~HaPpY SumMeR & EaRly B-dAY~

So we started Monday off the same as always: By sending daddy off to work for the day.

After he left Maddix went to my parents to yet again play in the always asked for sandbox, while I went swimsuit hunting with Mackenzie and Mercedes, thanks for the support gals while I tested my self conscience out by purchasing my first swim suit in 4 years.

On Tuesday we were lucky enough to not have to say goodbye to Travis, so we grabbed Uncle Garett and went to 7-peaks.

 It was our first time using the pass of all passes AND it was PERFECT! There was a thunderstorm warning that day so no one was there, but it was sunny the whole time we swam around.

Soaking up some sun rays with Uncle Garett

Maddix just wanted back in the water... "no picture!"

Then that evening Maddix and I went to my parents for dinner and to go running while Travis went on a boys night out with his buddy's Fernando and Greg.

Wednesday was an eventful day with some ups and downs. That morning Maddix enjoyed some Curious George on the internet while I cleaned the room

 we then had a funeral for our dear neighbor, Richard Bradford. His relationship with my family is best explained with a Home Improvement analogy: My dad= Tim Allen and Richard was his Wilson. He was always there for our family and is survived by a wonderful wife and 16year old daughter. It was a blessing though that he died pretty fast. He found out he had brain cancer back in April and the night before he died they had a funeral for his mother who'd passed on, so he was able to say goodbye to everyone and then his mom was there to welcome him home. We'll love and miss him.

The next morning Maddix and I drove Travis up to A.F. and on the way home Travis and Maddix's favorite song "Somethin bout a Truck" came on and to my surprise Maddix goes, "yah Truck song" and starts clapping:) He then began to sing certain parts of the song:) I loved it. Afterward we went and picked up our friends Camille and Mattix and went back to 7-peaks; it was much more crowded this go around.  That evening we had a triple date with Trav's buddy's (same from the boys night) and we went up Provo Canyon and had a bbq and games. Meanwhile I guess Maddix was up to this

Friday morning Maddix watched some Curious George again just like the other morning while I cleaned and then we went with Mackenzie and Mercedes over to the park by our house. They had a great time but Maddix was SO ready for his nap when he got home.

Saturday was our BIG DAY of the week. First off, I started by going for a run at 7:00am with my dad, Tayla, and another girl. By the time we were done my dad and I ended up running somewhere between 7 and 8miles! Then we rushed to get Maddix's early birthday/summer party up and going!

Maddix was playing in his fort while we were already late for his party so Travis went to fish him out:)

Thank  you so much dad for letting us use all your bouncers and food equipment, and fitting us in in your already extremely busy day! Maddix loves you!

My dad had to leave so my wonderful sister helped and practically ran EVERYTHING. Thanks Tayla!

My in-laws enjoying some shade

Thanks Uncle Scott for coming!

Scooby doo Mystery Machine was by far all the children's favorite

But Keili sure did LOVE the castle

And Mercedes was just content with her peach

L to R: Mackenzie Nelson, Brenna, her friend Ali, and Maddix

Trav and Scott were taking a break. It was getting so hot!

I had to get a picture of these two just like I had from last year

This was his Roaring face

Cousin Keili

The kids really enjoyed the sandbox as well

Then it was presents and Popcorn time

Camille was trying to coax her Mattix to come up the slide... but he wasn't so sure about it

This is our other friend Camille's little girl Hadley, she was so fun to hold, Thanks for sharing her Camille

Both Camille's chasing their boys Maverick and Maddix up the slide with Travis waiting at the top to help them up

Then there's the sliding down!

Maddix and Maverick had so much fun sliding down once they got used to it

The cotton candy was a big hit will all the kids!

And then if we hadn't already had enough fun for the day, we went home and put Maddix to bed while I cleaned and Travis went and got my car's tires rotated for our long drive to St. George tomorrow and picked up some parts to do an oil change. And then to end the night we were so lucky enough to get free tickets, using our pass of all passes, to the Scera Shell's performance of Fiddler on the Roof

We were a bit tired by this time at night!

Tevia's dream is my favorite :)

They did such a wonderful job and the man that played Tevia did a phenomenal job. Now aside from some lumps that Maddix has that we're pretty concerned, about yesterday was perfect and I can't believe how fortunate we are. We are having such an amazing summer!
Thanks to everyone who's making it so great!

...Picture Overload...

This last week was probably one of my favorite weeks of the summer thus far. Travis yet again, was unable to get his interning hours started because the Doctor was once again out of town (I'm starting to like the idea of Travis being a doctor if it means we'll just vacation all summer:) So between having Travis home, the 24th of July, weather that would start out sunny in the mornings and then rain in the evenings creating the perfect mix for the day, and lots of activities you can maybe you can understand why it was my favorite.

MOnDay July 23rd
Maddix and I enjoyed the morning just playing together until Travis came home and then we spent the day together as a family. It was a bit of a lazy day.

PiOneeR DaY-24th
We cleaned up the house and the yard and had my family over for a trip to the river trail, games, and food.

Then later that night my dad, Tayla, and I went for a run and it was beautiful. It started to rain on us, but not enough to keep us from going, just enough to bring the temperature down, drench us, and make it smell like wet pavement (my favorite). While we were on the river trail I turned around and even noticed a double rainbow over us and I just WISH I could have snapped a picture of the beauty. Then that night my family came back over and we made some s'mores.

Of course they had some boys time and played X-box

Wednesday July 25th
I just remember going to work... but I know we did some fun things. I just WISH I could remember what! Oh but while I was at work Travis and Maddix read some more Tom Sawyer and then they literally went out and started White Washing the garden fence :) How cute right?

ThUrsDay July 26th
Travis went and worked the morning roofing with some friends so Maddix and I took advantage of the morning sun and gave Nala a MUCH NEEDED bath.

 Travis surprised us by coming home early, just exhausted from working on the rooftop in the heat so when we met up with Mackenzie and Taylor we decided to take it easier. Mackenzie and I took the kiddo's to Neilson's Grove (behind Walmart) and let them play in the fountain, then we ran to Walmart to rent a movie, and met back up with Travis and Taylor (who were playing X-box and having manly bonding time) where we played a round of Settlers. Then that night I went running with my dad and Tayla again.

FridAy July 27th
Zoo Day!

He found a group of boys and ran right over and started laughing at whatever it was they were laughing at! 

We got home right in time for me to go to work.

Saturday July 28th
Maddix and I started the day with a movie because we were so tired. We cuddled and snuggled in our blankets while watching Curious George (and I fell asleep for about an hour more). When Travis got up we took Maddix to play with his Uncle Colton and we went to mow lawns. Two and half hours later we were going to pick him up and my brother begged me to leave him longer... so we did. We rushed home and cleaned up the house because the Johnson's were coming home from their almost two week vacation in Cali and then we picked Maddix up and headed to Heber to go spend the rest of the day at the Steinagel's cabin with Kenzie and Taylor.

We ate yummy food, walked down to a stream where the kids had so much fun throwing rocks (Maddix even played in the icy cold water most the time we were there), then went back to the house and put on a movie for the wet, cold, exhausted children and played another game of Settlers:) Then afterward we ended the night with a delicious dinner and we drove home. Then when we got back I tried to go on a 5mile run with my dad, but my stomach was SO FULL that I only made it 2 1/2 before having to stop, but I enjoyed just walking around talking to my dad.
And that's been our week. Now today we have Trav's Springville Grandma's birthday dinner at 4:00pm and then my family's brithday dessert celebration at 6pm, so for now we're taking it easy and in an hour we'll be on the go! Enjoy your week

~What Didn't We Do This Week?~

Monday, July 16th
Let's just say... it started like a Monday. I was running late to work for several reasons and on my way out I handed Travis the phone with instructions to make some calls while I was at work and then drove away as fast as I could. Now my car is getting old and one of the struts are out so if you hit a bump or a pot hole too hard it has a feature that kills the car by shutting the gas line off to the engine. It's happened a few time and Travis has fixed it... but as I took a corner on my way to work I smacked a pot hole and Travis wasn't there to restore my car to life. I knew that there was a switch in the trunk that would fix it........ BUT I HAD NO IDEA WHERE! This lovely old farmer man was outside and allowed me to use his phone (since I had no phone) and when Travis didn't answer and no one would help me he offered to help me push my car into his yard and then take me to work!
                                       He was my Angel That day.
When I got home we had fun by going to over to Garett's Baseball game. Maddix had more fun running around, and playing catch with daddy.

Tuesday July 17th
At the end of my shift I was lucky enough to have my boys come up and eat with me. I was even more blessed to have one of my co-workers give me free meal coupon so it cost us nothing:) We ate a TON because I never work Tues and it's our favorite day at Chuck-a-rama. Afterwards we went to my parents to borrow a dvd and found Mackenzie and her family out in the front yard so we went over and talked... for longer than we thought. And then just enjoyed the end of the night with a movie

Wednesday July 18th
 Well I can't remember exact details but I know we played around the house. Maddix read a book Treasure Island, to himself, and then we went to the county building to finish getting my shots for Poland and Travis' so he can go intern in the hospitals for the rest of the summer. Then that night I went to work.

Thursday July 19th
This was a big day for us. After my dentist appointment (and I have to brag I had NO cavities) we met up with the Mecham's and Elder Kennedy (Ethan) to go hiking. We had such a great time, especially when Pres. Mecham and his son Cole decided to accept a dare and run through the water fall:)

They also came over and enjoyed some games before they all had to go. Once they were gone we very quickly cleaned up, had my sister come over and babysit Maddix, and ran to meet up with Travis' best buds for bowling and Brick Oven. Then we came home and took a nap for an hour (from 10pm to 11pm) and then got ready to go see the Midnight premier of Batman at Thanksgiving point. IT was AWESOME but the not getting home till 4am and then having Maddix up at 6am then having my Uncle call to say "Smoooooothiiiieeeesss!" (A quote from our favorite movie.. classic timing he had) was not soo great.

Friday July 20th
After that late night we took Maddix and gave my littlest sister $2.00 to play with Maddix while we took naps, but after only 30mins I gave up because of how many people kept calling and knocking on the door! Later we went and Travis helped his dad with a tiling job at his Grandma's in Provo, and Maddix and I enjoyed the cars track she had, a movie, played the piano, and then we all had a wonderful dinner and dessert before going home. It was nice and relaxing, which was needed to say the least.

Saturday July 21st
We had to be up just after 5:30am to get Maddix up and over to my parent's house, as well as to pick up my sister and dad for our 7am 5k in American Fork. My aunt invited us to run it with her last year and we loved it so much we met up with her again this year. My dad took 2nd in his age bracket, Trav took 4th, Tay took 10th (I think), and I took 5th in mine.

We dropped my dad and sister back home and then ran to meet up with Vaughn (trav's dad) to go mow lawns since his brother is in California. Because of the rain the grass was like a jungle and it took longer than we thought so we had to have him drop us off at the cafe rio in Orem where we met up with Becky and Bailey Mecham and had lunch with them. We loved getting another chance to see them and we worked over some plans for our trips and stays in England this fall. They dropped us off at home and we got cleaned up and started preparing for my Great Grandmother's 97th birthday party, as well as our Concert we were going to in Salt Lake that night. On the way up we finally got a hold of our Polish boy who's visiting from Poland and we stopped by and took him to get some quick ice cream

This is her legacy

And just to end, I want to say how WONDERFUL the concert was. We watched Dancing With The Stars this last season and fell in love with this classical singer, Katherine Jenkins, so when we heard she was singing with the MOTAB we instantly grabbed tickets. She was lovely, everything from the selected numbers to the arrangement of flowers was perfect. And Pres. Monson came out the door RIGHT NEXT to our seats and he waved to Travis. I wish our Polish boy would have come because I honestly believe he would have been able to meet him. Oh well, we still had a great time.

~Once Again... Another Weekly Update~

Just a quick picture of my adorable Son last Sunday in his cute outfit:

Okay, as well as I can remember, here is an update on our last week:
Monday, July 9th~
The highlight of the day was getting to go with my best friend Mackenzie up to our other best friend, Steffany's bridal shower. And then on the way home there was a large wreck that stopped all of us so we enjoyed some extra time to just talk and catch up since she lives in California this day.

Tuesday, July 10th~
I'm drawing a blank but I do know Travis, Garett, and I went for a late night run. At 10:00pm we finally made it out and went 3.3miles and decided we were done.

Wednesday, July 11th~

I was lucky enough to get a morning shift and right after, I drove home as fast as I could and changed to go to Steffany's wedding in Salt Lake. I had told Travis he could stay home, but when my mom pulled up with Mackenzie AND Taylor, Travis quickly changed, I quickly dressed Maddix and we all carpooled to the wedding. While we were there Maddix made friends with Steffany's sister's 3 children. He chased the little girls, break danced with her son Gaston (pronounced Guest-on), and then held hands and danced with one of the girls for awhile. The kids stole the dance floor and everyone's attention, and they all LOVED his curly hair and killer dance moves!

Thursday, July 12th~

What a day. It started with Maddix having a check up in American Fork at 9:40am, and Travis bringing him into me at 8:40 covered in head to toe sharpie marker, along with some other items that had been colored on; oh boy. Eventually we made it to the appointment and he received his last shot and we noticed his i-teeth were coming in (which have got him down now), so when we came home he napped for almost 3 1/2 hrs! When he woke up we had the little neighbor girl, Summer come over to play with him so we all took a walk to the river trail and played in the water

Friday, July 14th~


What an awesome day. We were going to go swimming but with the weather being rainy, we ended up hiking Stewart falls instead. Impressively Maddix walked most the way by himself and then rode on our shoulders the other part of the time. We loved loved loved it. And it was the perfect amount of time before I had to go to work.