Chore time!

I finally realized it is time for a chore chart at my house. I am tired of cleaning up toy after toy all by myself when "I didn't even play with them". Or, better yet, walking and tripping over them time and time again. I found this cute idea from Sugardoodle. How fun would it be to create a chore/ job chart and have the kids work for an allowance and earn their own special money?? You could decide the value of it, or as they get older, use it to teach the value of real money. I am trying to make a chore chartusing a magnetic board. Does anybody know of where I could find pictures of chores to use for magnets? Since my girls are not reading yet, I would like to use pictures they could recognize. This is the siteto find personalized money: http://www.festisite.com/money/

Race + Parade = Tired Family

This past weekend Landon and I had the opportunity to join thousands of other runners and participate in the 24th of July race in Salt Lake City. It is a feeling that is hard to describe when you are running with so many others--all with a similar motive. Some want to get in shape, some want to accomplish a goal, while others may be running for the challenge and competition. There are times when you feel that you are the only one exercising, whether it is running, doing a video at home, or just working out. And then you get to the start of the race where literally thousands of people are doing the exact same thing. There is definitely power in numbers. You almost feel unstopable. And then, of course, the race begins and you remember how weak you are. I am excited to continue training and prepare for the half marathon in August. Any takers for the full marathon in Sept?

Gloria brought the girls up after the race and we watched the parade downtown.

The girls had fun playing cards waiting for all the floats.

We even got to see Pres. Henry B. Eyring. He pointed and waved right at the girls!

The whole day was a blast...but very tiring. We headed back to Smithfield where we all crashed and rested. I absolutely love July...I am so to see it go already. Is it seriously about to get cold again???

Bear Lake Fun

We figured the water at Bear Lake would finally be warm enough for us to enjoy a day at the beach. It turned out to be a normal cloudy, and somewhat cool, day. That doesn't matter to kids. They still have a ball playing in the sand and water. Jada enjoying some sun.

Brecka giving her usual "cheese".


Jada has hops! (It's actually just the angle of the camera)

This boat is ready to sink! Everyone abandon ship!

Krystal and Barney...two peas in a pod.

Jada and Brecka thought it was so fun to get all covered up with sand. Thanks for being a good sport, Barney!

This is what some people pay $$$$ for a relaxing day at the spa. Your very own body treatment!

Back to the Past...Girls Camp!

I don't think I ever realized how much work and planning it takes to have girls camp. This year was my first camp as a leader instead of a YW. And even though it was so fun to sit at the tables and visit while the girls cleaned the bathrooms, or finished certification...it was a ton of work to prepare. We did, however, have a great time, made new friends, and lots of memories to remember. Maybe I just have the best YW ever and I love hanging out with them! Thanks girls, for making camp run so smoothly! Amber, Courtney, Carli, and Emily

CieAra, Annalee, Shannleigh, Rachel, Amy, Jeanette, and Ashley

Annalee, Amber, CieAra, Courtney

Cami, Emily, Amanda, Ashlyn, and Tracey

Kelsi, Amanda, McKenna, Ann, and Erika

Brother Toolson, Erika, Kristen, Jeanette, and Lucinda

Ashlyn, Cami, and Amanda

Me and Krystal

Most of the girls in front of Rosie's Mine.

Look, Mom! No Hands!

We finally did it. We took the girls to Lagoon for the first time. We were nervous that it was going to be a total waste of money, we would be dealing with two crying, unhappy kids, and we would end up leaving really early. It was completely the opposite. The girls had a blast! We were there before it opened, and stayed after it closed. The girls were happy and couldn't wait to jump on the next ride. It will definitely be something we do again! Both girls loved all of the rides. I was so impressed with how many rides Jada was able to ride...some that were really scary! Brecka was just happy to be there. Her favorite ride was the Tidal Wave. She would just giggle as it would go up and down. We rode it once in the morning, and then again in the afternoon. Just as the ride started moving, Brecka threw her hands in the air and started screaming. It was so funny, because nobody had done that yet and we were hardly moving. Everyone started laughing! "Look, Mom...no hands!"

My girls and me. What a fun day!

Let Freedom SWING!

My parents and my sister's family came to visit over the 4th. We played in the yard, hiked to Bloomington Lake, had a picnic, had fun with fireworks, and just relaxed. The hike was great, the kids were troopers and even the guys had a blast. (Videos below will explain) It was a great weekend.

Jada, Grandma, Tiff, Daxton, Halle and Cory.

Getting ready to light it up....Fireworks of course!

Relaxing with good summer fun. It was so nice to have beautiful weather for the 4th.

Jada, Darci, Halle, Dad, Tiff, Brecka, Landon, Daxton, and Cory.

Yes, the guys had to show their stuff and swing from the rope into the frigid cold water. I have to admit, I was pretty impressed with their stamina even though little words were spoken as they emerged trying to gasp for air. Way to go Landon, Dad, and Cory. You are all my heroes!(sorry Cory, I couldn't get that video to work!)

Memorial Day

Every year on Memorial Day we have the tradition of camping in Monticello, where Landon is from. And it seems that each trip we end up spending a lot of time in the rain or snow, but somehow still have a great time. We ride four-wheelers...

Climb on the rocks...


play in the dirt...

play in the dirt some more...

visit Monticello Lake...

and just enjoy being together!

Dogs included of course!

Thank goodness for sand!

We always go to the cemetary to visit Grandpa Day's grave. It was a chilly day, so we didn't stay long, but it was still worth the visit.