Visiting Great Grandma

While we were in Utah we went to visit my Grandma Coleman.  All growing up whenever we would ask her how old she was she would reply with some random number or say that she started counting backward when she hit 60, so we never really knew how old she actually was. I finally found out how old she is! I am happy to report that she is 77!! It was so fun to visit with her. She is a great lady!

While there I was able to capture these precious pictures.

We love you, Grandma C!!

Nielson's Grove

One morning during our trip we met some friends from our old BYU married student ward at the park for a picnic. I had forgotten how much I love that park. The weather that day was the best we had the whole time and it was so fun to see the friends who were able to come. We missed those who weren't able to make it! 

It's so funny to think that when we all met so many years ago we were just little newlyweds, and now we all have grown so much, had kids, moved and all the other crazy things that make up life! Hopefully we can all get together again some time!

Dave's Wedding

One of the reasons I went up to Utah was to go to my friend Dave's wedding. Dave is a friend from the music department at UVU, so it was fun to see old friends and teachers at the reception.

Hi, Emma!

Sitting with my friend Bryn and one of my old teachers, Judy.

Katelynn wanted to take some pictures with my camera. I have several of these random self portraits now.

Michael & Bryn. It was so awesome to see Bryn. She just got home from her mission, so both of us have been gone from Utah for a while.

The happy couple, Dave & Amber, during their first dance.

Now Michael & Bryn take a spin on the dance floor.

The kids had a great time playing with the other kids at the reception and blowing the bubbles. I'm glad I was able to go. A mutual friend told me that it meant a lot to Dave that I came. It was great to see everyone and to have them coo over how big the kids have gotten. Sometimes I really miss being able to go to school and all the fun I had in the music program at UVU.

On the Road

There is some pretty breath-taking scenery on the drive between Arizona and Utah. Here are a couple of pictures from one of the "scenic viewpoints" on the way up to Utah.

Mommy Interview

I saw this on a friend's blog and thought it was funny, so I thought I would do one with my kids. It's funny to hear what kids think of. I'll have to do one for Father's Day.

What is something mommy always says to you?
K:  “Don’t get in trouble.”

E: “Be nice.”

M: “Don’t get in food.”

What makes mommy happy?
K: don’t get in yogurt

E: kids don’t get in trouble

M: Uhm, don’t stand on stuff if you get hurt.  Be careful.

What makes mommy sad?
K: when we get in trouble. In yogurt. (I'm sensing a theme here...)

E: we didn’t clean up our room

M: don’t obey.

How does mommy make you laugh?
K: you do silly things to me.

E: tickle me

M: pretending you’re talking, like this (moves his mouth opened and closed)

What was mom like as a kid?
K: Uhm..you get in trouble and your grandma & grandpa tell you what to do.

E: Uhm, you don’t get married.

M: Um, a baby.

How old is mommy?
K:  Uhm, 5. 7, 8, 9 and 5.

E: Uhm, 4.

M: 5

How tall is mommy?
K:  Taller like a giant to scare the ants and carry us.

E: 5

M: Big

What is mommy's favorite thing to do?
K:  Uhm, have so much fun and sit on the bench and talk to people. (that's pretty good.)

E: Um, make food to eat.

M: Clean the house so we can not make a mess. (Is that why they make messes? 'Cause they think cleaning is my favorite thing to do?)

What does mommy do when you're not around?
K:  You are scared and you think we got taken away.

E: Uhm, eat dinner.

M: Clean

If mommy was famous, what would it be for?
K: ‘Cause, uhm, you think we got in cereal and got in trouble. (Sounds like I need to check on things...)

E: Do school.

M: Frogs

What is mommy really good at?
K: Your kids be nice to you and we be good to you.

E: Be nice.

M: Wishing

What is mommy not really good at?
K: You are not good at, um… Mommy I did a 2!! Lookit! I did a 2!!

E: Be mad.

M: Not touching crabs. They might hurt you, like grab you and make you die. (Huh?)

What does mommy do for a job?
K: You clean up our house. (Yep)

E: Make dinner a lot. (Yep, again.)

M: Chickens. Chickens?! We don’t even have chickens. No, I’m saying we’re going to get them. (Okay...)

What is mommy’s favorite food?
K: Your favorite food is eating yogurt.

E: Mac n’ cheese

M:  *shrugs shoulders* Uhm, noodles?

What makes you proud of mommy?
K:  Don’t get in trouble.

E: I be good in the library. (I think maybe the girls thought I meant what *they* do to make *me* proud, not the other way around.)

M: Uhm, getting animals. Yeah, for our backyard.

If mommy were a cartoon character, which one would it be?
K:  A Mommy character.

E: A Mom

M: Um, a chicken costume that you’re wearing.

What do you and mommy do together?

K: We have so much fun at the park.

E: We be nice and good.

M: Hum, um, um, help me go swimmin’ so I can’t drown.

How are you and mommy the same?
K: Uhm, being good and being the same

E: Uhm, we always love to be friends.

M: Going to, obviously, being a movie, like on a stage.

How are you and mommy different?
K: We are different because we like ourself.

E: We have yellow hair and brown hair. (good one!)

M: Uhm, obviously when we got in a costume we be chickens. (I have never worn a chicken costume!)

How do you know mommy loves you?
K: We don’t get in trouble.

E: Be nice. You kiss me on the cheek

M: Uhm, buy chicken, like an animal, so I can be happy. (what is with this kid and chickens?)

Where is mommy’s favorite place to go?
K: You go to the museum a long time ago.

E: Go home.

M: Obviously, go watch movies, like a movie theater. I know you love movie theaters.

We're Ba-ack!

The kids and I just got back last night from our almost week long trip up to Utah. We caravan-ed with a friend from Arizona who went up to visit her mom & sister. We were able to travel there and back in safety, and had a great time seeing friends we haven't seen in years. I will post about what we did while we were up there soon!

Suture Off

Last week was the Suture Off for the first year podiatry students at Scott's school. Since he is the president of the podiatric surgery club, he served as one of the judges of the competition and gathered prizes for the winners from local businesses. The kids and I ran to Costco right before it started to grab some water bottles and a few other things, so we ended up just staying for the whole Suture Off.

Here is Scott doing his thang.

Hello, Emma!

Katelynn is quite the dancer. Check out her awesome moves!

Piggy Nose

When I took the kids in a couple weeks ago for their dental check-up they, unfortunately, all had at least one cavity, so our days have been spent visiting the good 'ole dentist's office. But, the staff is really nice & the dentist is really good with the kids. It's a very kid-friendly office.

Here is a picture of Emma in her "piggy nose" holding "Pink Piggy" after her turn in the chair. By the way...kids can be pretty funny sometimes when they are on nitrous oxide. Katelynn was more talkative than usual, if you can imagine that!

Golfing

At a local golf course they have a program every summer to encourage kids to get involved in playing golf. The kids can attend a golf etiquette class, then they are allowed to bring a guest and golf for the rest of the summer free! We thought that sounded like a great family activity, so we had the kids take the class.The other night we took the kids to the putting green for a little practice. It was a beautiful night for it!

Orange Park

The other day we decided to walk/ride down to the "orange park" for a picnic. Here are some fun pictures from the afternoon.

Cool shades, man.

"I was really careful, Mommy, and didn't hurt my back like Daddy!" Lol!

Swing, swing.

Cheese!

Michael chasing Emma. At first I thought they were just playing a game or something, but then I realized Michael was chasing after Emma because she stole his glasses! You can see it in his face..and hers, the rascal! See, everything isn't always sunshine & rainbows around here. ;) This is a documentation of real life!

So Long, Farewell

Some friends of ours moved out of our ward. The girls decided to get together one last time for a little farewell party. We will miss your sunshiny self, April!!

Drawrings

The kids have really been into drawing and writing their names lately. They are doing awesome! I found this work of art on the patio the other day.

I'll have to remember to take more pictures of their really cute drawings so you can see them.

Sprinklers

A couple of weeks ago the kids played in the sprinklers for the first time this year, so of course, I had to take pictures! We were watering the lawn, and it was so hot that when they asked if they could play in the sprinklers we just let 'em have at it. (Side note: yes, they have new swimsuits for this year, rather than these nasty, too small ones. I just didn't want their new suits getting gross in the backyard. Hee hee hee)

Emma

Katelynn

Michael

The Whole Gang

Click on the pictures to get a better gander at them.