Pumpkin Carving

For FHE we were invited to carve pumpkins at Lindsay and Shayne's. We had a yummy dinner of homemade chili in bread bowls and then got down to business. I haven't carved a pumpkin in probably 10 years, so this was exciting for me and Paul. However, our pumpkin carving skills may have been a little off. The H family had it down! Among their creations was Lady Gaga and a scary dinosaur. I was very impressed. It was a very fun night and I'm so glad we have such wonderful friends!

This last picture cracks me up. We realized at the last minute that it was just me with the H family.

It's Official!!!

We have been approved to adopt!!! We are so excited and can't wait for the opportunity to be parents. Check out our LDS Family Services profile and our adoption blog.

4th of July Weekend

4th of July weekend was awesome! I got to spend time with both my family and with Paul's. My sister July's birthday was on Saturday so my whole family (minus my brother Ryan) met at July's house to celebrate. We had a bbq lunch and then the girls went to get pedicure's while the boys held down the fort. Ahhhhh, I love pedicure's and I got the cutest flag on my toe in honor of Independence Day. I guess you could say I'm pretty patriotic. :) After the pedicure's we went back to July's for some dinner before heading to Eaglewood Golf Course in Bountiful for the fireworks. It was a beautiful night so we got to enjoy being outside, playing frisbee and eating treats. The fireworks were great and I loved being with my family.







The next day, Paul's sister Kari blessed her newest son (who incidentally is named Paul). There was a nice brunch held after and it was a great time to spend catching up with Paul's family. That afternoon the boys enjoyed a little game of wiffle ball in the 102 degree weather. The girls were smarter than that and enjoyed some "visiting" inside where the air conditioning was. It was an awesome day!




The next day we were invited to Kari and Clark's to have red, white and blue pancakes. Yumm! We watched a movie with the girls and then went home to take a nap. That night we went to July and Cory's for a bbq and some fireworks. Now that the aerial fireworks are legal, we had a great show! I was a little frightened at times but it was so fun!

I am so thankful to be an American and to be able to enjoy all the freedom's that offers!!!

Weekend in Idaho

For Father's Day, Paul and I went to Idaho to see my family. We had a blast! Mel and Phil bought their first house so we were able to stop and see it on Friday on our way to Dad's. It was great! I'm so happy they are now homeowner's. There's nothing like it.

The next day we took Grandma Mead to breakfast. I feel like there is never enough time to spend with her. I don't get to see her often enough and I wish we lived closer so I could visit more. But the time we were able to spend together was wonderful. After breakfast, we dropped Grandma off at her house and then the rest of us prepared to go mountain biking. We went to Harriman Park just past Ashton. It was a beautiful day. I love mountain biking. The trail was great and I enjoyed being outdoors. After mountain biking, we stopped at Upper Mesa Falls. On our way home we HAD to stop at Frostop for an ice cream cone. I can't ever pass up a chance to have one of those bad boys. Yummmmmmm!!!





The next day was spent helping Mel and Phil move some of the bigger items into their house. It is always great fun when we are in Idaho and I love seeing my family!!

Race for the Cure & Lagoon Weekend

This weekend was the 2nd Annual Race for the Cure for me (it's been around forever, but this is only the 2nd time I've ran). This year Melanee and Phil came down and were able to run with me, Paul, July, Cory and Cayman. We had our own team, "Team Boobapalooza" and we made our own shirts. They weren't perfect, but I think they turned out pretty cute. It was such an amazing thing to be running with my sisters. Once again when the theme music started, I couldn't stop crying. I don't know why it touches me so much, but there is just something about seeing 20,000 people running for women they love. We had a great time and I would love to see my entire family there next year. We missed you Dad, Carma and Ryan!!!






After the race, we went to Kneaders in Bountiful and I can't say enough about the Chunky Cinnamon French Toast. The best thing ever!!! After breakfast we decided to spend the rest of the afternoon at Lagoon. It was a beautiful day and I was happy to FINALLY be spending time outside. Paul is addicted to games where you can win stuffed animals (remember the Circus Circus adventure from a couple years ago?), so he and Phil were on a quest to win the biggest prize in Lagoon. They were wheeling and dealing with the employees getting them to give them 1/2 off prices, or double the tries for the same price. It was hilarious to watch, but they ended up with the biggest prizes there. It was so much fun and I am so thankful for my wonderful family!

Sleepover

When Paul goes out of town with the Scouts, I like to have Cayman over for sleepovers. This weekend I met July, Cayman and Cooper for dinner at Arctic Circle. Cooper enjoyed getting to come to part of the sleepover.


We ate and played on the toys for awhile and then Cayman said goodbye and we headed to The Kaysville Theater to watch Gnomeo and Juliet.


I think Cayman was a little tired because she had a hard time sitting through the whole movie, but she made it. We headed home and continued the fun reading books, watching more movies, playing with her dolls and coloring. The next morning we had Tweety Bird pancakes (a tradition if you stay with Aunt Alli),


and did Cayman's makeup (also a tradition). Doesn't she look pretty?


Then we headed to Bountiful to meet July and Cory for the Easter Egg Hunt. It was kind of cold outside, but the kids had a good time. I love having someone stay with me while Paul's away and Cayman's a great sport!

Paul's Birthday

It's Paul's Birthday!!!! Paul was lucky enough to spend the whole day with JUST me for his birthday. We had a small celebration with just the two of us. It's not Paul's birthday without dinner at Chuck A Rama so we started with that. Then we came home and opened presents and had cake and ice cream. I have to admit, it was a little strange to be the only singing to him. We love spending time together, so I think for both of us it was the Perfect Day.