Watermelon in the Summer

So I was reading my friend's blog about her favorite things to do in the summertime. She asked what our favorite thing to do in the summertime was and the first thing that popped into my head was WATERMELON. Of course I love swimming, playing sports with the boys, walks, picnics, parks, bbq's, and all that fun stuff but there is something about watermelon that makes summer that much better.

I remember when I was a little girl, I was walking down the street and there was a big group of neighbor kids all crowded together eating watermelon. A girl who was several years older than me had a huge watermelon and was cutting it up and giving it to anyone who wanted some. I quickly made my way over and started stuffing my face with watermelon. It was so good. Early this summer, I was so excited to start buying watermelon at costco. Brian doesn't like it but the boys and I will eat it for every meal. We still have tons left over so I love to sit outside and cut it up to see who wanders over to eat some. Sure enough, the watermelon draws a crowd and all the neighborhood kids ask to have a slice of watermelon. In the end, I have a huge pile of eaten watermelon and lots of sticky kids but they sure are happy kids.

So what makes you happy in the summer?

Arrrrrrr!

Yo ho Yo ho a pirate's life for me. That's right Danny has begun living the life of a pirate and it all began when my mom gave him his own treasure chest filled with gold pirate coins, snakes (which is treasure to a 3 year old), a rubber skull, gems, and eyeballs (which Sam loves to stick in his mouth). He can't get enough of his treasure chest, he even sleeps with it. Well the other day he came home from preschool with this bandana, eye patch, and parrot and I just had to get a picture.

The DodoMy sister Heather came in town with her cute daughters and husband the other day from Texas. Every time Heather comes in town, we have to eat at the Dodo. Yuuuuuum! It is so delicious. If you haven't eaten there, you must and make sure you order the turkey sandwich and some tollhouse pie. I am realizing after looking at this picture that the boys and I sure do stick out. I do with my dark hair and the boys because well they are boys. I think we are all ready for some boy cousins!

Memorial Day

We decided to take Danny golfing at Boondocks (and to play arcade games of course). He loved it! He woke up last night at 2 am asking if we could go golfing again. Brian also loves golfing so he is very happy.

Oh great, the beginning of another obsession, GOLF.

That night we bbq'ed at Brian's parent's house. It was great food and lots of fun...

especially for the boys.


Sam's funny faces

First of all let me just explain that Sam would not eat his yogurt unless he fed himself so that is why he is a mess. Now about his face. He makes this face on purpose when I am taking pictures, when I am giving him a big smile, or just to get a laugh out of strangers. It doesn't look as funny in the picture so you have to watch the video.

New Moon

I was so excited when I saw the new poster for New Moon! I can't wait! It should be a lot better than Twilight. Only 6 more months!

6 years in Vegas!

On May 16th Brian and I celebrated our 6 year anniversary! Wow time flies. We spent the weekend in Las Vegas while my parent's and Brian's parents both watched the boys. We are so lucky that they do that so often. It was such a fun weekend. I am so lucky to be married to Brian. He is so wonderful. I couldn't be happier. I love you Brian!

Dinner on our anniversary.

I told Brian to make a serious face for the camera and he was doing great until our waiter stood there staring at him and then he started laughing.

Ok so when we went to New York a few years ago, everyone told us to go to Serendipity 3 because it was so good and I had to try the frozen hot chocolate. Well we didn't have time to go when we were in New York and I haven't stopped thinking about it. So I saw a sign for Serendipity in one of the casino's and I was shocked, I didn't know they had one in Vegas. Brian told me that he had seen it a few days earlier so after dinner we walked over and sure enough it was there! I was excited. The frozen hot chocolate was good, not great (all they do is mix ice with chocolate milk) but it was really fun. Next time when I am not so stuffed I think I will try the fried oreos.

Brian took me to see O (the cirque du soleil show at the bellagio). It was incredible! There were a couple of times I gasped out loud because I thought the woman being thrown in the air wasn't going to be caught and would land on me but she didn't. The show was at 10:30 p.m. (11:30 SL time) so I was a little tired but it was well worth it. Thanks for a great weekend, Brian!

Danny's Spring Program

Today was Danny's spring program at preschool. I have been so excited for this. At his winter program, he didn't sing one word so when he started singing the songs about half way through the program I was SO HAPPY! He has come so far this year. I am so proud of him. He was so cute.

At the beginning of the program he was sort of in this daze for a while but after a few songs he started participating.

Way to go Danny!

Grandma Janell and Grandpa Paul came to see Danny.

Grandma Robin and uncle Tim also came. What a lucky boy to have all of this support.

Here is a cute little song and dance that Danny performed.

Happy Mother's Day!

I love Mother's Day! I am so happy that it was invented. But most of all I love being a Mother. I have never done anything harder in my life and I wouldn't trade it for anything. I am the luckiest Mom in the world. These boys are not like any other kids I know. They both have this passion for things that I cannot believe. For example they could sit outside all day if I would let them. Danny asks me to play at least 3 different sports with him every day. If I can't play every sport with him, he asks one of the neighbors. Every day we either play tennis on the sidewalk, bowling on the table, baseball on the grass, soccer on the grass, or golf wherever there is open space. Anything that Danny loves Sam loves too. Sam loves Thomas the Tank Engine and the song Livin' on a Prayer all because Danny is a little obsessed. I could go on and on about these cute boys but the bottom line is I love them and wouldn't change a thing about them.

I couldn't ask for a better present.

We went to my aunt Sandra's house for dinner. The boys decided to have a shooting contest.


Yay Danny!

New Blog Author!

Ok so I decided to add Brian to the blog because I feel like since he travels quite a bit, he doesn't get included in the posts as often as he should. If there are any posts about movies, electronics, or sports than it is probably Brian.

Busy, Busy, Busy!

For the next couple of months, we have so many fun things planned. Although it gets hectic, I love it. This weekend, we have had a lot of family time and nothing makes me happier. We have had such a fun weekend I just had to post some pictures we've taken so far.

Yesterday Brian took the day off of work and we went to the Dinosaur Park in Ogden. It was so much fun.

Danny loved finding the secret trails. He loves Mickey and includes him in all of our family outings.

I don't think these 2 realize that they are suppose to act scared.

I love being surrounded by these cute boys.

My girlfriends and I decided that we needed a girls night out.

We decided to go to an all you can eat sushi resteraunt because I had never had sushi before. Ok I have tried a bite but that doesn't count. I think we ordered 8 sushi rolls. It was much better than I thought it would be! I really liked it. I wasn't a huge fan of the raw fish on some of the rolls but it was such a fun dinner. I love trying new things.


Then we came to my house for Guitar Hero World Tour. Haha this picture makes me laugh. I will never get sick of the Rock Band parties we have every weekend. We have so much fun.


Cute Danny in his soccer outfit. He didn't really play and whined the whole time but I realized that this is for fun and it doesn't matter. By the way, we scored this game!!!! I was so happy.


Our cute cheerleaders! We were the only team with cheerleaders.

And last but definitely not least, ALEX TOOK 1ST PLACE IN STATE!!!!!! I was so happy for him! Let me just explain that every kid in my family (yes all 8 of us) has played tennis on the Brighton tennis team. Each year for state, it was so stressful to watch as some of us won and some of us lost. Alex is the youngest of us 8 so he was the last to play. This is his senior year and I have to admit it was a relief to all of us that we didn't have to stress out any more after this game. We love watching tennis but it is hard if they lose. Anyway I came to the match late and I was wondering where Alex was playing. After waiting a few seconds, I heard a huge crowd cheering and walked straight for the crowd because I knew it was my family. After Alex won, we ran onto the court and each hugged him. What a great way to end the tennis tradition.

Alex had the biggest smile on his face. He was just laughing. I felt stupid because I was fighting back tears ( yes I am a little emotional) but as each member of my family gave him a hug I noticed that they were all fighting back tears.


If you are wondering whether Danny looks more like me or Brian, take a look at Alex. There is your answer.


My dad gets so stressed during these matches. He has to sit all by himself. He was so happy.

I love having a big family. It is the best feeling to have all of this support. We love you, Alex!

I love this weather!

In case I haven't told everyone I know, I hate the cold! It is so miserable. Once it starts to warm up, we are constantly outside. The boys just can't get enough of it. Danny has always loved being outside and now I find Sam crawling outside whenever Danny has left the door open. They are so happy outdoors.

My friends and I took our kids to the park the other day. Another thing I love about the warm weather is that I can take pictures outside and don't have to wait an hour for the flash. Here is Danny coming down the slide.

Little Sambo. He wasn't a huge fan of the woodchips. He still isn't walking so he didn't like crawling in it.

This picture was taken at my aunt Cathy's house. Danny was so happy when it was his turn to swing with her.

Sam may not be walking but he is definitely getting close. The other day he kept wanting to walk to Danny. It was so cute. I love how excited Danny gets for Sam. He is such a sweet brother.


This video was taken on the way to the park. There isn't a day that goes by that Danny doesn't insist on listening to Bon Jovi's Livin on a Prayer. This has been going on for over a year now and I am still not sick of this song.