Cutest . Mugs. Ever. Period.

Because We're Awesome MOMS...

...And because we both found ourselves without our husbands this weekend, we took all the kids camping in Hobble Creek with tons of our neighbors and ward members.
We had a great time....
One of my favorite parts was on the way home when Abby declared she had something to tell me:
"Mom, I hate to tell you this but I've had the same "underwears" on all the days we be gone."
It was only one day...but I guess that is a big change from her usual 12 pairs a day.

First Day Of School 2011

That's right folks, I sent my baby girl off to Kindergarten today. I think it was me who was the baby at the bus stop crying my eyes out while the other moms assured me it would be okay. Little Abby (or should I say BIG Abby) wouldn't even let me take her to school. Hmm, I wonder where that sense of independence comes from.

Just Call Him Costanza

Me: "Ethan, why is your shirt inside out? You didn't wear it to school like that on the second day did you?"

Ethan: "No ma, I had to go poop."

Me: "Why do you still take off all of your clothes every time you go number two?"

Ethan: "Because ma, it feels good."

For those of you who don't know...George Costanza as in "Jerry Seinfeld" was know for this same trick. Remember that time the fire alarm went off in Jerry's building and Costanza was caught not only with his pants down, but his pants and everything else OFF!
We've been trying to explain to E-Man how unnecessary this is ever since he left for Kindergarten.


Me: "You know you CANNOT do that at school, right?"

Ethan: "Don't worry ma, I would NEVER go poo in the school bathrooms!"

LOVE HIM!!!

It's That Time Again...

And man oh man...this boy is HUNGRY for it! He scored 6 goals on Saturday's game (and it wasn't an easy team either)! It seems that not playing on the same team as big brother has helped an aggressive player emerge! It's going to be a fun few weeks but with all three kids on separate soccer teams and me coaching the 4-5 year old girls, it's bound to be hectic. I see lots of fast food in our future.

So I figured...

If Justin is away playing with the boys in Tulsa for a week that I would get a sitter and go with some of the coolest girls I know to FINALLY catch this. I loved this book, but I think I already told you that. I also LOVED the movie! You should experience it for yourself. And beware of the chocolate pie :)

Flashback Friday (Hard To Believe)...

You start Kindergarten in one week!
I'm not sure when you went from being a baby to such an strong willed little lady.
It seems to me it happened literally overnight.
Your dad and I agree on one thing more than anything else in the world:
We are so glad you are OUR DAUGHTER!

So This Is What Happens...

Boy cousins+ Idle Time+ Bugs+ Available Stock Pot+ Little Parental Supervision= ONE BIG DARE & A Stock Pot of LOTS of Bugs and Random Ingredients....This is how you eat bugs apparently....SILLY BOYS!

That Looks Like a ONE CRAZY Cook!

Ethan was a cautious spectator of the whole debacle

Oh the insanity, and to think these are my boys role models. Ha ha! I love my nephews!

The girls loved it (NOT)!!!

The DELICIOUS "End Result"

Milk just helps everything go down a little bit easier now doesn't it?

A Day On The Lake

With Summer coming to an end soon, we've been trying to get out on the water as much as we can. We have the best friends and neighbors who always include us on their boating adventures....enough about that though, I need to tell you about something much more important...

This is my best friend. I think her spirit can be seen in this smile. She is the greatest friend a girl could have. I consider her my sister. We've spent the past 3 years in one another's daily lives literally living almost connected by our back doors. She's the person I look to for everything. She's smart, beautiful, righteous and strong in the gospel. She moved this past week up the canyon. We have not talked about her moving much, we've just been busy making all the preparations for the move. And, I think we are sad. So we just leave it alone. I know that 20 miles isn't that far but there's no denying it will change things for us. I love her. I'm grateful for her mighty example. I'm grateful to be a constant recipient of her love and attention.

Flashback Friday

I still miss this lady so much. I think about her every day. The kids ask about her all the time. Some may read this and say to themselves that she was just a dog. But for our family she was a companion and friend. I know she is playing ball in doggie heaven where the hills roll with soft grass and there's an unlimited supply of her favorite pigs ears. We miss you Brittan. It's been 2 years since we said goodbye, we can't wait to say hello again some day.

Oh Baby, It's ON!

The date has been set.
The grandparents have been scheduled to tend the Hill babes.
The gear purchased.
We're going to tackle this giant in a couple of weeks.
We may be a bit older than last time.
We may be carrying a few more pounds.
BUT, I know we can do it!

Mt. Timpanogas Elevation 11, 749

And...yes, you actually really do see stuff like this.
As Abby would say, "FOR REALS".
Last time we did this, an unfriendly moose even chased us.
That was fun and terrifying all in one.
I hope Mr. Moose is sleeping this time.
I don't think I have the energy to out run him again.

And this is the view from the ghastly summit.
There's a scary little tin shed at the top where you get to sign your name that you made it.
As if it goes down in history or something.
And that white stuff? An awesome permanent glacier.
Sliding down that puppy will take about 3 or 4 hours off your descent time.
We were warned previous that it might result in broken bones.
It was the best part of the trip last time.
I can't wait!!!

I'm Reading This Book....

And I Really LOVE It! But then again:
I AM A DOG LOVER. So far it's made me laugh, cry and wish at times I could see the world from a dog's perceptive. If you need a good book to entertain you the last month of summer, you should give this one a try!
I Repeat: I love dogs....and cats, bunnies, & lizards. Just stop by my house sometime and see for yourself.

I Love This Girl...

Go HERE to see for yourself. We were meant for one another.
I have learned so much about myself since this happened.
What I want to be to others and how I want to live my life.
It's really true that serving others can help us to find ourselves.

Hope Your Weekend...

Is as good a time as this little lady had with friends and cousins last weekend!
There's nothing like falling asleep eating pretzels in the back seat of the car.

The Bees Knees

This is our backyard neighbor Mr. Heaps. He is always sharing and teaching our boys new things. He can grow anything, but we especially love the giant peaches he spoils us with every fall. This past weekend he decided to teach Isaac & Ethan about raising bees. Did you know that if you "smoke" them before handling, it makes them groggy and less likely to sting? He told us all about the "Queen Bee" and how the other bees spend time fanning her to keep her the perfect temperature at all times. Sounds good to me! We love learning all the great things Mr. Heaps knows and we think
HE'S THE BEES KNEES!

Three Years...

Today marks a special anniversary for me. It's been three years since I was baptized. I feel like I have learned so much and grown a hundred years in my understanding in these three short years. However, it was very disappointing to me to discover that I would still fall down. Sometimes even "biff it" in life so to speak. I laugh now to think that I really thought I could live the rest of my life without making mistakes. I've come to realize that it's not the falling down that matters. It's the getting back up each time, and each time working to make perfect our flaws. What matters most is the path to perfection that you are on. I'm forever thankful for the atonement. I'm thankful that through that we can be made perfect. I'm thankful that Heavenly Father's love for us is perfect whether we are or not. He always wants to give that love to us. I'm grateful for all the people in my life willing to love and support me despite my imperfections.

Just A Reminder...

Put this on your list of things to do.
It's important to me. It's important to so many more than just me.
Every little bit counts.
Our donations keep growing, but we still need YOU to do something about this.
Do It Right Now...
I Dare You.
Go HERE.

Introducing....

Our new kitty, SLATE....He fits in perfectly already. And it's a bonus that he doesn't seem to mind Abby's daily torture too much. I expect to come home any day now and see him dressed in baby clothes. We are sad that out cat of 12 years ran away a few weeks ago, but I'm holding out hope that she will return and have a new little playmate when she comes home.