I've told you before how much I love little lunch box notes. I found these on a fun little blog and thought they were adorable. You just print, cut and you're ready to go. It's such a small thing but I've noticed how much my kids love getting them, especially if they have a test or if they need a little boost of encouragement. Speaking of notes, Paige made this card for Aaron and I about a week ago and yes, I bawled my eyes out...
11 years ago today, Braden made his overdue entrance into the world. (I was due July 26th...my doctor was not very nice to me) He's grown up to be such an awesome kid, I just love him so much! I'm very thankful for him and all he does for our family, he's a great big brother.
This was his first year of preschool...
He has always had a love of Basketball. When he was little we would play one-on-one and he would say, "You be Vince Carter and I'll be Michael Jordan!" It was so cute!! 
The kids in front of the carpet store. My Grandpa Cal opened this business in 1949. 61 years and 3 generations later, it's still around...this place is a big part of our family.
On our way to the Dinosaur Roundup Rodeo!
and he loves the rodeo. They ended the rodeo with a motorcycle show where they do flips and jumps. This kid was in heaven! His little cowboy outfit cracks me up, so cute!
On Saturday July 10th, Paige was baptized on her Dad's birthday. We gave her the choice of where she wanted to be baptized and Vernal was her choice. She was baptized in the same stake center that I was.
Braden and Joey. We lived with Jen and Jimmy (Mike and Martha too) for a couple of months while our house was being built years ago and these boys were just babies. We had so much fun everyday!
Daddy and daughter
Papa and Gaga with the kids. (Gaga was one of Braden's first words and it just stuck.)
Mom bought this $10 slip and slide...the kids used this a lot and loved it! We love summers in Utah!
One of my favorite things about coming home in the summer is getting to spend time with Wes, Ricci and the kids. Ricci's parents gave them this motorhome and we had a blast in this thing! I'm mad at myself for not taking pictures of the inside. It's a 1989 model, complete with slate blue and mauve decor. They had it detailed on the inside and Wes put new flooring in it, it was a major improvement. This thing is a beast! It has a bumper sticker on the back that says, 'Get high on fishing, not on drugs' :)
Ricci and Brandt 
I've been wanting to do this layout for a long time and today I finally finished. I took this picture on New Year's Eve, the last time I saw Grandma before she passed away. She was sitting in her wheelchair and I just quickly snapped this picture. She asked, "Why are you taking a picture of my old pathetic hands?" and I told her, "I've always loved your hands, they're a comfort to me." 
As I was cleaning my room today, I found this ad that I tore out of a magazine a few years ago...isn't this the truth?! I want to get some of these made and whip them out when someone asks me what I do...
another family picture
Jen asked me to do a craft for the kids. I found these inflatable guitars and the kids colored them with Sharpies. I couldn't resist getting the backdrop. I think the kids enjoyed it.
B, P,H and Whitney
my sis in law Alisha. She's the professional photographer of the family and takes amazing pictures.
We saw these bikes and just had to go for a ride. These bikes are for 8 or 6 people. It was a workout!
We rented a boat on the last day (you can see it in the background) and we all took turns going out.
Eric and Aubree
my sis in law Heather. I have to say I'm very blessed in the sis-in-law department. I adore every one of my sis-in-laws, they are all so good to me :)
Heather and I taking a picture of each other
H...I just love this one
We turned him into a ballerina complete with a belly button and some serious curves. He's wearing Heather's glasses and my hat. I'm telling you, he was such a good sport.
Aaron and Matt
Mike and Martha
The first day we got here, the family went to tour a cave and I stayed behind just sitting in this chair and enjoying the awesome view. In between the awesome views, I did do some laundry...there's no escaping the laundry...
taking turns in the boats and canoes
this was the awesome view from that rocking chair (now you see why I didn't want to leave) The water there is so blue!
the cabin where we stayed. It was beautiful...I would love to go back
It was so hot outside! (105 or so) They made about $10 for a couple of hours of work. Not bad...they had quite a few customers.
Whitney and Paige, the twins.
