We went to phoenix today for my sister Rachel's baby shower. I can't believe that her due date is just a week away! She looks adorable & we can't wait to meet their little girl.
After the baby shower we dropped off a truck load of stuff to Brandon & Rachel's town house- our old couch, baby swings, baby clothes, etc. Now we have a lot more room in our shed. Laun fixed a window on Rachel's car & then he took our boys to Cabellas.

Mom & Dad made a yummy dinner tonight. Four of us siblings & their families were their tonight- Ted, Andy, me, & Rachel. They grilled us these chickens that Richard & Martha had made for them-they were very moist.


Apparently Dad thought that the chickens should be holding hands:


I like this photo because in the background on the fridge is a picture of my mom & Marlee, too.
People always say how much Marlee looks like my mom.


Marlee has always liked her aunt Elizabeth:

Rachel & I- Rachel's prego belly is so cute:

The cousins racing:

Marlee & her Daddy:

In this picture I think Marlee looks like such a little girl- where did our little baby go?!

And tonight we got to go home to a non-working AC. The AC guy won't be able to fix it until wednesday but, luckily Laun got our swamp cooler up & running until then.

28 & counting...

Yesterday was my birthday & luckily the evening ended up better than the morning. The morning consisted of my boys fighting & crying, me yelling, you know the usual-that you wish wasn't so usual. Can't we all just get a long, seriously! And then Laun came home & that seems to make everything better.

Clayton made these for me {2 picture frames & in the top right corner is a crab}:


Here is my present sweetly wrapped:


In this white box was a new camera with 2 lens:



Then Laun took me out for dinner & I chose the Cheesecake Factory since I had never been.
I got a virgin pina colada- it was so good:


We got one of our favorites-calamari:

I got salmon, chicken, asparagaus, & mashed potatoes & Laun got a shrimp dish:

And for dessert-a lemon raspberry cheesecake with lady fingers:

And no I do not spell Catherine with a K but, everyone else seems to.

It was fun having a date night & we definately need to do that more often.

girl hair

I have really liked having a little girl & it is so much fun doing her hair. The only problem is that I like doing Marlee's hair but, Marlee does not like having her hair done.

I bought a small curling iron for her & I curled her hair the other day:




Her hair is getting longer which makes it easier to braid & put in pigtails:

This little girl is too cute!

Even though it is crazy hot out we made smores tonight. Jonathan wanted to try these reese's smores we rave about.

The boys are proudly wearing their temp. tattoos that they earned through the summer reading program. I LOVE the summer reading program, I remember participating in it when I was growing up. My boys have been reading like crazy-somedays they read anywhere from 1-3 hours even. I love that it is motivating for them & since they both can read to themselves it equals more quiet time for me:) I've also been reading to them more when all the babies are asleep & they love that.


The reese's smore:

Happy Fathers Day!

I am so thankful that I was blessed with such a great father. He taught me to be honest, to serve faithfully, to stand up for what I believe in, to drive, to look presentable, to garden, to work hard, that education is important, to hold family scripture reading, prayers, & family home evenings, to be an active church member, to respect my mother, to live a worthy life, to say what you think, to be thrifty & live within your means, to love your spouse, etc. The list could go on & on, my Dad has really taught me a lot & I am eternally grateful for that. Some of my fondest memories of growing up was listening to him play the piano as I drifted off to sleep. Or when as a family we would sing around the piano as he played. I truly regret not having him teach me how to play the piano, I am the only child out of 6 that didn't try to learn. I also remember him taking me for walks or out for a treat. He has always loved me even when I make mistakes. Thanks for everything, I love you Dad.

One of my favorite times with my dad was the summer we went to Jacksonville, WY for a family reunion. We went on this tram that takes you to the top of this huge mountain, the views are amazing & it was by far my favorite part of the trip.



Laun is truly an amazing father & very good looking, too. Our kids adore him & it is obvious that they prefer him to me but, I am okay with that. I am just thankful that they have such a great dad. He loves our kids, teaches them, helps them, cares for them, & he is fun too. He works with the kids in the garden, to build things, with the animals, etc. He helps our kids achieve & to try harder & be better. He helps them over come their fears & to believe in themselves, to have confidence. He is very smart & talented & I can already see that in our children thanks to him. I am grateful to have Laun in my life. He is a wonderful husband & father & he makes our home a happy place. I am thankful to have the priesthood in our home & the blessings that brings to our family. He loves his family so much & we are his world & it shows. We love you Laun & are thankful for all that you do. Happy Father's Day, we hope you had a great one!


Poor Laun, I woke him up to give him breakfast in bed & he was still so tired. I should've let him sleep in on father's day!

The kids made him pictures, he is holding Marlees here^

The sleepy dad with his cute kiddos^

Marlee taking Laun's breakfast^

Today is also Jonathans 22nd birthday.

We had chicken alfredo, garlic bread, & corn on the cob.

For dessert we had Jonny's favorite-fruit pizza:

Yesterday...

Here are the kids reading at a GI dr appt for Porter & Marlee yesterday. Marlee sat still for about 2 seconds, she is a busy little girl. The Dr has to do a scope on Marlee because she is having the same health problems that Porter had when he was little. She has been losing weight & now she is on medicine & this special medical drink called eo28. Luckily she drinks it & that should help a lot. Porter is doing great & can stay off his medicine.



Smores the goat is no longer in our backyard, we sold it last night. Poor Porter cried & cried that his goat is gone.



The chicks are growing fast-if you look closely Buddy the cat is under their cage:

Show Low trip

We went to visit family in Show Low- we only stayed one night but it was good to see everyone.
Porter caught a rubber fly- the boys said that they read in a book that they are called robber flies but, they like to call them rubber flys:


We had dinner with all the families at Ryan & Kami's home.
Here is Marlee kickin' it with Uncle Ryan:


Marlee liked "playing" the piano:





We went to the cemetery:

Marlee by Grandpa Hall's headstone^

Our children^

We miss our Cooper

The boys by their Great Grandma & Grandpa Hall's headstone:

Then we went to Show Low Lake:

Porter with a crawdad^

They also caught a snake but it got away.

Porter, Jonathan, & Clayton^

No fish were caught^

Marlee liked playing in the water^

Clayton, Pearce, & Porter^

And we brought Porter's goat Smores home from Show Low-it is up for sale & should be out of our backyard soon. I'm sure the neighbors are wondering why they heard maaa maaa last night.