Halloween...

HALLOWEEN 2010...

Taylor decided to be a crayola crayon with her best friends from our neighborhood. Madison was all dressed up to be Hannah Montana --- had the cute outfit with the black boots, and the awesome wig --- but she took the wig off and wouldn't wear it the whole night.... Stubborn girl.

Alexa, Peyton, Taylor and Madison

Madison & Peyton

Best friend Cousins --- Lexi and Taylor

Taylor with her best friends, Grace, Tiani, Maya

The rest of the best friends, Megan and Madison.. And of course, Tiani's little brother, Sam..

I'm getting old --- ugh....

I can't believe I've been graduated from High School for 25 years! That's got to be wrong, because #1--- we definitely don't look that old if you ask me, and #2 -- it seems like just yesterday that I was in high school, and now I have two boys that have graduated from high school. Where has the time gone?

I went to my 25 year class reunion this last weekend and since a few best buddies from high school were going without husbands, we all had a fun girls weekend! I really missed Julie Smith, who was like my conjoined twin in high school. I was so excited that my other best friends from high school, Michele Gibson and Anne Dickson were able to go with me, and my childhood neighbor, Vicki Southern. We had a blast and it was just like old times.

Madison's baptism...

Today Madison was baptized. It was such a special day and she was so excited that her Uncle Len was able to baptize her. I'm so proud of Madison for her decision to be baptized. She has such a sweetness and purity to her soul and I'm proud of the beautiful person that she is. She amazes me each day, even with her feisty little personality, how caring and sensitive she is and how much she loves and adores her family. There is no better moment as a mother to look at your children and see who they are becoming. We love you Maddie!

Madison and her Uncle Len

Madison and her best friend Emma

Madison and Taylor with their Grandma Verna

My baby is growing up...

Today was Madison's Birthday party.. She turned 8 years old. I can't believe my baby is growing up so fast. She wanted a swimming party with her friends again as usual. She's my little fish, she could live in the water. Her and her friends had a blast, and she feels so important when she has all of her special friends around her and all of the attention is on her!

I feel so blessed that I was given the absolute privilege of being Madison's mother. I just love her to pieces and she's such a sweet, caring, and funny young lady and she's growing up to be a beautiful person, inside and out.

When we got home, Maddie decided she wanted to send her birthday balloons up to heaven to her grandpas that have passed on. Her Grandpa Lawrence, Grandpa Tom and Grandpa Norm. It was very important to her to send a message to them, so she wrote on her balloons and let them go, so they would get to her special grandpa's and so that they would know it was her birthday.

First day of school...

Today was the first day of school. I can't believe how fast my girls are growing up. Taylor is 11 yrs. old and in 6th grade, and Madison is turning 8 next week and is in 2nd grade. I am so proud of these girls, they bring me so much joy. As they get older, it's so much fun to be able to share more with them, and I realize more and more how much like me they are -- (I don't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing). They have grown into beautiful souls and are so kind and caring for others. I couldn't be prouder of them, and am so blessed to be their mother.

Madison & Taylor

Madison

Taylor

Madison, Taylor and Taylor's friend, Tiani

Madison & her friend, Emma

Taylor with her best friends, Tiani, Maya & Grace

Minnesota Trip...

We went to Minnesota from July 31st - Aug 8th. My mother in law, Barb and her awesome guy, Orris, were married on Saturday, August 7th. We LOVE Orris, and we are so happy for her that she met someone who is so kind and loving to her and her family. The girls were flower girls in the wedding and they had so much fun hanging out with their cousins Parker and Natalie, and their new relatives also. It was fun to spend this time with family, I always love being around Russ's mom, she's such a great person. It was great to spend time with his sisters, Karen and Lisa also. We don't get to see everyone that often, so we loved it.
Here's some pictures from the week of fun....

Teton Springs 2010...

This year instead of going to AZ where everyone in my family normally meet up, we all met in Teton Springs from July 11 to 17th. Lori and Len have a place there, and we thought it would be fun if we all met there. Lori & Len's family, Heather & Clemente's family, Our family, Melissa, and my Mom. The only two we were missing was Melissa's daughter, Nicole, and my son, Rocky. We missed them both. It was a great time. We went to Yellowstone Park, Jackson Hole, swam at the clubhouse, fished, golfed, played tennis, went to the gym, and visited and laughed late every night.. What a blast we had, and the kids all had fun. I'm glad my family is so close and that all the kids get to grow up extremely close with all of their cousins. Thanks everyone for a memoriable week!!!! xoxo

Chad's Graduation!!!

Alta High School Class of 2010.....

Wow!! I can't believe my boy has graduated from high school! The fact that I have two boys graduated from high school just blows my mind. During Chad's ceremony today, it brought a tear to my eyes, just thinking back on how fast the last 19 years of his life have flown by. Just seems like yesterday he was a innocent little boy playing with legos and hotwheels. Now, he has his whole life ahead of him and he has so much to look forward to. He's a smart young man, kind hearted, and has alot to offer to the world. He has a goal of entering into the military, so is very shortly here taking the tests required to get that started.

We're very proud of Chad and the fact that through his high school years he's been on the honor roll each semester with an awesome grade point average. He's been responsible with a job that he's had for the past two years through high school. We feel he has a great foundation for his future. Chad we love you immensely and are SO VERY PROUD OF YOU!

Chad and his cousin Colten

Taylor's Piano Recital...

Taylor had a piano recital in May. It was the last recital with her teacher Judy. Judy is not going to be teaching anymore, so it was a bit sad. Taylor did really good. I know she could be REALLY good at piano, but she doesn't love to practice (sounds like me when I was a kid)....

She's more interested in playing tennis and sports than piano, but we were very proud of her.. I hope she keeps her love of piano, because it is a beautiful gift.

Taylor also was in the same piano class as her friends, Maya and Grace...