but there was no damage so we both just walked form it! Honestly with all this it was still such a fun day and I still LOVE the 4th!

One year down one more to go!

I put Abbie in preschool this year, it is the same school Sky went to. She LOVED it. It has honestly helped her come out of her little shell so much! That is why I am a strong believer in sending your children to preschool. because yes I could have very well taught her the things she learned there, but I think it is so important for them to learn how to be social with out mommy around. We have absolutely just loved Miss Mindy she does a fabulous job with all the kids and is so happy to see them every morning. Abbie has grown so much this past school year and is looking forward to another year next year.
To celebrate there accomplishments they put on a little program, it was dang cute. Then Miss Mindy gave them each a certificate and shared a little something about each student. I am so proud of Abbie and how much she has accomplished. If you know her you know it is rare to see her without her clinging to my leg or shying away when you talk to her. The last few months she has become so much more independent and I have to admit as much as it makes me crazy sometimes having her try to "climb back into the womb" it is also hard to see her not "need" me as much.
We are so proud of you Abbie and love you so much!

Abbie and Miss Mindy

waiting patiently for everyone to get there certificate.

Abbie getting her certificate

Singing

Time goes by fast when your having fun!

It seems so weird to have a 7 year old, Skyler turns 7 on May29th but we celebrated it on the Saturday before. Every year for the last 3 he has asked to have a party at Chuck E Cheese I have always said no because of how expensive it is BUT this year being prego I wanted to do it since they do all the set up and clean up I thought that sounded heavenly! He invited 3 friends and all his cousins. so we had 10 kids all together. He had a blast his smile never left his face and he has talked about it ever since. As the birthday boy he got to go in the ticket blaster and try to catch as many tickets as he can he got 350!!!! He also got a crown a medallion and a BIG balloon! I am so happy we splurged and did this for him it really was sooo easy for me especially since Nate has to work and I had to be there alone. besides what isn't worth making your kids the happiest kids on earth for a day! :)

8 years!

April 24th 2003 Nate and I where sealed for Time and ALL Eternity in the Salt Lake City Temple. We have been through some crazy things the last 8 years. I feel so blessed to be married to Nate. I honestly don't know what I would do with out him. Our lives have changed so much through the years it has been a real roller coaster that I wouldn't want to ride with anyone else but him. To celebrate this year we went to Vegas and had tons of fun! When we got to Mandalay Bay to check in they said there was a problem and I thought we didn't make the reservations correct or something but it was a mistake on their part so they said they where up grading us for FREE to a 1100 sq ft. suit it was BEAUTIFUL! We hung out at the pool, shopped, went to Blue Man group, ate yummy food, shopped, walked the strip, shopped, went to a hypnotist, went to the Gold and Silver pawn shop ( the show pawn stars) it was pretty cool to go in and see all the stuff. we had tons of fun. I was exhausted from all the walking and being 5 months prego. I had to stop in all most every hotel to go potty LOL We always have so much fun together but miss our kids terribly so we where excited to come home after 5 days of fun in the sun!

Nate at the balagio fountains

Nate in front of Gold and Silver Pawn shop

As seen on t.v

At Blue Man Group Nate loved it I thoght it was weird!

M&M world

Our living room in our room

The Kitchen

YES that is a t.v in the bathroom! :)

The bedroom!

M I C K EY M O U S E

Nate and I wanted to take the kids to Disneyland, we couldn't decide when we wanted to go but it all ended up just falling into our laps. Our good friends where going over Christmas and they invited us to go at first we where thinking, no way we can't come up with the money that fast. This was just 6 weeks before we would be leaving so it just didn't even seem possible. BUT then our friends reminded us that he works for The Hampton and could get a a amazing deal on our Hotel. We also found someone who wanted to share tickets for Disney so we paid half the normal price it just seemed to be the perfect opportunity to go. So we surprised the kids Christmas morning with a Mickey suit case and a letter saying that we where leaving for Disneyland!!! We finished packing up and left that day. I think Nate and I where more excited than the kids. we drove straight there and the fun began.... We met up with our fabulous friends the Aardemas and had dinner that night then went back to their Hotel and just hung out. the next day was Sunday so we just went to the Beach and went and did a little site seeing. The big day was Monday we woke up extra early and got to Disney at 7 am. Sherry and I had bought our kids cute costumes to wear to Disney, so Abbie was dressed like Cinderella and Sky was a cool pirate. they where so dang cute! That first day was sooooo fun we had a blast even though the park reached capacity around noon which is over 80,000 people so it was busy but still so fun!! I am always in awe at the detail that they have with everything in the park even the bathrooms are magical! LOL

The next day we went to Univesal Studios which believe it or not was even crazier than Disney there where so many people there it was insane. We did the few rides there and then we left around 8. I really like universal I think it is so fun to see some of the behind the scenes stuff there! SKylers favorite ride there was the new Simpson ride we waited for EVER for this ride thinking it was going to be so cool but it was LAME. it was like a simulator ride! All in all the day was great and we where exhausted.

Back to Disney this time it was just our little family, it was one of our funnest days. Nate and I love spending time with our kids and this day couldn't have been any more perfect. We did everything we wanted and got so much done. The kids where so good that day and everything went smoothly. We watched the big parade and the new World of Color at California Adventures. the kids never seemed to get sick of being there and didn't want to leave. :) WE assured them that we would come back in a few days.

The next day we just took it easy slept in, went shopping and went swimming at the Hotel. That night we decided to go out just the adult and leave the kids at in the Hotel rooms. The two older girls agreed to babysit and we went to Dave and Busters and had a blast! I sure wish they had one in Utah because we had so much fun! It was a nice little break from all the kids. I am happy we were able to get out.

Last day of Disneyland!!!! Bitter sweet. It was News Years eve, and we were ready to party! we spent the day doing all the rides for a second time then that night was CRAZY! We watched fantasmic and when it got over there were some fire works. This wasn't the main even because it was only around 9:30 at this point there were going to be a huge fire works display at midnight. When we went to main st. to wait for midnight it was so insane we couldn't move. Our kids fell asleep so Nate and I decided to go back to our hotel and watch the ball drop on t.v! I know I know who does that when they are in Disneyland but honestly it was out of control busy! To be honest I think we were smart because the crowds got worse after we left. I LOVE Disneyland I can't get enough of it I would go back every year if I could. I am so happy we had the chance to take our kids again!

The next day we packed up and headed to Vegas. We decided it would be good to split the drive home up. We went to Freemont street had dinner then went to bed.BUT before bed there was one important thing I had to do........ I took a test and it came back positive!!!! I am pregnant with out third child and we are so very excited. (it explained way I was so exhausted at Disneyland) LOL It was a awesome way to end an awesome trip!!!!

First Day of School

I can't believe we have already started another school year, what is even harder to believe is that Sky started FIRST grade this year. He was so excited to start school to see all his friends and I was a mess. Every time we talked about it my eyes would fog up from the tears and I would have to change the subject. I am such a baby when it come to this stuff. LOL Well the day was finally here and I took some adorable pictures of Sky, (but of coarse my computer STILL wont upload anything, so I will post them later.) I think I was more nervous than he was it is a long day to be aways from him and I had all the other worries, ex: would he remember his lunch box at lunch time, would he find his class after recess, could he undo his belt to go potty, ect... So as we walked into his class I prepared my self for him to get a little nervous and want me to hang out for a minute ha ha. He looked for his desk and when he found it he said okay bye mom, umm excuse me!!!! Don't you need me to show you where to put your bag or anything like that? "NOPE oh and Mom don't kiss me because your lip gloss will get on me" Not sure if that is why I started crying or if it was because he was so big and in first grade, but needless to say I BAWLED like a baby. That was one of the longest days in history, I kept looking at the Clock and I was so ready for him to be home around 1:30 but still had 2 more hours!!He did great he LOVES school and the fact that he has 3 recesses! One day he came home and I always ask him how lunch was and he often has an excuse for me why he couldn't eat all his lunch, well on this particular day it was because he was going to miss recess. When I opened his lunch box EVERYTHING was still in it, well everything except his dessert! I couldn't help but laugh then we had to have a talk about what he needs to eat first and then if he has no time to leave the rest for home! LOL I love that kid so much he makes my life so interesting and fun!!! :)

Abbie a few weeks later started preschool, she was so excited she could hardly stand it! She was very mad when Skyler started school and she had to wait 2 more weeks. When we went to orientation she was jumping out of her skin with excitment UNTIL we got there then she was her normal painfully shy self and I had to pry her off me. I am horrible but, I love that she loves me so much Sky has always been so independent it is nice to be needed. :) On her first day she was singing all morning and wanted to go school at 7am. I take Levi too since I watch him everyday anyways. So I took hem on their first day and I got Abbie out of the car and when I turned to get Levi out and turned back around she was gone! Oh NO not again, another little independent stinker. I made her come back and at least give me a hug bye. Levi had to give me one too. I have been watching him since he was 10 months old and so it kinda felt like I was dropping two of my own kids off, which of coarse made the tears flow even more. My planes where to go grocery shopping with Jace while the kids where at school, wow to only have one kid for a few hours was so weird for me I am so used to having a house full. The whole drive to Winco I was uncontrollably bawling my eyes out. Jace kept asking "wheres Levi and Abbie" which made me cry harder then he would ask " Erin do you have a owie" Ha Ha Ha it helped lighten my mood a little. When we go to the store I had to take a few minutes to get my self together. I am such a nerd and I don't know why it is so hard for me to have them go to school. Every child does it and I see other moms just drop them off and not even go in with out any problems why the crap am I such a boob about it!?!?
The time went by fast and before I knew it , it was time to pick them up and they LOVED it. They talked about it the rest of the day and couldn't wait to go back! It is so crazy to me to think my baby is in school and I have no more kids to send (of my own) I wish I could stop time or at least slow it down. My kids have grown way to fast and just keep growing!
**Pictures to come

Summer catch up!

We have been having way to much fun this summer that I have not posted hardly at all. We spent a lot of time at Lagoon once again this summer we got season passes and definitely got our moneys worth. I had Kylie and Destiny every other week for a week this summer so they got passes too, which made it so fun because they are big enough to ride the big rides. We got Sky on a few of them and he thought it was so cool! We spent a few days at Lagoonabeach too which was way fun the kids had a blast! We just absolutely love Lagoon!

At the end of the summer we decided to go to Lava Hot springs, we had so much fun that we stayed an extra night so we where there for 3 nights. We went tubbing down the river (totally not my thing) I only went once and Nate took Sky a few times, one time there tube flipped and Sky started to float down the river as a paranoid mom I freaked out and I am sure all the people around us thought I was crazy. They got back on their tube and finished their run, Sky would not stop talking about how awesome it was when they flipped! LOL We enjoyed the pool all day one day and the kids LOVED the water slides. The hot pools where my favorite it is fun to see how long you can stand in the hottest pool. :) It was for sure one of the funnest things we did this summer! The best part was just spending a little time alone with just our family, that is o

We also went to Yellowstone with Nate's family, it was an adventure to say the least. Nate's dad is on 24 hour oxygen so we packed 18 oxygen tanks up. His sister is pregnant and extremely tired so most of the hiking and things like that where out of the question. It rained the whole day on Saturday so we didn't see any animals and there really wasn't much to do. All in all it was a pretty good little vacation.
We had another awesome summer and I am so sad that it is over, I love having the long days to spend with my kids. I will post pics of all this as soon as I get to a computer that works! :)