Messin' With Jason

So the girls and I decided to paint Bentley's nails one day. Just a random thing to do! They looked cute all pink, so we sent Jason a picture, since he was out of town at the time. I started teasing him that I was going to paint Dozer's nails pink. That is pretty much the worst thing I can do to his only boy!! Poor, poor Jason....on a life raft in estrogen ocean! Ha ha! So Jason said that if I did paint Dozer's nails, he just might have to come home early because he would be that mad. :) So, what's a girl to do?

So of course, what could I do but send him a picture of his only boy with pretty pink nails.?...hoping maybe he would come home....but mostly just to mess with him!! It's just too fun! Who doesn't like black, white and pink though? I mean really!

Ok, Ok...so I changed them really fast after that...to black and green. That's a little more manly right?! Ha ha! I love messin' with my hubby! He's too much fun!

Our Little Musician

Taylor participated in a summer cello program at her cousin Aivree's school. Taylor liked meeting new friends and loved that her cousins Kelcie and Aivree both helped with the class. They went 45 minutes a day, 5 days a week for a month and then had a little performance. It was so cute. It was fun to see her learn another new instrument. She has a real gift of music. She is going to play in the school orchestra this year. This should give her a little head start!

My Little Spaghetti Face

I love my little Spaghetti Face girl! The messier she is...the happier she is!

FMSC

For a while I have wanted to find some kind of service project that my girls could do with me. I just wanted them to be grateful for the little things in life and to be aware of the situations that happen in our world. I finally found it. Today we went and packed Manna Packs for FMSC.org...aka Feed My Starving Children. It is a Christian organization that focuses on "starving" children around the world, not just "hungry" children. I had no idea what it would be like, but I did have some hopes. I have to say that the experience exceeded all of my hopes....and it was really fun!! I just took the older two girls and met our dear friends, Melissa, Ellie and Reagan at the facility.

After signing in and receiving our hairnets, we watched a short movie, (which Melissa and I cried at the whole time). Then we went and learned how to pack these manna packets. They are filled with a chicken/vitamin powder, dehydrated veggies, soy and rice. We each had our jobs to do. I was the bag opener and holder. Melissa, Ellie and Taylor all scooped the food. Reagan and Rylee weighed the bags and passed them on to be sealed. They had music going and for 2 hours, we just worked while we danced and laughed and cheered everytime we filled a box.

Little sidenote: Kurt Warner was there the day before and he stood at our table and sealed the bags. I love the Cardinals and Kurt Warner, so I think that is pretty cool!

Anyway, at the end, we cleaned up and found out that the whole group packed enough food in 2 hours that would feed 31 kids for a whole year. The coolest thing was that they pray over the boxes of food once they are done. Anyone who wanted to went over and they prayed that the boxes would get where they needed to go safely and would make it through customs and into the right hands. I felt very emotional during this prayer, because I just knew, that no matter what religion was in charge, God is over it all and these things can only happen with his help. It was pretty powerful. I am so glad that someone started this whole program and that I got to go and take my precious girls. They LOVED it and are already asking to go back. Taylor has already thanked me about 15 times and said it was the best experience of her life.

New Mexico...Ranch Style!

This post is going to have A LOT of pictures. This trip was an absolute dream! I can't believe we got to do all that we did, and with such amazing friends. After Utah, we came home for one day and then left for New Mexico. We stayed with our dear friends in their beautiful house the first night. The next day we left for their family's ranch. On the way, we went through a ton of Indian Reservation. We stopped and had authentic fry bread on the side of the road. Yum. In a couple of hours, we went from desert to the most beautiful mountains and thick, green forest. We pulled into the ranch and thought we were in a movie! No joke! We just don't come across these things everyday. We spent our time at the ranch, riding four-wheelers, riding horses, just chilling out, swinging on the rope swing, exploring, fishing, laughing and eating super yummy food.

The kids were playing horseshoes. They stood super close. It was so funny.

Annie and Tay. Tay was the oldest kid there. She was torn between being a kid, but wanting to be with the adults. Annie was so great at making her feel like she belonged and was so sweet to her. It meant a lot to see that. It helped Taylor to feel like comfortable and wanted.

And...here is Josh. Probably the funniest person I have ever met. Guaranteed laughfest everytime we are all together.

Here is their youngest and our youngest. Cute kids!

My hot cowboy!

His quirky wife! Ha ha!

Yes, this is a horse by our cars. The horses just graze the land and then are rounded up by the man who takes care of the ranch. They have free reign of the property. They have to be pretty happy about that. The horses are what we were most excited about. The first day we got to ride past this meadow and up this breathtaking mountain trail. Taylor got to ride her own horse alone. Pretty much her dream come true. She has a passion for horses. I had a really mellow horse, but Annie and Jason's horses were pretty moody. It was a fun time! Jason's knee started to hurt, so we cut it short, but enjoyed every second of it. That evening, the horses were just hanging around and we loved giving them attention. It was so fun to see Rylee and Morgan with Annie's kids, petting the horses and feeding them and not being scared at all.

The second day we were there, we wanted to ride again, but weren't sure if we could. We probably shouldn't have and I know that Annie just rode because she knew how much we wanted to. It started off great. The kids each got to take a turn on the horses, while we walked them around. Then, Taylor and Annie and I all hopped on the same horses as the day before, only Annie had her son Jack on with her and Rylee was on the back of me. We rode up the same trail as the day before, but decided to go further. It just got more beautiful as we went and I couldn't believe it was real. So amazing. But then Annie's horse got spooked, (and it was already moody), and so Annie had to get off and lead it back down the trail a ways. Jack was still on, but crying pretty hard. It scared him and he wanted to go back. Annie got to a spot she could get back on and my horse was in the lead and Taylor was in the back of the line. We were heading down the steepest part of the single trek trail, when I heard a scream and looked back to see Annie and Jack flying off their horse and their horse running as fast as she could down the mountain and out of sight. My horse got spooked and started running, but luckily, Rylee held on. I got my horse to stop, even though it wasn't happy about it, but I couldn't get off to go help Annie because I was afraid the horse would take off with Rylee on alone. I looked up and Annie was holding Jack and his face was covered with blood and dirt. Annie had to get up and lead Taylor's horse back down to the trail because it had run up the side of the mountain when the other horse ran off. I could tell Annie was hurt and I for sure knew Jack was. Tay and I rode down to get help, but they were already heading up to find us because Annie's horse ran back to the ranch without it's saddle and with a broken rein. I am not sure if Annie broke or bruised her rib, but she was so tough about it. She was sore, but was just worried if we were comfortable and wanted to make sure that dinner got started. She is amazing. Luckily, Jack is ok, but he had a hard tumble. The picture below shows his face after they got him cleaned up. Scary, but it could have been worse. I am sure it will be a while before they get back on their horses. And, I'm sure Annie is still sore, after a couple of weeks because she landed right on a rock. Ouch!

The last night we made s'mores and just chilled. It was perfect. Thanks Josh and Annie for being so generous and being such great friends. We are very lucky...and we are so glad you are ok.

My Precious Grandma

My dear, sweet Grandma is 104 1/2. We spent an extra day in Utah so we could visit her and some other friends and family. The girls couldn't wait to see her. They ask about her all the time. She came to the door to greet us with her walker. Still getting around like a champ. She looked so cute with her purple suit on and her lipstick. She is an amazing woman. We talked for a little bit, ate some chocolate cake and the girls sang her a song. I don't know if we will have any more chances like this, so I am so happy that we took advantage of this one. It will be a wonderful memory forever. Thanks Grandma for all you are and all you have taught me by love and example! We love you!

Welcome Home Jordan!

A couple of weeks ago we went to Utah to welcome home my brother Jordan from his 2 year mission to Indiana. We all love this guy so much! He is a great example to all of us, not to mention a total blast to be around!! My hubby was on a trip, so I followed my sis and her family there and had the girls there by myself. The first full day we were there, we all decided to hike the Y down in Provo. It is a hike with beautiful views the whole way and it was a perfect day. My step mom told me she would keep the younger kids, because it is a steep hike and so I just took Tay. She was a trooper and she made it to the top!! It was so much fun! I even saw an old friend from high school. What a small world. The whole hike I was texting Jason pics and he was telling me how he was doing on his trip. I told him I wished he could be there with us.

Jordan with Tay and Aivs

This was at the top. Like I said....beautiful views!

I think this is the most beautiful pic of my niece snuggling Tay. She is breathtaking.

Love these kiddos!!!

These two were inseparable. They have been since they were babies.

THEY MADE IT TO THE TOP!!! WOOHOO!!!

Here's my nephew...Mr. Studmuffin! :)

To catch a pic of Mindy is always tricky! But we decided she is stuck with us no matter what, so why not take our chances! So cute! I love this picture! I have such great sisters!

The girls with the other Mr. Studmuffin!

So after we relaxed at the top of the Y for a while, it was time to head back. I was walking down with Laurie and came around a corner and noticed that our group ahead of us had stopped and were all looking up at me. I heard something behind me, like, "Hey baby, want a date tonight?" I turned around and there he was....my baby! He had driven all night long and hiked 3/4 of the Y with his bad knee, just to surprise me! BEST DAY EVER!! :) He knows the way to my heart! He never ceases to amaze me! You never know what he is going to do next! I love it! So we got to enjoy the rest of the weekend as a family!He even picked this flower for me and had it in my car door for when we got back down the mountain! 12 years of marriage and he still does the little things. I am a very lucky girl. I told him he needs to write a book on how to keep your wife happy. It would be a best seller!

First Piano Recital

Taylor and Rylee had their first piano recital in May. They only started in the middle of January. They worked very hard and practiced almost every day without complaining. I am so happy that they have taken to it so well! Pretty soon, they will pass me up....in fact, very soon!! I think I may be a little jealous! We love their teacher! She is so sweet and loves them so much. I wish I was as soft spoken and sweet as she is. Oh well! At least they get that aspect at their piano each week! I guess a little variety is healthy! Ha ha!

Last Day of School Program

Morgan is officially a first grader!!! Her teacher put together an amazing program with the class. They sang songs and each child stood up and said their part exactly on cue, without hesitation. A lot of work went into it and it was awesome! Here are some pics of Morgan on the last day. I also had to include a couple of her hair. I love it! I saw it on You Tube and copied from there! Fun! I love finding new things that she will let me do!