Mini Vacation

Ryan had to go to work in Moab for a few days, so the girls and I went with him. We hung out by the pool during the day and went to great little places to eat at night. It was fun to get away and relax, but it is always nice to come back home.


I am still without a camera, so Ryan's dad let me borrow his for the weekend. It took me a little while to figure it out. It is totally different than mine on the manual setting and I refuse to shoot on anything but manual. It was beautiful down there, but I didn't get any great shots. Site seeing with two small children in an unfamiliar town and trying to get great pics is impossible. I really want to go down there when we have time to see the sites and I have help with the kids.
We drove up to a guys house that works at Wheelers and on our way there we saw this house with an old ford truck in the yard. I made Ryan pull over for a shot. Lately I have been obsessed with old vehicles.


I do have to say that we really must live in the most beautiful state. Utah is amazing. I have been to all of these places in the past, but I never took the time to notice how amazing it is. We were leaving Salina, with big mountains on both sides. We then passed through a desert, very dry and desolate. Then we hit the San Rafel Swell. That was truly amazing. (I wanted so bad to stop and take pictures, but Ryan is not always willing to stop every time I want to take pictures of something. My camera only had limited memory card space and I wanted to get pics of the kids.) We then went through another dry desert and finally we were to Moab. The plateaus before reaching there were beautiful and so different from the mountains that we are used to. Moab's giant red rocks and cliffs glow in the sunset. It amazes me that God created such a beautiful place where you see one extreme to the next. I love living here!!

Parties and more Parties...

On Aniston's birthday we gave her, her presents 1st thing in the morning. We bought her a new Bigger bike since she finally learned how to ride without training wheels. She was very excited, but still refuses to take of the training wheels on the bigger bike. That morning the kids played outside. We still had swimming lessons and they talked me into riding our bikes there. It was fun, but hot!! I had to bake cupcakes and her birthday cake. I had to get the stuff ready for her party, finish the treat bags, and still get ready myself. The day was a swirl of activities. Emerson still wasn't feeling good. I knew taking her to the friend party would be disasterous. My grandparents kept her for me. They are the best!!

I decided to have a bike party. I made invitations in the shapes of bike tires. We were going to have the kids bring their bikes. Make name plates for the front. We added noise makers to their tires. (you all remember doing this with cards and clothspins)

We set up a bike obstacle course for the kids. They started going through a sprinkler, then they got off of their bikes, went through a tent, hit a ball off of a t, got back on their bikes, drove through the bubbles, and last weaving through 4 cones, and raced to the finish line. When they finished they got a blue ribbon. I think that it was fun and Aniston said that she wanted to have a bike party next year. We then opened presents and had a cupcake and the party was over. My mom was there to help take the kids and their bikes home. Ryan took the day off to help me, which he probably won't do again. He wasn't crazy about the kids party. (thanks, though, honey. It was a lot easier with you there. You are the BEST!!)

I do not do cakes well and I really want to be the mom that does it all. I saw this cake on BH&G. It looked easy enough. So here is my sad attempt...

We made dinner and had all of our family here for the family party. Ryan made the best Turkey sandwiches. It was great. My family is the best.

My sister sent Ansitons presents down with my dad. Aniston opened them and with the most dramatic voice, stated that Aunt tania is the best. She knows exactly what I like. (she got her a Hannah Montana purse, wallet, and cups) She is spoiled rotten. She got a ton of great gifts from everyone.

Here we are with her flip flop shaped cake. It was a great party and a great day and it isn't fair that she is 6!

I just have to say thanks to a couple of my friends. They are the best.
Thanks Janell for letting me borrow your camera. I wouldn't have any pictures of her bithday. THANKS SO MUCH!!
Tayna, thanks for the cake tips. It still didn't look great, but the tips helped. THANKS a lot!!

Happy Birthday Aniston

6 short years ago I was blessed with the most perfect, beautiful girl. My life truly began that day. Everyday since has been amazing. She has filled my life with love, beauty, laughter, tears, and pure and utter joy!

I read in a scrapbook magazine that your should write and document your childs birth stories. I remember the day like it was yesterday, but one day I may forget the little details so I am going to try to write about it today.
As I set here typing my eyes fill with tears at the thought of the day she came to me.
It was 6am on the 17th of July. I woke up with a horrible stomache ache. I didn't really know what to expect as far as labor pains. I waited around for a couple hours and they were still there and about 20 mintues apart. My mom was in Capital Reef for work, Ryan was at work, and so I called my grandma. She, of course, rushed right down. She was a nervous wreck. She wanted my to go to the Dr. I on the other hand wanted to clean my house and my spare bedroom. She agreed to help me. We cleaned and I was continueing to have pains. I finally agreed to call Ryan when they were 7 minutes apart and getting stronger. I called and called him and it would ring and ring and then go to voice mail. I couldn't figure it out, but continued to keep calling. I had a shower and got my hair and make-up done. ( I didn't want to go to the hospital looking like I had just fallen out of bed) The pain just kept getting worse. The previous day, Ryan and I were talking and he told me who to call if I couldn't get a hold of him. Finally after my grandma convinced me to, I called down to Barneys. My friend worked their and as soon as I called she knew. She said that she would get a hold of him. She called me back a few mintues later and told me that he had ran out of fuel and was stuck somewhere by Scipio. A couple hours later she called me and said that he was on his way home, she had just saw him running across the parking lot. A second later he was barging in the house panicked. He said that his partner hadn't fueled his truck and he left his cell phone accidently in his truck. He said his partner showed up while he was fueling and said "I'll finish, your wife is in labor". I wasn't ready to go to the hospital yet. I didn't want to be one of those girls that they had to send home. So we waited, Ryan had a nap, and we went to the drive in for dinner. (gross, but I was craving chicken strips and I knew the hospital wouldn't let me eat when I got there) Then when the contractions were less than 5 mintues apart, I agreed to go to the dr. He sent me to the hospital. We got checked in and settled. And so it began. I hadn't decided on an epidural and thought that I wanted to try it without. At 11:00 I changed my mind. I had it and I felt a little better. After all night at about 6:00 I started pushing. She didn't want to come out. After hours and being so exausted that I was ready for them to use the forceps, she came at9:00 am. As soon as I saw her I couldn't stop the tears. I kissed her and checked her fingers and her toes and kissed her. I will never forget the feeling that I had at that moment. It was beautiful and perfect and I felt whole the moment that I held her. She completed me and I knew that my life would never ever be the same. My heart would forever be changed. I would look at life with a new set of eyes.
I am so lucky that I was blessed with such a beautiful, sweet, and perfect angel.

I have been a blog slacker

I haven't had a mintue to myself to even blog this past week and a half. Emerson is feeling a little better, but she is attached at my hip. It is really hard to do dishes and laundry and blog, while holding a 23 month old.
Aniston started swimming lessons and she may just be the only 12 year old that is still in the level 2 class. I don't really care, since I am not crazy about the water, why would my kids be? She likes lessons though and she is getting better and a little braver. I am getting ready for birthday parties. A friend party, which has a bike theme, and a family party. I have big plans for both, but because I am a big procrastinator, I am sure they won't be as perfect as I have visioned.
We have been trying to get Aniston to ride her bike without training wheels and Ryan and I both have not been albe to accomplish this task. My mom (who by the way is the best mom ever) came and picked up the bike and Aniston. They had a sleep over and practiced bike riding. Lone and behold, she came home the next morning riding her bike. My mom said that Aniston told her that she was the best grandma ever and that she wanted my mom to teach her kids how to ride their bikes too. (AAAAHHHH... how sweet. It brought tears to my eyes) Thanks mom!! You are the best I love ya!!
Now see this would be the point that there would be a picture of her riding her bike, but my camera is broken, I guess. It won't turn on and I am freaking out just a little. I don't have a back-up and her birthday is tomorrow!

Its been a long week...

I have't posted anything for a while. Last Tuesday night Emerson got sick and threw up. I spent all night long (and I mean ALL NIGHT) cleaning up puke. She seemed back to her self Wednesday morning and then she had diarreah. It has been horrible. She won't eat, she won't walk, she just poops. (sorry to talk about it, it is really gross, but also really true. It has really been going on since last week and I feel so bad. There isn't anything I can do to fix it and make her feel better. I have just been holding her since Wednesday. I love being a mom, but days when you get pooped on are those mommy days when the mommy job is hard! I am hoping that she gets feeling better soon. On a good note, I have had a lot of time to read New Moon, the second book in the twilight saga, while I have been stuck holding her for 5 days now.
Anistons birthday is on Friday and I have so much to do to get ready for it and having a sick little baby makes it hard. I want this little girl back!

Memory Tag

Janell had this on her blog page and it does sound so fun to see what people remember about you and what you remember most about them!

1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember!

2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty funny to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you.

Our little miracle

Three years ago we had a huge scare. I was getting ready for work and my sister called me and said that she was having pains. She was only 32 weeks pregnant. I told her to walk around and if it was true labor the pain would stay, but if it was braxton hicks they would subside. An hour later she called and she was still having horrible pains. I was on my way to work and tried to convince her to go to the ER. I told her to keep me posted. It was about 11:00 and She called me and said that they had decided to go to the ER. I didn't hear anything from her for a couple of hours. Then her husband called me. He said we are having the baby. I was alone at work that day due to the holiday. I have never been so scared before. It was way too early for the baby to come. I rushed home, packed my bags, and waited for my mom to pick me up. My mom, grandma, and I made it to St. George in record time. The whole time we kept talking to her. She was so scared and just wanted us to get there. We made it just in time. He was born 20 minutes after we got there. They had a emergency team waiting for him. They took him away immediately. He wasn't breathing and was so small. They took him to the NICU. My sister was so brave, never one time falling apart. She was taken care of and we were off to the NICU to see our new little guy. They stopped us at the door and we were told what to expect. We weren't allowed to hold him. We walked in there and I couldn't keep from crying. It was the worst thing to see a small little baby lying there.
I had left Aniston home with Ryan's mom. Ryan was in training in Salt Lake. I tried to call and get a hold of him and gave him a heart attack. His supervisor called up for me and pulled him out of a meeting. They told him that his wife was headed to the hospital and that he needed to call home. Thank heavens that he works for such a great company. He reached me and I told him I wasn't sure when I would be home. We didn't know what to expect the next few days and that my sister needed me. He was great. He took such great care of Aniston and called every couple of hours to check. It was really hard to talk to Aniston during that time. She wanted me to come home and I would breakdown in tears hearing her voice. My sister didn't know what would happen to her baby and I was so blessed with such a perfect little girl.
After spending 1 scary month in the NICU, Jaxon was able to come home.
Looking at him now you would never know that he had such a rough start. We love ya Jaxon. Happy Birthday, buddy!!

4th of July fun

The 4th of July was so much fun. We had activities planned for the whole weekend. On the 3rd we had Jaxon's birthday party at my moms. We had a BBQ and then let of fireworks for the kids. My little sparklers with their little sparklers. They are so cute!! We got Jaxon a fishing pole and the gear so that he can become a fisherman. I think he loved it, because he called me yesterday and said I want to go pishing with my pishing pole. HA HA he is so cute.
The 4th was filled with activities. We went to the park where the kids played every game and loved it. We waited for Jaxon and Dylan so that we could ride in the fire truck together. We then went to my grandparents for lunch. The kids played in the pool and the adults visited. We then went home for a MUCH needed nap. Then off to the parade we went. Emerson loved the parade, but mostly because of the candy. She carried as much as she could, using her mouth to help her get her candy to her sack. . We then went to the rodeo with my sister and her family. I am not a huge rodeo fan, but the fireworks are totally worth it.






The weekend was full of so much fun and so much activities that it may take me a week to recover. On saturday morning we, as in some of my friends from high school, decided to get together. I just have to say that it was so much fun. I really, really enjoyed myself. Dani, Rhiannon, Launa, and Janell, thanks for a great morning and afternoon. I can't wait to do it again!!

Our trip (and a picture overload)

Finally here are some of my pictures that I have been dying to take. Our trip was so fun. The girls had a ball. On saturday we fished for our dinner and that was Aniston's favorite part. Ryan got a chance to catch a few big fish. I think the one in the picture was 24 lbs. The girls were scared to death of this giant fish. I just love going up there. It is such a neat place and it is in our "back yard".




Every night these deer would come down almost right into our camp. The girls were amazed and the one night after it had rained, the deer sat there in front of us for about an hour. The girls were trying to sneek up on them. Yeah... it didn't go so well and they scared them off. Aniston wanted to chase them. She is so funny sometimes.
Daddy and Emerson sharing smores. She was a sticky mess before she was done with that smore.


We walked down to the Lodge to get the bridge pictures and on the way this beautiful butterfly was sort of following us. Aniston wanted me to take a picture of it. It sat there so perfectly for the pic and then flew away when I was done.

I hope everyone has a safe and Happy 4th of July!!

I love the 4th

This is one of my favorite holidays. The 4th is such an exciting day in the big town of Salina. I just absoulutly love it. I came into town on Friday and there was such a nogastalgic feel. It felt exactly like the 4th. The lines down state street and main street were freshly painted. It made the streets look clean and bright, inviting all the visitors into our town. The potted plants all down main street were adorned with small USA flags. Every yard in town looks more kept and more green than normal. The trees along the upper part of main street always get trimmed down to nothing in the fall and by the 4th of July they are big and green and ready to shade the parade watchers from the hot July sun. Barretts parking lot is filled with fireworks stand and there is always a line of people there. The town bustles with more traffic and more people during this week. Not to mention all of the old friends that you get to see at the park. Everyone loves to come home for this special holiday. I just love it. I couldn't imagine living anywhere else. Small town living is really all its cracked up to be.

I'm back from my camping trip..

I took this book camping with me and I finished it on Monday. Ohhhhh.....Mmmmmyyyyyy.....GGGooooossssshhhh!!
I loved it. I am now totally obsessed. As soon as I got home I had to watch the movie trailer. Which only makes me obsessed with the movie.
Everyone must read this book. It was fantastic. I can't wait to start the 2nd one!