Yellowstone, Ocktoberfest, McNeal photos

So, I got a little backed up on updating my blog, and for some reason when I upload the pics, the end up all out of order. I dont really have the time to label and put them all in order so I will just explain them all.
Over labor day Micah and I took the kids along with my little brother Ian and his brood to Yellowstone with my parents. It was alot of fun (as usual) although I must admit, being a parent and taking little kids on vacation is really no vacation for the parents. I was probably more exhausted when I came home than I am just at the end of any regular day. Its alright though, we do it "for the kids" right? It ended up snowing the second day we were there, that was strange. It even stuck to the ground for a while.
Earlier in the summer we had my brother, Travis and his kids come over from Pittsburgh and so my mom wanted to get some family photos done. That was pretty hectic, but I thought they turned out great.
Nixon starting walking this past month, although he isn't really that into it, he just does it when he is "in the mood". I really enjoy watching how the girls interact with him. He can do no wrong. they just think the world of him and always want to make him happy and laugh. I think he will be well taken care of. Hehe.
I also have a pic in there of me at work with my ladies. One of the girls ( blonde, in the middle) was quiting. I have worked with her for over 6 years and it was really sad to see her go.
Last weekend we went up with the Wybrows to Ocktoberfest, we go up every september and have alot of fun. No chicken dance this year, which was a little upsetting to Livy, but...there is always next year.
Elsa is really blossoming in second grade. She has a great teacher and is making alot of friends. Livy and Hillie are enjoying making a mess and tattleing on each other, which in turn, has been alot of fun for me. I hope they will soon grow out of it.
Other than all that, it has been a great couple months.

Summer just went too fast this year. It was the first summer Micah didn't have school and so we enjoyed every minute and found all kinds of fun activities we could do as a family.
Micah has put his name in to become a UPS driver and we have been waiting for a spot to open since the end of June. Once he starts driving, I can finally quit my job and become a full time mom! I have been waiting for this opportunity for years and now that it is just on the horizon, I am getting quite anxious. It will be so nice to have Micah home at night and for me to be able to spend more time with the kids. Micah has been such a great dad while I work. He does alot to help with the daily household chores. I will miss that when he does start working days, but I am completely ready for it. I know there is nothing more important than being home and being there for my kids. so I welcome the change with open arms.
Elsa started school this week and she has mastered the skill of riding her bike! So every chance I get, we are going on bike rides together and riding our bikes to school. It has been so neat to see her grow up and become a responsible and caring kid!
We had a great run this summer, and now are reluctantly looking forward to the fall and eventually....Winter. Just think positive, right?

hanging out on the rooftop of the marriott downtown salt lake with my family

at the drive in movie with all the kids in the back of the truch waiting for the movie to start


The girls showing off their new shades

With the Wybrows at the Cache County Fair




One last swimming trip with Brecken and Phil and their kids

Elsa and her first day of 2nd grade

Livy and Hillie showing their candy necklaces and bracelets they made

Battlefield, UGH!

Okay, I feel I have to explain something. I DO NOT like the Jordan Sparks, "Battlefield" song. When I set up my slide show for Disneyland, the song is automatically on there. I have tried and have no idea how to get rid of the song. I didn't even select it. So I appoligize to anyone who reads my blog that they have to either endure or mute their computers. If anyone has any idea how I can rid my blog of this ridiculous song, please let me know. Again, I am sorry.

Kids in the tree house at the discovery gateway

Nixon

Hillie in her birthday present

Nixon and his cake face

Hillie and her "princess and the frog" cake

Elsa and her cousin, Sophie

My mom, my kids and me after the babtism

My sisters, Ilene and Susie

My best high school friend, Michelle and me at the pool

my family

Nixon

The Trampoline!!!

The Logan Cruise in

Kids on the slip and slide

July has been a great month. We started off the month by going up to Logan for the fourth and all their festivities. We always enjoy the fireworks and the Cruise in. A week after that, my brother Travis who lives in Pittsburgh, brought his family here to babtize their oldest daughter Sophie. It has been a couple of years since we have seen them, so it was great to hang out with them and get to know them again. Since we had the families together we did family pictures and spent time with the kids at the Discovery Gateway.
We decided that since my family was in town, that we would celebrate Hillie and Nixons birthdays. It is always so much fun to see them try and eat their birthday cake at 1 yr old.
My high school friend was in town and so we took our families to the swimming pool. It was really nice to spend time with her again. I love that we can go almost a year without speaking and be able to pick up right where we left off.
Micah has had it with our swamp cooler and we have had a couple of bids for central air. I cant believe how pricey it is, but we know it will be worth it. So we just need to decide on when we want to do it. Apparently the rebates are only good up until the end of the year.
We have really tried to make this summer fun and memorable for the kids. We have taken them swimming alot, got a trampoline, and just the other night we took them to a drive in movie. It was so much fun. It makes me so happy to be able to do these things for them and see how happy they are.
I am still running as much as I can, but I cannot stand running when it is warm, so I have been going out as early as 6 in the morning to beat the heat. I have to admit, I still dont LOVE it, but I have been doing it for so long now and have built up alot of endurance that I dont want to let that go. Plus, its good excersise.

Nixon and Hillie's picture day

I know Hillie and Nixon's birthday is not for another month, but I know July will be pretty hectic so I went ahead and got it done a little early. I doubt they will change a whole lot in a month. It is so wierd to see them at one and three. There are growing so fast...Thats all I can say. So cute too.

brightroom event photography

brightroom event photography
Me running toward the finish line at the Utah Valley Marathon. Great fun, even though it was really unorganized and a bit rainy. I think the highlight of the race was seeing a guy who just ran the marathon and he had bloody nipples. Awesome. I wish I took a pic.