Watching the Stadium of Fire Fireworks 2011

We love going to our favorite spot to watch the fireworks every year. This year was extra fun because we had 3 aunts, 2 cousins and an uncle share it with us. In spite of the heat and glow chalk that didn't glow we still had a good time. Tucker made a tie out of glow sticks and Luka wore a crown. We ate junk food until we were sick and had a good time. The fireworks were beautiful this year- loved the waterfall ones. And of course, my favorite part, the jets flying over.

Freedom Festival Balloons 2011

We love the balloons! Clay loves the American themed balloons, Luka loves anything with pink, and Tuck loved the Darth Vader balloon this year. There were a lot of Star Wars characters mingling in the crowd which was awesome. Getting your picture taken with a storm trooper?...super cool! :D And the highlight of our trip? - when Clay came out of the port-a-potty with a tooth in his hand. How many people lose a tooth in a port-a-potty? Yep.

The Land of Liberty

by Author Unknown

I love my country's pine-clad hills,
Her thousand bright and gushing rills,
Her sunshine and her storms;
Her rough and rugged rocks, that rear
Their hoary heads high in the air
In wild, fantastic forms.

I love her rivers, deep and wide,
Those mighty streams that seaward glide
To seek the ocean's breast;
Her smiling fields, her pleasant vales,
Her shady dells, her flow'ry dales,
The haunts of peaceful rest.

I love her forests, dark and lone,
For there the wild bird's merry tone
I hear from morn till night;
And there are lovelier flowers, I ween,
Than e'er in Eastern lands were seen,
In varied colors bright.

Her forests and her valleys fair,
Her flowers that scent the morning air--
All have their charms for me;
But more I love my country's name,
Those words that echo deathless fame,
"The Land of Liberty."

What is Success
Ralph Waldo Emerson

To laugh often and love much;
To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children;
To earn the approval of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends;
To appreciate beauty;
To find the best in others;
To give of one’s self;
To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition;
To have played and laughed with enthusiasm and sung with exultation;
To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived…
This is to have succeeded.

Sister Time

Three sisters over at once! Yeah! And somehow when Saren left she was a redhead too :D.

Daily Adventures

Everyone loves a pool party, even My Little Ponies :).

Strawberry Jam

Is anything more satisfying than eating strawberry jam that you made yourself from berries you grew and picked? Yum!

We Are Moving!! :D...to our own slice of heaven.

A couple of weeks ago we drove down to Salem on a whim to look at a house I found online. We immediately loved it. We went with our Realtor the next day to look at it and the rest is history. We took a leap of faith and put an offer on it even though our house hadn't sold yet. On Saturday we went back to look at it again and I only got more excited (which I wouldn't have thought possible:D). It is in beautiful Salem- pond town and city of peace. The house sits on nearly 2 acres and the main home was built in 1914. I am in love. It has water shares, fruit trees, a huge garden, a shop, a playhouse, an in ground trampoline, lots of big trees perfect for climbing and tree houses, a chicken coop, bunny pens, and plenty of room for horses, and just about anything else a couple of people longing for the country could possibly want. Goodbye modern subdivision and hello country living. It really is a dream come true for Brett and I. We feel so blessed and are so excited for our kids to grow up in such a beautiful place. Our own 'Little House.'

Everyone Loves a Parade

Every year we go to the Lehi Round UP Celebration Parade. This year was extra special. Tucker and Clay got to be in the parade with our ward's float. The theme was Memories of Saturday Morning Cartoons and the float was an awesome Mystery Machine. Tucker was Wile E. Coyote and Clay was Bumblebee. It was so fun to sit and watch the parade and get to see them. It was also more fun this year because Bridget, Boston and Tagg came with us. I've never seen anyone more excited for a parade than Boston, "Aunt Brittany, look!" "Mom, look!", "Uncle Brett, look!" He was adorable. Thanks for coming with us guys! Lukie got to have a close encounter with Snow White who she met at Disney Land. Snow White was so sweet she picked Lukie right up and gave her a hug. Luka also loved all of the princesses in the parade and waved like crazy and blew kisses at them. I love watching a parade (when the flags go by I always get a little choked up), but this year was extra special. Hooray for summer!

Bursts of Sunshine

BY LOUISE HURD

When you see a friend, be sure to smile;
The warmth will stay a long, long while.
And if you see a stranger, smile again.
He needs one as much as your best friend.
If he’s having a discouraging day,
Like wintertime when skies are gray,
Your little smile to him will be
Like bursts of sunshine, bright and free.
Then on a day when you feel blue,
Those bursts of sunshine will return to you,
As all the smiles you gave away
Come back to brighten up your day.

Summer is the Best!

I love summer!! I love having my kids home all day and having a free schedule. I love our adventures together. I love that they pull faces and pose for pictures. I love that they like hanging out together. I love being a family.

Sometimes... YOU JUST NEED CHOCOLATE

And if this is the only chocolate you can find, so be it! =D