Summa Summa Summertime!

It has been HOT this week.  I think it got up to almost 100 degrees today.  Consequently we have been trying to stay indoors as much as possible.  It's kind of ironic, because in Wyoming the best days of the whole year were in June and July, and here those are the months where I try to suffer through.  

We had cousin Kennedi over the other day to play and we had fun doing some crafts.  The girls are really into the Monsters University movie right now, so they painted the monsters onto rocks.  They turned out pretty cute. 

The highlight of this week is Grandpa and Grandma taking the girls to see the new Monsters movie, they have been counting down and patiently waiting, today is finally the big day!

I told them to give her a kiss in this picture, but it looks more like Hailey is trying to take a bite!

Bowling

This summer is going surprisingly well. I always worry about being able to keep my sanity during the summer, because my girls are very busy, and it can be difficult finding ways to always keep them all entertained. But if there is one thing that I pride myself on, it is coming up with fun activities and saving a buck while doing it.   I've learned as a mom, that you don't have to spend a lot to do a lot.  Last weekend we went to a new park and had a picnic and went bowling afterwords. The total cost for our outing was only $2.50!
Here is Hailey showing off her bowling skills, and her new Hello Kitty t-shirt.

I love my Callie.  She is so competitive at everything she does, but it's in a sweet way.  She is such a good sport, but you cant help but see it just really eats at her when someone else is winning.
I kept getting a chuckle out of her.  Every time someone would bowl, she would enthusiastically ask: "Who's winning now!?!?"  I would have to tell her it was Hailey, time after time.  She would sulk her little shoulders a little and then quietly muster "Good job, Hailey, way to go."  I just kept telling her I was proud of her for being such a good sport.   About half way through the game I noticed that Callie would look back at me after she had set up Hailey's ramp.  It took me a minute to realize she was ever so carefully moving the ramp crooked so that Hailey's ball would hit the side when it was her turn.  I pretended not to notice at first, but the hilarious thing is every time she put it crooked, Hailey would still get a strike because of the bumpers.  I finally told her "Callie I know what your doing, and you better play fair!"  She just got this wry little smile and said, "Okay."  Ha ha.. little sneak.

Miss Brynlee's hair is finally getting long enough to put in pigtails and ponytails, she is looking pretty cute with her big girl updos.

Poem for my Dad

Mostly only my close family members know that I have loved writing poetry since I was a little girl, and it's always kind of been something that I've done for my dad.  My Great Grandpa Mark Partridge also loved writing poetry and I used to read his poetry when I was a little girl and dream about becoming a famous writer like him.  Well, that never happened, but I did decide to write my dad a poem for Fathers Day since I hadn't written one in several years.  I wanted to put it on here so I would have it in my records.

What is a Father?

My father is not just a man who worked and paid the bills,

He’s the one who talked me through it when I faced lifes rocky hills. 

He’s not just the “Head of Household”, the leader of our pack, 
He’s the one that I looked up to, the one who’s always had my back. 

My father isn’t just the one who told me what to do, 
He’s the example that I followed to help me make it through. 

My father didn’t anger or judge me in ways I lacked, 
He always stood with open arms when I was ready to come back. 

My dad didn’t work all his life for fortune or success, 
He worked to make us proud of him, to bring us happiness. 

My Father is my protector, my comfort since my birth 
He is the only man my “Father” saw fit to guide me on this earth.

Dad I am so blessed to have you in this life, and life here after, 
You will always have the love and adoration of your daughter.

Happy Fathers Day!

I want to say Happy Fathers Day to my amazing husband. Brad I love you so much, our girls adore you, and we are all so happy when we are with you. I couldn't ask for a better daddy for my girls. They will always know their worth and value as young women, because you are such a good example to them. I hope you know how much you are loved.

Karren's reception

I just realized that I forgot to post the pictures of Karren's reception. There were tons of people who showed up, I thought we had a lot at my reception but there were just as many at this one. It was such a fun night and everybody had a really good time.
This picture is of my whole family, in laws and all.  I think this is the first picture where we have everybody in it.  And imagine my parents only have 3 out of the 7 kids that have children so far, can you imagine how it will be when my other siblings start having some?  We will have a full house!

I sure have a good looking mom and dad:

Mine and Karren's handsome little nephews

All the grandkids with Karren (minus Kayla):

Parents and Bride/Groom kiss:

The Bridal party:

We had some yummy food thanks to my mom and all the helpers.  Fruit pizzas, veggie cups, shrimp, bacon wrapped beenie weenies, nut cups, cupcakes, italian cream sodas and cotton candy.

The kids stealing snacks from the snack table

Kayla and her cousin Alea ran the cotton candy table:

My nephew Jay sang the cutest song, I was so proud of him!

All the cousins watching Jay and uncle Mark perform.  My aunt Tannis, uncle Joe, and Grandma are sitting behind them at the table, they drove down from Idaho.  I was so happy to see them!

Karren's college roomates made sure the food stayed well stocked.

Hard at work spinning cotton candy:

Three of my brothers singing, they did an awesome job.

My Grandparents with my mom:

Cutting the gorgeous cake my sister in law made.

These men did a great job with baby duty.

Throwing the bouquet:

The next bride to be who had the lucky catch!

Karren's Wedding at the Billings Montana Temple

I was so happy to be able to attend my sisters wedding at the Billings Montana temple. It meant so much that all my family was able to come with me and that Brad was able to fly in and join us.  It was such a special day of course I cried.  I couldn't be happier for my sister, she has waited a long time for this day and I know she is so happy.

Karren with her best friend Cody, she could not quit crying, it was so sweet:

Love my sister!

My grandparents were able to come down for the wedding and that meant so much to me to be able to see them.  I started bawling when it was time for them to leave, because it has been several years since I saw them last.

My dad and sister:

My mom and sister:

Everyone that attended the wedding:

The Brides side:

The grooms side:

Scotty's family:

Kiss from wife and mom:

Bridesmaids and Groomsmen:

Callie and Hailey made sure all day that anywhere Karren walked that her dress was off the ground!

Karren with her roomates from college:

Karren and her Maid of Honor: