Chase's 1st Visit to Grandpa's Farm

Chase sporting his Cowboy hat and boots! Lookin' good kid!

McKinleyville

Next it was off to McKinleyville. You know you're getting close when you start spotting "BiGFOoT"!

Grandpa loves surprising the kids with horse rides right when we get there. For the kids, it's like arriving at Disneyland!!

Jackson loves the sound of horse feet clip clopping

Audrey loves 'Peggy'.
Grandpa let Audrey ride by herself this year. One day when I was out for a walk with Chase I looked up and saw Audrey on Peggy Sue in a dead run. Audrey was yelling "Whoa! Help! Whoa! Help! Help!" Peggy kept going until she reached a fence and stopped. Grandpa came running soon after and got the situation under control. After that we kept the rides to the backyard.

Blake's a natural and just thrives on Grandpa's farm- it's definitely in his genes. He and Grandpa are two peas in a pod out there on the farm.

Blake took Chase on his first ever horsey ride. By the end of the trip, Chase was saying "hee..eee".

Finding tadpoles. A little piece of heaven.

Football Camp

Blake was lucky enough to go to a Football Camp with former BYU players that are now in the NFL. He and his cousins, Tyler and Zach, were all in heaven!!
Yes, that's John Beck actually touching Blake (in his Dolphins John Beck jersey). He got QB instruction from him!

Fourth of July 2009

We started the fourth with the Willow Creek Ward Flag Ceremony, Parade and Breakfast.

Luke and Jackson were fighting the whole ride. We should of been smarter than to to put those two together.

Then it was off to Provo to see Matt's family. We hung around Aunt Janice's house, ate, played and caught up with everyone. I love the Fourth of July in Utah!

That night we went to see the Stadium of Fire Fireworks. Kristen brought glow sticks for the kids while we waited.

Chase Loved them and when the fireworks started, he was hilarious saying "Oooooohhh!" and "Whoa!" Everytime a big one went off.
I feel so blessed to live in America.

Park City Palace

My mom surprised us all with a huge Palace in Park City at the top of a mountain for our family reunion. She said it was going to be like camping, so we were prepared for the worst. When we pulled up to a multi- million dollar home, we couldn't believe our eyes!

Of course we all went golfing at Wasatch. Matt's ankle wasn't 100% yet so he was my caddy. It was so much fun to golf with him when he wasn't actually golfing. He was so pleasant instead of grumpy. Our team won- thanks to CJ!

My mom got to come this year while prego Laura was stuck with all the kids. It was pretty entertaining to hear my Dad yelling at her across the fairways.

Cooper and Jackson were in heaven just running around the whole time playing. There was Ping Pong, Pool, Fuseball, a huge Movie Theatre with a stage even a Fitness room. We had so much fun we never wanted to leave.

We finally did leave to go fishing and four wheeling.

Grandpa took all the kids on rides through the mountains.

We went fishing in Midway.

Blake got skunked and he was not happy about it.

Jackson doesn't throw as many rocks anymore. Chase has taken over that role nicely.

Audrey caught the first (and biggest) fish of the day!

The whole gang! Thanks Mom and Dad- what a WONDERFUL time that was!!

Oquirrh Mountain Temple

While in Utah, we got tickets to go to the new Oquirrh Mtn. Temple Open House. My sister, Laura, lives just a few miles from it. I also went to the new Draper Temple to do a session. My Mom plays the organ there on Tues. so I got to see her play. She only goofed up once:)

My kids thought it was so neat to get to go inside. Audrey loved the sealing rooms with the mirrors and the brides room. Jackson loved the sparkly chandelier in the Celestial Room and Blake loved the baptismal font with the Oxen. Chase loved the fountains outside the temple- he was ready to go splashing.

This reminded me of when Audrey was little and sang "I Love to see the Temple"

What a blessing Temples are in my life so that I can be with all these people FOREVER!

Trip to Utah

After driving all day to Utah with the kids, my family surprised me with sparklers and cupcakes for my birthday. I love being surrounded by my sisters and Tiffany blue cupcakes. I couldn't of asked for a better birthday present. What I did ask for though, was a back splash in my kitchen. While I was off playing with my family in Utah, Matt was slaving in Arizona putting it in with Paul. Thanks Guys, I love it!!!

Ferf with the choke hold on Blake- those two act like siblings.

Always wrestling, and giggling together.

All the kids LOVE Uncle Evan!

Girls Camp

I can vividly remember going to girls camp as a Young Women and wishing that I could go back every year for the rest of my life. Well, one more year of my life and I got to go, yes, GOT to go not HAD to go. There is such a special spirit there and I had so much fun with my girls. Yes, it was stressful, yes, there was drama, dirt, and exhaustion- but all worth it.

We can Change the World!!

Really big thanks to my wonderful friends who stepped up and watched all my kids since Matt had a national meeting the exact same week. What would I do without you?

Go Red Sox!

Matt giving Blake some last minute advice before he heads out to hit.

Blake would get so nervous to bat and very upset when he'd strike out but he still loved it. This was his first year playing real baseball.

His favorite position was second base and pitcher (he's a lefty).

It was pretty intense but in the end, Blake's team won the Coronado League Championship.
He was on cloud nine and wears his shirt with pride!

Happy B-day Dad

Since my Dad works a lot in Arizona we get to see him every once in awhile. The kids love when he comes to visit. My Dad says that he's older than dirt, but I've never seen dirt chase my kids around the house like he does. Love you Dad!

Mother's Day 2009

Can I even put in to words how much I enjoy being a mother to these four beautiful little children? No... I can't. Soak it in, Steph, soak it in!

First Annual T-BIRD TROT

Somehow I got roped in to doing a fun-run for the Elementary School. The word spread after I did one in Primary and we thought it would be a fun community event to get the kids and their families moving. I named it the

T-BIRD TROT because we're the Thunderbirds. I commissioned Grandpa Cannon to draw a picture for the t-shirt (he's fairly inexpensive) it turned out really cute! Thanks.

After the 5K, we had a kids race that was only a mile and they were trying to "Beat the Principal"

After throwing up in his mouth and just swallowing it, Blake came in fourth place for his grade. That a kid.

Audrey opted to do the Kids race. She had fun but of course loved her medal and slushy the best. Maybe she can try the 5K next year...

Did I just say "next year"?

'Grab your friends and neighbors and go out for a walk,

Cuz we're all getting ready for the T-BIRD TROT!!!'