Lava Hot Springs

My Dad always rents a house in Lava Hot Springs over the 24th of July. It's one of Luke's favorite places because it's not nearly as far away as Lake Powell, but still tons of fun (he HATES long car rides).

I love old houses...all the old fixtures and door knobs.

There's nothing better than lazy time with the family.
Jane is starting to laugh and play with us a bit and it's SO much fun!!!

My new favorite picture

Of course both kids ended up in our bed by the time the night was over...do you see much room for me and David!? Ya...it was a tight squeeze.

We love tubing down the river but this year I got dumped
with my two little nieces. Here's one of my battle wounds.

Baby Legs

Baby legs...that's all I have to say. love them.

Oquirrh Mountain Temple Open House

I have a strange desire to blog everything I've done this summer...I don't know why, but I'm determined. I have about six more posts before I'm caught up. If you get sick of my blog during this process, I'm sorry. Anyway, a couple weeks ago we hit the Oquirrh Mountain open house. It was so great for us to be able to take Lucas inside a temple and talk a little bit about some of the things that are so special and sacred to our family. It was a great night...I think there's only a few more weeks left before they dedicate it so hurry up and go if you haven't already.

Even the outside refreshment tents were decorated...fancy, fancy.

Cute little family of mine

Fine looking children...

Fine looking mamas...;)

Jane and Ellie

My sister-in-law's little girl, Ellie, was born two months before Jane. When we were both expecting I bought these little outfits for them to wear in July. I've always felt deprived that I never got to do the whole matching outfit thing. Ezra and Noah and Alex and Bella always looked so cute in their various matching ensembles...I was always so jealous. So, I'm finally indulging my matching outfit fantasy! Don't they look sweet?

I think Jane and Ellie are going to be great friends. It 's so fun having a cousin your same age...and that you like too. Suzie is still one of my best friends and I'll love her forever. We've had some seriously good times together...I'd name a few but they all seem a bit inappropriate for this post. ;) I'm crossing my fingers that Jane and Ellie will get to experience that same kind of friendship. It's the best.

Suzie's "Pretty Princess" birthday party, 1997

Startling, isn't it?

This will never get old to me... I love comparing Luke and Jane. The blessing photos were especially tender. Both of them in white and looking so sweet.

Blessing Day

On July 5th, 2009 we blessed our little Jane. She looked so beautiful in my dress. When my Mom and I pulled it out a few months ago I knew I wanted her to wear it. It's a sweet dress, simple and clean...just the way a baby should look. But, I also wanted her to have something of her own. I have a friend who makes infant booties so I called and asked her to make a special pair just for Jane. I went with her to pick out the material and measured her feet so they'd be just perfect....and they were.

Isn't she an angel?

We've been waiting for Jane to join us for awhile and now this is our family...looking and feeling more complete. I seriously didn't have any idea how much I would love having two little children.

Look at us...we're beaming!

David did such a nice job and worked really hard to make this whole day run smoothly. He got the beans soaking on Saturday (right in the middle of all the festivities), got up around 5:00 to start the beans in the crock pots and cooked up all the pork and rice also. My primary responsibility was to take care of the kids and set up a bit. He's so wonderful, I seriously can't imagine getting through anything without him.

Lucas still adores her

I apparently like to tilt my head...

This food is dangerous...you can't help but consume large quantities.

I spy Nick heading back for more food...

I love everyone! We didn't get a picture of everyone who came, but we got a bunch of you...

Fourth of July

When it comes down to it I think Christmas is probably everyone's favorite holiday...but I tell ya, the Fourth of July seems to be the most dear to me. I love the summer, barbecues, parades, carnivals, fairs, baseball, fireworks, picnics, and, of course, I love our country. Like Christmas, the real reason for all this celebration is certainly lost for most, but it's still so heart warming to see so many people come together and celebrate our independence and birth as a nation.

Let the celebration begin...

Flag ceremony and breakfast at the park and then a hometown parade

All the little kids in Marriott-Slaterville get to ride their bikes to kick off the parade, but this year Lucas rode his four-wheeler.

I got a big kick out of these girls in my ward.
Notice right below their banner it says "self-appointed". Funny!

Then we headed over to the Marriott Park for the Freedom Festival. We have all the typical small town activities...pie-eating contests, raffles, games, prizes, hamburgers, hot dogs...you get the idea. Marriott-Slaterville is the kind of place that you come back to for the holidays. Even people who have grown-up and moved away years ago always come back. There were about 500 people at the park and the MC knows most people by name and calls them out to participate in the contests and things. It's so great...who knew I'd love this place so much!?

After that we had to hurry home, clean up a bit, and pack up for the Bees game. We've had this tradition going with the Espinosa's and our friends the McCombers for quite a few years now. There isn't a better place to spend your evening on the Fourth! I LOVE IT!

See, nothing but good times. :)
Man, I love the food. I swear I didn't eat all that myself.

By the time the game and fireworks were over it was past midnight and we were DEAD tired. Jane's blessing was the next day (I know, right?) and we weren't quite ready so we still had to fit in a Wal-Mart run. There isn't anything more depressing that having to go to Wal-Mart on Satuday night. It's a miracle we didn't crash driving home...seriously. It was a CRAZY weekend, but we survived, and it was all worth it.