First one Finished.....

This is what I did with no kids at home. I finished one of Emerson's skirts. I have a few finishing touches but I love it.

Now on to the next couple of skirts.

All by myself

Today my mom took all her grandkids (well almost all of them) up to Pine Valley for the night. WOOHOO. I am kidless, wait I do have Chris coming home tonight. I don't know what I will do with free time and the quiet. I can't wait for the quiet.
I will head up tomorrow morning to pick them up and I will be glad to get them but I sure am going to enjoy the break.

He's Back

Jaxton was invited to go on a camp out with a friend and his dad and brothers. I said yes.He was gone from Wed late afternoon until late Saturday night. I was so anxious to see him on Saturday. He was so excited to go but I was so stressed to let him. I knew he was going with a good family that would take care of him but I wasn't going to be there. I was also really worried about the nights. The nights are not Jaxton's friend. He gets really anxious and nervous at night. I told him once he leaves he can't come back. They were hiking in and he was there to stay. He really wanted to go so I gave him some words of wisdom, we said a prayer and I sent him off. I then had to call my mom and have her reassure me I wasn't crazy for sending him (she said she couldn't). He had a great time. He was ready to come home on Saturday, he said he missed us and that he did get nervous at night but he was okay. I am so glad. He was eaten alive by mosquitos (I counted 23 on his face alone) but he had fun. I really missed him and can't believe how different it is having one kid gone.
Today we went up to Beaver to Mick's homecoming (my nephew) He gave such a great talk on the importance of faith and prayer and how we need to do our part when we pray and not just leave it up to the lord. What a great example to my boys and those who were there. He has such an awesome spirit and I was glad to be there. It was fun to visit with the Steglich family. It was neat to see faces that we haven't seen in a long time. My 3 youngest kids have never met their Aunt Darla and it was good to see her and Randy there. Chris has a great family and I am glad they put up with me.

Sheep Bridge

Yesterday Morning a bunch of us headed up to Sheep Bridge to have fun for the day. It was so much fun. My kids didn't want to leave.
We caught Pollywogs

We hung out on the blanket with friends

We built Sand Castles

We played in the water

We jumped off the cliffs and rode the waterfalls

We hung out with friends

It was so much fun the kids are already planning the next trip.

I never would have thought....

I found this darling skirt pattern and showed my mom and asked her to make one for Emerson. We then thought it would be fun to make Fourth of July ones for Slatin's baptism and make one for Kendra's little girl Andy and Heather's little girl Abby and one for Emerson. I got the pattern for my mom and she got started and then the unthinkable happened I wanted to attempt one.

Wouldn't you? I didn't want to mess up the ones for the fourth of July so I got some other fabric and started cutting out my squares. I fell in love with this skirt and so I ended up buying m0re fabric and more fabric. I have enough fabric for Emerson 5 skirts and a couple of neices matching ones. If only I could get my machine to cooperate. I have Emerson's all done but the band and all the neices pieces sewed together to match. I am hoping to get them all done this week and move on to my new fabric that came in the mail. I love ESTY! Once I have them done I will post a picture. The fourth of July ones that my mom made are so stinkin cute, (mine don't even compare, but I am learning) I can't wait for them to wear them. I am hoping to make matching ties for Chris and the boys. I think Chris needs to buy me a new machine for my birthday. hint hint
It has been fun learning and my mom has been very patient with me. Nothing like when she taught me to crochet. It has given me something new to do while Chris has been gone. And it gets me started on Emerson's new school clothes. If the picky princess doesn't like them I might just cry)

Happy Father's Day

For part of Chris's Father's day gift, the kids made Chris a Tie Dye t-shirt. They made themselves matching shirts as well. We went with red and blue so they can wear them for the fourth of July. They had alot of fun designing them and I think Chris liked it. They wanted to make him a tie Dye tie but I wasn't sure Chris would wear that.

We sure love Chris and all that he does for us.

Meet Mary

Meet Mary. Emerson had decided that she wants her name to be Mary. I thought she was playing, but for a couple of days she has wanted us to call her Mary. She said that was Jesus Mom's name and so it is a good name for her.

Confluence Park

Yesterday Evening we headed down to Confluence Park.

(check out Emerson's shoes with the shorts, it reminds me of a past neighbor who mowed his lawn in a speedo and cowboy boots)

There was a rope swing there that we all had to try. The kids had a blast on it.

I even tried it but it scared the heck out of me (if you can't tell by the lovely picture that Chris took)

We couldn't get Chris off of the swing. The boys had to beg him for a turn.

And of course they had to find the mud.

We had alot of fun and can't wait to go back again but will be armed with bug spray.

Pretty Princess Em

Friday Kendra invited me to go shopping with her. I haven't been shopping with Kendra in a long time. We met up with Summer for Dinner. One of the stores we went to was Children's Place and boy did I luck out. I found this DARLING skirt for only 4.99 and the sweater to go with it was only 4.99. I got it and crossed my fingers that miss picky would like it, and she did which surprised the heck out of me. I had to do some bribing to let me curl her hair. She looked so cute.

oh if only she would let me dress her and do up her hair like I want to and not how she wants to. My only girl and she has a mind of her own already.

HaPPYBirthday Big Dog

Today Slatin turns 8. I can't believe my youngest boy is 8 years old. He is so excited to get baptized. He is such a good young man. We are so glad he is a part of our family.

8 things I love about Slatin..........

1. He is such a hard worker

2. He gives the best hugs and kisses

3. He loves to help his dad

4. He is a jokester

5. He is very Kind

6. He always tries to do what is right

7. He is helpful to me

8. He loves his family

Happy Birthday Slatin. We Love you.

A night away

Thursday night we headed down to St. George with the kids and spent the night at a time share that some WONDERFUL friends had reserved for us. The kids were so excited to go. Once we got there and got things settled we ate dinner and then headed out to the pool.

Emerson is trying to get her dad to come into the pool with her.

The kids and Chris playing Marco Polo

Emerson and Chris hanging out in the hot tub. The pool water was freezing.

Breakfast the next morning.
We had such a great time. It was hard to pack up and come home.

Slatin's Party

Friday we had a small birthday party for Slatin. We borrowed a water slide and of course the weather was a little cool. The kids went down it a few times and then played games the rest. We had popcorn, cotton candy, and water bottles for treats.

The Birthday Boy.

The water was COLD.

Heavy Heavy Hang over my poor head.......

Kendra happened to be in town so her girls got to join in the fun. I think Slatin had a fun time. Saturday morning Chris took Slatin with him to go on a Rhino ride with Chris's friend Jim and his boy. They had a blast.