4th of July weekend!

The week of the 4th of July was pretty crazy this year! We ended up staying home and not doing a whole lot for the actual holiday. It was to hot to go to parades. That night we lit a few fireworks and sparklers in the front yard. Then we sat back and watched about four or five different huge firework displays (put on by local neighborhoods, and area casinos) all from our front yard! It was nice. The kids were happy that they got to see alot of fireworks - and we were happy that we didn't have to fight traffic and crowds!

The Next morning we got up bright and early to pick up my friend Sarah from the airport. We had decided a couple of days before, that we were going to have everything packed and ready to go so that we could all load up in the van and head to Utah for Maren's wedding straight from the airport.
On the way, we dropped Sarah off in Cedar City to stay with our friend KayLyn for a couple of days while we hung out in G-town. It was nice to be able and sit and visit for a while in Cedar City before getting back on the road for the second half of the journey. It is such a long drive! Really, it is only 6 hours. But we have driven it so many times, that it now just seems to take FOREVER!

Tuesday, was Brylee's Birthday. It also happened to be the same day as Maren's wedding. So, we told Brylee that her birthday was Monday (she was turning 4, so she wouldn't know the difference) so that she could celebrate and have her own day. She was really excited to celebrate her birthday in Gunnison with her grandparents and cousins. All she wanted for her birthday was a "Baby Alive" stroller, and "Baby Alive" clothes for the "Baby Alive" that she got for Christmas. She was really happy when she all those things, and a Littlest Petshop House. She was so cute, she let out an excited scream after each present that she opened.



Tuesday, was Maren's big day. She looked so beautiful in her wedding dress! Everything turned out perfectly! I didn't even cry as much as I thought I would. Just a few tears during the ceremony and the toast I gave. I am so happy for Maren and Matt! They seem sooo happy, and perfect for each other!

Tuesday, after we helped clean up from the wedding, we headed back to Vegas. We picked Sarah up in Cedar around 9:30 PM and made it back to Vegas around 12:30 AM. It was a VERY hectic few days!!!!

Maren's Vegas Weekend

In the middle of June, Maren, Erika, and Ashley came and stayed with us for four or five days. It was two weeks before Maren's wedding, so she wanted to have one last "girls weekend" before tying the knot and moving to Kansas!

We spent alot of time just hanging out at the house. But we did some fun stuff around town too.

The day after they arrived, we all went to a little nail place near my house and got a pedicure and a manicure. Very relaxing! Then we went shopping and out to lunch.

Ashley, Maren and Erika getting Pedicures

The night before they left, we all went down to Freemont street. Earlier that day, Ashley had bought Maren a white Marilyn Monroe dress from 'Party City'. Maren wore it down to Freemont Street. She took a Black Sharpie marker with her, and had alot of random people sign her dress. By the end of the night the dress was full of signatures. It was alot of fun!

It was a really sad to see Maren leave, knowing that it was the last time she would be visiting us in Vegas for a long time. The girls cried and cried... especially Ady. But no worries... I have already been looking up flights to Kansas! :)

Phoenix Fun!

This last weekend we went to Phoenix to spend a couple days with Brian's brother Mike, and his wife, Misty. We left Friday night, after Scarlett's (the little girl I babysit) Dad picked her up. We really like driving at night, because traffic is better and the kids sleep! :) We made it there in almost exactly 6 hours. We visited for about an hour or so, and then we all went to bed.

The adults all got up early and headed to Mexico for the day. My nieces, Kelsey, and Zoe and Nephew, Ashton, watched the girls for us. After two hours we made it to the border. We love going to Mexico and walking around and shopping. Brian really likes to barter with the shop keepers. We got a cute metal sun to hang outside next to the cute little horny toads that I bought last time. We also got the kids some more little bobble heads - we have a whole collection above the kitchen sink now - and stocked up on a few prescriptions (since we don't have medical insurance, it is MUCH cheaper!).

It is so weird to me, to see the difference between US and Mexico. Even though we have been to the border a million times, it is still crazy to park the car and walk a block and be in a completely different country. I took a picture from the parking lot. Where all the cars are parked, it is the US of A. Then there is a fence, and the the buildings on the other side are Mexico. Everything on the US side is so much nicer. It is just so weird that there is a dramatic night and day difference in those few feet.

Because the new passport law just came into effect (you have to have a passport or pass card to get back into the states) the parking lot was really empty. Usually it is packed. It also made for a shorter line to get back into the US. We still had to wait about 15 minutes, but usually it is closer to a half and hour or forty five minute wait.

Brian, Mike and Misty waiting in line to get back into the US

On the way home, we stopped in Tucson at a gas station to get some drinks. Brian wanted his picture taken by this Buffalo statue outside, for some reason. Random, but that is Brian.

We made it home around 5:00. We spent the evening hanging out and visiting while the kids swam in the pool and Mike BBQ'd for us.

The next morning, we got up and just sat around relaxing for a while, before making the journey home. The drive went well, and we were making good time until about 5 miles outside of the Hoover Dam. To get across Lake Mead, you have to drive on top of the Hoover Dam. The combination of every car having to go through a security checkpoint, and all the tourists walking around taking pictures can make traffic really, really slow. It took us an hour to cross the Dam, making a normally 6 hour drive into a 7 hour one.

They are building a bypass bridge next to the dam. I cannot wait until it is done, but there is still a long way to go. I think they have about a year left. And, they talking about building an interstate from Las Vegas to Phoenix once the bridge is done. I hope it happens!!!

We finally made it home - it was nice just to sit back and relax after all that driving! I didn't even unpack our suitcases. I saved them for Monday morning! But the trip was well worth the journey. We love being able to visit Misty and Mike and all their kids. We all always have a lot of fun when we go!

Bridal Shower Pictures

Here are a few cute pics from Maren's bridal shower that I am just now getting around to posting.

Brylee watching Maren open a present

Mom holding Jack, helping Mireya pick a cookie

Mireya would lay on the floor and let my mom and Brylee cover her with tissue from the presents. Then she would growl, tear them off of herself, and laugh hysterically!

Emotional!

I am having a huge emotional breakdown over my sister getting married and moving to KANSAS (of all places). It all started Friday...

Friday, I drove the 2 1/2 hours to Cedar City to go to Maren's shower. But, it wasn't just going to the shower. A week before, her friends (who were suppose to throw the shower) called me, and couldn't do it. So, I had to plan it. Which was fine. I mean, honestly, I am a stay at home mom. What else do I have to do? But... (another but) I had 5 kids (Taylor, Michael, Adalyn, Alysa, Brylee) at the time. I was planning on leaving all of them with Brian for the weekend. Well, he had a contract in Kingman, AZ, and was driving there at 3:00 in the morning, to be home by 6:00, so he could spend at least a few hours with the family (have I mentioned how wonderful and selfless my husband is?) So... I ended driving to Cedar City by myself with 5 kids. Luckily, our kids are very well behaved and just all around good kids, so this wasn't a problem.

We left Friday morning. We got there a good time. The shower went very well - much thanks to my sister-in -law Erika who brought all the things I didn't think of (she is wonderful!!!).

The kids stayed in the hotel room my mom was staying in, for the most part. But, being kids, they got bored. They started running around in the hall, and one of the hotel guest complained. I was distracted by the shower, and didn't notice that they were running around until they told me. I really didn't get mad at the kids. I am sure they were really bored! But I did let them know that I was disappointed because I had expected better behavior from them. I made them apologize to the front desk for running around. They were so embarrassed!!! But I think it made an impression and they won't do it again. I was trying hard not to laugh during the whole "apology".

After the shower, my friend Linda stopped by to see me. It was really good to see her again!!! I, then went to my good friend, KayLyn's, to drop off a couple thing she left when visiting us in Vegas. I also wanted to let the kids run around and play with her kids for a while because they had been cooped up all day and were going to be cooped up for another couple of hours. KayLyn has always been such a good friend to me, and I miss her so much! It was good to spend and hour "catching up".

After we left, I met Taylor and Michael's mom, Holli, in St. George. They had been spending the week with us. They were going home for the week, and coming back when Austin comes on the 13th of June. I am so appreciative to Holli for being patient with my hectic schedule!!!

Then it was the drive home. It seemed to take forever!!! The desert holds a whole lot of nothing!

We got home. I was happy to be here. Then, suddenly everything hit me. I started crying. I cried all night.

I am EXTREMELY sad that Maren is moving to KANSAS!!! I like her living in Cedar City. I know if there is ever a problem, I can be there in 2 1/2 hours. But, KANSAS!!! I cried and cried. I have known that she is getting married for a couple of months. Matt is a nice guy. I want Maren to have as much happiness as Brian and I do. I know that with all the hard times that we have had in the past with Sam, that the thing that helped me through was my own little (big) family. And I think that her having Matt and a future to plan will help her move on.

But still... I have to be sad, for me, for just a minute.

I am losing not only my sister, but... my best friend. We have been there for each other through everything!!! She lived with us while we were in Enoch, UT. My girls love her, almost as much as they love me. She was there to visit them all in the hospital, shortly after they were born. She has cried to me, and I have cried to her. We have laughed and celebrated good times together.

What am I suppose to do without her?

I hope that Matt really likes me, because I will be visiting in Kansas! I have already looked up flights and found that they are not to expensive.

In Vegas, I have always felt comfort knowing that if Maren ever needed anything, she was only a 2 1/2 car drive away. Now I feel comforted knowing that she will only be a 2 1/2 hour flight away and a $200 round trip plane ticket away (although Brian says $400 because if Matt every does anything to upset her, he will fly out with me to kick his butt!).

I am trying to get all my emotions out now, so that I can have nothing but happiness for Maren and Matt on their wedding day. I love her so much!!! I am really excited that Matt is going to be the newest member of our big, crazy family! And I know, that no matter what... or where she lives, that Maren and I will be not only sisters, but best friends!!!

The Life and Death of our Resident Rat

Since we moved into this house a little over a year ago, we have had a rat living in the center of the giant palm tree in our back yard. Every night, when it would start to get dark, you would hear it rustling in the tree - and sometimes you could catch a glimpse of it.

Once, our dog, Eddie, even caught it. The rat had climbed behind the extra fridge we keep on the patio. Eddie, squeezed back there and caught it. He pulled it out, and was shaking it. The rat literally screamed. I have never heard anything like that before in my life. I was freaking out. But the rat got away, and ran up the wall into the tree. As it climbed up the wall, it's big, fat tail snaked up the side. The whole episode was so traumatic, that afterwards, I had to run inside and throw up!

Since, the dogs have tried several times, unsuccessfully, to catch the rat. People who came over would sit outside to try and catch a peak of it. Brian would on the patio with his BB gun late at night and try to shoot it. The missionaries came over and climbed up in the tree to try and scare it out. The boy's had been planning all winter of ways to catch it when they came to visit us in the summertime. Brylee called it our "pet rat". That rat had become a legend around our house!

Well, yesterday, I went outside to read the newspaper and Eddie saw the rat. He chased it and it ran into the grape vine on the wall. He hunted around for it, for a long time. I didn't really pay any attention to him, because this was pretty much a daily routine.

Then, he came and plopped the dead rat at my feet. I screamed. Eddie was so very proud!

I am very relieved that the rat is finally gone. But I am also a little sad. It was a very great conversation piece!!!

Graduation!

This last weekend, we went to Gunnison. We left Wednesday night, so that the girls could go on a field trip with my mom, and the 2nd grade class she teaches at Gunnison Elementary, Thursday morning. They got up early (alot earlier than we do here in Vegas!) and went to school with my mom. Then they got on the bus and went to go Miniature golfing. Brylee and I met them all at the Gunnison park about 11:00 to eat lunch. After lunch, the kids put on their swimming suits and went swimming. Ady and Alysa had already made a million friends by this time, but Brylee was a little shy, so it took her a few minutes to get into the water with all the kids.

Ady, Alysa and Bee on the gun at the Gunnison Park

Thursday night Reed and Josie took Kiersten, Steve, Tina, Brian and I out to dinner at El Mexicano to celebrate their wedding anniversary. It was alot of fun getting together with just the adults!!!

Friday, was my brother Sammy's high school graduation. I gave the girls a choice of staying at Reed and Josie's with Brian or going with. Only Ady decided to go with. I can't believe that my baby brother is a high school graduate!!!

After the graduation ceremony, we all went back to my mom's and had a BBQ.

Saturday, my mom, Maren, Erika, and I went to Cedar City to pick out a wedding dress for Maren. She found a gorgeous dress! I would post a picture of it, but Matt isn't allowed to see it until the wedding (which has been moved to July). I was excited that we got to eat at Costa Vida after shopping. I have been having some serious salad cravings, and they don't have a Costa Vida in Vegas!

Sunday, we got up early and made the LONG journey home. I loved visiting everyone in G-town, but it is always good to get back home to my own bed and our routine!!!