Summer vacation #1

Due to some major family DRAMA this summer, we skipped our annual trip to San Clemente, CA and went to Myrtle Beach, SC instead!
Yes, we drove all 4 kids all 20+ hours.  We expected the worst but it turned out to be awesome!  On the way there Ellie didn't cry once in her car seat, we stopped for ONE lunch/potty break and had no accidents!  It was pretty much a miracle how good it went!  The ride back was just as easy.  Our kids are car riding champs!
Anyways, we stayed at 2 different places in Myrtle Beach.  The first 3 nights we stayed at a hotel suite with a bedroom and living room, kitchen, balcony with beach view, ect.  It was right on the beach!  They also had a lazy river, indoor pool, outdoor pool, kiddie pool and spas.  We spent most of the time right on the beach in the water and then we would swim at the end of the day to clean off all the sand of course.  The kids ALL loved the water.  The big girls almost never came out of the water.  The water was so warm, it was wonderful (much better than the freezing water in CA).
This hotel also gave us unlimited access to a water park(which we spent one day at) and mini golf (which we only did once).
Then we had an awesome Groupon deal to stay in a two bedroom villa....it was like having our own apartment.  They also had a kids splash park and lazy river that we hung out at.
Here are a few pictures:

When we first arrived

In the kiddie pool

She is a BEACH BABY all the way

The girls LOVED the water

Hi Daddy!

Sunset at the Pier

Summer Fun

We have been playing in the sprinkler in the backyard since we don't have our pool out yet.  Ellie LOVES water so this has provided hours of entertainment already.

 Ellie likes to splash in the water....but then she always has to "taste" it too!

 I LOVE this action shot so I had to share it too!

Field Trip Day

The girls and I have decided to take a field trip at least once a week to different museums and places around kansas city this summer.  Today we went to the federal reserve with some friends and learned about money!  We got to watch a video, make our own money and watch people and robots working with the money.  It was a great break out of our regular boring days at home.  Here were are out front:

 We even each got to take a bag of shredded money home with us!

Here is some of the money we made:

Pioneer Trek

We have been learning a lot about temples at our house since the Kansas City temple would be arriving soon.  And you can't really learn about temples without learning about the early Mormon Pioneers.  The kids have loved hearing the pioneer stories but didn't quite comprehend what they really went through (I mean none of US really do).  But they wanted to walk like the pioneers did and we happen to have access to a handcart.  Greg and I knew we would be the ones doing most of the work so we kept saying, Yeah thats a great idea but not really doing anything about it.  Well the girls wouldn't drop it so we actually planned it out and went on a mini pioneer trek as a family.  Here are some pictures:

Greg and the girls heading into our camp site

 Ellie and Jaren got to ride in the back most of the way

Me and my pioneer children

 Brylie's fish she caught (she wouldn't touch it)

 The fish Kaden caught (she wouldn't touch it either)

 Cooling off in the lake (it was so HOT)

We walked in some grass that was almost as tall as the kids.  Ellie didn't make a peep the whole time.  Only our diva (Kaden) and the boy who's scared of grass (because he NEVER gets to even go outside) cried.  It was hard work and I can't imagine how the pioneers could do that day after day. I am so thankful for my car and all the other modern day blessings we have!

Mothers Day

I had the greatest Mothers Day this year!  The day before, the kids and Greg needed me to leave the house so they could get ready.  So, I went thrift store shopping for 2 hours!  It was great to get to look through everything and not have to keep my eye on a baby and leave when she was done even if I wasn't.
I had breakfast in bed with all my favorites.  You would think a wonderful breakfast would be sausage and eggs or whatever, but my kids know me better then that.  For breakfast they made me brownies, cookies and lemon bars, my 3 most favorite things!

We went to church and the girls wore these matching outfits.  It is hard to find them matching clothes at these ages and Kaden will usually not wear anything if Brylie is wearing it but for Mothers day they matched for me!

I got to take a nap after church and the kids stayed so quiet.  The girls were so nice to each other, I don't think I heard any fighting all day.  For dinner Greg made steaks and my favorite potatoes and peppers that he cooks.  We all layer together and watched a movie afterwards.  It was the best day ever!!!!

 I am so glad that I get to be these 3 girls mom.  I have been so blest to have these souls entrusted to me.  I try hard to teach them the best that I know how.  My whole job on this earth is to raise these girls to be understanding, loving, capable, virtuous young women and future moms of my grand babies.  Its a tough job, I never thought it would be this hard, but I just keep trying!

Kaden, Brylie and Ellie - Mommy loves you with all her heart.  I would do anything for you!

KC Temple Dedication

We had an awesome weekend!  We got to celebrate the dedication of the new Kansas City Temple!  On Saturday night, Kaden, Brylie and I got to attend the youth cultural event.  We got tickets at the last minute.  Kaden got to sit up close with Gma and Gpa.  Brylie and I actually ended up with really good seats though too!!  We were one section away from where the Prophet was sitting.  We were to his left side, so we could see him the whole time.  It was awesome!!  Im not a cryer, but certain parts of this event may have caused a tear to fall.  The kids from the Joplin stake had a particularly heartwarming story about their loss due to the tornado.  We got to see Taylor perform, we could actually find her in the crowd of over 3,000 kids!!  I wish I would have had my camera (I figured there would be no pictures allowed) I would have gotten the best pic of Taylor.  During one of the songs, the Prophet was standing up and when we were looking at him, Taylor was right on his right side looking back at him.  It would have been great!  Here is a pic of Taylor:

She is front and center with a pink scarf on.

If you click here, you can watch a short clip with some pictures of the night. (I did not make this video):

You Tube video


Then on Sunday morning, we were up before the sun to get to the temple and wait in line so we could try to get close to the prophet during the Cornerstone Ceremony.  We were the 3rd people there.  The girls were the only kids that waited for over 2 hours to see the Prophet.

Sunrise at the Temple

Brylie and Kaden before the action started

The Prophet came out and we were so close to him.  It was awesome.  The kids got to move up to the front and had a great view.  They made the Salt Lake paper in this picture:

 Here is how close me and Kari got

And then of course there was the actual dedication that we got to attend.  Kaden and I went to that, Brylie isn't old enough, she missed it by about 7 months.  It was a great experience.  I am sure that we will remember this weekend for the rest of our lives.  I am glad that the girls got to experience this with me.

Here is a poem that Kaden wrote about the Cornerstone celebration along with a picture she drew:

Music Concert

Brylie had a spring music concert last night.  She wants to be a singer when she grows up so she was very excited to showcase her talents.  She did great and had a wonderful time.  Here are a few pics: