On the sandy shore...

Here are some more pics from our California Vacation. We spent a lot of time at the beach. The water was pretty cold but Kami was not about to let anybody call her a wimp so pretty soon just about everyone had at least put their feet in the ocean.
Cory looks a little cold! He was not thrilled to have his picture taken!

The cute little Love Birds---
This picture cracks me up! Look at the "duh" looks on both of their faces. This family HATES getting their pictures taken.
< Vaughn should win the prize for the best beach attire. Love that hat! The poor guy burns so easily!

Catching up...

I've decided to TRY and catch up a bit on my blog. We've been pretty busy so far this summer. I mentioned that we went to California a month ago. We went to Disneyland one of the days-it's what Kami wanted to do for her birthday (even tho we didn't get to go on her ACTUAL birthday cuz we wanted Alyssa to go) This was one of very few group shots we got on the trip-of course it was at the end of the day when everyone was hot and tired. Most everyone was smiling-it is the "Happiest place on earth" ya know!

We did have a great time and since Disneyland is having their "Year of Celebrations" we celebrated Kami and Cory's birthdays and Alyssa's graduation from ASU. They got to wear buttons all day and it was pretty funny how many people stopped them to wish them Happy Birthday although Alyssa felt a little left out cuz not so many congratulated her on her graduation. Oh well...we're proud of her!

It was great to have all the kids on vacation with us and we had a good time!

Belated Birthday Greetings!

Kami's birthday fell on Memorial Day and also while we were on California. I tried asking everyone what the main things that they wanted to do while we were on Vacation and Kami said Disneyland and the Beach (not that I was a bit surprised-those are her 2 favorite places!) We managed to fit both of those requests into our trip and had a great time! Kami always takes pictures of her in crazy hats everytime she goes to Disneyland. We even have a book of her in all of them over the years. This trip we made sure we got some pictures with Birthday hats on.

Birthday Morning we went to the Beachcomber restaraunt right on the beach for her breakfast. It's a great little place! They brought her french toast with candles in it.

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I hope she had a great birthday! I can't believe she is 21! She's been a huge blessing in my life. Happy Birthday baby girl!

I Miss It Already...

We spent a week in California and had a great time! Loved the weather and the beach!
The view from our room! Is that amazing or what? Will post more later...

My Greatest Blessings...

I truly think one of my greatest accomplishments in life is being a mom. I'm certainly not a perfect mom and my children have most definitely challenged me beyond anything I could have ever imagined but I would not change it for anything! ( OK there are a FEW moments I could have lived without but that is how we learn-right?) I've always found it amazing that 3 children that were raised in the same house can be SO different! It sure has kept us on our toes but it makes life more fun!

I decided this year that now that my kids are older that Mother's Day is overrated. The cute little homemade gifts are a thing of the past and there are no missionaries serving for me to anticipate "the phone call".

Don't get me wrong- I love my kids with my entire being but I've not yet mastered how to not get my feelings hurt. I did get a "Happy Mother's Day" text from Kami who was puking and couldn't make it to our Mother's Day dinner at my Brother in Law's house. I also got a little side hug from Cory after I reminded him it was mother's day and didn't I at least get a hug.

I don't mean to sound ungrateful-it's just different than it was when they were so excited to give you their handprints on cardstock or make you breakfast in bed or read my favorite Love you forever book with them. I will tell you that they have all agreed to help paint my front room as a Mother's Day gift and that TRULY will be a wonderful gift. But ya know- it's not about the gifts- I just want to spend time with my kids and know that they love me in spite of the mistakes I've made along the way. A card with an I Love You or a letter scores big time points with me. Things that don't cost money and are done from the heart.



I do want my kids to know how much I love each one of them. Being their mom is truly an honor!