Loving SUMMER!

Yesterday we had Katie's cousin Ella over for a few hours to play in the pool and eat ice cream! Katie told me in the morning very sternly that she never gets to play with Ella and she is her best friend! How rude of me to keep them apart!

Our garden is finally producing fruits and veggies for us to enjoy!!! The kids love to help us pick raspberries and tomatoes! They both take after me and can eat tomatoes like they are apples, especially straight from the garden- NOTHING BETTER!!!

Developing my talents

I've always wanted to learn how to sew something besides just pillowcases. I was looking at a blog today and found the cutest bag that I think I want to attempt and make. You can get the pattern free at this blog. So I thought if I put it in writing and put it out there that I might be more likely to do it. So here is what the bag should look like- It doesn't look too hard right? And when I get mine made I'll post a picture of it! Then if I can do this- maybe I'll attempt something else- this could be fun!

Taking our little MOnKeyS to the Zoo!

We love being able to spend time with Greg. He had to work the late shift tonight so this morning we all went to the zoo together. Greg's mom Karma(Nana) came with us and we met up with the Paris'. We have an annual pass so we have been already a few times this year but we enjoy it every time!

The carousel is now open! What a great addition to the Zoo!

This picture is funny! I don't know if you can see it- you may have to click on it to make it larger. We saw this little squirrel eating someones popcorn in their stroller and he didn't even seem to mind when we got close enough to take a picture. He was a daring little guy! I just felt bad for the people (they were in the bird show) who probably will never know that a little squirrelsdirty paws were all over their popcorn. YUCK , we should have left them a note or something so they didn't start eating it!

Utah Pioneer Day

The 24Th of July is Utah Pioneer Day and we had a really fun day. Greg was able to get work off (very unusual for him because retail is always open!) So we hung out at home for most of the day just relaxing and having fun with the kids. Then we went to a yummy BBQ at Greg's parents house and went swimming. The kids love to swim at Nana and Papa's especially with cousins. Brielle loved the whipping cream from the dessert- she kept telling Greg to give her more!- so he DID!

Then we came home and enjoyed a great firework show put on by Marty and Jen- THANKS GUYS! We also have some crazy neighbors that somehow got some really awesome fireworks across the border and it was as good as going to the big show (almost!).

Days of 47 Parade Preview Party:
Every year you can go to the SouthTowne Expo Center and preview the floats that will be in the parade. I like it much better then actually going to the parade because you don't have to sit out in the sun for hours and fight the crowds but you can see all the really cool floats up close and personal!

Things that made me laugh this week

OK so not much has happened so I'll just share some things that made me laugh:

Unusual sleeping places!
Thursday I watched my friend Jen's kids for her while she went to girls camp. Carter who is 2 years old is the funniest kid! I put him down for a nap in my room in the portable crib and he seemed tired and did make any fuss so I closed my door and left him alone for a while. I never heard a sound from him so about a half hour later I slowly and very quietly opened the door to my room and snuck in to check on him. I walked over to the crib and he was MISSING!!! Gone! I started calling "Carter?" "Carter?"- and nothing... I glanced around the room and didn't see him. Looked in the closet- wasn't there! finally I opened my bathroom door (the separate toilet room) and he was asleep on the rug with all my garbage surrounding him! I guess he got bored in the crib and ventured out for a more comfortable sleeping place, that maybe even smelled a little better!! I felt bad because I'm sure he went in there and closed the door and couldn't get out because he can't open doors. He was probably calling for me "Mamie!!!" but I didn't hear anything through 2 closed doors. Anyways it was cute and I wish I would have thought to take a picture before moving him back to the bed. SILLY KID!!!

My little jokester:
Sunday at church we had a lesson on Families in Nursery. At the start of the lesson I asked everyone "who has a mommy?" All the kids eagerly said "ME!!" but Brielle: She said "nope... just a Daddy!".
I had called all the parents and had them bring pictures of their families to share during the lesson. I would ask each kid who was in the pictures. When it was Brielle's turn she said "mommy" "daddy" and when pointing to herself said "BROTHER!"-- she thinks she is so funny!! I guess maybe just a little.

Ward Campout- Pineview Reservoir

We love where we live! We have the funnest ward and have made some of the best friends ever here!!!
This weekend was our Ward camp out at Pineview Reservoir. A couple people in our ward brought boats but we went out with the Hytes and we had such a GREAT time!! Greg really loved surfing- its the craziest thing ever because you are right behind the boat and you aren't attached to the board at all (just like surfing!) He was really good at it- I didn't dare try it, but the tube was fun with the Girls- Katie kept saying "GO FASTER!!!" Mommy kept saying "NO!!!" It wasn't really scary but I was just thinking the entire time how I was going to keep Katie from freaking out if we tipped over!

The girls were having so much fun with friends- we kept loosing them and they were going from tent to tent and we would find them doing silly things!!!

Photo by Emilie!

My amazingly talented cute cousin Emilie is so gifted with the camera! She took some amazing pictures of us at Palisades that I thought I would share. If you are interested in hiring her for family shoots or whatever- check out her blog

Greg's favorite thing to do with the Katie was explore for fish, tadpoles, etc... they had fun for hours!

Brielle venturing out into the water! Isn't this picture so precious??

My Aunt Sandy brought an awsome photo album full of pictures of our Grandma and ancestory. I loved to sit and listen to her stories of our Grandma and there was also some really cute pictures of all of us cousins when were little!

Palisades 2008 Slideshow

Hayes Family Reunion- Palisades 2008

We had SOOO much fun this weekend at Palisades with my dads family!!! I am so glad that we went, it was so relaxing and fun and I hope we start doing it EVERY year! Palisades is the best place to camp if you have never been there. It has a lake with paddle boats or canoes you can rent. It has a golf course (for those interested) and tons of trails for bikes or 4 wheelers. There was something for everyone to do! I can't believe how much everyones families has grown and changed! The 3rd Generation grandkids were all having so much fun and I loved seeing them getting to know each other.

1st Generation: Sandy, Penny, and Kim (missing:Shawna)

2nd Gen: Ryan, Emilie, Wilson, Jami, Aly, Taz, Cami, Brett, Lindy (missing: Natalie, Holly,Amy,Alyx, and Dustin)

3rd Gen: grandkids

Happy 4th of July!

We knew that we were going to be out of town for the 4th of July so to keep with tradition we did some fireworks at Jen and Marty's on July 2nd. We had a lot of fun! The kids were cracking me up- as soon as a loud firework would go off they would all run up the driveway and scream! I don't think they were really scared (except maybe Carter!)

I am loving Grosgrain!

This adorable blog that I found is doing another giveaway- I love this dress also and hope I win!! Don't you think Katie would look SOOOOO cute in this dress!

Ice Cream Social Frock Giveaway!!!!

Palidades Family Reunion circa 1988

I can't remember what year exactly this picture was taken (I'm guessing 20 years ago!!!) This is me and my two cousins Emilie and Lindy at Palisades. We are now since grown and would never think of wearing such gastly beach atire! I loved going to Palisades when I was growing up. My aunts were always so much fun and we always had a GREAT time!

Now it is time for another fun weekend at Palisades with the Hayes Clan. I am looking forward to seeing everyone in my dad's family that I haven't seen for a long long long time!