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...

Sisters Weekend...

My sister, Lori and I flew to Virginia February 17th - 21st to hang out with our other two sisters, Heather and Melissa for a long weekend. It was really good to see my sisters. We had had this trip planned for quite a few weeks, and it just so happened that Russ had to fly to Minnesota to spend some of the last few days of his dad's life by his side, along with his sisters. He took Maddie and Taylor with him. Thank you Russ for your huge heart, not only for loving your father unconditionally and being there for him through all of this and showing a great example to your children, but for having a huge heart in allowing me to still have my sisters weekend and my much needed time off. I hesitated on going on my trip, with his father in this condition, but Russ insisted I not cancel my trip, and took the girls with him. He went through a hard time while he was there seeing his father in his last few days, and because of that, I hurt for him. I still managed to have fun with my sisters, but my thoughts were constantly with my girls and Russ, and between constant phone calls and texting, I'm glad I could still be a support to him during this time. I have awesome and understanding sisters, who knew that week was hard for me being away from my family. But we did have a fun time just spending time together. I'm very happy for the relationship I have with my sisters, I realize that not everyone has that situation, but I cherish my sisters...