Lucky Peak Rock Climbing

Today we went to the Black Cliffs near Lucky Peak Dam and we had a lot of fun. I used my new rock climbing shoes (they're a little on the tight side, but they work) and I made it to the top of a 45 to 50 foot climb. Jared climbed it in half the time I did, but guys are suppose to be stronger than girls so I don't feel too bad :) It was a great way to spend part of our Memorial Day.

Is it just me or are those clothes your sisters?

Having 3 girls each a year a part sometimes leads to confusions about who wears what. I haven't taken pictures of when their clothes are too small, but that doesn't mean it hasn't happened:) I'm sure Madeline's pajamas will fit Rachel soon enough :)

Why is it that right before you put the kids to bed is when they are the cutest? Our girls get so fun, playful, and cute as we're getting them ready for bed. (and we're getting them ready for bed because they were being so fussy) I actually love it when they are so happy though. It's a good way to end the night.

Jared has Monday off for Memorial day. Do any of you have any good/ cheap ideas for fun things we can do?

Our little Idaho potato is getting so big! I can't believe she will be 10 months old this week! Rachel has started saying mama and is working on dada. She's starting to talk/ babble a lot and it's so much fun. She's such a fun, sweet little girl and we love her so much!

Ouch!!

On Monday I had to go to the dentist to get a lot of cavities filled... I'm too embarrassed to admit how many, but basically there was only one part of my mouth that wasn't numb. Ouch! It's Wednesday and I'm still hurting. So my advice to all of you is to go to the dentist more frequently than every three years! Here's a picture so you can all learn from my experience. Jared did have a fun time laughing at my silly smile though.

Bye Bye Melissa, you'll be missed

Today I said goodbye to one of my very best friends, Melissa Hutchins, and it makes me so sad! Her husband got a job offer last year but they were just able to sell their house last month and now they're leaving. boo hoo hoo. I had so much fun with Melissa for these last two years. She made me feel young again... I know, I'm not really old, but sometimes as a mom I feel "old"... I loved hanging out in her daughter Hailey's room while our kids played and we chatted. I felt like I was in high school again and I have loved it! I'm really going to miss you Melissa, but as Jared said, "It's okay, you'll see her in Heaven" haha. I think it is really hard to find a best friend who you can talk to about anything and that's how I felt about Melissa. Gosh. I'll miss Melissa... Good thing I have Jared, and technology to keep in touch!!

We had a "little" barbecue and going away party for the Hutchins on Friday night and it was so much fun. Jared counted and said we had 53 people!! Crazy, but it was a lot of fun and I just had everyone bring stuff so I didn't even have to do that much work. I love having parties, but I don't love having friends move... maybe we'll just have parties from now on :)

Anyway, Melissa I will really miss you and my girls will really miss Hailey and Dallin! Good luck! We love you guys!

Camping Trips Here we come!!!

Last night we went on our first camping trip as an entire family and it was GREAT! We found a beautiful place to camp and it even had a bathroom and a river close! It was so nice to get away and relax. The girls did really well (minus Aliza throwing up in the night) and seemed to have a lot of fun.

As you can tell in the picture Aliza didn't feel so good today, but at least Madeline was sharing her "sticks" with Aliza. Jared had to climb something.... I guess an outhouse works as good as anything :) I am thankful that God has given us this beautiful world to live in!

Braving the Zoo by myself!

On Monday Jared needed a ride home from work and I've been wanting to take the girls to the Zoo for a while now so I decided I would attempt it on my own. It seems crazy to even try with 3 kids under 3, but somehow I managed and we all LOVED it! I got there and realized I'd left my stroller at home so I had to rent a wagon, but I was able to fit all three kids in there and they liked it. The girls were all free and there was hardly anyone else there so it was great. The monkeys were so funny and one came up to the window and posed for us. I think the highlight for Madeline was going down the giraffe slide. It was a great first experience for us at the Zoo and I'm sure we'll go again!

Confession: I Have Jazz Fever

(Ronnie Price fouled by Turiaf, photo courtesy of the LA Times)

With the series tied 2-2, I am consumed about how this is the year the Utah Jazz are going to win the NBA championship. I had to miss the Jazz win on Friday to go on a scout campout to the sand-dunes. To add to my grief, the uncompassionate NBA scheduler had to schedule two Sunday games in the same series. Unbelievable. I'm SURE glad we have tivo. I sort of feel like Larry H. Miller that sports should be avoided on Sundays (I need at least one day not to be consumed by those Jazz.) I was cautious calling home on Mother's Day because I knew someone at my household would tell me the score.

I'm a big fan of Deron Williams and just can't wait for tomorrow, where I'm hoping the Jazz will win. Those Laker fans deserve to be humbled.

Notes: My dad taught Ronnie Price in his UVSC's astronomy class, therefore Ronnie and I go way back.

I was accused at work yesterday that I talk too much about the Jazz. Well, there may be some truth to that, but I emphatically disagree.

Other note: Now that May 9 is officially David Archuleta Day, I thought I'd put him singing the national anthem at The Jazz-Laker for Game three.

My garden's finally ready...

I finished digging up our garden last Friday and I'm SO happy! Hurry and look quick at the picture before the weeds start growing :) This is the first year we're really going to have a garden (last year we just planted two things) and I'm excited. Hopefully I have a green thumb! If I don't, I think I'll paint it green and just pretend.

Tribute to Our Mothers

Being a Mom is hard work! Both Jared and I are so thankful for our mom's and the great women that they are. Our mother's have led us in righteousness and love to value the important things in life. Thanks for all you do for us!!

Enjoying things in Life

Every year right when the weather starts getting nice I get the "spring cleaning fever" and want to organize and clean everything in my house, but this year I decided to rebel against my own wishes. It is the nicest time of the year and I've been inside most of the winter, so I decided I was going to spend as much time as I can outside, and I'm LOVING it!!! I had this theory that maybe I would have to clean less in my house if the girls are outside for most of the day. It's holding up kind of true... Anyway. I have just been loving life this past week. My girls are so fun and I love them so much. They make me smile all the time.

This week the kitchen timer was going off and Madeline said, "The birds are chirping"
Later I was talking to her and I told her she was my sweetie pie and she said, "I'm not a pie"
She is so cute and I just love her tons!

Aliza's talking some and points to any ouchie she has and says "at bite" (meaning the cat bit her even though he didn't) Yesterday she was standing in front of the bathroom mirror practicing her good-byes, "bhay bhay" :) It was SO cute! She's our little social butterfly!

Rachel is our little peanut, but she's as lively as ever. One of my favorites is her practicing standing up in the middle of the floor. She really wants to walk! She hardly ever sits on her bum, she mostly just squats and it's so cute. She looks like Mowgoli (from the Jungle Book) when she crawls. Another baby that I just adore :)

So anyway I just love life, I love reading all your blogs, I love the beautiful spring time, and I love my family!!! Go enjoy your day! Life is too short not to enjoy!

Annual Chili Cook/ Dessert Auction Results...

You know that butterfly feeling that you get in your tummy when you're nervous? Who would think that a ward activity could create that... How silly does it sound that tonight as I was waiting to see how much my desserts would sell for at our annual ward activity that I had butterflies in my stomach.
I decided to make two cakes because I came up with the creative idea of making a cake that looked like a crockpot full of chili but I wasn't sure how well it would sell, so I made a pretty one too. It was pretty crazy how much people are willing to spend! Jared and I wanted to "win" babysitting, lets just say that we didn't get a babysitter, and we didn't get a dessert either. I have to admit that I'm a little bummed, even though I probably wouldn't even have eaten the dessert.
I ended up making over $150 for the ward Y.W./ Y.M. but for some reason I'm not satisfied... maybe it's because I'm tired and my house is messy, and Jared is away watching the Jazz play (I sure hope they win tonight!!) BUT, I did have fun making the cakes and now I have more ideas to add to my portfolio. I really really like the purple flower cake. I think it is one of my favorite cakes I've made. Someday I'll make cakes professionally, but until then, practice makes perfect :)