Bragging Rights!!!!

Okay, so I'm not one to brag (ever), but I feel I have earned bragging rights and I must share or I'll burst. I just got an entire new wardrobe without spending a dime. Now I'm sure you are asking yourself about now, "How did she do that?" Well, I was cleaning out our master closet and came upon a box labeled PRE-Jax bottoms. So I thought to myself, well I know I've been losing weight lately, so I'll just go ahead and try them on and just see how much more I have to go. I don't lose weight by the amount on the scale, I lose by what size I fit into. So I took out the first pair of jeans and slipped them on. Guess what? They FIT!!!!!!!!!! Then I tried the next item on and it fit, and the next, and the next. I got through the entire box of about a dozen pairs of pants/jeans and about a dozen skirts and they all fit. Happy Dances all around! So I just re-inherited a new wardrobe of pants and skirts. I'm pretty freakin' excited because this means that I went from a size 8 at Christmas time back down to my size 4 pants. Anyway, I just had to share my spectacular news because I can't get my hubby on the phone to help me celebrate. Yeah for weight loss. It only took me 2 years to do it, but I did it. Best wishes to anyone trying to lose weight!!!

Going Private

Okay, so I made a deal with Ryan. He doesn't mind me continuing the blog, but he insists that it goes private. I totally agree, his insisting has just made me get off my tush and do it. If you want me to add you to the list just send me your email address or leave it in the comment section. I'll give it about 2-3 weeks before it goes private, but please send me your info asap that way I get it in on time. Thanks for understanding.

Horse-back Riding

Every summer we take Emma horse-back riding. We go to this really cute place up in the Uintah Mountains called Rockin' P Stables. We went last Tuesday. This year was Emma's first time alone on a horse and Jax's first time going. She is such a little horse woman and the 2 wranglers were praising her the entire time about her ability and lack of fear. She knew what to do to get the horse going, what to do if the horse started trotting, and what to do when the horse would try to stop to eat. Jax, however, wasn't keen on this new adventure. He hated the helmet I made him wear and hated when the horse would trot to catch up. After about 20 min he slumped over and I had to catch his head. It was then that I realized he was sound asleep. He slept the entire rest of the 40 min ride. I wish that I had taken my camera because it was the cutest thing ever. We'll see how they do next year. Emma's already asking about going back. Maybe I'll surprise her for her birthday and get a sitter for Jax and Ryan and I can just take her. Getting saddled up.
Look at that poise. A born horsewoman ;-).

On the trail. One of the wranglers, then Misty, then another wrangler, then Emm and then Jax and I pulling up the rear.

Lagoon

The other night we had some neighbors of ours that gave us discount coupons to Lagoon. It's a theme park here in Utah. We went and ended up running into quite a few of our neighbors. One of the families we ran into is our really good friends, the Davis'. Grace Davis is Emma's very best friend and they were both SO glad to spend the day together. They were two little dare devils and went on and loved the huge roller coasters. Jax's favorite ride, of course, was the train. The girls on the train ride.
My mom and Misty on the train.

Our family on the train.

Jax and Emma on the little kiddie boats.

After the last time on the kiddie roller coaster Ryan and Jax came upon a couple of little critters in the rafters and took a couple of pictures.

Kearns' Pool

After the open house we went to the Kearns' pool and had a blast. For anyone in Utah this is the coolest pool. For such a little amount of money, you get a lot of play. The kiddie/toddler pool area is awesome. We just sat in the water on the edge and let the kids play. The water was really shallow and there were slides and such. Then there were a couple of other deeper pools, several high dives, an indoor pool, and a huge thing that dumped massive amounts of water every 10 min or so. You could also take food in so we were set for several hours. We will definitely be going back. Ryan and Jax taking a little cat nap in the toddler section. See, very shallow.
My mom and Misty on the edge of the kiddie area.

Emma going down one of the kiddie area slides. She's on the right.

Temple Open House

Last Friday morning we had the opportunity to go to the Oquirrh Mountain Temple open house. It's in South Jordan, Utah. It was really beautiful and such a neat experience taking the kids inside to see what it looks like and to see their reactions to the beauty of the temples. They were so good and afterward we took some pictures outside by the fountains. Our family pic outside the temple.
An upward shot.

We also went with my mom and sister Misty.

The kids loved feeling the clean, cool water in the fountain outside.

Pony Rides at Gardners Village

We went to Garner's Village (it's the cutest little boutique shopping area in SLC and all the stores are in old pioneer homes that they clumped into a little village with cobblestone walkways around them). We went and came upon this darling little pony rides and a little petting zoo. Since Emma is obsessed with horses, of course we had to take a ride or two.

The Birthday Fairy

Happy Birthday JAX!!! He turned 2 on July 6th and since we have a birthday fairy that lives near us, she always stops in the kid's bedrooms and decorates their rooms for their birthdays. She is sneaky because they've never caught this fairy yet.
Sorry, forgot to turn the picture. It's Jax's door all decorated by the fairy.

Jax's room with fairy decor on it.

Independence Day

We had such a fun 4th of July! We had a BBQ the night before, since Ryan had to work. But he was off by 6pm, so we went to the Murray Park a few blocks from our house and saw the fire works. They always do such a great job and this year was no exception. The kids love watching the beautiful displays and I love that we live so close we just walk and don't have to deal with fighting our way out of busy parking lots. Happy Independence Day!!! Emma playing with her glow ball.
Jax just kept taking his apart and expecting us to always be ready and willing to put it back together. Just like his dad! Always taking things apart to see how they work. Ugh!

Emma, Jax, Misty and Nana waiting for the fireworks.

Our family pic. Jax, can't you ever look at the camera.

The Zoo in July

Another trip to the Hogle Zoo. Emma and her best friend Grace on the train.
Misty and Jax on the train.

Just over Grace's head is a giraffee that we watched sit down. I'd never seen that before and it was quite a feet just to get his bottom on the ground.

Posing with the tigers.

Good Bowlers We are Not

So we went bowling and I'm not posting a picture of our scores to brag how good Ryan, Misty and I are, because we aren't. But to brag how great Emma did on her first game without the little rails that she always used to push the ball off of. We were so impressed.

How in the World?

Okay, I just don't get it how kids can fall asleep anywhere, and in any position. It's a mystery I don't think I'll ever solve. But doesn't it make some of the cutest pictures?

Just Chillin'

I can't tell you how happy the kids were to get back to their own toys and to just get to chill and play all day without the hussle and bussle of being on the go. Jax, veggin' with his Thomas the Tank Engine trains.
Emma taking some down time to catch up on her favorite books.

Happy Father's Day

We drove back to SLC on Father's Day, but we left about 3 am so we could get home and spend most of the day with Ryan. I still got to wish my daddy a happy father's day in person and the kids got to wish Ryan one in person too. I can't tell you the last time that has happened, so it was pretty cool. Since we drove all day we were pretty pooped and I was not up for cooking, sorry Ry. So we took him out to his favorite burger joint, 5 Guys Burgers and Fries. It is really yummy and if you ever get a chance, go there. Anyway, we wanted to wish Ryan and all the other father's a very happy special Father's Day. Ryan, thank you for all you do for us and for all the love and affection you shower us with on a daily basis. I only wish I was 1/2 as good to you as you are to us. We love you with all our heart and are so grateful you are ours.

A Few Days in Phoenix

Ryan flew home from Los Angeles, and the kids and I headed to Phoenix with my folks for a few days of fun in the scorching heat. We spent time with fam and I got to have lunch with one of my best friends, Beth. Thanks for making time on such short notice. Jax and my niece Courtney on a little car ride in the mall. Jax looks so thrilled. ;-)
Misty and another of my nieces Caitlin.

Misty and I.

Me and my sisters, Misty, Jacque, and Becky.

Disneyland

Next we headed north and went to Disneyland. Emma still asks almost everyday when we are going to go back. It was such a great trip. Perfect weather, and very little crowds. Sorry for the onslot of photos for this post. I couldn't decide so I posted a lot. Mommy and Jax on It's a Small World.
Emma fell asleep on the couch in the hotel waiting for us to turn down her bed.

Nana and Emma on the Heimlich ride, it's in California Adventure.

Misty, Mommy, and Jax on the Heimlich ride.

Nana, Emma, and Jax in line for Mr. Toad's Wild Ride.

Emma, messing around while in line for the Indiana Jones ride.

He was so good and would just nap anywhere.

Nana and Jax in line for Buzz Lightyear.

Alicia and Misty on Autopia.

Ryan and Emma on It's a Small World.

Misty and Emma on the tram.
Nana (my mom) and Jax on the tram.

Pampa (my dad) and Ryan, yes, on the tram.

Ryan and Emma on the Zip-A-De-Do-Da Ride. That's what Emma calls Splash Mountain.

Mommy and Emma on Splash Mountain. Emma loves this ride and went on it several times.