Welcome to our World

  After watching a Rix Road Trips video where they went ATVing I told Hubby we HAD to go the next time we were in Florida so he found a way for us to go try in the mountains near home.  My mom babysat and Hubby took the day off work so we could have an adventure for our 18th anniversary.   I was so nervous that I was more than happy to go right behind our guide and then Hubby followed me.  Behind him was a college age woman and then a father and son duo from Massachusettes.  It was actually easier than I thought it would be and soon I was feeling grateful for childhood horseback riding lessons because I automatically moved the way I needed to, such as leaning while going uphill.  The best part was what they called a "playground."  It was kind of like an obstacle course the guide took you through and was crazy exhilarating and an absolute blast.  That's when wearing clothes that we didn't care about came in handy.  The...

Our annual summer Activity Days for Girls movie watching party turned into a drive in movie to watch The Little Rascals this year.  That's what happens when you buy new basement furniture and take out the old sofa and ottomans before the new items arrive.   It turned out great.  I loved Michelle's school bus and Natalie's vintage convertible they made beforehand so we could see what was most effective and then my girls helped the other girls make their cars at the party. Three hours can fly by when you're having fun! Another day we had a wonderful time at the ward Primary picnic playing at the park, eating popsicles, and chatting. Danny, Michelle, Natalie and I had a great time at our favorite outdoor pool with C. family and H. family from our ward and even a baseball friend, Aiden, who happened to arrive at the same time we did.  (Kate was busy with volleyball day camp at CU.)  It was great to see Natalie have a great time in the water and feel more confident ...

Happy birthday to the wildly talented and brilliant K!  She had very simple requests this year.  Seen here is the shirt Hubby bought her because I refused (lol) and one of the French pastries we purchased at a bakery together instead of birthday cake for when my parents came over to celebrate.  The next day E, A, A, & I came over to wish Kate a happy birthday and ate (freshly fetched from across town) Dunkin' Donuts instead of birthday cake.  Is birthday cake no longer teenager approved?  Not pictured: the Air Pods she knew she was getting but we wouldn't admit to until she opened them.  I wish you the best 365 days yet, K!  May 14 years old be everything you want it to be. Most of the fun my oldest has had this summer there is no photographic evidence for but once in a while I get lucky to have someone else take a picture or at least suggest it. The first one is so precious to me. We had a wonderful time meeting this young man and his mom by eatin...

The week before the 4th of July my children were definitely practicing their independence. Natalie finished up Project Launch and is so happy to not have much on the calendar anymore.  Michelle and Danny went on another Expedition camp with Avid4 Adventure, this time spending almost a week in Wyoming mountain biking (D’s fav), white water rafting (M’s fav), SUP, archery, and climbing. This year they were in different groups with different leaders but got to play kickball together. Knowing that helped my momma heart let go at drop off.  And my eyes didn’t leak at pick up this time, much to Danny’s relief, and probably due to the fact the second he saw me he commanded I sign him out so we could head to the car. Lol. Sounds like Danny was the only one out of both groups to earn the archery pin by getting three bullseyes.  When I asked him how he did it he said he just got lucky.  I'm not too sure about that because from what I've heard, the 5th & 6th graders had mor...