We're here!!YEA!!

On Sunday, july 26, we FINALLY made it to Mama's house. We were all so excited to see everyone, it has been WAY TO LONG!!!!!

I love Stacie's kids so much, I could NOT wait to see them. It has been a whole year since I last saw them. I could barely pick Miles up he has gotten so big and her girls are just so cute.

Leland and Shelbie were so happy to see each other and they has been inseparable since.

I think Miles's face says it all, they were so happy!! They are the best of buddies!

The 3 amigos, they are so cute together and I am so glad we get to be together for almost 2 weeks. Let the fun begin!!!!

Old Friends are the Best Friends

On Saturday, July 25, Brian and the kids and I went to Charlotte to visit some friends. Our first stop was to see Emily and Jason Long and there sweet little girl Olivia. Emily and I have been friends since 4th grade and it was so fun to catch up and let our kids meet each other. Emily had such a beautiful home and of course it looked like a show house, I really hope we don't have to wait years before we see each other again.

I am grateful for our friendship, I love this girl!

Olivia and Coleman. She loved Coleman so much and it was so fun to watch her jump all over him and spank and tickle him. He was such a good sport, he was so sweet to her I was so impressed! Olivia was such a cute and sweet little girl, and seriously BEAUTIFUL!

Emily needs to get busy, I have 5 to her 1. LOL!

Our next stop was to see our best friends from Asheville, The Manwills! They have moved to Huntersville and live in the same neighborhood as Emily (how funny is that). We had so much fun with them, the kids just picked up right where they left off. Coleman and Alex have been friends since they were 3 and they were so excited to see each other. In the car on the way over we were telling Coleman not to act wild and crazy when he saw Alex, his response was "Uh I'm not going to make any promises." The girls had so much fun with Madison, she was so nice to all the girls and my girls wanted to be just like her. So CUTE! Bret and Sheri were so nice to let our large family invade their house for the night, I think the kids stayed up till midnight. Catching up with old friends is the best. Our lives have changed so much since our days in Asheville, but one thing is still the same, Sheri and I can still talk the night away and enjoy a good dessert together. I wish we could have stayed there longer and I can't wait till we see each other again!

happy birthday

Memere planed a little birthday celebration for the kids. All of there birthdays are while we are in NC (Claire had hers in June). Memere made a adorable giant cupcake and gave them each a goody bag FILLED with lots of little things all wrapped individually. The kids had so much fun opening all the stuff. She even decorated the bags herself, so cute! My kids are so blessed and lucky to have so many people that love and adore them.

first stop-FUN!!!

Last night we finally made it to North Carolina and we were so happy to get off the plane. We flew non-stop from SLC to RDU and Brian being the amazing man that he is he gave me the first class seat with Ruby and he sat in coach with the other 4 kids. How did I get so lucky!!! Of course Ruby was an angel and Coleman and Evelyn were perfect! Leland and Claire were a little more challenging, but considering how tired they were they did great. We even had several compliments on how good our kids were, so all in all it was a success!

Our first stop was Brian's parents house for a few day of FUN!!!

The kids were so excited to see Memere and Papa. We got them to bed

at 1 am and they were up and ready for FUN at 8am.

Brian had to work till about 3 and then we were off to the lake and

the kids were so excited, they

even wore their life jackets around the house

for at least a hour before we left. So cute.

Coleman LOVES the boat!!!! He was telling Papa how to drive and how fast he should be going, etc. It was pretty funny. He had fun wake-boarding and got right up and had did awesome. He wants to learn how to jump the wake, we will have to practice that at the lake in a couple weeks.

Claire is so cute, she had a great time swimming and just loved hanging out on the boat.

Ruby was so good, we were a little concerned that she wouldn't like waring the life jacket, but she did awesome and was totally chill the whole time.

Love the sunglasses on little Miss Hollywood. We had a great time as a family.

Evelyn has really grown up so much and she had so much fun.

Swimming with Daddy.

Coleman, Evelyn and Leland went out on the tube and I was surprised how much they loved it. They wanted to go faster and we even through them into the wake a few times and they just laughed and asked for more. It is so good to watch your kids having fun together!

Tired little girl, so so so sweet! Right?

Cascade Springs

What a beautiful place! We went here as a family on Sunday afternoon and were amazed at how beautiful. Cascade Springs is a natural Spring up in the canyon and it is so big and they have great walking trails. We couldn't believe how clear the water was, at times it didn't even look like it was there it was so clear. It was definitely a great Sunday family activity.

One of the many wonderful views on the way there, breath taking scenery the whole through the canyon.

Little Miss Ruby Leigh

Part of the Springs

My 4 goofy kids!

By the way all these pictures were taken on my new iPhone camera, I must say I am really impressed with the quality. I love my new Phone, no really I do!!!!

Seven Peaks ROCKS!

Today we went to Seven Peaks water park and the kids had a blast.  I bought season passes this year and this is only the 2nd time we have gone, so the kids were so excited that we were finally going again.  This has been a great summer so far and I am having so much fun with my kids!!

This is my amazing babysitter, Jordan.  She is more than a babysitter to our family, she has been helping me twice a week for almost a year and we have truly grown to love her.  I don't think I could do 7 peaks without her, the kids had so much fun going down the slides and playing in the pools.  We are lucky she is a part of our lives!

Ruby had a fun time hanging out with us in the pools and she was so easy going even though she missed her nap.  I gave her a bottle on our way out to the car and she was so tired she basically passed out in her stroller, I was able to put her in the car and she was just gone!!! 

Once again, she is an angel!!!

Evelyn went off the big slide all by herself, She has grown up so much this year and I am so proud of her.

Claire had a blast and learned how to jump off the side of the pool and go under the water (this is a big deal).  She is always the life of the party.

Way to go Coleman!

Shoes!!!!!

This weekend I had went to the mall and bought shoes! I got shoes, Brian got shoes and each kid got a pair of shoes.  It was ridiculous, but soooooo much fun!!!  I have just as much fun shoe shopping for others as I do for myself, it truly is a passion of mine!! Shoes and handbags the way to my heart for sure!!! 

Here are my 4 in all their beauty!

I mean how cute!!! I love crazy, funky and fun shoes.  I definitely love a classic black pump, etc, but this trip was about fun unique shoes!! 

I LOVE these!!!

These were a steal, 9.99$. I think they will be great for winter.

Not Everyday

I LOVE the view from my house (except for the completely annoying power line that gets in the way of every photo I take, I guess it is time to buy photoshop).  Anyway this morning when I got up I saw a hot air balloon over the temple, what are the chances? So I grabbed my camera and the kids and we went to the deck to check it out.  Coleman said he wished he had his own hot air balloon that he could take into the sky anytime he wanted (maybe one day?).  This was the best shot I got, I am no professional thats for sure, but I think it turned out pretty.

Much needed VACATION!

I love family vacations, they are a great time to get closer and form tighter bonds, and I love watching that happen.  Brian has been so busy with work and we have both been on auto pilot.  So for the 4th we heading to St. George UT for a long weekend.  I love living out west and Brian and I both feel like this is were we are suppose to be.  We enjoyed seeing all the mountains and red rock, two of our favorite drives were when we went through the Virgin River Canyon and Kolab Canyon.  It truly speaks to our soul.

Kolab Canyon in Zoin National Park

Virgin River Canyon.

That is a lot of kids, holy cow!!!

The kids had a blast swimming in the pool.  We rented a house with it own pool and it was awesome.  I think this is how we will have to vacation from now on. 

I posted all my pictures on facebook for those that want to see more:)!