Flashback Friday...

Oh my, this is the CUTEST picture EVER! But, I was looking for a picture such as this one for my next giveaway. Alisa & April

Question: Where is this photo taken? Be specific. The first person to leave a comment with the correct answer wins their very own, personal post!

You have until 12pm mst on Saturday.

Good Luck, and Happy Friday!!!!

Swimming

We have just finished up two weeks of swimming lessons for Hayden. My kids would not be labeled as fish. In fact, they are so far from fish that they could be considered a land only mammal. But, because we are so spoiled to have several pools in our subdivision, all must learn to swim. Up until a few weeks ago, Hayden just walked around the pool with little or no interest in getting wet. This was a problem, because I enjoy lounging and having to watch two non-swimmers isn't very relaxing. So off to lessons he went. He really wasn't a fan! Most days he would start in early in the morning asking if he was going to lessons. The answer was always yes, and he would follow is a "Ohhhhhhh!" and a crying fit would ensue! Amazingly, he would get into the pool quite easily when we got there. The lesson would last 30 minutes with the first half in the shallow end and then down to the deep for the second half.

He starts off timid, but still ok!Is obedient and blows his bubbles when asked.
Hangs on to the side, awaiting his turn. (Look at the shoulder blade!)
Oh, no, they are moving down to the deep end. Concern is starting to show.
"Hayden, time to jump off the diving board." So sad! I wish I had a picture of the diving board episodes, but I was usually having to prode him off the end as he was shaking like a leaf.
Swimming Teacher lady got smart and had a bake sale everyday. Oh the treats! All only $.25. I miss those rice crispy treats!

We've been swimming out our pool a lot this summer. Some favorite friends.....

Baylee

Nicole



Brooklyn

My baby. Doesn't venture too far from my chair. Doesn't want to touch the water. I'm ok with that for now.

One last picture....
When I asked for an explanation, he said, "The sun was in my eyes!" Ok, whatever you say...

Party at Pojo's

We celebrated Blake's 2nd birthday at Pojo's (similar to Chuckie Cheese). A good time was had by all! :)

Flash Back Friday....

Every Friday, I am going to try to post an old picture. I have had a lot of fun going through lots of old photographs the last few days. Here you go....

July, 1994
Boise Wedding Reception

Aly, Hilary, Jennifer, Karen, Me

Sharice!!!

Let me just start off this post by saying that I should have 100 more photos of Sheri and myself, but unfortunately, they are all in a garage in Heber, Utah. I spent a hour digging through old photos in my garage yesterday looking for at least 1. This is what I found. I really wanted to find all those pictures where we tried on all of my mini skirts. Remember that? I believe this photo was taken at Newport Beach, CA probably before I got married. I am going off of the fact that I got that Dooney & Burke purse while I was in college, and also those cool Esprit Sandals. I loved those sandals. Probably summer after our freshman year.

Sheri and I went to high school together at LCHS!! Go Spartans! We were kinda two different people. She was very responsible, I wasn't so much. She was very diligent about getting her school work done, I wasn't so much. She was polite and respectful to her teachers, I wasn't so much. But, with all that said, we got along great!

One of my favorite memories of Sheri was a trip we took to Valley Forge as chaperones on a 5th grade trip. We were seniors in high school and my grandmother was the teacher in charge of the trip. I somehow talked my way into going and bringing my friend. How lucky is that? Anyway, we were given a group of kids that were our responsibility. Seriously, what were they thinking? We even had our own tour bus where we were the only "adults". I think we were known as the fun bus at times and the mean bus at other times. We had a great trip and made lots of good memories.

Here is a list of memories that will probably only make since to Sheri. But, this post is supposed to be all about her, so the rest of you won't mind.

Escapade
Koala Blue
Chatham Becker
Throwing food out of Jennifer's car
Going back to pick up said food on the road
Lunch trips to McDonalds for a value meal that cost $3.14
Me usually borrowing $3.14 for lunch
Midnight run to the ER at the beach house. Seriously, how did your parents put up with me?
Chips Ahoy
Spiders and Tetris
Senior Prom, Taylor and Jeff
Grad night in heels at Disneyland. Most miserable night EVER!!!

This is us at Sheri's wedding last year. She had quite a year getting married and fighting cancer. Thank goodness she is cancer free now!!!! Well, there you go. A post all about Sheri! Stay tuned everyone, you may get another chance for your own post!

And the winner is.....

Sheri!!!!

Way to go guys. I am seriously impressed! Sheri, stay tuned for your super, fantastic post!!!

The rest of you, don't despair. I already have an idea for another giveaway. You may just get a post of your own soon.

ps: April, Mr. Ellis would be so proud that you recognized the palindrome. Good for you!

A Giveaway!!!

Are you excited about my first ever contest! While I was looking for pics of Blake, I realized that unless I start labeling my kids pics, there may come I day I can't remember who is who. So here is the contest part....

The first person to correctly identify each child wins! What do you win? An entire post about you. It might include an old memory, picture or just about whatever I want to post about you. Isn't this exciting. Good Luck!!

Hint: Each child has 2 pictures

Update: Nicole just took the challenge, and rattled them off immediately. It may not be as hard as I think. :)

Update #2: Joey couldn't do it. So even if someone comments, they may be wrong. Make sure you get your entry in. I will take entries until 12pm mst tomorrow (7/22).

A.

B.

C.

D.

E.

F.

G.

H.

My baby is 2!!!!

Seriously, has it been two years since I had this kid? All I can say is that we are head over heals for this baby. He is so much fun to have around, minus a few tantrums. Here is an update:

Funny words he says:
Muck (milk)
Cole (Nicole)
Pop (otter pop)
acker (cracker)
that? (who is that you were talking to on the phone?)
dish (this)
Uck (truck)
Coke (Coke, said in perfect English!)
knock (word for phone, trying to say talk)
nack (snack)
money (funny)


Blake loves his blanket. He loves it so much that you can usually find him chomping on it. He is a great sleeper and still takes an afternoon nap everyday from 1-3:30ish. Then heads back to bed between 7-8pm. (Take note of the late bedtime, it is summer after all) He loves his sister and goes right to her if I have told him no about something.

(These photos are not in order. I don't have the time to deal with blogger. Let's just call it a collection of photos in no particular order.)

What else can I say, except, that we just adore him!

Happy Birthday, Blakey boy!

A Day at the Zoo

It is always fun when Hilary and Jeremy come to town. They are here with their two cute girls, Whitney and Bailey. My kids are loving playing with their cousins. Today we went to the zoo, followed up by lunch at the park. After nap time, we headed to the pool and then out for pizza. It was a great day! Brendon
Tom and Bailey (Tom flew into town for a few days of golfing, fishing and playing)
Mary Ann and Joey
Aubrey and Katelyn
Whitney

Macey

Mother and Daughter

Miss N.

The cousins in a large birds nest!

Trey

Hayden

Such a serious look for Mr. Blake

Hilary and Bailey