July Recap

Finally playing catch up. I'll start with a July recap. Looking back through these pics makes me realize I really am not ready for the snow that showed up yesterday. Although, Jackson was ecstatic and wanted to go play in the snow the minute he woke up.

Over the fourth we went to Bear Lake. The campground we were at had a park and the kids loved it.

Jackson learned how to slide down a fireman pole and now every time we go to a park he gets excited when they have a pole.


Bryson loved the sand and water and is completely fearless.
I got to go to birthday dinner with my boys.
We went up to Logan to visit with old friends. Thanks for hosting Rhonda!

I love Jackson's face. He was cracking up because his bum left a wet spot on the tramp.

We went to a parade. It's not July without a parade right?


And over the 24th we went camping up to Coltor Bay. We drove into Yellowstone to see Old Faithful one day, it's the same as I always remember but it's still amazing. I was really hoping to see a bear, since I had heard there were a lot of sighting, but we saw nada.

Jackson Lake. It sits under the Tetons and it is absolutely georgeous!
I have not idea who the guys in the canoe were, but I thought it made for a nice picture. :)





I love family vacations and it seems July is usually filled with them. The boys were at such a fun age this summer, it was a lot of fun. It was actually pretty laid back and now I feel like we are running around crazy busy.

Helping Taylie

I do plan on posting a post chock full of pictures and all the exciting things that have happened in our life that I just know you are all dying to hear about :), but before that I need to do my part to help others. Sometimes I get so busy with my own kids and my own life that I don't take the time to help others the way I should. I need to be better to teach my kids how to be givers instead of receivers. I want them to have compassion for others and want to help when they can. I want them to see that they have a good life, actually a pretty good life. And that there is always someone that needs our help. I want for them to feel the love of Christ in our home and to want to share that love by serving and giving just as Jesus himself did.
There is a little girl from a town right next door to my hometown, her name is Taylie, and she has cancer. Boo. She has two adorable little sister's, one of which was just born not too long ago. Can you imagine her mother having to care for a newborn and Taylie at the same time. That sort of strength doesn't come easy. I don't know this little girl, but from reading her site, Taylie Bug, she is a strong little girl with a wonderful family who loves her more than anything. As you all probably know, when there is cancer there is usually lots and lots of medical bills. Well my friend Kylene, being the amazing women that she is, has come up with a fantastic idea. This is how you can help Taylie and her family.
Link Taylie's website on your blog with any message that you'd like to about inspiring and helping each other. Somewhere, link to Kylene's and leave her a comment saying you have done this. Each comment is worth 2 dollars from an anonymous donor. So go ahead and click the links leave a comment and spread the word.

I believe it will all be added up this weekend. And if you don't have a blog, Kylene has explained on her blog how you can facebook or tweet as well. I know all my friends are great, so go show how great you are!

The big 3!!

Sigh... I have been reprimanded by a few people that it's been awhile since I posted. I know this, and I really hadn't realized it had been over a month. I do have intentions all the time to post but then time just seems to slip past me, one of these days maybe I will have a catch up post. Speaking of time slipping by, my little two year has now made the plunge to join all the crazy three year-olds out there. Seriously, how can he be that big?! But he is, and it really is so fun to see him grow up into a little man. That is his new phrase about everything, "I growed up now..." Sadly he is not grown up enough to use the potty, I guess in due time right? In his words, "I just want you to change me mommy" hmmm, any tips?

So our Landon is three and he couldn't be more fun, he still adores horses and animals, but has added, dinosaurs, transformers (of course), cars and trains to the mix. He decided three months ago that a train party is what he wanted. So, we had not one, but two train parties!
He started out his birthday on Friday with his birthday muffin.

Simple pleasures :)

We went out to eat as a family that night, and he got his very own ice cream sundae. Grinning from ear to ear!
Then on Saturday we had party #1. Grandma Stark, Aunt Keri, and cousins Ethan and Harrison came down from Idaho. The boys were so excited! And it made it even better that they were staying over night!

The invite:

We went to lunch and then headed over to Ogden Union Station to see the Train Museum.

Checking out the huge model train track with dad.


Then back to the house for naps, dinner,

Presents!

and Cupcakes!

Party #2. Grandpa and Grandma Hansen, Aunt Kristina, cousins Austin and Savanna, and Great Grandma Gunnell and Wayne came down on Sunday to wish Landon a happy birthday.

Food

More presents!

And of course cake!

I think we are all having a birthday hangover. Good thing I don't have another one until December!

We love you Landon and hope you had a fantastic birthday!

Oh, and if you want to see the rest of Landon's pics go to the other blog

New pics

Before my trip I posted a couple pics of Jackson and Bryson. I am finally getting around to posting the rest, but rather than double posting you can see them at my other blog <-----

L.A. trip

So have you all been waiting for pics? I guess time snuck away from me and I forgot I hadn't posted anything here yet. It was such a fun, spontaneous, exciting trip! And it probably would never have happened if it hadn't of been so spur of the moment.
My sister-in-law Kristina found out Friday night that she got tickets to the finale that would be taped on Tuesday. So we decided we must figure out how to go! We decided on a road trip. It all worked out and we left about 2:00 on Monday for St. George. It went really fast and very smooth, much different traveling without kiddos. :) We did a little shopping and ate dinner and then stayed at a friends (thanks Dani). We left bright and early at 6:00 am. Made a potty brake in Baker.

And soon enough we were there!
L.A. traffic= not fun. But it wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be. We got to our hotel which was right up the street from where the show was going to be filmed, but couldn't check in yet. Which was fine, cause we had some line waiting to do. Even though we had the ticket voucher there was a chance we might not get tickets. Our time slot to pick up our tickets was between 2 and 3pm but we were there and ready to get'em at 11:30!


After we secured out tickets and had them in hand, what else, than a little shopping!
Then we headed back to get checked in and get ready for the night! We love those tickets :) (yes, I know I have crazy eyes, I don't know what my deal was)
Liz(Kristina's other sis-in-law, who flew from North Carolina to meet us there!),me, Krissy, and her mom.
The show was so good and it was so fun to see it all live. Our seats ended up being pretty good, but you couldn't have cell phones or cameras or anything in the theater, so we obeyed. They ask you at the door, and even had metal detectors things, which they didn't us on us. Well once we get in and get seated, all these people had their phones and cameras! Boo! So we joked that that's okay we obeyed, we would have had to lie to bring them in, so we will be blessed. After the show we went and ate dinner at the California Pizza Kitchen that is right there outside the theater. And as we were seating eating all the dancers came over! So we got to talk to some of them a little and get our pictures with them. Such talented people and soooo nice.
Kristina with Caytlin and Ade.


Our Utah girl Randi.
Max, Karla, Jonathon, Ade, and Votolio.
Then one of the Choreographers, Louis Van Amstel, was there eating so I snagged a pic with him too! Don't we make a cute couple ;)

Even though it was like midnight, the night was young, so we walked down to the Chinese theater and the Hollywood walk of fame.
This was for Kenny, in front of Arnold's spot :)

Ready to head home Wednesday morning. :( I think I could have used just one more day.


Goodbye Hollywood!

Thanks Kristina for letting me come, and Liz and Loreita for fun company! I will always remember our little girl trip, we should definitely do it again!

Oh and here is a little video of Jonathon and Vitolio goofing around. For those that watch the show, you remember the "door" dance? Well that song came on while they were hanging out, they kept doing this over and over, it was pretty entertaining.