Pioneer Day Parade!!

On the 24th of July we always go and watch the Fiesta Days' parade. It was pretty fun this year. We had tons of family there to watch it with us. Lots of Grandma Anderson's family came to the parade and Grandma Linda, Kelli, Hunter, Savannah, Ryan and Ben came too. It was fun for the kids to have all of their cousins there.


Kate, Savannah and Lilly especially loved the princesses that were in the parade. They were so cute and wanted to follow them down the rest of the parade.

You can usually find Kate or Lilly or both sitting on Grandpa's lap. He is definitely one of their favorites.

Brenden took this picture of the two of us together. I don't like to see myself this close up, but Brenden really liked the picture so I thought I would post it. Don't look at us (well, me) too closely.

Noah, Josie, Ben and Kate really liked to see what was coming next in the parade. They couldn't sit down for long because they were hoping that someone would throw candy to them. Ryan ended up getting an Owl's hat and a frisbee and Brenden got a small Utah Flash basketball. We also got otter pops and lots of candy. It was a fun day for everyone.

After the parade Grandma Anderson had a barbeque with all of her family. There were lots of people there. After we ate the kids enjoyed getting in a water fight with squirt guns. They LOVE getting wet, and getting each other wet. We also went to Jessi and Jared's house that night to watch fireworks. The kids had lots of fun.

A Swimming Birthday Party

We went to my cousin James' house for his son Hayden's birthday party. They have a clubhouse and swimming pool where they live so it was a swimming birthday party. These are the cousins that have lived in California until recently so it was really fun to be able to celebrate Hayden's birthday with them. The kids had so much fun swimming and playing games in the water. They fed us pizza and some other good food and it was a good time for all of us.

This is Brenden jumping into the pool. He had a blast doing it. He started doing some fun tricks, but I couldn't get a good picture of any of them.

I think that Taylor was the oldest kid there, but he had a lot of fun. They had swimming races and were diving for things. He really loved it!

I didn't get a good picture of Josie, but here is Kate and her cousin, Logan, hanging out by the stairs. It's funny, Kate was perfectly content playing by the stairs. As long as she was wet, she was fine. They had a really fun time playing together.

Fiesta Day's Rodeo

On Monday night most of my family went to the rodeo. My mom bought us all tickets and it was really fun. I think that Josie enjoyed it the very most. She was giggling and laughing the entire time. She liked it so much that we sent her again with Steve's family on Wednesday night. She had a blast. As soon as Ben saw Kate he said, "C'mon, Kate", he grabbed her hand and they were off. It is so cute how he loves to take her with him everywhere he goes. Thanks, Mom for a fun night.

Kate was so excited to see the clown, until he actually got close to her. You can see she is a little nervous being so close to him.

Tagged

I have been tagged by Kelli and Kathy, so I guess I better do it. The rules are I have to write six random things about myself and then tag six others. Here are the six...

• I LOVE to workout. I haven't always been able to say this, but I started working out in January and am addicted to it. Before that, I couldn't understand why people liked to workout, but now I do. When I can't get my workouts in it stresses me out, big time!

• I LOVE Cherry Coke or Dr. Pepper. Actually, I really just like the first sip out of the can. It tastes so good. Since the first of this year I have really cut back on my drinks, but I still love that first taste.

• I really like to play Guitar Hero with the kids. I'm really not that good, but I can beat my kids so they totally think that I rock. We don't play it as often as I would like.

• I cannot go to bed unless my kitchen is clean. It drives me crazy to have stuff on the counter and dishes in the sink.

• I really like to go shopping. This is another thing that I don't get to do as often as I would like, because I don't like to shop with all of the kids. I don't mind shopping with one or two of the kids, but all four really puts a damper on my shopping. I guess it saves me lots of money, though.

• My favorite TV shows are The Office, Jon & Kate Plus 8 (my girls love to watch this with me) and What Not to Wear.

Okay, so now I tag Emily, Sara, Sharla, Jessi, Jill and Vanessa.

No pictures!

Last week Sharla, Jessi and I took all of the kids to Seven Peaks. It was really fun. The weather was a little bit cold but we still had a fun time. It was really hard with the littles ones so Barbara came and got Kate and Lilly so we could watch the other kids better. It was nice to be able to spend time with the older kids and go on slides and the other fun stuff. I took my camera with me, but I didn't take 1 picture. Sharla took some so I might have to get some of hers, but we really did have a fun time.

My mom has been trying to get all of us girls together for a weekend in Park City for at least 6 months now. We planned to go this weekend, but some things came up and I couldn't go over night. So, instead, Allyson, Kelli, my mom and I went to Salt Lake and ate at the Cheesecake Factory (YUM!!!). It was so good. It is definitely one of my favorite restaurants. I LOVE the vanilla bean cheesecake! It is so amazing. That is definitely my favorite dessert. After we ate dinner we tried to go and see "Mamma Mia", but it was sold out so I just came home and they headed up to Park City to stay overnight and go shopping. I obviously didn't take a single picture of this either. I wish I would have. It was lots of fun to be with my mom and sisters. We are all so busy and heading different directions that it is really hard to get together. I am grateful to all of them and appreciate all they do for me. I am blessed to have them in my life!

When I got home on Friday night, I was so excited to come home to GRASS in our backyard. This project has been going on for a long time and Steve and I have put a ton of time into it. We (well, Steve) have been burying our trampoline, which has turned into quite the project, putting in a sprinkler system and laying sod. Steve's entire family came over on Friday night to help with the project. I was off having fun with my family and they were all here working. Steve and I really appreciate all of their help and we are SO excited to have the curbing in, the trampoline almost done and the grass growing in our backyard. We still have lots of work to do to make it look nice, but I think we have got the hardest part done. YEAH!

Family Reunion

Every year we are invited to a family reunion with Steve's mom's family. Somehow, every year, Steve and I get out of going. Barbara has taken our kids alot, but Steve and I have never gone, at least that I can remember. We decided that it was time that we go so we went yesterday to the family reunion. It was nice. The kids had a lot of fun playing and the adults just sat and hung out. It was pretty relaxing.

Children's Parade

Yesterday was the annual Fiesta Day's children's parade. It was so much fun. The theme was "Celebrating Traditions" so we decided that baseball is such an great tradition where we live that we would incorporate that into our float. Jill and Cheralyn worked on the float and they did a great job. It turned out really cute. My kids were so excited for the parade that they couldn't go to sleep the night before. So funny. Kate rode on the float most of the way. Here she is again, ready with her shades on.

Here is Josie and a few of her friends from our neighborhood. They were excited to walk down the street in the parade. It really is a fun tradition for our city.
Here is Taylor and Brenden with Spencer and Martin getting ready to start the parade. The picture didn't turn out too great, but the kids looked cute anyway.

Swimming Lessons

The last 2 weeks we have spent at the pool doing swimming lessons for Brenden and Josie. The first week was a little rough because Taylor was gone to scout camp and I had to take Kate with me every day. She did not enjoy being at the pool and not being able to swim. It was really hard for her. So it was so great the last week because I just left her home with Taylor every day! Sometimes it is SO great to have older kids!!! On the last day of swimming we got to go and watch the kids go off of the diving board and down the slide. Steve was actually home from work to lay our sod in the backyard so he was able to come and watch.

This first picture is of Kate all decked out in her shades getting ready to go to the pool. She is so funny and loves to wear sunglasses like her mommy. She puts them on the top of her head and tells me that she looks like me. So funny.

Josie really loved swimming this year. She did a great job and learned alot.

Brenden was a little nervous to jump off the diving board, but he did it, twice. I am proud of him. He loves to swim, but the deep water scares him a bit.

This is Josie the first time she tried to jump off the diving board. She got so scared one of the lifeguards got on there with her and helped her jump.

Here she is the second time and she jumped all by herself. I was so glad for her because I know she really wanted to do it.

Cub Scout Day Camp!

Brenden got to go to his first Cub Scout Day Camp at Camp Jeremiah Johnson last week. He was so excited that he popped right out of bed at 6:15 am, which is amazing for him. He got to shoot bebe guns and do archery and lots of other cool things.

He had a blast! He can't wait to go next year.

Orem Owls Baseball Game

The day Taylor got home from scout camp we decided to take the kids to an Orem Owls game. Taylor invited his friend, Garrett, and Brenden took his friend, Jordan, and we all went to the game. It was alot of fun. The kids really like seeing the Owl.

Kate's 3 Year old Pictures

Okay, so I realize that Kate turned 3 in April. However, I just barely got her 3 year old pictures taken this week. Better late than never, right? Here are a few of the cute pictures that we got of our sweet Kate.

Tennis

Brenden and Josie both wanted to do tennis this year. The city offers a program called "Pee Wee Tennis." Brenden did it last year and Taylor did it for a few years too. Josie was so excited to be able to finally do it. They have been going for the past 2 weeks and tomorrow is their last day. They have learned alot about tennis, made some new friends, and had lots of fun. I love to watch tennis so I am excited to see if they keep going with it or not. Brenden moves up into the more advanced lessons next year. Tennis is awesome!!!

Scout Camp!

On MondayTaylor left for Scout Camp at Camp Mapledell. He is only 11, but since his birthday is soon, the ward decided to let him go with the Deacons. He was so excited to go and hang out with all of his friends for the entire week. They will be gone until Saturday. 6 DAYS!!! I can't believe it. It's hard to believe my little boy is at scout camp. Since Taylor is a little young, they wanted Steve to go up for the first few days to get him settled. So, Steve got to go and help at the camp on Monday and Tuesday. Our house has seemed really quiet without Taylor around. I think Brenden, Josie and Kate even miss him. I think it might be a good break for all of them, so when he comes home they will be happy to see him. I know that it is good for him to have these experiences, but it is difficult for me, as his mom, to let him. I'm sure he'll come home with lots of exciting stories about the camp. He took a camera with him so hopefully he'll get some fun pictures, too.

This picture was taken really early in the morning before they left. You can tell Taylor is still half a sleep.

BBQ at Uncle Darrell's House!

After the Provo parade, we always go to Steve's Uncle Darrell's house for a barbeque. The kids have so much fun. He gets out his swimming pool and buys squirt guns for all of the kids. It always turns into a great big water fight.

Lilly and Kate loved playing in the baby pool.

Josie loved squirting everyone else, but hated getting squirted herself!!

Kate was trying to get in on the action.

Watch out!! Brenden's water gun is loaded and he's not afraid to use it!!

The funniest part of this picture is Jessi in the background trying to protect herself from getting wet!! So funny!!

Lilly was so funny getting in and out of the pool. She was SO cute!!!

Fourth of July!!!

It is tradition in Steve's family to go the 4th of July parade in Provo every year. The kids really enjoy it. We always take a picture of them before we leave the house on our porch. I have pictures of the kids probably every year since they were born. Don't they look all festive in their red, white & blue?

This is Noah trying to show Josie something that is coming down the street in the parade. I thought it was so cute how he put his arm around her. What a cute boy!!!

This is most of the kids and their cousins as they were watching the parade. Man were there a lot of people there. There always is, but it amazes me how many people have this as one of their family traditions. Until I married Steve, I think I had only been once or twice in my whole life. Now I have been to the last 15 parades. It is a fun tradition for our family.

Kate didn't seem to watch much of the parade, but had fun having lots of snacks!

Bouncing back at Lagoon!!!

Last weekend we went on a picnic with the Andersons and found out that Sharla and her family were headed to Lagoon this week. We had so much fun last time and since we had validated our tickets so we could bounce back for only $8.00 each (and we hadn't paid anything the first time) we decided that it was worth it to go back up there with Sharla and her family. The kids were really excited. Steve was too busy at work and Taylor had to go to scouts to get ready for his scout camp, so Brenden, Josie, Kate and I went back to Lagoon. Grandpa and Grandma Anderson came with us again and it was so much fun.

This is Kate playing in the water fountains. She slept through it the first time she went so she really enjoyed it this time. Jeremy is holding Lilly in the background and she absolutely loved it too.

Here is Grandpa with his lovable delinquents. He likes to call them this because it seems that they are always doing something mischievious and getting into trouble. They love him to call them that, but I keep reminding Brenden, it is NOT good to be a delinquent. Brenden and McKenna were troopers at Lagoon though. I talked them into going on the Cliffhanger with us. McKenna, Brenden and I just happened to sit in the absolute worst seats on the ride. We got SO wet. I don't think there was any part of us that was dry. When the ride stopped they were both SOBBING and I felt so bad that I had made them go. In the end they were glad they went, but it was pretty traumatic for them. Sharla and Jeremy were sitting on the other side of the ride and barely got wet. NO FAIR!! Then at the end of the day when the park was about to close, we talked Brenden and McKenna into going on Colossus. They were both SO nervous and I wasn't sure if they would end up going or not. I thought that McKenna might hyperventilate and Brenden all of a sudden had to go to the bathroom REALLY bad, so I am surprised that they made it on the ride. They both lived through it and Brenden absolutely LOVED it. While we were going upside down he was yelling, "This is WICKED!" McKenna closed her eyes the entire time, but I think she was glad she went. All in all it was a really fun day!!

Here is Grandpa with the sweet babies. Kate and Lilly are both so cute and had fun, as well. Lilly didn't get to go on very many rides, but she was such a good baby and it was really fun to have her there.

Kayleigh was such a great helper and took Kate on lots of rides. They had so much fun on this ride.

Here we are at the bottom of the log ride. Noah and Josie really thought this ride was fun!! They loved having each other to ride each ride with.

We got home super late that night, but it was totally worth it. We had a blast. It was also Sharla's 30th birthday. I am so glad that we got to spend the day with her. I hope that she had a great day. My kids and I really love doing stuff with her and her family and are so glad that we are related!!! She is so good to me and to my kids!!!!

Happy Birthday, Sharla!!!! We love you!!!

Our last T-Ball Game!!

So, last Tuesday was our last t-ball game. I have been looking forward to this baseball season to end, until I was with the girls for the last time. Now I am sad that it is all over. They are such cute girls and I really did enjoy being their coach. After the game they all came up and gave me a sweet hug and told me thanks for being their coach. I loved it. I guess I might have to coach again next year. We'll see, I'll have to think about it for a while. This is Josie at her last time at bat. She played really well and I loved being her coach.

Jill and I thought it would be fun to get each girl a trophy. So, at the end of the game we presented them with their trophies. They were so excited. The trophies had each of their names on them and Unicorns. Jill was sick so she wasn't able to be there, but I really appreciated all of her help with the girls. It was so much fun and I am SO glad she agreed to help me coach! This picture is all of the girls with their trophies. So cute!!!

Kate & Ben

Kate loves to play with her cousin Ben. He loves Kate too. He always says, "C'mon, Kate" to make sure that she follows him wherever he is going. We went over to their house on Sunday and the kids were having a ball playing on the swingset. We were telling Ben to be careful because he was climbing all over the swingset and he said: "I'm not scary, I'm Ben, I'm strong." Then he would flex his muscles. It was so cute. Ben is 8 1/2 months older than Kate.

These pictures are courtesy of Brenden. He loves to take pictures with my camera.

He did a pretty good job.