Random....

We have been pretty busy around here lately between Cameron being absent weekend after weekend and soccer practice's and games I haven't been able to post pictures much so I am doing a catch-up. Alex had a birthday party to go to last weekend and we thought we would take the chance and take Jake on a date with mom and dad. We asked him in the car what and where he wanted to eat and he kept saying "HOT DOG!" I said, "Are you sure Jake, I think you might like a cheese taco." I was really wanting some Mexican. He was not giving in and proceded to yell "HOT DOG!" Cam had to tell me that it was his night so we opted on Chilis for a corn dog and his favorite corn on the cob! We went over to Toys R Us to see if we could find a bike that would fit the poor kid with short legs. He was so interested in the powerwheels they had that we left without any luck. We had a great time and need to do a little more one on one time with the kids. Jake is at a really fun but crazy stage right now and we just love him to death. He really loves to give kisses, I hope he keeps that within the walls of home but I just love when I get one of his sweet kisses, it always makes me smile.

My kids are really into instant pudding these days. They could eat bowl after bowl so chances are on Monday nights we are eating the wonderful, yummy, sugarfree treat!
We had a "block party" in our subdivision and they were giving out cotton candy. It was pretty hilarious watching Jake eat it!! He wouldn't take pieces of it and eat it, he would just stick his whole face in there and stick his tongue out and move it back and forth until he caught it. I didn't have my camera with me at the park but he looked like a cotton candy Santa.

Scary dinner and Who's Whoooo?

We love Halloween at our house! I figured since I busted my Christmas music out yesterday I better get some Halloween fun in before it was here and gone. We got some great ideas from Picky Palate(I get most of my recipe ideas from here) for a very spooky, scary dinner. The kids loved it and I totally recommend trying it.

Mummy hot dogs

Ooozing monster mouths
And there cannot be a Halloween meal without hot chocolate and rolled wafer cookies!

It has taken us awhile to figure out our Halloween costumes, but I think we finally got it nailed down. Can you guess what they are going to be??

Fall in Arizona?

(I just threw in this picture I found of my silly kids and their silly smiles)


The news said it was the first full day of Fall. I'm not sure the low 100s and high 90s is considered "Fall" but I will take it!! We get all excited when someone mentions Halloween around here because we know that cooler weather is around the corner. Winter here in AZ is why we love it here so much. There is nothing better than NOT having to scrap snow from your windshield in the morning, or layering every piece of clothing on before walking out the door. Us Arizonaians (made that up) are just getting to take walks outside and getting the kids to the park. We still have about a month to go until we aren't sweating by just walking into the grocery store, but who will be laughing at who when all you all that aren't leaving your houses because of the snow and ice warnings are watching the weather and see 70s down yonder! Love to all and Happy Fall!!!

The BIG 5.....

Oh my, oh my!! My little girl turned five yesterday! It's crazy how time flies, I feel like me and Cameron just brought her home! She has turned out to be the sweetest little girl. We love her to death and don't know what we would do without her. Really, she is my brain these days. I find myself telling her what we need to get done today so that I can go back and ask her and she will totally remember and tell me. The girl is too smart sometimes!! I love that she easily makes friends anywhere we go but is still shy enough not to make TOO good of friends. I love that she is the greatest big sister and would do anything to make Jake happy. I love that she is very into pre-school and will most definitely take after her father and love school and everything that has to do with school. I love that Alex is tenderhearted and is very aware of others feelings, it does scare me that this will go away when she starts school. I love that she LOVES to travel and see new things. I love that cereal is her favorite food because it's my favorite food. I love that she loves to watch movies and eat popcorn. I love that she is really into coloring, crafty things and is very proud of her results. I love that she loves girly things but also loves cars, trucks, getting dirty, boy stuff just as much. I love that she is the greatest helper and will do just about anything you ask. I could go on and on about what I love about Alex because ever since she was little we have always said she has been a pretty easy going kid and she makes us smile ALOT!

Day after Alex was born

I just loved when she was bundled up like this when we lived in Utah.

One year


We must have slacked on the pictures when she was two because I couldn't find very many.
Two years

Three years

Four years

Five years

Here are some pics of the big day!

We started the day off with her fav, PINK waffles!!

We had a small BBQ with some friends and had a pinata!

(you can tell when Cam was taking the pictures, unfocused and forgot to put up the flash, silly daddy.)

She got some really fun things! Lots of coloring, painting, drawing stuff which is her absolute favorite! She also got a jewelry box that has gone everywhere with her today. All she wanted from mom and dad was a suitcase. YES, I know the kid is strange, but ever since she saw that they made little ones she has nonstop talked about it. It was a great day and I'm glad I have a whole year to prepare for six!

Soccer....

Alex is finally old enough to play soccer this year! She has been waiting a long time to be able to play. Her and her friend Bailey are the youngest of the team, but they don't seem to notice that they don't know the rules or what is going on anytime someone makes a goal. Her first game was last Saturday and she was pumped up!! She did really well for being her first time playing. At one point the other team scored a goal and she just looked over at us and smiled liked something good just happened because everyone was cheering. She did kick the ball a couple of times (even in the right direction :)) and that was all she talked about for days. It's pretty darn hilarious to watch a bunch of 4-6 year olds run around trying their little hardest to get the ball in the goal. She loves it and mom and dad are just glad that she has something to look forward to each week and maybe one day she will become the next Mia Hamm.

When Alex's coach put her as goalie it about gave me a heart attack as I looked over at Cam and said, "Um, I'm not sure we explained what a goalie was?" Luckily, she wasn't in their too long and didn't get stomped down.

Alex's bestest friends and teammates Nate and Bay.

Best Friends....

I have to confess that I am really in love with the place my kids are in right now. They LOVE to play with eachother and rarely fight with one another. Alex is always right there if Jake ever gets hurt to say, "Are you okay Bup? Do you need a bandaid?" Jake is rarely out of Alex's shadow. Alex told him the other day, "Jake, can't I go to the bathroom alone!?" He gets so sad and lonely when she goes to pre-school, I actually look forward to the days she is home. They are constantly laughing and giggling to eachother, like in the picture I caught them rolling all over the floor laughing until their faces were blue! I hope no matter the changes in their lives, they always stay as good of buddies as they are right now.

Labor Day....

With Cameron closing on a project the last couple of weeks and not seeing him but 2 hours at night, we decided to head to St. George for Labor Day to get a little R&R. The kids LOVE going and it was even better because Curt and Marissa had just moved there and they had cousins to play with! We did ALOT ALOT of swimming and alot of eating! What's better? Thanks to Curt and Merm for having us over for endless dinners and good times!

Watch out Michael Phelps!! Your competition is in the pool! Here we come LONDON!!

Because of the great weather, the kids played and played outside.

What is Labor Day without a BBQ.

Dont' mess with these two and their BBQ.

One of the many parks we played at.

Cameron could not go without a little Iceberg!!

Cam taught Jake to dip his fries in icecream. At first he looked at him really funny and then tried it and was HOOKED! We couldn't get him to leave!

We must have really wore them out!!

And last but not least!! I forgot to post about our sixth anniversary a couple of weeks ago. We went out with some really great friends and had a blast! Not to get sappy, but I have the best husband and he is the greatest father! Here's to many many years ahead!

Farm life to City life.........

I have felt I needed to release some emotional turmoil through blogging. As I said awhile ago after 30 plus years my dad and mom have sold our farm this last year and are moving. We have all been in denial this last year thinking it would never come. But these last couple of months my parents have started packing up our house we lived in pretty much our whole lives. The farm has been a place where all of us kids have learned to work, learn and play. With each year we saw and helped our dad plant and then harvest the crops. When we were younger we thought it was a curse to live on a farm, always doing random jobs like pulling weeds on the side of the road to "build character." But as time as gone by each of us realized what a blessing and opportunity it has been to be able to call such a wonderful place HOME. As I sit here crying and wondering how life will ever be the same with out the "farm" and potato harvest I think of what an awesome childhood I had and what great memories are yet to be made. SO, here's to making NEW memories in St. George!!

I thought of some things I have loved most about living on a farm....

My kids LOVED to help Grandpa feed the horses and cows.


My parents are the BEST gardeners. They always had an immaculate yard full of beautiful flowers and trees.
Even living away from home, potato harvest is always something we came home for. Homemade french fries and hot chocolate! YUM!

The many many horse rides I had while growing up and the many rides my dad took the kids on every time we came home.

The HUGE willow tree we planted when we were kids that has now taken over the yard.

The many hours we spent outside swinging on this exact swing set and the many hours poor Grandpa was out there swinging the grand kids :).

The best memories are the memories the kids will have of having a second home away from home and the many things they loved to do.

Misc.....

I can't believe this summer is almost over. School is starting and that means Alex has started her new preschool. She loves it and she loves her new teacher Mrs. Luna. She is getting so smart, she can write her abc's and numbers really well and she writes her name everywhere! She is definetly going to have her papa's smarts, she learns really fast and I know it took me forever to process anything into my brain.

Some ladies in my ward have started a Joy School this year for a bunch of 2-3 year olds and I decided to take the challenge and sign Jake up. He gets so upset to see Alex leave for preschool that I thought this might be a good time to get him into something that he can socialize and learn at the same time. I made the mistake of telling him he was getting to go to school in a couple of weeks with his good buddy Jack and now every morning he wakes up and says, " a school with Jack mom?" I guess I'll never learn.


I thought also that I would throw in this picture of me and my grandma at my cousins wedding this summer. I LOVE LOVE my grandma and she has always been one of my hereos and her and my grandpa are great examples of living Christlike lives. I hope one day I can live up to all they have taught me throughout my life. LOVE YOU gram!

Mexico...

Our cruise to Mexico was amazing! We couldn't have had a better time! Thanks to the Harman clan for making it happen. Our first day at port was in Cabo and we went on a private sailboat and went snorkeling. It was a really fun time and we even stopped in the middle of the ocean and took a dip (and yes, I did it!). The next day we went to Mazatlan and did para sailing. It was really cool, but probably a one time experience for me. I made the mistake and looked down and got to thinking there was only a strap holding me from life and death. The next day, and probably my favorite port, to Puerto Vallarta and we did some zip lining. It was WAY fun and if any of you out there go on this cruise you HAVE to go on Canopy Tours zip line! It was the best!

Me and Cam just had the best time relaxing and taking some down time from both of our crazy schedules back home. We sailed for alot of the days, but we kept busy with some karaoke, rock wall climbing, dancing and lots and lots of eating!! A BIG thanks to Grandma and Grandpa Balls for taking the kids for us, they are still begging to come back! We can't wait for our next big adventure!

GOOD TIMES!!!!