A look into the past

I have been meaning to post this blog for a few weeks now but have found myself so busy and had forgot about it unti today. Not long ago Mitch's Dad had us up for dinner at his house and I found myself in Mitch's old room, remininsing about our life and time together. Mitch's room is almost exactly the way he left it when we moved in together almost 10 yrs ago. His old posters, clothes, keepsakes, books...is all there. I found myself reaching for our high school yearbook when I saw a book that was labeled Journal. Being his wife, I knew he hasnt kept much from me so I felt okay about reading it. In it I found some of the most precious memories and feelings that Mitch had had from the time he started taking the missionaries lessons up until Caleb was about three yrs old. I couldnt put it down. I felt kinda bad I spent the majority of the night enthrathed in this book. Mitch has always been such a good writer and often starts stories and novels, he hopes to finish someday, so reading this was the best of both worlds...his nice writing combined with the memories of the first few years of our life together. I was crying and laughing throughout reading it all. It brought back some very wonderful, special memories and some not so good ones. I could see how much we have grown up and grown together. I found this to be such a profound lesson to me. Keep a journal! I understood the importance behind what the church has so heavily asked us to do. Mitch was able to write down some memories of Caleb that I had completely forgot about until I read them in his journal. It also reminded me of what a strong testimony Mitch has in the gospel. Mitch was baptized on June 10, 2000. Ten years ago. Oh how fast those ten have gone. How wonderful, how hard, how trying, how rewarding they have been. I am proud of him. I love what a tender, sweet husband he is and what a loving, dependable, dedicated Father he is to our kids. I couldnt have asked for more. Truly.
I am grateful for having a husband and my kids to have a father who so deeply realizing how important it has been to keep a journal. To keep a record of our lives together. I know I was blessed to read it and to have a record of the important thing in our life and just the everday memories we have shared. Thank you Mitch.
Happy Father's Day!

Papa's #1 Fan

My Dad and Mary came for a visit to see us and watch Aubrie's recital and Caleb's baseball game. Little Bryn has got some love for her Papa. She loved everything he did! She was always in his lap and he was always making her laugh:) Bryn even wanted to pack her "packpack" to go on the airplane with Papa and Nana. Thanks for coming guys. It means alot to us for you to be a part of the kids' special events in their lives. Hopefully Mitch will get the playhouse you bought them done so I can post some pics!

Our Ballerina...

Aubrie had her annual dance recital with Mann Dance (Aunt Becky and Judy's). This year the recital was based on Disney's Mulan. I am always amazed at the awesome details and thinking that goes into outting on these performances. Judy and Becky do a great job and you can tell through each performance. The sets are neat, the costumes are beautiful and the choreographing is wonderful. Thank you so much guys for all your hard work! Thank you for allowing Aubrie to come and experience this and teach her dance. We love you both very much.
Aubrie did so great:) I loved how she smiled the whole time during her dances. She was great!





Aubrie with cousin Lacy,she is only 2 and was a little chicken in the recital. She was a hoot! She was dancing and wiggling her little booty everywhere. So cute:)

No Doubt...About it!

After the day i had today, I wanted to post something I was happy about! And NO DOUBT made me happy:) I got to see them and go to my dear friend's wedding in Albuquerque. The concert was awesome, we had fantastic seats and Gwen rocked it! Plus Paramore played with them too, who I love because of the Twilight soundtrack.
Steph's wedding was so sweet and lovely! I cried like a baby through most of it. Her and I have been friends since second grade and I was just so happy that she found such a great guy and they are going to have a baby togther:) It was fun to see old friends and hang with my girls Diana and Melissa!

Trippin...

I have so much to blog about due the fact we went out of town twice in the last two weeks. I went to my dear friend Steph's wedding and to a NO DOUBT concert(pictures still to come) and then this last weekend we went up to see my sister Tara and her husband get sealed in the Manti temple and also seal their sweet little Teagan to them:) It was such a great experience to witness and be there to see this family work so hard the past year to get where they are, it was so special to be a part of it. I had a really touching experience while in the Manti Temple. It is so very beautiful inside and there's just something about the older temple's that really tug at me deep inside. What hard work, dedication and sacrifice went into them. It took yrs to build and what beauty it beholds inside. I feel very privaleged to have been there not just to see it but what went on inside. Thank you Tara and Jeremy for inviting us and allowing us this honor of witnessing you be sealed for time and all eternity. Love you both.
As you can see it was so very windy there that day and I think everyone saw my undaroo's because I thought it would be nice to wear my new short dress( I prefer longer skirts. Sha-right. I walked in the temple with my dress caught up under my bag because of that stupid wind. But for the first time I think ever- my dear husband came to my rescue and caught before too many saw! I really cant go anywhere with out embarassing things happening to me.
We got to hang out around Provo for a few days and Dad hooked us up with a great room at the Marriot (of course). The kids loved ordering room service and movies. Thanks Dad and Mary!
Here are some pics of our trip to Utah. Enjoy!







My stepsister Lacy was so very sweet to watch our rugrats while Mitch and I went down to the temple. We really appreciate you Lacy thanks for keeping the kids and feeding them while we were gone. We couldnt have done it without you. I owe you one:) As you can see from the pics Breyton loved Caleb and Brynley loved Kelseigh. Aubs was so cute with her too and even asked me "Mom are you going to have another baby? I would like one like Kelseigh!":))


Bridal Veil Falls




Of course no summer trip is complete without a day at Seven Peaks Water Park. The kids had a blast!!



Caleb went down all the scary slides they have there. I thought it was cool that he didnt even act scared. He is a pic of him on one of them.
Before

After

Well Deserved...

Sometimes it seems that the good our children do can be far and few between. So when something is awesome-we have to take advantage of it and give them praise.
Caleb was given an award to day in school for having striaght A's all year long. He was the only 4th grader to do so this year! I just have to say I am so proud of him and the person he is. What an exceptional honor for him! He has really enjoyed this year of school...he has waited for years to get Mrs. Murray and he had a great group of friends in his class this year also. I am sad that it is coming to an end tomorrow. But I am just so proud of him and this accomplishment.

Rain+ Family= Good times

Today we had planned on going to Riverfest and having a nice time with the kids. Well... we got there and the girls had barely enough time to ride the train and the down pour came! Thankfully I brought an umbrella and so we made a dash to the car and decided to go bowling instead. The kids love bowling and so they were excited to go and try to whoop their parents at this game. I suck at bowling but just like every other sport, Mitch is good. Way good. He got three strikes in his 10th frame. I mean come on, who does that besides pro Bowlers?! He just as to show off when it comes to sports. Aubrie got second and Caleb third. Yes I placed last, I told you I suck bad. Tonight Mitch and I went out and saw Terminator Salvation. If you are a fan of these movies, this one is pretty cool. I give it two thumbs up.
Here are some pics of our fun day today:))
Check out this freakin funny picture of Bryn!

My freakin hot hubby! Yummy.








I love how sweet Aubs can be with Bryn. She has her cute little arm around her and you can just see how she loves being the BIG sis.

Crazy Days...

Another fun day for Aubrie at school, today was CRAZY day- To celebrate the birthdays that are in the summer time. The kids could do whatever they wanted to do with their clothes, makeup and hair. Aubrie has always been funny about dressing crazy when she is at home playing dress up. She comes up with the most unique outfits, so this to her was just great! This morning before school, she had a dr. appt to get two more shots before she can start kindergarten. She of course was tall for her age, just like her mama.
Mitch and I found the doctor very amusing and maybe even a little intrusive with some of the questions she was asking Aubrie. Do they not think we are doing our job?? Just because we are young doesnt mean we are bad parents and stupid people. Whatever. I figure that this is how most doctors are today and that I shouldnt have another tantrum at the doctors office or else, I might not be able to find one who will take us. But Aubrie was very brave getting her shots. She couldnt have gotten out of there faster. She was so excited to get to school to see how everyone else dressed up:)