Who's Birthday is it??

My summers consisted of playing on the beach, with friends, family trips and much more. But always, we made a trip back to Utah to be with family. I have endless memories as a kid but I recently got to relive an old memory. My mom and Aunt Suzi used to throw Birthday/Luau Parties. But it wasn't necessarily ever anyone's birthday. We just had a birthday party. Cake and all.

They would cut a watermelon into a basket and fill it with food. We would BBQ, do crafts, learn to Hula, and play games. Mom and Suzi would deck out Gramsy and Papa's back yard. We would all dress up and the partying would go late into the night.

This last Thursday, they threw another one. It had been YEARS since we had had one. So my mom's grandkids and Suzi's grandkids got to experience it. The kids and I went over early to help set up, cut fruit, etc. We BBQ'd hot dogs and burgers, made butterflies out of tissue paper and hung them around the yard. Suzi taught us all to Hula, to true Hawaiian music! Gramsy and Papa spent a lot of time in Hawaii when my mom was a teenager, so they have the good music! Then we had one of my mom's famous scavenger hunts and played the frozen spoon game.

It was weird for me as Kate and I walked around with the kids, thinking of when we were kids and it was us that was running all over the yard looking for treasure. I'm grateful that our kids got to experience something that we did all the time. When I think back to my mom and Suzi, I don't know how they did it. They are both such amazing mom's and women. I am blessed to have them in my life.

Brian and Andrea have three exchange students from Japan staying with them right now. Brandon was concerned that we really confused them by having a Luau/Birthday Party when it was no one's birthday. And he thinks they may never return after the frozen spoon game.... :)

BCF's

I grew up with a lot of cousins (16 of us total). The majority of us all live within 15 minutes of each other. I have always been particularly close with my cousin Katie. We are only 3 months a part. The other week, during "Therapy Thursdays" (That is what we call our Thursday's together, while our kids swim and we chat) I looked at her and asked her, "When did we become the adults??". It really does seem like last summer that our mom's were cooking the hot dogs and Kate and I were playing. We both just laughed. I am so grateful for Kate. We've always had each other and always been able to confide in one another. I'm very fortunate to have some life long friends, she is one of them.

As kids, we loved to play in Gramsy and Papa's backyard. We would dress up as princess and pretend we were just that. We would spend hours making up dance routines, playing school, having water fights, working for papa, sleepovers outside, laying on Papa's patio during rain storms, climbing trees, going to sewing lessons, bike rides, camping, fishing, skiing every Saturday at Park City, shopping at ZCMI and Nordstroms with our mom's and Gramsy, lunch at the Tiffin Room...the list goes on. I am truly blessed. The other week, a picture was taken of us which reminded me of one from when we were little....

Then...

and now....

Best Cousin's Forever!! Love you Kate!! XOXO

Camping in Fairview

Earlier in July, we went camping with Brandon's family and some of his extended family down in Fairview, Utah. We had a lot of fun. My Uncle Mark loaned us his 15 passenger van so we could fit everything and all ride together. I giggled as Brandon and I drove. My Mom and Dad drove a big van like that and so I just felt like I was my mom. I have moments like that all the time....like when I catch myself saying, "If you're going upstairs already, then take that with you. Save a trip!" Being like my mom is not a bad thing. I have an amazing mom!

Brandon, Laura and Liz woke up early on Saturday to drive back up home so that Liz could be in a parade she had been working hard to be in and Laura had worked hard to teach the routine at her dance camp. When we realized the conflict, I assumed I would drive the girls up. But Brandon was adamant about being the one to take them. He told me, "You always get to take them and see them dance, it's my turn." How can I say no to that?? Liz has really liked taking a dance class from Katie and Laura continues to grow as a dancer.

We spent the weekend fishing, playing in dirt, roasting marshmallows and hanging out with family. Everyone caught multiple fish. Lilly and Luke caught the most by far. I only caught one. But hey, I had a blast! All the girls earned a mani and pedi by jumping in the river in our clothes, Luke earned a movie. But Brandon didn't earn anything....he made all the bets. We didn't think to make him jump in too! Smart man! Emma (Tara's youngest girl) picked me a bunch of wild flowers while we were up there, which followed with more flowers from other darling nieces!! Oh how I love these girls!! They make my heart smile!

We had a lot of fun with our family and hanging out around the fire. We really love camping and fishing and Brandon and I are hoping to go again in the next two weeks.

Park City

We took the kids to Park City for a few days. The Smith's (Andrea's parents) invited us up to their time share at the Marriot Summit Watch in Park City. I had stayed there before and so knew what kind of fun we were in for. Park City is one of my favorite quick getaways. Two of my girlfriends and I love to go up there for girl's weekends and Brandon and I did a honeymoon there. The kids had never been to Park City and they and Brandon told me they had never gone anywhere as a family unless it was camping. Needless to say the kids were very excited to go on a vacation that wasn't camping.

This Marriot is a great place to go with kids. There is a huge activities center with a pool and games and a wii and games, etc. Our first night, we headed right over to the pool. As soon as the kids were in bed, Brandon and I headed out on a date. Monday, Brandon and I got up early to go have facials and soak in the hot tubs. We then went over and road the Alpine Slide and Alpine Roller Coaster. VERY FUN!!!! Then Brandon and I took the kids out to eat at Bandit's. It's BBQ/Steaks. One of my favorite places to eat there. Laura got a steak, Lilly got a combo plate with brisket and another meat, Liz got ribs (would she get anything else??? NO), Brandon got an amazing burger, I had cedar plank salmon and Luke had grilled cheese. :)

We swam some more, cooked at the hotel. Brandon had to go home Monday night for work. After he left, Brian, Andrea, Lincoln and the kids and I went and made s'mores!! There are multiple fires around down town with benches and we just picked one and went to town! It was a lot of fun. After, Liz and I went to the activities Center to watch the Justin Beiber movie. Everyone else played a game back at the room. On Tuesday, we swam some more. Laura and Luke went on a hike with the Smith's and Brian, Andrea and Lincoln. Lilly, Liz and I did a picture scavenger hunt and then went out to eat at a French Bistro.

We had a lot of fun. We were all sad to leave. We are so grateful to the Smith's and Brian and Andrea for having us up there!! Thank you so much!!

And the summer goes on....

Ok...so needless to say, we have had a very hectic few weeks!!! The kids came to stay with us for two weeks and we had such a good time having them around....I worked the first week and so the kids came with me to nanny the Izatt family. I had to borrow Junior (Jenn's Expedition) in order to fit all 7 kids in a car. 7 kids. 7 very awesome kids. 7 very fun and beautiful kids. 1 exhausted Jill. Over the three days I was working we swam, we bowled and we swam some more. And that was just the start to our week!!! So here is a quick run down of the past few weeks:

*Swimming
*Dinner at Connee's
*Bowling
*Swimming at North Shore with my friends Sam and Shara and their kids (it made for 11 kids total and 3 adults.....YIKES!!)
*Dance for Liz
*Luke was in the Primary Bike Parade
*The next couple of days are a blur...
*We went to Park City for three days
*My car died
*Lilly had piano
*Liz had dance
(Inhale here.....)
*Had a big old cousin bash at our house: pizza, games, root beer floats and a movie outside
*Nails done
*Hair Cuts
*Luke and B had some man time at a movie, ice cream and a bike ride.
*Decorated Cakes
*Played on stilts
*Naps on the lawn

So I'm confident that I have missed a few things but as you can see, those two weeks were crazy, hence it being a total blur. We did a lot of swimming and the kids have become hooked on M*A*S*H. They lay on our bed and floor at night before bed to watch it with Brandon and I. We love it.

Brandon kept us laughing the whole two weeks. When he walks in the door he had this ability to make me laugh even when I'm completely stressed out trying to make dinner. He makes everything better. I don't know how to explain this goofy man I am married to, but he keeps the kids and I laughing.

Brandon started full time with Weber State University on July 1st. He is so very excited for this opportunity, as am I. He plans to look for a part time job in nursing as well but right now is putting his main focus at Weber State. Weber State has opened up a program at Ogden Weber Applied Technology College, so that is where he will be teaching up in the new building. I am excited and nervous to get back into school this fall. Taking the last year off was defanitely needed as I transitioned into being married again and having four kids but I am anxious to get my degree done as I am over half way there!!!

So we are having fun, enjoying one another. Trying to transition into new employment and school and still really enjoying our Service Mission. That continues to be such an amazing experience for Brandon and I.