My Fashion-Forward Daughter

I just had to share these pictures I took of Mara today. She cracks me up. I love the mix of the swimsuit with the beanie. About 5 minutes after this picture was take she had put her footed winter jammies on over the top. Fast-forward another 30 minutes and she was in her complete snow-suit and one, yes, only one snow boot.

I think she just might work for Vogue someday.

Breaking Dawn

In honor of the release of "Breaking Dawn" I have changed my background. Don't you love it?! Well, I do anyway. Just have to say that I am way excited for Friday night. But I'm affraid of the post-saga depression that might set in once I've finished it. I experienced it with Harry Potter, and I like this series even more. Why do good things have to come to an end? But in the meantime, I can't wait till Friday!

Kenyon's Birthday at the Dinosaur Museum

Kenyon is 5!

Kenyon turned 5 on the 19th. He decided that instead of having a birthday party he wanted the whole family to go to the dinosaur museum at Thanksgiving Point. So the day of his birthday we let him open his presents in the morning.

Then we headed over to the museum.

For one of his gifts we let him pick out something from the gift shop at the museum. He picked a stuffed mammoth, and then spent a little of his birthday money on some prehistoric rhino.

After the museum, he got to pick somewhere to have lunch, so we had lunch at McDonalds.

After all that excitement, we went home. Kenyon got to play with his presents while I made him a cake. Then we all sang "Happy Birthday" and had cake.

It was a very full day, but lots of fun. I think was really glad he chose the museum over a party and so was I.

Happy Birthday, Kenyon! You make our home so fun. We love you!

Tuesday Tell All - Do You Work Out?

This weeks topic is Do I work out? I've always had a problem exercising on a regular basis. Why? - I get bored. I know that sounds strange, but I do. Watching TV doesn't help; commercials come on and I'm done for. Throw in a movie? No, because then I don't want to stop part way through the movie, so once the workout is through I get nothing accomplished until the movie is over. Outdoors is out as well. The boredom sets in quickly outside. What's a girl to do? Read! I finally found my salvation. I have a stationary bike, and I plop my latest read up on the stand, and I could bike for hours. (Actually 1 hour and 15 mins. is the longest I've gone, but you get the idea.) If you know me for more than 10 minutes, you know I LOVE to read. Finally... I have found the solution to the workout boredom. Why did it take me so long to think of this?

Tuesday Tell All - Proud to be an American

This week's TTA is about why I'm proud to be an American. I've been reading "1776" by David McCullough recently, and I have to say that in my opinion the only reason we won the Revolutionary War was because it was the will of God. I remember learning about the war in school, but it seemed everything was just kind of skimmed over. We were out-numbered, and didn't have the training the British soldiers did, yeah, I get it... at least I thought I did. Reading this book which goes into real detail, I have a whole new outlook on that pivotal time. I am so incredibly grateful for those dedicated men who struggled for so long, and gave everything they had so we could gain our independence. I'm so grateful to every man and woman from the revolutionary war to today, who has served our country during both times of war and times of peace.

Why am I proud to be an American? Because we have men and women who are willing to voluntarily serve this country and fight for the freedoms we have. They aren't forced to do it. I'm proud because of the humanitarian work we do throughout the world. I'm proud because I can vote and make my voice heard. I'm proud because even though we all have our differences of opinion, we can declare our views publicly. I'm proud because I can belong to any religion I choose. This list could go on and on, but let me just say that I AM proud to be an American, and so very thankful that I was born in this wonderful country.

4th of July

To celebrate the 4th of July, we had Karl's parents and brother, Kelly over for a barbeque. There was a lot of swimming and jumping on the trampoline.

We did a lot of eating.

We had a great time. That night we took the kids to see the fireworks at Thanksgiving Point. We didn't actually go to Thanksgiving point, we just parked a a church close by. We weren't the only ones with that idea. The parking lot was packed. We made a big comfy bed in the back of our van and watched the fireworks from there. Cruz and Mara loved it. Kenyon fell asleep about five minutes into the show.

Mara's eyes crack me up in this picture.

We had a great Fourth, and hope you did, too!