Mikenna's Birthday & Family

I am grateful for my parents and the love and support they show to Toby and I and our children. Our kids are lucky they have such involved; loving grandparents.

Mikenna's Birthday Cake

Mikenna's birthday was a "Girls Rock" theme. She helped me decorate her cake with sparkly letters to spell her name and jewels and picked the hot pink and purple frosting...and of course..her favorite flavor is chocolate with Bavarian creme filling. YUM!!!

Playing in the Columbia River

The kids had a great time playing in the river during Mikenna's birthday party. Great day to play in the sun!!

Mikenna's 8th Birthday Party

We headed to the park this morning to celebrate Mikenna's 8th Birthday. She had 6 friends there and grandma and papa and her brother and sister and daddy and mama along with her aunt and soon to be uncle Dave there to help her celebrate! It was a perfect day! Played in the river and sand; played in the kids pool; opened gifts; had tiki punch and chocolate cake...her favorite with Bavarian creme filling along with yummy peanut butter and chocolate ice cream. Toby and I have always called her our sunshine..her personality radiates fun, warmth, love...it's fitting she was born in the middle of summer!! :) I love you Mikenna Jo!! Happy Birthday baby!!

Dust Devils Baseball

Toby took Jaron and Mikenna to the Dust Devils Baseball Game Friday night! They had a blast!

Mikenna's Baptism Dress

Mikenna and I went a little crazy with pictures yesterday. We went to the temple to take some pictures of her in her baptism dress. It was a perfect day to do it...not too hot and the wind wasn't blowing! She really enjoyed doing the ones outside better than the indoor ones...and you can tell her real personality is shining through in the outdoor ones! I love how they turned out. The temple is such a beautiful place to take pictures. No one was there and it was a special time for Mikenna and I. I am grateful for the temple and for the peace it brings to me; for my beautiful daughter who is about to turn 8 and be baptized by my wonderful husband. I have a lot to be grateful for. I love you Mikenna and for the decision you are making to follow God's commandments; and for making another step in your life towards your eternal progression. You are a beautiful girl inside and out! I am so blessed to be your mama!

Mikenna Baptism Dress

Mikenna Baptism Dress

Mikenna's Baptism Dress

Happy 59th Birthday Dad!!

Happy Birthday to my handsome dad! I love you so much! I am blessed to have you as my dad! I hope you have a wonderful day and remember how much your family loves you!

Happy Father's Day Babe!!

We love you so much! You are the best daddy in the world!!! Our kids are so blessed to have you as their daddy, friend, protector, advisor, mentor, exemplar, encourager. They couldn't have picked a more loving, caring, compassionate, selfless, supportive daddy. I am so thankful they have you!

Happy Father's Day!!

Happy Father's Day Dad! You are a wonderful dad and Papa to your four kids and 10 grand kids. We all love you so much and are so blessed to have you in our lives for your love and support you so willingly provide for us.

Shaelie's Dance Recital

Shaelie had her big recital Saturday...I went and watched her dance Saturday evening with Steph. Way cute costumes!! Shaelie did such a great job! It was so fun to watch her! Love you Shae!!!

Rockin' to Bon Jovi!!

Brielle loves to dance and sing with her microphone and electric guitar. She loves American Idol, Dancing with the Stars, So you think you can dance...today we found Bon Jovi on T.V. and she was in heaven singing and dancing and playing guitar!! She is in her own world when she hears music.

My new niece!!

My brother Craig and his wife Sabina welcomed a gorgeous baby girl...this morning around 3:00 a.m. They are still working on a name! She sure looks a lot like Craig's newborn picture..she was 8lbs. 9oz. 22 inches long. I told my kids this morning that they have a new girl cousin! They said..."we have a lot of girl cousins..." The girls are taking over!!!! We are grateful everything went well! Congrat's!!! We love you guys!!!

Me, Myself and I

I went on a quick road trip by myself yesterday! Felt good to get back in touch with myself...it's good to be able to be "Mandy" and be alone with my thoughts. I come home refreshed and ready to be a better mommy and best friend to my wonderful kids and husband! Thanks babe for letting me get away by myself for awhile!!! You are the best.

Sunday Best

Mikenna is having her Bishop's Interview today for her Baptism which will be July 11th. I thought they all looked so cute this morning!!

Brielle & Make-up Time!!

Every day Brielle loves to stand next to me in the bathroom while I am getting ready and has a blast playing with all my make-up. She lines all the eye shadow up and puts on lip gloss and pretends like she is putting on contacts. She has my whole routine down. She is always asking what things are and what they are for. "Pretty" is one of her favorite words. She loves to get her hair done and look in the mirror to check out how I styled it. She is into these things a lot more than Mikenna ever has been. The other night I got my nails done; and Brielle was the first to notice that new color on them...right as I was walking through the door she checked them. She is my buddy every day when the other two kids are in school. She loves to take them to and from school with me; go shopping...she is the best shopper out of all three of my kids. She loves to sing at the top of her voice and while she is watching movies...she loves to act out every scene herself. It's fun to watch. I love her so much....I am grateful she is a part of our family!! She makes our days even brighter!!