Hiking with the cousins...

So the first week of October we headed up American Fork Canyon to go hiking with the cousins. Man it was cold but the kids loved it. Parker and Tate lead the pack for most of the time with us yelling after them. After our hike we headed to find a spot to have a camp fire. Daryl drove with Anthony and Angie drove with me. Twenty minutes later and a very bumpy ride on the back rodes with find the perfect spot. The kids loved roasting the hot dogs over the fire. All in all it was a fun night.

In Memory of Ashleigh

It has been over a month now that my dear friend Ashleigh lost her fight to colon cancer and I am still trying to process it all. I have wanted to write this post for awhile now so that I would have a place to honor her and remember what her friendship meant to me. But honestly I am still so heart broken for her and her family, that it is hard to put all my thoughts together. I met Ashleigh a little over two years ago when Daryl met her husband at work. Pretty soon we were having play dates with the kids at the park, watching each others kids for each other, and shopping. Ashleigh was an amazing Mother, she truly enjoyed her kids. I loved watching her interact with her kids because she always reminded me why motherhood is such a blessing. When she would pick them up or put their shoes on, it was always done with love.

Back in August Ashleigh and I decided to take the kids to the park and while we were there she started telling me about her health problems and concerns, just a week later she learned she had stage 4 colon cancer. She was so calm about the news and stayed upbeat, sending out emails and updates even updating her blog. Before Ashleigh was diagnosed she was going to make Parker's rocket cake for trade I would do her family pictures. She emailed me as she was getting out of the hospital and said she would still loved to do it. That was the kind of women she was, generous and kind. Of course I was having none of it and insisted she shouldn't worry about such things. But she did and ended up making instead Parker some home made bean bags. I just can't stop thinking about her and her family. I remember shortly after she was diagnosed going over to her house and talking to her. We were sitting on her porch talking and her oldest Sarah was laughing and I commented on what a great laugh she had. Ashleigh commented " Hopefully I get to live long enough to enjoy it" but in the same conversation she said " If Heavenly Father feels it is my time to go, then it is my time to go." She was so courageous and faithful, two things that aren't always easy. She worried about her husband and all he would have to do without her.

When I heard the news that she had passed, I could barely process it, it had been less than a month and half since she was diagnosed. As the weeks have passed I find whenever I have a quiet moment my thoughts turn to Ashleigh and her family. I want to help, I want them to heal but how to help her four beautiful child and her grieving husband.

Ashleigh- you were such a great example to me, full of energy, ever giving, and always up for a project! Thank you for your kindness, love and faith. You will always be remembered!

My girls...

This picture makes my heart swell. I love having girls and that they have each other. I love having sisters so it's fun to watch my own daughters start that amazing connection and friendship. Tonight as I watched them play I thought about how amazing it is that our relationships start so young. Little Bella just wants to be like Emma and by that I mean she wants all the same toys that Emma has. It has gotten so bad that Emma carries all her favorite toys in baskets or bags with her around the house. Just the other night I was putting her to bed and noticed that she had put her ponies above her bed in her big letter E that is over her bed. I asked her about it and she said- So Bella won't get them. I reminded her that Bella was in bed to which she responded- just in case. Emma is starting to play more with Bella- even having her play with tea party with her. Just tonight as I was giving them a bath they were just playing and then out of no where Bella just leans over to Emma and hugs her. They are so sweet when they want to be.

Parker's First Soccer Game!

Parker was a little nervous at his first game, it took Daryl about 2o minutes (all of practice time before the game) to convince him to go play soccer. Once he was on the field he really held his own. Now we just got to work on which goal to shoot in and to not plow over the other team members and then we'll be golden!

Can't forget the treat after the game!

Parker was bright red after the game, he ran pretty hard but you could tell he was proud of himself, so were his sisters cheering him on from the sidelines- Bella even broke out her clapping hands and no one talked her into that one!

Daryl's 30th Birthday Extravaganza...

We had to include all thirty candles- just to give him a hard time. Man it made a lot of smoke!

So we went up to Twin Falls the weekend before Daryl's birthday so I slipped in a little surprise party at the park for him with his family while we were there. Thanks Wayne and Colleen for helping me surprise him and to Joy and Lisa for coming on such short notice. On Daryl's actual birthday we got a babysitter- that was enough treat for me but we also went to dinner at a little BBQ joint and then a little round of bowling. Sorry Daryl I won by six points- 114 to 120.

So when Daryl got home from work I surprised him with a new work bench in the garage that I hired our neighbor to do while he was at work! Love you, Daryl , I hope you had a memorable birthday!

First Day of Preschool

Parker and Emma started preschool today. Emma started the three year class and Parker started his second year in the four year class.

Here's Emma modeling for me before we left to school

Who said big girls that go to preschool can't suck your thumb! Trying to break the habit

but she just keeps telling me "But I want to suck my thumb- it tastes good".

Some brotherly and sisterly love:)

Parker was such a good big brother and showed Emma the ropes since she had morning preschool and he had afternoon- so he showed her where to go and sit.

Video of rocket launch

Parker's Birthday Bash

Here the front of Parker's b-day invite
We started out the party with taking pics of them as astronauts.
Then on to making their own bottle rockets and watching real astronauts lauch into space on a little video Daryl put together.




On to launching the rockets...

Parker had so much fun with all his friends. Thanks Shelley and Mom for coming up and picking up the cake! It was a busy day and I think I done with friend birthday at least for a few years. But it was really fun to watch how excited he was for the whole party along with launching the rockets with all his friends.

I can't believe he is almost 5

So Parker and I had a little date/ birthday photo shoot. When I told Parker that he was going to go on a date with me he said "That's twisted". I suprised him with the bateman cape and then we were off to Union Station to take some pictures. We ended our date with some ice cream- perfect way to end any date. So funny thing on the way to Union Station Parker asked if he could watch his show and I said no, because we talk when we go on dates. On the way back he looks and me and says-"No more talking- okay " and then proceeds to watch his show. He is already a typical man!



Even superheros have to take breaks sometime.

Balloon Festival

So we camped up at Anderson Cove on Thursday night and woke up early to see the balloon launch. The kids really liked it but after ten minutes they were done(such are kids and their attention spans!). Camping was fun but with only staying two nights and having a photo shoot each night it made for a fast and busy trip. The kids made friends with our camping neighbors and had a good time riding bikes, finding pine cones, and swimming in the lake.