Back to School 2011

Natalie is in 6th grade this year...wow junior high next year, can't belive it. She had a great first day and likes her teacher a lot (he lets you chew gum in class.)

Austin is in 1st grade this year. He loves his teacher because she grew up on a farm and likes horses. He likes eating school lunch and had a great first day!

Makenna hugging Austin goodbye...she's really gonna miss her big brother and playmate. She will be starting preschool after labor day so that should help. Can't believe I will have 3 kids in school. Watching them grow up is bittersweet for sure!

Bean Museum 8-16-11

Today I took the kids to the Bean Museum. We're trying to squeeze in a few more fun outings before school starts next week. They had some fun "scavenger hunts" on their website that made it more fun for the kids.

One of the things Makenna had to find was a butterfly. She sure was excited when she saw the butterfly made out of butterflies!!

Austin had to find an animal for each letter of the alphabet. He would not leave until he found them all! We had a hard time finding one for U and V but we finally did!

Natalie likes the bear with heart shaped fur.

After they were all done with their scavenger hunts I let them pick something from the gift shop and then we went for ice cream. It was a fun little outing!

Splash Park 8-15-11

We went to the splash park today with my Mom, Emily and her boys. It was a very hot day and the perfect way to cool off!

Salem Days 2011

We had lots of fun during Salem Days this year. Our favorite is always the buckaroo rodeo. This year Natalie decided she wanted to run the barrels on Sonny. It was her first time, and she did a great job! It was so fun to watch her.

Austin entered the mutton bustin' again and did great! He said it was because he wore his lucky shirt & lucky underwear....hey, whatever works right?

Makenna and Austin wanted to decorate their bikes and ride in the children's parade. It was really hot but Austin wanted to wear his hat and chaps. He threw candy to the spectators.

Almost to the end...

And cooling off afterwards. Austin ripped off the hat and chaps as soon as he could :)

Here we are watching the Salem parade.

Makenna hates the loud noises.

Austin collected lots of candy, this is about half of what he got.

After the parade we went down to the park for lunch and games. Makenna got her face painted. We even got to go on a boat ride around the pond. Later that night we went to watch the fireworks...again this year I watched from the car, thanks to Makenna and her loud noise problem. Oh, well it was fun anyway. We love Salem Days!!

Happy 15 Year Anniversary!

Tomorrow, Danny and I will celebrate our 15 year anniversary! For the past few days I have been looking through lots of pictures and remembering lots of good times we've had together. We met in January 1993 when I was 14 and he was 16. The picture above was taken in 1995, riding Danny's horse Dogface.

August 16, 1996 we were married.

Natalie was born on April 13, 2000.....the beginning of our family!

Austin was born July 27, 2005.....finally!

Disneyland March 2008, I was pregnant with Makenna.

Makenna was born July 2, 2008.....a wonderful surprise!!

Disneyland March 2010.

And today...15 years, 3 kids, and lots of fun later were still going strong!! I love Danny so much and am so thankful he is my husband! He makes me smile every day...here's to another 50 years!

Summer Update...

It's been a crazy, busy and fun summer. In June we celebrated Danny's birthday, Father's Day, and went camping three times.

Happy Birthday Danny!Having fun camping...

Father's Day

July started with Makenna's birthday. She turned 3 on July 2nd, but I think we celebrated on the 1st. I can't believe my baby is 3...she is such a happy girl and makes me smile everyday!

My birthday was July 10th but somehow we have no pictures. Danny & the kids got me an ipod and walking shoes which I've been putting to good use.

Austin turned 6 on July 27th and we had a fun water party for him with some of his friends..it was lots of fun and we had a great turn out!

Of course we had lots of fun during Fiesta Days...here is Makenna at the parade. She is not to fond of the loud guns and fire engines, or fireworks for that matter.

Danny in the parade.

At the carnival

Getting autographs after the rodeo.

Danny decided to join the riding club again which has been fun. He and the kids have been riding a lot, here we are watching Danny at the District Riding Club meet in Springville.

Go Dad!!

We have been going to the pool at least once a week, and the kids love it. These pics were taken at the riding club party at the pool. It was really fun having the pool so uncrowded.

We registered Austin & Natalie for school yesterday and they are excited about their teachers. Natalie will be in 6th grade, Austin in 1st and Makenna will be starting preschool. Hopefully I don't have a nervous breakdown!! I hope we can fit one more camping trip in before school starts. It's been a great summer, and I'm sad to see it coming to an end.