The Fourth of July...(was a long time ago!!)

This year, our 4th of July festivities were very lax. We had dinner with my family on the Saturday before. We also set off some fireworks of our own that Andrew had purchased in another state. Thanks Andrew. The kids loved it. Then on the 4th, I got up and ran in the West Point 5k run. I got a personal best time of 24:35. Atleast I think that was my time, it's been a while since it all happened. After the run, I met Chad to watch the parade with the fam. The parade was in true West Point form this year. It was, small, to say the least but the kids had fun. Next we went to the park and looked around at all of the fun booths there was there. After a while, it was evident that we would have to head home because Trevor and Paityn were so tired. So we went home and we stayed at home the rest of the day. It was a great fourth. I love living by the park.We're close enough to see all that is going on and even go over and hang out for a bit, but we don't have to pack for an all day trip and we don't have to camp out at the park. We had a BBQ with all the trimmings, jumped on the trampoline, got ready for bed and then settled down for the fireworks show. West Point did not disappoint this year. The fireworks were fantastic. After that we put all the kiddos to bed and hit the hay ourselves. All in all it was a great fourth of July.

Roasting marshmallows over the stove with Penny at the family BBQ. It actually worked really well this way. No smoke to deal with but you still end up with a fabulously gooey smore.

Jenny joined in as well

YUMMY!!

Kaelynn and Riley doing some roasting themselves.

Riley lighting off her firework from Uncle Andrew. This may or may not have been an illegal one.

Cute Cami

Paityn was having a blast watching all of the fireworks.

Over time we got the whole neighborhood to come over and participate in our fireworks.

Trev LOVED the sparklers

All the kiddos watching the fireworks show that Chad was putting on.

Allison and I after our 5k run. Jenny ran with us as well but she headed home right after the race.

Paityn waiting for the parade, enjoying a treat.

This is Trev's "thumb's up" sign. He really liked the snakes and lizards.

This was a massive lizard that was on display. It was huge and his tail had been cut off in an accident with a door.

Waiting for the city fireworks to go off.

King Family Fun Continued...

While Tyler and Kelly were here and before Kiley left, we all went to Lagoon for some family fun. We all had a great time. The kids had fun with their cousins, the parents had fun on some of the rides and the kids had fun riding the scary rides. Riley hurt her neck on the colossus so she was uncomfortable after that. Poor girl! At the end of the evening, Hilary threw out the idea of going on the sky coaster. We had initially wanted to go sky diving while Tyler and Kelly were there...turns out that for some of the people who said yes to sky diving it was just all talk. Us braver people, or should I say WOMEN, put our money where our mouths were and bought the tickets to do the sky coaster. It was the funnest and scariest thing I have ever done. I went with Hilary and Kelly and Kiley went together. We went first. We got all of our gear on and were ready to go. Nerves started to go too. We got hooked up to the thing that hoists you all the way to the top. As we got higher and higher, both Hilary and I got a little more tense and we kept saying "ok, we've got to be almost there right?" WRONG!! We went so high up. Once we got up there, the guy over the speaker started his count down and Hilary and I both started to panic. We were wondering, out loud, what we had gotten ourselves into. When the guy said Go, Hilary reached back and pulled the cord. We nose dived straight down to the ground and at the last minute we scooped up and swung out over the park. It was INCREDIBLE. I loved it, minus the initial scary death defying fall. I would definitely do it again. All in all it was a fun filled trip to Lagoon.The weather was perfect, the kids were healthy and happy. Who could ask for more?

Purchased my ticket. You can see a bit of fear in my eyes.

The four bravest

All hooked up and ready to go

All the kiddos were pretty nervous for their Mommy's. It was pretty sweet.

Flying over the crowd on the first pass

All done and happy to be safe on the ground

The best ride EVERKelly and I showing our nervous sweat marks. Although most, if not all, of Kelly's was from her harness being soaking wet. Who knows why it was wet. Mine however was not wet. What's my problem?

My kiddos on the carousel

Ami and I on the lady bug bop...her favorite ride

Pait and I waiting for the train

Cute Cam Jam

Riley and her cousin Lia

Trev was cute and went on the rides with Pait. What a good big brother

"Nuggle Time" is My Time

For the last couple of months, Trev and I have started and kept up a new nightly routine. We clean up his room and clear the mess from the day and make a path to his bed.Get his pajamas on. Brush his teeth. Go potty and then, it's snuggle time. Or as Trev likes to say, nuggle time. I love this part of my day. I feel so needed when he says, "mom,come nuggle me for a lil bit!" I love that. I love climbing up into his bed, pulling the covers over his little body, resting my head on his doggy pillow pet or his puppy he's named Buddy or his froggy he's named Beans, pulling him close to me so I can smell his little clean from the bath tub little boy scent and feel his short stubble from his hair against my face.I tickle his back for a bit until his eyes get heavy, then I start tickling his face. I love watching his eyelids start to droop and his face smoosh up as it falls farther into his pillow. When his breathing starts getting louder and a slight snore can be heard, I know my nuggle time is almost up for the night and it makes me a little sad. I want it to be like this forever. I want him to ask for nuggle time every night for the rest of my life.I reluctantly pull his covers up over him like he likes it, kiss his cheek, give him a little squeeze and whisper "I love you" into his ear. Then I slowly crawl off of his bed, thanking my Heavenly Father for that nuggle time I just had with my son. Now if I can only find a way to make him stay little forever. I'd be one lucky mama.

For Our Anniversary...

This year we had lots of plans of what we wanted to do for our anniversary. But then Riley needed braces and my brother got married, so plans changed. Not that I'm dissappointed or anything.We still have some awesome plans. Here they are...

We got our fence finished...TA-DA!!

With a nice big gate on the one side

We got Cement poured in our rv pad and around the back to the deck and a mow strip.

But that's not all...

We're goin to Vegas baby!!! We are going to stay in Vegas for 4 days. We got a condo at a very nice and new resort that does not have a casino in it so that's a plus. It has three large pools and activities going on all the time.And did I mention we will be seeing this lady in concert? That's right Celine Dion live on stage. I am so excited!!

Another activity that we're excited about is we will be going to the pawn shop of pawn stars. If we get in, you bet I will be trying my hardest to get a picture with Chum. I love that guy. I love this show.

I also gave Chad a picture frame with the toast that was given at our wedding by my sister in laws framed inside. It was a quote given by Gordon B. Hinckley about how life is like an old time rail journey and how we need to enjoy the ride and thank the Lord for letting us have the ride. I am thankful everyday I have with Chad and my kids. So thanks for the ride.

Happy 10 Year Anniversary Honey

"Find a guy who calls you beautiful instead of hot. Who calls you back when you hang up on him. Who will lie under the stars and listen to your heartbeat. Or will stay awake just to watch you sleep.Wait for the boy who kisses your forehead, who wants to show you off to the world when you are in your sweats, who holds your hand in front of his friends, who thinks you're just as pretty without makeup on. One who is constantly reminding you of how much he cares and how lucky he is to have YOU...The one who turns to his friends and says, that's her..."

I saw this quote at my brother's wedding and as I was reading it, I thought, wow I've done pretty good for myself. Chad is all these things and more. He is so attentive to me and my needs and he gives his all to me. To say that I've been blessed to have him as my husband would be an understatement. He is one of a kind and to have him as mine makes me feel like the luckiest girl in the world.

Chad,
I can't believe it's been 10 years already. It's flown by. We've had our ups and downs haven't we? But I'm sure the ups have far outnumbered the downs. You have made me so happy these past 10 years Honey and I fall in love with you more and more each day. You have given me four of the most beautiful kiddos. We have a beautiful house. We have a beautiful life.Marrying you has been the best decision I have ever made. I'm so glad that 11 years ago, when I first saw you and talked to you, I followed my gut and chased you until you noticed me and then you did the chasing. Ten years is great and all, but I plan on celebrating bigger numbers then that...I'm talking 60's or 70's Honey. So here's to ten years of happiness, laughter and falling for eachother and to 50 or 60 more years of the same. I love you Honey. Forever and always.

Ali

Here's to more moments like this...
Here's a little song/poem for you to enjoy, just because I can...

I don't want anything that I can't hold.
Don't give me money please, cause all my pockets have holes.
And I don't need no fancy car, I don't even drive.
All I need is oxygen and you just to keep me alive.

I want someone to hold and to love and grow old with and be together two by two.
We can dance and we'll sing yeah we'll do anything that we ever really wanted to,
oh I want you.

Don't need no fancy ring, to sparkle and shine.
As long as the sun comes up everyday hey we're gonna be fine.
And if I had a private jet to fly me places that I've never been.
I'd rather take the old Honda, you and me we could go for a spin.

I want someone to hold and to love and grow old with and be together two by two.
We can dance and we'll sing yeah we'll do anything that we ever really wanted to,
oh I want you.

So if you let me stay just the way that I am..
I will be your wonder woman and you will be my superman.

I want someone to hold and to love and grow old with and be together two by two.
We can dance and we'll sing, yeah we'll do anything that we ever really wanted to ...
Oh I want you!!

Happy Father's Day Big Daddy

I did not do very good at getting pictures of Chad and the kiddos this year for Father's Day. We had a very busy day. But we did give him a new big sport umbrella (much needed) and a card. The kids and I are so blessed to have Chad. He is a great Daddy. I have never seen another Dad be so selfless with his time and attention. He gives his all with these kids and I know that they appreciate it. I love you Chad and I am so lucky to be your wife and have you be the father of my children. I wish I was more like you and less selfish with my time. You are a great example to me and I hope to one day become more like the parent that you are. I love you. Happy Father's Day!!

Big Daddy and his card from the kiddos

We also gave him and root beer and a bag of popcorn and a tag on it that said, pop pop, fizz fizz, what a great pops you is!!

King's Kickin' Summer!!

It's that time of year again!! SUMMER! Yeah. Every summer Tyler and Kelly and their family come out for a week or two and we get to play for a week straight. This year was no different. We had so much fun. We went fishing, had a BBQ, had a sleep over, Had a missionary farewell,went to Lagoon, golfed and had all sorts of fun.We love this time we have to spend with family. We love when the cousins see each other after a year and don't even bother saying "hi" to each other, they just jump right into playing like they never left. We love this time of year when we can all get together but we do really wish that Tyler and Kelly lived closer so that we could do fun things together all year long.Here are some pictures of our fun.

The sleepover...We had all the little girls over at our house and they had so much fun.

Paityn is a Grandpa's girl. She has to have his undivided attention.

Chad and Kiley after her farewell on Sunday.

Kiley and my kiddos

All of these kids are going to look so different when Kiley gets back.

Trevor wanted to go fishing, so that's what we did. He was so excited.

Paityn was trying to grab some fish. She's a little daredevil that one.

Grandma and Grandpa and all the grand kids after fishing

Chad and I golfing. I have a love hate relationship with golf. I love hitting the ball far (when I get a good hit on it) but I lose strokes when it comes to putting. It seems it's either going good or bad, there's no in between with this game.

At the park feeding the ducks.

Pait and Trev playing in the sand at the park.