PALM SPRINGS!!

Last weekend we took an adult trip down to Palm Springs. It of course did not start off so well Quinn was sick with the flu and Ben jammed his thumb and was huge and swollen. We have been doing this every year (except last year because she was pregnant) with our friends Ben and Laurie. We flew in Thursday night into LA and then drove down to Palm Springs. Friday morning the boys went and played 36 holes of golf while me and Laurie were pampered by our husbands. They surprised us with a spa day after the spa we headed to some outlet mall. When I say an outlet mall this does not do it justice, it has an East wing and West wing. We shopped our little hearts out then got back and met up with the guys and went to dinner.

The beautiful condos we stayed at

FRIDAY

Dinner the first night

Quinn, Me, Laurie and Ben

Walking around the shops after dinner

We found this awesome hat store and tried on some GREAT hats.

SATURDAY

THE BEACH

We headed down to Huntington Beach and watched some surf competitions and then rented this bad boy!! I am sure we looked awesome driving in this 4 person bike. We went from Huntington Beach to Newport all while listening to everyone complain how tired their legs were and no joke Ben hit some lady walking the boardwalk. He thought she was going to move out of the way so he did not put on the brakes but she decided to literally stand there and let us hit her. Good times!!

The Gang

Quinn decided he wanted to fit in with everyone else there and remove his shirt.

After we were done biking I wanted to get a picture with all of us on the pier. You would think that would be a simple task but NO. I asked some man who was playing Football if he would take a picture of us and he proceeded to get mad and tell me "there is a whole beach couldn't I find somewhere else." So then I was just pissed and they all thought it was funny and this picture is Quinn trying to let me get my picture with him on the pier. After the beach we decided to hit up Knott's Berry Farm it was actually pretty fun but we were certainly the older bunch I think every teenager in California was there dry humping in line while waiting for the rides:) We decided that our girls will never be going to an amusement park alone without an adult!! It wasn't to busy but unfortunately Quinn got sick and had to sit out on some rides so I was pretty much a third wheel with them, good thing I know them so well so there was no awkwardness's I am pretty much like a second wife to Ben anyways.

SUNDAY

Quinn was still under the weather so Ben, Laurie and Me hit up the local swap meet. It's a pure obsession for Laurie and I must say I was not disappointed. I got some cute clothes, purse, make-up and the kids some toys. We then went and picked up Quinn and headed to a Mexican restaurant for one last quiet meal time without kids!! Then headed to the airport so I could get home to my cute kiddos who were more excited for their prize then seeing me!!

Ben playing with the $1.00 Rubik's cube I bought for Caleb at the swamp meet. Yes Ben opened up my child's toy before I could give it to him:)

Us at the Mexican Restaurant

Thanks to such awesome friends and the awesome memories we are making, you guys are the BEST!!

SAND DUNES!!

We went a couple of weeks ago with my family to the Sand Dunes, we have been doing this for 20+ years, it's a fun family tradition. It was supposed to be a nice, warm weekend but on Saturday a pretty little dark cloud showed up and it was raining like CRAZY and windy. It luckily only lasted for about 2 hours but then was COLD. Good thing I have a trailer to go into and have a heater. My poor sister was in a tent and forgot to zip the door up so everything was soaking wet!! Everyone was able to make it except my cousin Travis and Aunt Teresa it's a little easier for everyone to come when there is only 11 cousins!!

Peyton's first time riding a 4-wheeler, she did really well

My cousin Kyle put copper into the fire and it turned it the coolest blue and purple color. The picture does not really show it but it was awesome!!

Lindsey, Loni, Cousin Crystal and Me

Daddy and his kiddos

They don't leave Quinn's side while there because he will always go on rides with them

Motorcycle Man

He is really getting good on his bike

Daddy and his girl

The whole gang!!

SHAKE IT!!

Peyton had another dance recital and did great. Minus the one mishap of losing her shoe and making sure she got that thing back on. They are to cute and this age but as I was watching the little 2-3 year old class it made me realize how big she is getting.

Grandpa and Grandma, Aunt Loni and Aunt Lindsey

were able to come watch the Dancing Queen!!

I asked her to smile and this is the pose she gave me....really?

Peyton and her buddy Annie before the recital

After her performance with her roses her Daddy gave her!!

My Princess

Aunt Lindsey and Peyton striking their poses

RIDIN'

Over Memorial Day we went with some friends/neighbors up to 5 mile to ride. It was perfect close to the house and easy for the kids to just ride around...that is until the Sheriff caught Debbie with 3 kids without a helmet and got a ticket. The weather held out up until we were starting to pack up and then the wind and rain started. Fun fun times!!

Addi, Annie, Mylie and Peyton

Jake, Zach and Caleb

Zach, Lilly, Caleb and Anna

Zach, Lilly and Caleb are all in the same class right now.

Peyton and Mommy

Luke, Caleb, Kayden, Zach and Jake

Zach and his Dad found this huge snake right as we were getting ready to leave. After multiple times of running him over with the 4-wheeler they came back to show us the trophy.

Caleb very hesitant at first ended up holding it. It was the creepiest thing and I think I dreamt about him in my sleep that night.

All the boys after they gave the snake a burial!!

GOODBYE!!

We layed my sweet Grandma to rest on June 6th, 2011. It was a very sweet and emotional service but I think she would be proud. All the kids spoke except my Dad he said there was NO WAY he would get up and speak so my sister Lindsey filled in for him and she did great and brought back so many memories we had. After the service we went back to the church had some food and then my boys split and went and did "boy" things and Peyton hung with the girls. My Mom was able to come up so after we went to Grandma's for a while and talked with all the cousins. We had kind of a cool moment while we were there my Grandma passed away at 2:54 P.M. and while we were all there my Aunt noticed that it was 2:54 so we had a moment of silence for her, well as quiet as it could be with kids running around everywhere!! After me, my mom, sisters and Peyton went shopping we got home around 8:00 that night so needless to say I was exhausted and went straight to bed!! Love you Grandma and enjoy life up there:)

Not the best picture of them, not sure why it is so bright but here is my Grandma with her 6 kids.

Aunt Sharon, Uncle Tom, Aunt Tamara, Uncle Kyle, Aunt Kayleen and my Dad

Her beautiful flowers

I love this picture of Quinn and Caleb

The night before I layed this dress out for Peyton and she kept telling me she wanted to wear a beautiful white dress for Grandma because Gram would think she would look beautiful in white. Well come to find out this was Grandma's most favorite color, all her flowers were the color of her dress. So all my Aunts kept telling her how much Grandma would love her dress and with all seriousness she looks at me and says "well Mom I guess you were right I bet she does think I look beautiful" It was sooo cute and she did look beautiful in it!!

These two were so interested on how they buried her into the ground.

Quinn describing how they bury her into the ground

Best family picture I could get.

Peyton was complaining how bright it was and Caleb is just showing in his face how bright it is.

My Dad with his girls

Handsome Dad

Love my sisters!

GRANDMA'S HOUSE

My Grandma had these russian dolls that you kept taking apart until you got to the little bitty doll. My kids LOVED playing with it every time we went there!!

My Mom, Loni, Lindsey, Dad, Me and Peyton

I love that my parents are divorced but can still be together and take pictures with each other:)

It was so windy when we were trying to take these pictures.

This was when Caleb and Quinn bailed, hence why they are not in the pictures

Dad and his girls in front of Grandma and Grandpa's house!!

READY FOR SUMMER!!

We finally had one warm day here and Peyton took advantage of it with some of her friends!! The day started off with having a little picnic and then ended with them playing in the sprinklers!!

Katelee, Mylie, Peyton and Annie

LOVE!!

Love is what I have for this amazing lady..whom I get to call Grandma!! Sadly her journey here on life ended today and she was accepted into the arms of Grandpa who waited a long 7 1/2 years for her. We went out with some friends last night and I left my phone at home and when I got home I had 10 missed calls all from my Dad and Sisters so right then I knew something was wrong. I called back and my Dad let me know that Grandma had slipped earlier and her health was taking a turn for the worst that I might want to get down and see her. It was already really late and I debated if I leave tonight or just wait for the morning. My gut and Husband encouraged me to go and I am SOOOOO glad I followed it. As I was driving to Bountiful a song came on about not living with regrets and not waiting for tomorrow, it was about a man loving some girl and not wanting to let her go but I felt like it worked in my situation as well. I have NO regrets about Grandma. So I am already a bloody mess when I get there:) I walked in and she was not responsive and looked very ill (something I was not used to seeing from her). I sat down and put my hand by hers and she held it the entire time (sometimes really tight which caused me to bleed:) She was gasping for air and they said it felt like to her she was suffocating which caused her to grab and dig into my hand. I talked and told her all about my kids and how they wanted to tell her they loved her and just sat and watched her. There were times she would open her eyes and focus on me but you could still tell she was looking beyond me and I believe she was starting to see Grandpa you could just see it in her eyes, I just kept imagining what a cool experience these two were about to have!! As I was getting ready to say my final good bye to her I stroked her face and told her how much I loved her she look straight at me and said "I love you too you are a sweetheart" How cool was that? Here she had not talked since 8 that morning and to hear that come from her. I knew that was my moment to leave and treasure those words FOREVER!! What an amazing experience and feeling. I felt so at peace with her continuing on her to her next journey. Who wouldn't?

Did I forget to tell you that she was 99, my kids think that is the coolest thing and tell everyone how "Old" she is. She raised 6 amazing children 26 grandchildren and 62 great-grandchildren. She lived life to the fullest full filled 2 missons for her church and touched the lives of anyone who came in contact with her. I will sure miss my trips to Bountiful to stop by and say hello even if it was for 5 min or 3 hours I hope she knows how much she meant to me. I am so glad she was just able to celebrate her 99th Birthday in March and we were able to come together as family!! I love you Grandma and will Miss you like CRAZY give Gramps and big hug and kiss from me!!

This was how she held my hand for an hour and a half. I should have taken a picture of the cuts and blood also:)

This was at her 99th Birthday

Loni, Lindsey, My Dad, Grams and Me

We had like 500 cameras snapping all at once hence why I am not looking

I love this picture!!

Grams, Me and Peyton

Peyton walked right up to Grams and told her Happy Birthday and how beautiful she looked, she was not lying!!

I thought it was cool that she still had her wedding ring on even though it was soo tight on her swollen little finger!!

Just wanted a little picture with Grams

I know..I know I am the only one smiling I guess I did not get the memo to be sad!!

I couldn't be sad for her I was so excited for her!!

My Sis Lindsey, My Dad, My Sis Loni and Me