WE LOVE TO CAMP...

Being that Wayne has so much free time on his hands we went camping in the middle of the week. It was great! We headed over to one of our favorite beaches HALF MOON BAY. Everytime we've been to this beach it's been an exciting adventure. The first time we went we had just moved here. The kids were playing in the water and building sandcastles while Wayne and I watched. When a big wave was cresting in the swell we saw the full body of a DOLPHIN literally not 10 feet from our kids. We were not certain if it was a SHARK or a dolphin. We jumped to our feet and then we saw like 5-6 dolphins just jumping and playing right of the coast it was amazing. The next time we went we saw a HUGE BEACHED WHALE (no not me) when we walked up to it I said to Wayne "I can't not touch it..." we all ran up to it and tried to pull off the barnicles and posed for some pictures (shocking I know) This time we camped not 50yds from the beach. It was so great! After our camp site was set up we couldn't hold the kids back from running down to the beach. You never know what the weather is going to be like here. The first day it was cloudy and a little cold, but that didn't stop my kids from getting wet. The next day was PERFECT!

For whatever reason all of my kids love to be buried in the sand. Maybe it keeps them warm...hhmm You can't really tell in this picture but we made Jay out to look like a mermaid. He's a little lopsided, but really girls aren't we all just a little? Ally thinks it's the funniest thing ever to only have her head showing. Seriously, she laughs hysterically! Where did she come from? She is the biggest goof ball ever!

Wayne's face got really sunburned from playing on the beach all day. We had so much fun just playing. We had fun making KABOBS for dinner and then of course SMORES. Allyson kept asking "when are we going to MARSH the MELLOWS" did I mention she's a KOOK? In the picture below BRITT is literally waiting for the water to boil. I forgot the tinfoil so we decided to boil our corn on the cob. I personally think everything tastes better in the outdoors. Maybe it's because we play so hard and we're just starving.

For my family this truly was the dream campsite...it had a THEATER yes, stage, seating the works. We of course held FHE over there and each had to do a SOLO act and then participate in a group number(as per our director JAY) Wayne and I sang one of his favorite camp songs "SHE WAS YOUNG AND SHE WAS GAY" and then I did what I always do for my solo "NOBODY" ALLYSON gave me a 10 thank you very much. The kids then took over and hammed up each number they were in-- alone or together. It was a delightful evening.

Here the kids are gladly doing the dishes because like food everything even dishes is better outdoors. I am a NAZI mom sometimes and make my kids do the dishes by hand even though we have a dishwasher. I just think they shouldn't miss out on the way I had to do things. Singing makes everything more fun too. BRIBES work the best "do the dishes and you can go down to the BEACH" I love playing with my new camera so I have close to a million sunset pics! I mentioned that we always have an adventure at this beach...the kids found lots of fun seashells. Britt was thrilled when she found a WHOLE SANDDOLLAR. They also found a CRAB a 3 legged STARFISH and a JELLYFISH. This is our CRAB...
Britt takin' on the JELLIES...she was like WOA and we were like WOA and then she was like WOA!!! FIN--NOGGIN--DUUDE!!! Can I just say we heard this dialogue over and over and over...
Wayne and Jay made quite the little sand city with tunnels and shtuff. They both love to dig and get sandy...me not so much I like my beach chair.

Here Ally is showing off her find of the trip...a real LIVE STARFISH it was pretty amazing although I couldn't bring myself to hold it. We brought it up to our camp and it lived with us for a couple of days. The kids really wanted to bring it home to our fish tank but we threw it back into the ocean. The color was pretty vibrant and you could see it breathing and all it's little tentacles moving. Ally LOVED it.


We had a great time and would gladly go with anyone who wants to. We're pretty simple campers. We have our chairs and one tent that we all sleep in. I made a batch of rolls and packed sandwich stuff. We had KABOBS one night and then HOT DOGS and CORN ON THE COB the next. Of course we had cereal in a box for breakfast and I made cookies (which you can see on the cooking blog) We had a couple kites, a big shovel with some buckets and we were ready! I'm glad my kids are so easy going and make trips like this pleasant. A lot of people don't know this (Amelia does) but WAYNE is hysterical. He does what he thinks are different voices but really it's just one (indian) I laugh just thinking of it. He does do a pretty good ELVIS too! We got that on the stage with our shovel as his guitar. I LOVE IT!!!
Open invitation to anyone who wants to go to the beach I'm there...

Ally surprised me today...

Ally loves to swim, but has always been a little frightened of the diving boards. A few days ago she got up the nerve to do the low dive, but no way was she going to do the high dive... Wayne and I were lounging on the grass and I heard the kids riling Ally to do it...just do it. We looked over and she was in the line to do the high dive she got up to the ladder and then ran over to the low dive. We laughed and I said "I don't think she'll do it this summer, if she does it will be in August" a few minutes later we looked over and she was half way up the ladder of the high dive I again was doubtful I said "there's no way she'll do it...she'll get up there and half to climb down" NOT she ran right out there and jumped like a champ. I WAS SHOCKED! I think if you click on the picture it will go bigger and you can see Ally's face as she falls
She ran over and gave us a big hug and ran over to do it again and again and again... She got more and more crazy with each jump.
She swims like a champ in 13 feet of water. I can't tell you how proud I was of her and how guilty I felt for doubting my little daredevil. She can't wait to go back tomorrow with her friend Meg who is 8. Ally is quite proud that she is only 6 and has done this huge accomplishment...at least it is in our family. Brittany & Jay were equally has proud.

This is Ally on the low dive...no fear
This has nothing to do with Ally but it's such a cute picture of Jay jumping off the high dive...I had to share. This is Kennedy and Britt practicing the moves that they want to do off the high dive...my camera battery died so I didn't get the actual jumps so I will do that tomorrow

Father's Day and end of school stuff...

I have the greatest husband...he's a fabulous DAD and a great FRIEND & CONFIDANT to all of us. Britt gave him the shirt he is wearing and Ally gave him new black flip-flops and Jay gave him a new t-shirt. A few weeks ago we got a new computer & printer which was his gift from me. It will also be our anniversary and birthday gifts. WE LOVE YOU BABE!!!We always snap a picture after church and it's usually in the front of our house. The kids had an opinion this year and wanted it on the side of our house by our tree. WHATEVER!!!
Jay & Jack were the wall ball referees for FIELD DAY! The 4th and 5th graders run all the different "stations" or activities and Jay was thrilled to get wall-ball because as he will tell you he is the best!!!
Jay enjoying pizza and fruit after field day. We had the kids eat and then we played the game "how well do you know your teacher" The kids had a fun time learning new things about their teacher they had all year. Jay new more than I thought he would.
My post...I can't believe that summer is here. I was so excited to sleep in on Monday morning...but I had a dentist appointment with Ally & Britt at 8am. It was kind of sleeping in we normally get up at 6am. Tuesday was great 'cause we didn't have to be anywhere!

Ally as the HULA HOOP champ of 1st grade...I actually don't know if she was the actual champ but she was awesome and could have gone on all day. I don't think they gave awards--that might make somebody feel bad! WHATEVER-if there's a winner it should be declared as such

ALLY was the WINNER!!!

On the second to last day of school Ally's class had a CAMP OUT DAY... they spent the first couple of hours before lunch just hangin' out watching videos playing games and of course reading lots of books. Ally's teacher MS. V had a pretend fire and everything. The kids had a great time and then they had their big class party. Ms. V asked that she have the last day of school with just the kids and no parents. They had field day in the morning and then spent the last hour and a half with their teacher. I was thrilled because it allowed me to spend the whole time with Jay during his party.
Megan, Ava and Ally show me how wet the got during the water balloon toss. I don't really see that they got that wet, but man you'd have thought they were soakin'...
Ally and Ava were pretty excited that their balloon hadn't popped yet. Of course this game turned into a huge water fight. The kids (and the parents) ended up just throwing the balloons at each other. Ally had a great end of the year party. She's excited that her teacher will be looping with her class. Which means she will have the same students and teacher next year. I am thrilled as well. I couldn't have asked for a better teacher or group of kids and parents.
Ally and Ava keenly aware that they are being snapped by both Mom's. They planned their move so that it would be the perfect picture. Have I mentioned that Ally is a SPAAZZZ!!!

Girls weekend in CARMEL...

Last Friday morning as I was socializing after work, a great friend of mine ran up to me and asked "do you want to go to Carmel tomorrow?" I was so excited that I could actually go and do something on a weekend because Wayne would be home with the kids. YEAH! I went with two of my good friends from our ward Shelia and Rebecca. We had a fabulous day! We walked out and enjoyed looking in the tide pools. Normally filled with STARFISH but tide was coming in so they weren't as prominent. It's okay I'll go back! I was sitting on this rock with Rebecca and we could hear a big wave coming so we got up and moved quickly. I slipped a little and hit my knee, but no blood just a little swelling and then bruising. Didn't stop me.

We first stopped in Gilroy and did some outlet shopping. We then stopped just south of Monterey in a town called Pacific Grove. It was sooo beautiful. There were about 5 different weddings going on. I snapped a couple of shots to show my girls. Can you imagine? It was so amazing. We had each packed a lunch so we just sat on one of the cliffs and watched the weddings and the ocean and chatted with each other. Best girls night out ever!!!I still am in awe that this is the area where Dad did his basic training. At least I think that's what it was for. If I ever had to serve this is the base I'd want to serve. The purple flowers along the coast were so vibrantly colorful. Words can't describe how much I enjoyed this day.

This is the "Lone Cypress" tree. It's the logo for Pebble Beach golf course which is what it over looks. I was blown away at the houses along this drive which is called 17Mile Drive. You have to pay like $10 to even drive along this stretch of road. Totally worth it, some of the homes I thought were hotels. I've seen some amazing homes but these out did anything I've ever seen, and I've been to millionaire row in San Fran. I think the view made them more spectacular.
The bay was filled with tons of these cute little harbor seals. They were just swimming and diving off this rock. I kept thinking, I'm so excited for school to get out so I can come down here with my family. It's only about 2 hours away. (a little less than that)
The water was so clear and blue green. The waves were amazing. This cliff is the last hole at Pebble Beach. The spouses of the women I had gone with had golfed there and it was about $300. HELLO--to chase a little white ball? Yeah, I don't get that one. I'm sure my brothers are saying "HELLO" right back at me. I still don't get it!!! Okay, the view is amazing I get that.The waves were like ones I've never seen before. They crashed so big onto the beach. I LOVED the sound it was so cool. I could've just sat on the beach all day with a book...umm I think I'll do that when the kids come with me. The town of Carmel-by-the Sea was so picturesque. It was such a cute little place. It reminded me a little of Vail Colorado. We just had an ocean view rather than a mountain view. We walked into several of the shops, even TIFFANY'S. I was tickled to see that gold jewelery was the new thing again, so my wedding band won't look so dated. There was very little silver or platnium on display. Trends! Such goofiness!After shopping we ate dinner at a Meditteranean restaraunt. I had the Pistachio encrusted Salmon served with Lobster cream potatoes and Wasabi. I had 4 little dollups of calvair also, it was so melt in my mouth delicious, my mouth is watering as I type. My parents spoiled me so I'm kind of a food snob, but this was awesome. I want to take my parents there so they can copy it. For dessert I had a poached pear with creme fresh. It was equally as amazing.We ended our day by sitting on the beach wrapped up in a blanket just chatting and enjoying the view. After a couple of hours of sitting on the sand our older bodies were tired and we headed for home. We had started the day by leaving at 9am and got home about 11pm. I can't wait to do it with my children and hubby. We are also planning on a bigger group of women and doing it again. We may make it a Mother Daughter trip. I was thrilled to have my new camera from Mother's Day. I played a lot taking scenary shots. The whole day was delightful. It was nice to have a break, and then come home to my sweet family.

My Wedding Pictures are finally DIGITAL...

I am so excited to have my wedding pictures in digital format. It took forever, but now that it's done I am thrilled. I can hardly believe that it was nearly 14 years ago. Whenever I'm asked "what is your most favorite day?" I always say my wedding day. YES, I loved each one of my childrens births, but it all started with this perfect day. I loved everything about it, except that my brother Jon was still on his mission. Other than that it was truly the PERFECT day.

In this picture with my Dad, I remember the photographer said "now give your Dad a kiss on the cheek for paying all the bills to make this day happen"

The picture of my profile was taken by my Father-in-Law. Being that it's Father's Day this weekend I thought I'd post these pictures. I am very blessed to have a fabulous Dad who always did and still would do anything for me. I am also blessed to have a great father-in-law.

This is a picture of my Bridal party. I look back at these photos and I am so thrilled that I got my BLACK & WHITE wedding. I can't believe that little Spencer is now 16 and driving. Amelia and Meffie (as I now call Megan) are married adults. Even Vikki is married and has 4 little boys.

I love the Bridal shots of my wedding dress. This is the first dress I tried on after getting engaged. I of course tried on a million different dresses at a million different stores, but got the first dress I tried on in the end. Just like my engagement ring. I think girls have been dreaming of this moment their whole lives that when it finally happens we know exactly what we want.

I love these random wedding shots...I have never been a very photo-genic person and during these goofy shots Wayne was making the most HILLARIOUS comments. I think they turned out okay and real looking because I was laughing and smiling at my goofy husband. Most people don't know this but, WAYNE is the funniest person I know...and I know a lot of funny people!

These 2 pictures are probably 2 of my favorites. It was so windy when we came out of the Temple and I was worried that the photos would be bad, but the photographer assured me that wind makes some cool pictures. He was right, I love them. The tree that Wayne and I are posing in was destroyed during the tornado that ripped through Salt Lake. So, I love that I have a picture of what was once called the "wedding tree"

When Wayne first saw this picture of me, he said "I wish I could've been there to see you get up there in that dress" This is one of Wayne's favorite pictures. Jon Faldmo took a bunch of random shots of me. I love the non-traditional pictures, each one has a memory to go with it.

I have a SON...

My last couple of blogs have been all about Britt. I thought I should put some of my other kids too. I recently did one with Ally so I figured it's Jay's turn.

Tuesday night at Pack meeting Jay was awarded the Arrow of Light the ceremony was very cool and we all enjoyed it outside with a fire pit.

Jay really enjoys scouts and has worked very hard during his cub years. He has had some amazing leaders. I worked with him for only a few months when he was a BEAR. I can hardly believe that he is in BOY SCOUTS now. Man my kids are getting big.

Here Jay is awaiting Uniform inspection. The leaders decided that the boys were'nt really respecting their uniforms so they came up with a point system. Each part of the uniform gets a point and the Den with the most points gets a prize. The list includes belt, hat, slide, scarf, combed hair, tucked in shirt, pants, clean & trimmed finger nails, books and hats. I have to say that Sister Reni is a genius because our Pack looks amazing now!!!

Jay had a great time during the ceremony and is thrilled to have this Arrow to put on display in his room. It was a fun filled evening.