Where has it gone?

So school starts tomorrow and like everyone else I'm wondering where the heck the summer went. Call me crazy but I can already feel fall in the air and I've felt like that for a week or two. I can't believe it's over and we didn't do one fun thing all summer. Okay, we went to California on vacation but technically that was during school so it wasn't really a summer vacation. I mean we didn't go to the zoo, or Lagoon or anything. How Lame. Two weekends ago I made Greg take us for a drive up the canyon. We packed a picnic lunch and went up Mill Hollow and my kids whined the whole drive up because they were afraid we were lost and wanted to turn around and go home. Once we were there they had a ball and loved every minute of it but I am completely disgusted that our kids have not experienced much outside of Kamas. It seems like most of my summers were spent either camping or horse riding with my dad. I mean I'm sure I'm only remembering the good times but my poor kids have only been camping once or twice and that was a couple years ago. I guess they are just growing so fast that I'm just afraid the only memories of their childhood that they will have are going to be of vegging out in front of the T.V.
I hope we can get out some more before the weather gets too cold because they really had fun.



Over the weekend the girls had a little vacation in Salem at my parents house. They thought it was their vacation but really it was for me and Greg. For our anniversary we didn't get to go on a trip this year like we have in the past but since the girls were gone for a couple nights we went to dinner and a movie which was nice and we never do that anymore. Then on Saturday we borrowed a 6-wheeler and Greg took me up to Murdock Basin and showed me where they have been working for the Provo River water users. I didn't think of it at the time but I should have taken pictures of what they are actually working on and the road to get there. From what I understand the first couple trips down were pretty hairy. They were driving trucks and trailers and semis down a road that's is basically meant for rock crawlers and ATVs. It was such a pretty drive and a gorgeous day and we got some good pictures. We even saw a bull moose.

But I'm only 24!!!

It is our 10th wedding anniversary today and it is blowing my mind. I don't remember being 14 when I got married! We met 13 years ago in Logan and we've come a long way since then. I never really imagined we'd be living in Francis with 3 girls, some cows, a pig, and a chicken! I guess that makes me a farmers wife and I wouldn't change it for anything. Greg is a such great husband, a good son and brother, an awesome dad, and the best friend anyone could ask for. He is funny, smart, loyal, dedicated, and just about the most hardworking person I've ever met. More than once in our married life he has worked two jobs to support our family so I could stay home with the girls. He can do just about anything he sets his mind to, and if he can't do it he knows someone who can. Since I met him he's been a welder, a student, a teacher, a coach (football, wrestling, and girls softball?!)worked construction, been a town councilor, a farmer, and the list could go on. He built our home including framing, shingling, and landscaping with very little help. There were few things he didn't actually have a hand in. (I did paint the whole thing!) He adores our girls and they more than adore him. I love to watch them all together when he walks through the door after work or even when he comes home for lunch. You'd think he just saved the world by the welcome he gets. And he doesn't go back to work without getting plenty of goodbye hugs and kisses from his girls. There's nothing he wouldn't do for his family and we are so lucky to have him. Honey, you have given me 10 great years, 3 beautiful children and a wonderful life. I love you and look forward to many great years to come. Happy Anniversary!

Chandler is 'Two-rific'!

Well it's hard to believe but my baby turned 2 yesterday! After all the celebrating we did over the last few days for pioneer day, a 2 year old birthday was the perfect way to end it all. Too bad the weather didn't cooperate! Of course all week and then all day long while we were trying to get ready it was hot hot hot! But as soon as we brought the food out the clouds and wind came and eventually we had to rush and move everything and everyone inside before it all blew away. We got to cook hot dogs in the new fire-pit but weren't able to do s'mores this time. After a rough start thanks to the wind I think everyone still had a good time. I know Chandler did!

Chandler has become such a big girl just in the last month or so. She talks a lot and is putting lots of new words together. She loves to talk on the phone even though you can't understand most of what she says, she'll carry on and on. She has become very independent lately. "My do it" is something she says all the time. She has always been such a momma's girl and always been really attached to me even more so than her sisters. At times this has been very challenging for me but most of the time I enjoy it and remind myself that not too far down the road I will be wishing I could get a little of her attention. She is so happy most of the time and has such a cute personality and brings soooo much joy to our family. We are so blessed to have her. We love you Chandler! Happy Birthday! Here are some more pics of the party! Thanks everyone for coming!

Now that the birthday is over with I'll have to post about all the excitement from the Fiesta Day's celebration next time. There's way too much to fit into one post!

Dinner and a show.

Over the weekend Greg and a couple of his friends finished the fire pit that he has been working on. Things always go so much faster when you have help (and heavy equipment). It only took them about a half an hour to finish it and it turned out great! So we had to try it out and invited the neighbors over for hot dogs and s'mores.

The kids all loved it and the parents too when we (me) weren't freaked out about someone tripping and falling in the fire or getting impaled by a hot dog stick. It didn't last long though because all the girls (the Butikofers have 3 girls also) had a talent show all planned out for an after dinner show.

Billie Jo and Tim have a back patio that makes a perfect stage and the girls put on quite the performance. They sang songs from high school musical and camp rock. There were a couple of solos, mostly from Hayden. She really gets into it and I'm thinking she might be the next Hannah Montana. 3 yr old Mia did a solo and soon to be 2yr old Chandler also got in on the action. Of course there were no really discernible words in her song but she sang it like a pro. I'll have to see if I can figure out how to include the video. I'm not that advanced with my computer skills yet. It was a very entertaining evening and everyone had a great time.

Does she have talent or what!

4th recap-

The entire month of July is always so much fun when you live in Kamas valley. Between all the celebrations in Oakley, Kamas and then Francis over labor day, we manage to stay pretty busy and the summer just seems to fly by. I can't believe we're already into the second week of July! Over the weekend Greg and I went to the Oakley rodeo, the girls were in the parade for their dance class, we watched my nephew play baseball, went to a couple different barbeque's and I have very few pictures to show for it all. The parade is always a big deal for the girls. They practice all the time and I feel like the worst mother. I didn't get one picture! I hate to admit it but I couldn't even find Gracie on her float and I didn't even find Hayden till after she was past me and it was too late to get a good photo. I'm hoping if someone got a picture they will e-mail one to me. I did get one of them when we picked them up.

After we went to the parade we went to the Crandall's for our annual 4th party and spent most the rest of the day there. Erica is always gracious enough to let us party at her house because she has a great view of the fireworks after the rodeo. We had lunch and dinner there and the kids played in the water then did a few "legal" fireworks of their own. Chandler loved the sparklers and I was a nervous wreck the whole time she was doing them. Thank goodness she was done after 3.

Then Saturday we slept in and hung out at home then went to another barbecue at Greg's friend Kimmies. We were all exhausted from all the fun. Hayden got the chance for her vacation in Salem. Of course she had a ball and didn't want to come home because they always get spoiled by grandma and Aunt Jamie and she ended up staying 4 nights instead of the 2 were originally planning on. Both her sisters missed her terribly and gave lots of 'huggies' and big kisses when she got home! Now we're just gearing up for the next round of partying. The 24 is the Fiesta Days in Kamas and Spanish Fork and my baby's 2nd birthday is on the same weekend so it will be non-stop I am sure! This time I plan on getting better pictures!