One Day....

So the past few weeks I have had a major CRAVING for the beach.  Maybe you don't know this about me but one of my top 5 favorite things ever is the lake, beach etc... I truly am obsessed.  But I know life will go on and I will look forward to hopefully planning a trip next year whether it be Cali or Mexico.  Well yesterday I was over at my inlaws swimming with Ryk, (which is as close to the beach as I get), and one of Shauns Aunts came over and was telling us how they bought a boat and went to the lake earlier that day.  I would LIVE at the lake all summer if I could and I dream of owning a boat one day. But to make matters worse... she told us about the banana boat they have and how they were riding on that. If you have never been on a banana boat you are missing out!!!!  SO MUCH FUN!!!  

So as I drove home that is all I could think about. When I got home I told Shaun about one day going and doing this with our family.  Shaun and I joke with each other all the time how we sacrificed alot to be married to each other. Shaun has a passion for movies..... I don't really care for most movies. I love the outdoors, camping, lake etc.. as we all know Shaun doesn't. But he told me that he hopes to be able to get us a boat one day and I asked him "Shaun would you even know how to drive one" but he assured me that he got his motor-boat merit badge as a boy scout so we are good to go!!! =)

This is another DREAM vacation... a houseboat at Lake Powell! Amazing!!!

*  I'm not writing the post to whine or complain. I'm not trying to sound ungrateful for my life. I love my life, but we ALL have things we are passionate about and this is one of mine!!  Yes I might get a little envious of those of you who are able to do this often but my day will come and their is nothing wrong with dreaming and having something to look forward to =)

Pavers and Memorial Day

I LOVE the summertime!!!   The weather has been amazing and so enjoyable. So we have a little dinky backyard and it has a little bit of grass and alot of rocks. I was blessed with 2 kids who want to be outside all the time. So I told Shaun since we are stuck in our house for the next 100 years I'm going to start fixing up our yard. So after a little research I realized yard work = lots of money. So I called up my wonderful big little brother and asked where could I get some cheap pavers. Luckily he works for one of my old Highschool friends and he had a couple pallets of pavers he didn't need anymore. So after a few trips and ALOT of me bugging him he brought the paver to my house and me start my project. We have a little patio then a huge area of rocks so I wanted to lay the paver there. Abe shoveled most the rocks because my girl muscles weren't as strong as I thought. Then we put the sand down and I laid each and every paver. It is all done and I'm so happy!!!! So on Memorial Day we had our first outdoors BBQ.

Abe compacting the sand. That whole area use to be all rocks.

Of course I had the kids outside with me trying to help. Thats why it took so long =)

Still working. Shaun thought it was funny I would be out working in a skirt.

Yeah all DONE!!!! So worth it though.

Ryker started swim lessons 2 weeks ago and is EXCITED to go everyday. He is a little fish.

We had a fun and busy Memorial Day. Out long lost friends from Tucson came for a short visit. We meet about 5 years ago when Shaun and Dan were both going to Scottsdale Community College. Shaun works behind the camera and Dan works in front as a news anchor. Dan got off work Sunday night at 10:30pm so they jumped in their car and got to our place around 12:30am I actually convinced Shaun to stay awake and we statyed up till 3:00am getting caught up on life. Then finally got to bed and taking a NAP since the kids woke up at like 6:30. We had a yummy breakfast, more talking, kids playing then a trip to the mall. The Spindles had to be at the airport at at 4:00 so we said goodbye and made a deal we will not go longer than 6 months with out seeing each other. Thanks for visiting  we love you guys!!!!!! Hope Alaska is a blast.

After they left I put together some Chick-ka-bobs as I like to call them and did a little grilling. Yes I know what some may be thinking....why isn't Shaun grilling or laying pavers. Well luckily I don't mind doing man work and Shaun works so hard with his 2 jobs, it is better that he spends time with the kids when he can =)

While I grilled the kids played in the water. Amelia has a love for mud. More pictures to come.

Thank you Aunt Missy for the 2 at a time slip-n-slide. I got some good laughs watching Shaun and Ryk racing. The thing is just a little longer than Shaun so he would go flying over the end part. Oh my boys!!!!

My night didn't end their.  After eating our yummy dinner and getting the kids ready for bed. I had to go spend one more night with my cousin Steph who is visiting from Buffalo NY. I'm so bummed becuase everytime I went over to see her Collin her new baby boy was sleeping so I never got to hold him =(  I got to go to his baby blessing the day before though. I was so happy to spent time with you Steph and I realized one of the resons I love her so much.... she is a great listener. She would ask me question after question about my life and how things are going and I would ramble on. Next time I promise I won't talk as much and LISTEN to you. You are a great mom and I'm so happy for you and Travis.

Well what a wonderful weekend and it was so fun seeing some of our favorite people!!!

YES!!!!!

Yes!!!!! NO MORE GUY-LINER......

YES......NO MORE NAPPY TOUNGE 

 YES...NO MORE ADAM

YES, KRIS!!!!!!!!!!!  The best American Idol Finale ever!!!!  I'll admit Even though I was cheering for Kris I thought Adam would win.  But what can I say, may the BEST MAN WIN!!!!

Happy 4th Birthday Rykie Rykster

This silly boy had his 4th birthday today. We have been celebrating for the past 3 days!! 

Ryker has liked the color green since he could point and pick things out. 

He is so fun to drive with because he is so good in the car and keeps me laughing with his silly comments.

He loves the water.

He would ALWAYS be outside if he had the choice.

His Nana and Pa took us to The Rainforest Cafe Saturday night for his birthday. He was so excited to see all the animals (his other favorite thing)

Sunday night we went to his Gama and Gampas for dinner and had his birthday cake. He wanted a chocolate dinosaur cake. 

Monday morning on his birthday. He is offically four and couldn't wait to open his presents.

Since Ryker has a love for animals Shaun and I took Ryker to the Wildlife Zoo and Aqarium. Thank you Nana and Pa for watching Millers so we could have some special time with Ryker.

First off , we had such a great time. Yes it was a little warm but not terrible. This place is way better than the Phx Zoo because the animals are so much closer. The white tiger looks like he is looking for some lunch!!

This was one of our favorite parts. You can buy pellets to feed the giraffes and they will lick it right off your hand. So fun and giraffes are actually really cute!!

The new aquarium is AWESOME!!!! So many things to look at and so many pictures but I won't make you go through all of them. This penguin was swimming back and forth so Rykre was following it.

Ryker LOVES snakes (he gets that from me) so he enjoyed looking at several different types and sizes of snakes.

The Wildlife Zoo is pretty far away and a little expensive, but totally worth it. I think a yearly visit is a must.  

Then we went to Olive Garden for a late lunch and back to Nana and Pas for a quick swim in the pool and dinner. Ryker got a few more fun things for his birthday but he is really excited about the "Skitter" he got. 

What a wonderful day and we had so much fun hanging out with our little man. I love him so much and as most of you know he has a very special personality. He has been a joy and lots of work since the day he was born and I wouldn't trade it for anything. At the end of the day when we tuck him in at night, the first thing he says is "we have to read scriptures and say prayer".  I love that my 4 year old is such a great example for us. I LOVE YOU RYKER-BOY!!!!!!!!

Whatever will I do!!!!!!

So as most of you know I'm a TV junkie!!!!! Reality TV is the greatest thing that has ever happened to me (ok maybe not the best thing).  Tivo is the best thing that ever happened to me because now I don't have to miss a thing. I know I know most say TV is a waste of time BUT I'm pretty much non-stop all day long so I need to do some unwinding AND I sit and do projects while I watch TV so it is not a total waste of time!!  But it is that terrible time of the year when all my shows are coming to an end!! Here is a run through of some of them:

American Idol has been amazing!!! I LOVE Kris Allen and if that pukey Adam Lambert wasn't here this season Kris would totally be winning. But for some STRANGE reason everyone likes Adam and I think he will win. But mark my words Kris will sell way more albums in the long run. He is so talented and humble and lets me honest, so cute. Adam has the worst high pitch scream and he performs like he is about to take his clothes off or something, trying to look all seductive like, BARF!!!  Sad that this show is ending next week!!

I just love this Survivor. I love getting to know all the people who are playing, I love the challenges, the rewards and their is always a few nut cases ever year!! This year it is Coach. I'm not sure who I want to win yet but I'm thinking JT or Steven.

This is my weekly dose of non-stop laughs. This is the only show Shaun and I both like (Shaun HATES reality tv) so we look forward to watching this every Thursday without fail. I think we are a little too obsessed and find it funnier than most.  Since we watch it on Tivo we stop and rewind often at all the funny lines.  I usually have tears rolling down my face and Shaun is rolling on the floor in laughter. I told you we were obsessed but pretty fun to watch it with =) Right now Andy is my favorite character.  But it is Creeds one-liners that I love!!

Then my first show to end was the Celebrity Apprentice. I'm so glad Joan won, I was cheering for her the whole way. She has more energy than me and she is 75 years old...CRAZY.  Annie Duke is not a nice person and even though she raised a ton of money she is way to into her self and only does things for the glory.

Well I do have a few more shows I watch but luckily my Bill OReilly is year round so I can always depend on him through the summer.  

Happy TV watching!! 

Cinco de Mayo

I hope everyone had a bueno Cinco de Mayo.  

We enjoyed a yummy assortment of our Mexican food favorites.

Pina Soda pop,  homemade salsa, and who can forget the churros.

(my stash fell off)

Meet Paco

Mmmmm caliente churro and the Pringles guy trying to take it away.

Buenos Noche!!!

17 Again

This week was filled with fun and I would say the theme was "Feeling 17 again".  Megann came into town and  that calls for a girls night!! Yummy Cafe Rio and some good laughs really makes for a wonderful night. I'm so glad you came to visit Meg. We missed the other Sista Friends who couldn't come.  Ladies next time I think we should avoid the "predator" talking or bad things happening to us conversations =) I'm glad Morgan ended the night with a hilarious hair drama story. I can't wait for June now!!!!!! Girls Road Trip!!!!! 

Gross it has been 10 since I was 17, blahhhhh.

I love summertime. For being the first of May the weather is PERFECT. Warm enough to play outside and have fun with the hose. Ryker has been going outside everyday and playing in the water, while Millers takes a nap. Well He was still out there and she woke up and didn't want to miss out in the fun. Amelia loves the water and was so excited to splash around.

We went to pick up a few more things from my preschool (sniff sniff) and my parents just got irrigation. Now that is my summer fun. I remember always being so excited when we got irrigation and we would play until it was all soaked up. OK call me white trash but I think everyone else is just jealous they didn't have a lake in their backyard!!

Then Saturday night Shaun and I (and his fam) went and saw 17 again. Ok I know what you are thinking... why didn't we see Wolverine and why in the heck did Shaun go see 17 again. Because a few weeks ago Leann, Missy and I said we were going to go see 17 again, well Doug invited himself so I made Shaun go (Nolan was off being a Policeman).  But Shaun  thought it was funny and we laughed a whole lot. Next week Wolverine all the way!! Man, Zac Efron one weekend, Hugh Jackman the next, now all that is left is to see that movie Matthew McConaughey is in =)

Shaun and I can always feel 17 again by talking about our good ol' Highschool years and all our old inside jokes!!  Who needs Zac Efron when I've got Shaun =) Now if only I can  find the secret to getting back in the same jeans I wore when I was 17.

Dollie and her Blankie

Amelia is just growing up so fast. She is so much fun and we love every minute with her because she is usually making us laugh.  She is 14 months now and still not saying any "real" words but she jibbers in her own language constantly. She LOVES looking at books and she will either sit and read them out loud to herself of walk around holding the book out while reading (i need to take a picture of her doing it). She smiles and laughs all the time and is so good at entertaining herself.  Millers LOVES her blankie. She must have it when she goes to sleep. When she gets tired she finds her blanket and get the corner and starts poking her nose with it. We say "Millie is picking her nose so she must be tired". It cracks us up every-time and she also as to have a paci as well.  A few other obsessions she has is cell phones. If I don't call you back ever it is because if the girl sees a phone she wants it. She also loves to hold chapstick.  Oh Millers, what would we do without you. We love Sister so much, thanks for being such a wonderful little lady.

Girls Camp and Boys Camp

As some of you know I'm our wards Girls Camp Director again ( I was 2 years ago- couldn't go last year, Millie was only a few months old). It is such a fun calling and this time it is even better because I'm actually in Young Women's as the Laurel Advisor this time so I already know the girls.  Well a few months back we planned  an overnighter with the girls to go and do all out pre-certification stuff.  Then a we found out the Elder Quorm Presidency (Shaun is the 2nd councilor)  planned their Fathers and Sons the same night (we planned our first though). Millie got to stay at my parents and I went to  "Girls Camp" and Shaun and Ryk went to "Boys Camp" - Ryker started calling it that after he keep hearing me talk about girls camp. =)

 Shaun is not much of a camper  so he got his easy pop up tent that he used as a boy scout. They were warm and cozy  in this tiny tent. But Shaun didn't care because he just had to fold it up to put it away.

Rykers favorite part was when they saw a snake. He would have brought it home as a pet if he could have.

We didn't go to far and everything was perfect!! The weather was great, the food AMAZING and it went rather smoothly. We had the girls put together a tin foil dinner right when we got their then while it were cooking we did our centers and they learned how to start fires and put them out and how to cook dessert in a dutch over.

The next morning we woke up to hot pancakes and eggs then I taught them basic CPR. 

Thanks Amanda for all the help. Who am I kidding, I helped you!! I had a blast and the girls seemed to as well.  Maybe we should do these once a month, hey the boys get to =)