ThE fOuRtH oF jUlY

For the fourth of July this year, we swam with the Roberts/Matheny family during the day...and then at night we were hoping to see fireworks. AZ typically gets monsoons around this time of year...and there was a lot of lightning and wind in the early evening...so we thought the fireworks would be cancelled. Well, they weren't. Arizonans are diehards and knew the wind would die just enough time for them to celebrate this GREAT COUNTRY and they went off at 9.
Anyone knowing me...we were late anyways when the news said they were still going to go off and we only got to see fireworks out the windshield of the car from 5 miles away. Poor Aaron only saw them on tv..and it was so cute that he would fall back on his hands when they would go off on the tv! And Annelise was so depressed to not see any (really)...so we promised her to do "AZ fireworks" back at home and that we'd see them on the 24th of July in Utah. Now AZ fireworks are just sparklers and snaps because they are against the law because of the extremem dry climate unlike in Utah- where you can really put on a show! We did get to take a ride in my mom's Rhino (street legal/golf cart/go-cart thing) to Sonic to get treats.
So Happy 4th of July America! This truly is a great country!

GiRl's DaY oFf (FoR lUnCh)

I really wanted to plan a lunch so that way I could see some of my cousins in AZ. I miss them and actually have a really good relationship with my cousins. Josh doesn't even know a whole bunch of his cousins...but I grew up a little different. We did alot with our cousins and they make up a significant of my best memories of my childhood. The Gardner family and beyond (Roberts, Harlines and on...) is a very specail family and I am so glad that most live in AZ so when we visit I can see some of them (they are getting quite large). I sent out invites to all of the "Gardner ladies" and I am so glad that some of them could make it! And who wouldn't love going to the Cheesecake Factory if you feel about cheesecake like I do!

GiRlY gIrL dAy At ThE sAlOn

My mom is the ultimate grandma. She loves to spoil...and I mean it! I do really appreciate it...and it is so fun for the kids since we only see Grammy on special occasions. She took Annelise to this place called Girly Girl Salon for a treatment and Annelise loved it! It was her really late bday gift from my mom. My own grandma went to...so I could see her. It was like a tri-generational day at the salon...only Annelise was the only one who got the pampering! Thanks Grammy.

OuR tRiP tO aRiZoNa

We had the best time staying at my mom's in Az over the week before the fourth of July. I don't know what it is...but I absolutely love going on vacation and being away from home. I know most people desire to go home...but I get anxiety when the trip nears an end because I know what awaits me at home (work, cleaning, bills, LIFE). We went to see my sweet sister-in-law graduate from nursing school...
CONGRATS MAYRA!
And we went to see my family...and my dog Mockie (who I miss terribly) Now Annelise asks to get a dog almost every single day!
and we got to see Brandon's dog, Yoshi and visit good 'ol Officer Harline in uniform one night...



I got to see one of my best friends from high school and her 3 super cute girls...(I love you Pish!) (& thxs for the swim & pics....her daughter took them!)

We of course got to swim many, many, times...WHAT ELSE DO YOU DO IN 115 DEGREE WEATHER? We swam in my mom's pool...(which I love because it is a salt water pool with a waterfall) And we swam with my cousins for the fourth of July...and pretty much got pruney hands each day!




We couldn't not go to the lake either...I went once with the kids, my mom, and Brandon...and then Josh got to go again with Brandon and Mayra. And I am sure they tore it up...the water is so nice there (dirty but calm) and Brandon is seriously getting so good...and I have always been Josh's biggest fan.




And Annelise got to play dress up...ALOT. My mom's house is outfitted with lots of toys and dresses and lots to do. My kids love the scenery change and seeing Grammy and Uncle Brandon, Aunt Mayra, both dogs and even Aunt Amy for a couple days!!! It really was so nice. I think the next time we go back is at Christmas time...and it will be hard to wait.

KeTcHuP DaY!!

It is officailly Ketchup day for me...meaning...I am going to blog our last month! We really didn't drop off the earth...we just have been busy, camera-less, and yes, still pregnant. But, we are having a good summer thus far!

It has been so stinkin' long!

Sorry....my last post was so long ago...but I really have been in mourning so I haven't posted because of my own self-pity. Our family went to AZ...and while there Aaron put our camera in the bath tub!

Oh poor me...so its been a sad pity for myself I haven't posted because I have no pictures to post! We lost them all. Aaron did just have a bday...so I will post again super soon when I get around to developing the film...oh yah....the old fashioned kind. I wonder if Wal-mart even knows how to develop film anymore? What do you think?

what's in the water? Don't drink it!!

At least in my family...there are three of us that are pregnant in the family. I am due in Sept. with my two sister-in-laws due in December. Don't we all look so cute? jk...I am really starting to sport a belly...(and it only gets worse from here-trust me!) and they both look like they maybe ate too much! Being pregnant with someone else in the family is the best though...because when you want to chat with someone about pregnancy stuff or baby stuff...there is at least one person who will actually care! It is so fun. I am so glad I go first though...so maybe by the time they are having babies at Christmas I will maybe starting to catch up on sleep by then to get me through the holiday! Sorry Chels & Reesh!

Sunburnt anyone?

I would have put on a pic of me & my pathetic sunburn...but oh the embarrassment! I couldn't do it. I had no idea I was that white because I really burnt my shoulders like I normally don't do! Annelise has swimming lessons that we go to at Clearfield...and we stayed after one day and swam outside. Sunburn day #1. Then, Josh wanted to start the wakeboarding season and we went on Thursday late afternoon...and there goes sunburn day #2. I could hardly work on Friday with my shoulders so red! It is so sorry!

I really do enjoy going to the lake (we take Josh's parents boat) and the kids have so much fun too. We went with Matt (josh's bro.) & his kids and Matt wakesurfed and Josh boarded. He thinks he is really out of shape because it was hard on him to fall! I think he did great for our first time out this season.

And yes, in case you were wondering...with my belly I am just the official FLAG GIRL. Real exciting I am telling you. No, it really is fun even though I can't board this year.

Brusha Brusha Brusha

I recently got to clean Josh's teeth at an office I was working at...and the office I now work at I cleaned Annelise's teeth! Annelise was braver than Josh though! It is so fun to be able to do a service for my family & they both did so good. To report...they both take very good care of their teeth & neither one have any cavities or decay. YAH! I kinda wish I wasn't working so much this summer...there are stairs that I must literally take over 20 times a day. I am not sure that I will be able to make it up & down them when this belly of mine gets bigger! Wish me luck to make it to the first week in September for my last days of working! Because we sure need the moola!

Do you work & do you enjoy it?

We love our friends!!!

Annelise & Aaron are just so stinking lucky to have good friends so far! And I just love our neighborhood friends & others they are so blessed to have!!!! I just had to blog on how lucky they are...and include a couple pics of them!

I was thinking back to when I grew up...and friends were such a great part of it! And when you get older...(esp. in jr. high & high school) it is paramount to have good friends. I got lucky then too. I am still in good contact with some of my closest friends from HS & I am not sure what I would do without them?! I sure wouldn't name any names...but I sure love them and feel so lucky to still be friends with them. I kinda think I will keep them forever!

Are you still good friends with anyone from HS that you would die without?