Birthday Party for Anthony...

 We had to go a little more low-key for birthday's this year, but we still tried to have some fun!!  We had lunch and cupcakes at the park and the kids seemed to have a great time.  All Anthony wanted was Star Wars things so I tried to get as many as possible in there :).  I made the cupcake toppers using stickers and toothpicks and he was so excited about them--especially the Captain Rex ones!  He chose to have white cake with chocolate frosting cupcakes.  He really wanted Star Wars guys and a Star Wars ship for his birthday--gotta love 6 year old boys :)!!!

Happy Birthday Grandma Jenine...

 

 We had the family over for dutch-oven-dinner to celebrate Jenine's birthday.  The food was yummy, the company was fun and the soft serve ice-cream root beer floats were fantastic :)!!  Thanks for having a birthday so we could celebrate Jenine!!

Owen Stephan...

Oh how we enjoy this little boy.  He is such a wonderful, sweet, happy, chunky little person.  He was blessed on July 31st and shared his wonderful day with his Uncle Jon's homecoming and I even got to sing.  It was such a spiritual meeting and we all were uplifted.  Jake gave Owen a wonderful blessing full of promises that will make his life wonderful if he follows the examples of the men that surrounded him.  

I was not all that excited to add another member to our family *I know sounds horrible* but I was really scared about having 4 kids.  But having this little spirit in my home, I would not change it for the world.  I am continually amazed at how blessed I am as a woman to have these little children entrusted to me by our Heavenly Father.  They are my joy and happiness!  I am so blessed!!

Jessica and Jason's wedding...

 On July 30th Jessica married Jason Craig.  We are excited for them to start their life together.  It was a long but beautiful day.  It was nice to get to see so many family and friends all at the same time.  It was fun to get dressed up and my kids were so excited to wear their outfits.  We hope they have a fantastic life together as Craigs!!

 Jaxon and Lydia playing around!

(thanks for the pictures Natalie!!)

Splash Park in Logan...

 Russ and Katrina were in town for a while and my cousin had a bridal shower so we decided to take a trip down to Logan.  The kids sure had a great time running around the little splash park in Providence.  It was so warm even I got out into the water and threw the water balls at the boys, that is until ALL the boys at the park got one and started throwing them at me too....not so fun :)!!!

This is Garrett hiding behind the watermelon umbrella...he wouldn't let me take a picture of him!

Swimming lessons...

 Whew...swimming lessons really made me tired this year.  Every day for 2 weeks was crazy, even though they were only 30 minutes each time.  The kids enjoyed them though and are more confident in the water.  Anthony improved leaps and bounds from the 1st lesson to the last and Jenna just improved each time.  I am glad we did them and hope they are too!

Camping up Bear Creek...

 Oh how I LOVE camping.  We decided we needed more camping fun this summer and went up Bear Creek with just our little family.  Besides the MILLIONS of mosquitoes, we had a great time.  Yummy food, rock throwing, getting wet, four-wheeler rides, reading, playing games, fishing, playing in the dirt, blowing bubbles and giggles!  Who can beat that?

Uncle Jon is home...

 What a happy day it was when Uncle Jon came home!  The kids have been waiting for so long to see him again. They were so excited to see him.  We thought Jenna would be super shy when she saw him, but they were both very excited.  The day he came home Anthony told me he was going to tell Jon 'Hola' and he would know what he meant.  So cute.  Thanks for being an example to my children Jon and serving a mission!