Happiness Is...

Explore your Community

Sometimes I feel like we don't appreciate our communities.  We are always looking at other places - places that would be nicer to live than our current city, someplace that has nicer weather, someplace that's got more fun or entertainment, someplace better to take a vacation.  Last time we lived in St. George we never really went any where or did anything.  We never even went to Zions until 2 months before we moved to Santaquin.  So this time we want to explore our community.

On I-15 between Hurricane and Washington there is this giant billboard.  One day we were driving past it and MaKady said "Mom, I think we should do that."  I had no idea what she was talking about.  "Do what?"  I asked.  "That" she said pointing to the sign.  Aha!!  Giant Light bulb.  So that is what we are doing.  "Everything from A to Zion."   We have been exploring our community, basically anything that is within Washington County is fair game.  We just look around and find stuff to do.  We are working our way through the alphabet.  We are trying to stay in order, but we have skipped around a little bit.  It has been a ton of fun.  Almost every Saturday we are out doing something as a family.

So here is my challenge to you - explore your community, do everything there is to do.  Visit museums, parks, everything.  Keep checking back, I will start posting all the fun stuff we have done so far.

(P.S. - you should have seen me hanging out the back window of my car while Jared was driving so I could take a picture of this billboard, I'm sure it was hilarious!!)

Happy Birthday To Me

Happy Birthday to me...I'm 32 wow!!  I'm beginning to feel my age.  Even the lady at the drivers license division told me I look much older now than I did in my last license picture.  It's true!!  But it's okay, really.

I had a nice relaxing birthday.  We went to church and then came home and had a nice little party with my sisters and their families.  My hubby is gone to Denver for Monday night football but he gave me the greatest present - a waffle cone maker.  It's totally me.  I love it and I can't wait to make them.

Also, I thought these cupcakes turned out good.  They were super fun to make and I love everything to do with mason jars right now.  Plus they tasted amazing.  It really was a great birthday!!

At the Farm

Labor Day weekend was busy for us.  We took a trip north and stayed with my in-laws for the weekend.  Saturday we went to my nephew Brandon's baptism which took up most of the day.

Sunday we just relaxed and enjoyed the nice weather.  My mother-in-law made a delicious lunch, then we took the younger kids out to the farm.  We drove around in the golf cart and explored.  We found some old trucks and even an outhouse.

This time of year is by far my favorite.  I love that everything is in full bloom, the sunflowers, the nice weather.  I love all the fruit and veggies that are available this time of year. 

This cow had us laughing.  It was just standing there under the water line cooling off. 

The kids also loved riding in the tractor.

14 Years Old

I can hardly believe that my baby girl is 14 years old.  It has gone by so fast.  It seems like just yesterday she was wearing her Genie Costume singing "I'm a Genie in a bottle baby...."  I seriously wish I could just stop time.  I love this girl and I am so very proud of who she is becoming.

For her yearly pictures she wanted a "Pretty Little Liars" outfit but she wanted it to be modest, so this is what we came up with.  What a cute girl.  I just love her.

Birthday

On Saturday we celebrated MaKady's birthday (her real birthday is Aug. 29) but my parents and my sister Tori came to town so we wanted to include them.  We had a fun day full of family activities and then in the afternoon we had a party for MaKady.

She wanted Cafe Rio chicken salad and Chocolate Peanut butter cake so that's what she got.  It was fun to have so much family around to help celebrate.

 These babies were patiently waiting for their cake.



 After we sang to MaKady and she blew out her candles Lucas decided he wanted a turn.  We sang to MaKady again, then she let the younger kids blow out the candles on her cake.  She is becoming quite a nice young lady.  I'm so proud. 

She was so excited when she got her present.  She has wanted a Kindle for a long time.  She immediately plugged it in to charge it then we were able to download a ton of books.  Such a great birthday.

FHE - Feeding the Ducks

Tabi was in charge of family home evening this week.  We had a little lesson on love at home, then we went to the little pond to feed the ducks.  We had an old loaf of bread that we took.  MaKady was carrying the bread and before we could even get down to the water the ducks were going crazy around her trying to get the bread.  The girls loved it. 

 Lucas was scared.  He didn't want to have anything to do with the ducks at first.  So I held him for a while.  Then we finally got the ducks to follow us down to the water.

Once we were on the dock Lucas was happy to feed the ducks.  He would throw a piece of bread out and they would jump and catch it in their mouth.  Even the babies had a good time watching the ducks.

First Day of School

My daughters are so great.  They have had the most positive attitudes throughout our whole move and everything.  MaKady started her first day of High School at Tuacahn and Paige started her first day of 3rd grade at a new school.  She has a boy teacher this year so that should be interesting, but he is very laid back and cool and I think he is going to be so good for Paige.  Love these girls so much.

Last Day of Summer...

Well the kids start school tomorrow.  We have had a great summer.  We have done so many things together as a family.  For our last night of summer we decided to have a fire and roast marshmallows.  We ate smores and then we watched the Washington County Fair fireworks from the back yard.  It was a blast.  We are adjusting to life in our new surroundings and so far, so good.

A New Chapter

Most of you know we moved.  We are starting again, different jobs, schools, etc.  We are sad to have left our friends and our old ward, but we are so excited to see what the future holds for us. 

So far we are enjoying the beautiful country we live in.  The red hills and almost constant sunshine.  We really love having my younger sisters and their families so close. 

Today we enjoyed a nice early morning hike and then some fun at the splash pad. 



P.S.  "Happy Sunny Sunday"  love Paige.!!

Tub Time

How many cute babies can you fit in 1 bathtub?!!!!