friendships

We ALWAYS look forward to this opportunity each summer,

when Jamie Maxfield and her family come to Utah.

We were also excited to have Tiffany and her two adorable

children, Jamie's sister Carly AND my sister, Karli with her sweet girls,

join us as well. Needless to say we had a house FULL!!

12 kids and 5 adults.

I love these girls soo much. I could seriously have talked

to them for days. We never have enough time to

catch up. But I still cherish the time we get together!

No matter how long we haven't seen each other, it is just

as though we are roommates in college again, as

comfortable as can be.

Thank you my dear friends for coming, letting our kids

make memories, and just doing what WE do best...

TALK, TALK, TALK!

surprisingly with all these kids, there was very little fighting.

some were doing this...

many were doing this...

it was definitely another wonderful memory made!
*******************
Ame and Jordyn were lucky and got to have a

sleepover together. Jordyn is such a sweet,

somewhat reserved, easygoing girl. Such a cutie!

**********************

I also got to have a wonderful BELATED birthday

lunch with another dear friend, Jodi.

She is one of those individuals who inspires you

in soo many ways. Someone you want to emulate

and grow up to become! Thank you Jodi for

a delicious lunch and even better conversation.

We too could have talked for many more hours!

Wedding Day

This past week we attended the wedding and reception

of our nephew Kekoa.

He lived with us for a few months last year,

so we have a special place in our hearts for Koa.

This is Quinn's oldest sister Kuulei and her boys
Kekoa and Ikaika.

After the wedding we did A LOT of waiting around

these cousins sure looked cute in their matching dresses.

the kids sure love Ashlyn, Sheri (and Kimo's) daughter.Ash is quite the photographer

I am sure this was such a surreal moment for

Kuulei. I teared up as I thought about the day

my own children get to this point.

Soo glad I have many years to prepare!

there was LOTS of dancing and my kids had a BLAST!

loved these decorations

and the cake

It was a beautiful night!!

Ame and I talked on the way home,

the one things that would have made this

night perfect and SHE replied...

if they would have gotten married in the temple!

*I am so glad she already knows*

Bday

MY day started with a trip to the dentist

with my boys. But the best gift ever was

NO CAVITIES. Much better than the last visit.

When I got home this is the note I found...

(for some reason everytime I loaded it on here

it posted side ways). Ame is such a sensitive,

sweet girl! And that microwave LAVA cake

WAS a great surprise (thanks for teaching

her that trick mom). A great start to my day!!
Then Ame joined me on a mommy/daughter

date of shopping and root beer floats. Quinn also set up a surprise dinner with some very

dear friends. We could have talked all night,

but evetually we got a phone call for a crying

20 month old who needed his mama!

Then on Sunday, Quinn treated me again, by inviting
HIS family for dinner that HE made (mostly anyway).
He even made this cake (well his sister decorated it
with the berries). Very delicious!
Unfortunately I didn't get many pictures from this gathering.

Nalu just follows Amaya around taunting her!
Isn't he sweet!!!

Although I am NOT grateful to be a year older, I am thankful

for all the wishes and love I felt from so many family and friends!
Of course what is a gathering at our place without

a little dancing...

Fourth of July Celebrations

We had a FUN FILLED 4th of July.

I did a 5K run in the morning (wimpy run compared

to the ones many of my friends are running), then

we took the kids to the Layton Parade, Quinn played some

pick up vball in the park, we walked around the park

and booth for a while, got some shave ice.

Headed home for a few hours to nap.

Then spent the rest of the evening with our

good friends the Wadman's. They were gracious

enough to invite us over for a BBQ.

Then we headed down the street to watch the city

fireworks. We waited and waited...

and they finally began.

Even though LOTS of our neighbors had the really

GOOD fireworks for several nights, Kaipo insisted we

do our own too. We don't spend much on ours.

But he was happy anyway!

This year I tried to be much more mindful

of my blessings and freedoms.

I feel soo much gratitude for all those who

have lost their lives, so I could have the life I do

(as hard as it may be at times), at,

and my children can enjoy life each day!