Rest, Relaxation, and one long post

One word...WOW!! That about sums up our summer. It's been nonstop since May. The past several weeks have been the craziest. We had our trip to Virginia Beach (here's a teaser since I have yet to sort through hundreds of pictures)...





We flew in on Friday and were up early the next morning to travel to Idaho for Mike's grandmother's 80th birthday party.

Great Grandma Leila and Grandpa Glenn


Cousins - Kinsey, Morgan, Taylor & Rea

Reagan helping Papa dig taters



Then it was back to work and reality, followed by another trip to Idaho over the 24th for a family get together on my side. All of my siblings were there except my oldest sister. We went up to Burley on Friday and met my sister Heather and her kids for a fun afternoon at Lake Cleveland. A beautiful area with a man made lake that is stocked with trout (you would never know it because we aren't that lucky). It was a gorgeous day ended with making Smores at Heather with my brother Gary and his family. The fun continued into Saturday. My parents went to a lot of work planning games and fun things so nobody got bored. We did a nickel auction and the kids just loved it (and, yes, I was proud of my purchases also)! A little walk down memory lane completed the day. My mom had gone through her old journals and written down things from when we were younger and then we all put down memories on paper and later read them. My favorite was that my brother Matt used to be my slave....he'd iron my clothes, get me water, or whatever I made him do :O) I can't believe someone else had to remind me of how easy I had it. He loves me. What can I say. Family is awesome. My siblings are some of my best friends and in the end...family is what matters most.

Savana & Emmett

Sold to the Lady in the 2nd row

Wild Hoggin' It


Aunt Jessa playin with the kids

Bart & Rea fishin


If lakes could talk, they would say that my siblings all swam like this at one time!


Reagan is still in Idaho this week to spend some time with her grandparents, so finally, we are getting some good nights sleep(minus the night I was puking my guts out with some flu bug or maybe too much junk food in one night...YUCK!).

Can you believe it's already August!!

In love....

I'm in love with this pattern. This is the third skirt I have made for Reagan out of this pattern. Weird, yes but she loves her twirly skirts also and wants to wear them every day so I have to keep making them so she doesn't wear the same one!
I also made one for my niece Ella. I thought hers turned out cute also!
It's definately not "practical" to make your kids clothes nowadays when you can go to Target or elsewhere and find totally cute clothes that are very reasonable. However, sometimes, you just can't beat out "originality". I'm about at my sewing capabilities making these skirts but I am attempting a really cute dress pattern.

And away we go......

Well, it's FINALLY here. Our beach vacation has arrived. We head to Virginia Beach to hang out with the Oustrich's for a fun-filled week. There will be plenty of pictures and posting when we are back. But as not to forget two important dates while we are playin'....Heidi's birthday and our 9th anniversary.

Aunt Heidi is loved by everyone. The nieces and nephews all love to come and stay with her. I'm sure this is because she gives them Dr. Pepper and ice cream for breakfast! (and is always willing to take Reagan to Old McDonalds house (which mom usually won't). We are so grateful for Heidi and all that she does for us. With no other family close by, she is constantly a life-saver. When Mike was traveling a lot I used to call her in the middle of the week to watch Reagan for even an hour so I could regroup. The kids are always so happy to see her. She may not have any "blood" children but she has PLENTY of children. Happy Birthday Heidi!



July 15th will be our 9th anniversary. It's crazy. Time goes so fast. I love the new Brad Paisley song called "I thought I loved you then". Of course I cried the first time I heard it (as usual with me and a lot of songs), and it's just so true for hopefully many people. You think you love someone as much as you can when you marry them and somehow, along the way, you find more ways to love them. It's been a wonderful 9 years. Thanks hun for being the husband and father that you are. For supporting me, loving me, making me laugh, and letting me be me. Here's to many more years together.

I love this picture. It's probably one of my favorites from our wedding day. I was so calm during all of this and when my dad took my arm to walk me down the "isle" or sidewalk! I looked up at him and he had tears in his eyes. I nearly lost it!

Ah, the happy couple!

Most likely on accident, but when Reagan showed us this drawing and said "Look, it's a penguin", we thought she was a genius :O)

Fourth of July Fun

What a fun weekend. Friday, my sister Jessica, my brother Matt and his family and Heidi joined us for a fun day at the pool (until it rained). Then we had a BBQ and set up tents in the back yard. Although little sleep was obtained, it was still fun. We got up early Saturday and went to the Murray Parade. I've secretly never liked parades. It's always so hot and so long and why must they always pick streets that have no trees. Seriously. However, it wasn't that bad this year. We got seats right at the beginning of the parade and it was early enough it wasn't too hot. Katie was the expert candy retriever. I can't believe how much stuff they threw out! We had another fun few hours at the pool with Mike's sister Sara and her kids joining us. In the past, swimming was something Reagan liked but wasn't too much fun for us because she had never submerged her head below water. However, this year she is a total fish. She goes all the way under without plugging her nose and you can't keep her out or from jumping in over and over. We are rested :)

The real reason we celebrate!

Party #2

And not to be outdone....my friend Michelle, Heidi, and I had our combined b-day bash the same day as Reagan's birthday. My parents were down, we had plenty of friends to help celebrate, and best of all....we had Michelle's dream of the Party Pony Harley!! It was so much fun and the kids had a blast.



Rea & Harley

Schott Family

Howdy Sophia

Aunt Heidi & Rea

The birthday girls

No one told me I look 9 months pregnant in this dress :O)

Katie & Zoe

Breann


Uncle Jody teaching the kids how to rope

How cute is this???

The official pooper scooper


And finally...home

Reagan Turns 3!

Saturday was Reagan's 3rd birthday. Wow! Our "baby" is 3. It's crazy to think of how time flies. I'm sure our parents think the same thing but I remember the day she was born like it was last month. I interviewed Reagan because she was "Star of the Month" at school. Here were some of her answers....

What is your favorite color? Pinkalicious and Purplicious
What is your favorite movie? Monsters Inc.
What is your favorite drink? SODA!!!!! (I know, I know, moms are cringing all over)
What is your favorite thing to do? Play
What is your favorite book? Pinkalicious
What is your favorite song? Sweet Ffing (that's thing)

And so the list went on. Things I love about Reagan are she is a sweet girl. Sure, she drives me insane sometimes but she has the sweetest little understanding personality. At the tender age of 3, she definately understands emotions and why people are sad or what makes them sad/happy. She already cries at sad parts in the movies (even in cartoons). However, she is also as silly/goofy as all get out. (She gets this from her dad-in a good way). She can tell if you are upset or mad and tries to make you laugh or smile. Always a comedian and she loves to entertain. She loves to play with her dolls, color, read, go shopping, and sing. She loves to talk talk talk. I've had people comment what a talker she is or does she ever stop?? I usually just laugh and say "Not since the day she was born"!!
Three years ago they placed this tiny, amazingly beautiful, baby girl in my arms and I was instantly in love. Today, 3 years later, I love to sneak into her room at night and just watch and kiss the same beautiful girl, and thank God for allowing me to be her mother!

So....how did we celebrate??? I went with a cute cupcake theme. Reagan had some friends over that morning for a birthday bash. Carly, Emily, Kinlee, Zoe, Katie, and her teacher from school Jessica, all joined in for lunch, decorating cupcakes and playing. It was so much fun and it's just adorable watching the friendships that your child has made. She was so excited for days that her "buddies" were coming over to play and celebrate. I made cute little aprons for all the girls and each time I finished one she would tell me who that belonged to. It was a fun day for her.


Grouchy Birthday Girl



Katie, Kinlee, Carly, Emily, & Reagan modeling the aprons










This is Jessica. Reagan's teacher. She LOVES her and we are sad she is leaving that classroom!
Katie & Rea

Rea & Kinlee

FINALLY.....THE SCOOTER

Rea and BFF Emily