Chris' mom turns 80!

This is Chris' Mom Lois. She turns 80 on Sept. 6th, but last night, we had a Birthday Party for her. She was telling me that she has only had one Birthday party ever when she was little, and she wasn't even there. I guess it was a surprise party, and when they all jumped out to say surprise, it scared Lois, and she went and hid in the grain. Her mother tried to Coax her out, but she wouldn't come. She said that she could hear everyone inside having fun at her Birthday party, and that her mom came out to tell her that they were going to open her presents. She said, that's ok mom, they can open them. She never did go to her party. So I guess after 80 years, she has definitely earned a real Birthday Party!

There are 11 children in the family. One was still born, so there are 10. Chris is the baby of the 10 children. So when we have a family party, there are a whole lot of people, even when everyone is not there :)
I'm so glad, we decorated, and sang to Lois. She really deserves it. It was really fun to see everyone, and get to chat with so many people.
Chris had the idea, and I helped him put it together. I think we mailed out 30 invitations. Of course, that's just one per house hold. And some heard by word of mouth. It was a really fun night. Elle went around eating and eating! And Bree played and played with lots of cousins. So Happy 80th Birthday Lois Jean Ricks Jorgensen!!

Bree's 1st Day at Pre-school

Today was Bree's first day of Pre-School. She's never been anywhere without me. Not even at church. But we've been talking about school, and she was really excited to go. We bought her a backpack, and she's been wearing it all day long for two days straight. Here she is, ready to go in :)

They get some free time right when they arrive. So Bree found some toys to play with.
I had forgotten, that they were supposed to wear their T-shirts to school on the first day. So I had to turn around and run home to find Bree's. Then I realized, that we had it on backwards. And then I went to pick her up a half an hour early. So, we did have a few kinks this morning, but I think we've got them figured out now. It's a good thing that the school is literally half a mile down the road. I'd say, 2 minutes in the car.
Elle and I had to run to the grocery store while Bree was at school. We decided to buy her a present, because she was so brave, and went to school all by herself. When we got home, she opened her present.
She got a couple of Pets to add to her collection, and 3 books. She was very cute, and very happy. She told me that they did Art on a Balloon, and read stories, and that she was excited to go back again!

Happy Birthday Mom :)

Yesterday was my Mom's Birthday! Happy 61st Mom :) My mom is such a wonderful person. She is so loving, kind, a great teacher, and the very best mom! There are so many things I could say about my cute mom! I just hope that I'm at least half as good at being a mom as she is :) Everyone she meets just loves her, because she's such a great person! Always, always serving others, and the best friend you could have. Mom is very Smart, has her Masters Degree, and is always reading.

Dax, Monica, Mom and Me! Let the Party Begin :)

Adelle put up the cutest decorations, and made the most fabulous Green, Chicken, Asian, Salad! Mmmmm, can't wait for that recipe :) And everyone else brought some awesome food for our little Birthday Lunch.
Grandma and Elle.
Kayla brought Grandma the most beautiful Flower!
Here's the Happy Birthday Crew!
All the grandkids had a blast playing in the park. They ran around, played Football, Soccer, and tried to fly a kite.

Me and my cute hubby :)

Mom and Cord :)
Mom with all of her grandkids! Abby, Elle, Aleigha, Kayla, Libby, Grandma, Natalie, Nicholas, and Bree :) Oh and there's grandpa in the background! We had a great time today wishing Mom a very Happy Birthday!!

Balloons, and Yacht Club Fun!

This weekend, we took our Trailer up to the Yacht Club, and spent a few days with my parents. We wanted to see the Hot Air Balloon Festival in Eden. Well, the morning, we were supposed to go see them launch the Ballons, it rained, so that was off. But it did turn out to be a pretty nice day, and we went to some of the other festivities. At the Wolf Creek Ski Resort, they had booths, food, and fun. Bree's favorite thing to do was jump in the Blow Up Bouncing Castle!

Bree got in here, more than once.

We did ride the lift, to the top, and back down.
It seemed different riding without snow. Not to mention, that you usually ski down, and we had to ride it down also. But Bree squished between Chris and I for the ride :) Elle stayed below with Grandma, and Grandpa.

Bree and I bought some Hot Air Balloon Neckless'.
When we got back to the trailers. It was time for dinner, before we were to head back to see the Balloon Glow. We've all been sick, but Elle really has a doozy of a Cold!
Grandpa is cooking the steaks!
Elle, had been feeling blue all day. But once she got a hold of the Corn on the Cob, (for the first time), she was in heaven. She would take a bite and then look at Grandma, and say "Mmmmm". It was so cute. She did this after every bite :) She really enjoyed her Corn!
We got to the Park, and the Balloons were going up. We watched, as they inflated several of the Balloons. The girls thought it was Fantastic!
Daddy and Elle!

Bree kept talking about those HUGE Balloons, way up HIGH!!!
Grandma, and Grandpa :)
And then today, it warmed up a little, so we decided to head out on the water. Adelle, showed up with the girls, and Sheldon. And eventually, Camber and Cory came too.
Elle fell asleep on Chris' lap for most of the ride. I hope that nasty cold goes away soon!!
We stopped, and sang Primary Songs, ate Snacks, and had a great time, just relaxing in the boat.
Libby and Bree, posing for a great Picture. They are the best of friends, and posed for this shot all by themselves, telling grandma, to take a picture of them :)
Bree, having Oh, so Much FUN!! We really enjoyed our weekend getaway!

Crazy Elle!

I totally thought that my kids were very well behaved. I mean, I try and keep an eye on things. You hear about other peoples kids all the time doing crazy things, like writing on the wall with permanent markers, or playing with their mom's lipstick etc.. etc.. There are a million stories like this.

Well, I am kind of crazy when it comes to keeping things clean, and in order, and not having these little (huge) things happening in my home. I know that what is insane to me, others would laugh at. But Elle gets into EVERYTHING!! I seriously have to keep my eyes on her 24/7! I even have a hard time getting in the shower, because who knows what I will find when I get out after only 10 minutes tops. Not to mention the fact, that we NEVER leave the bathroom doors open in our house!!

Elle is constantly into our DVD's. She likes to pull all of them out of their cases. I think she's going to ruin a lot of our movies. And then we went through the whole, climbing up on the kitchen table thing. I can't keep anything on my table. No napkins, Salt & Pepper, or Center Pieces. She will destroy them all! Mwuaaah!

Lately, her trick is to get onto my dresser, and get into my jewelry. So today, I moved it up onto the Tall dresser. Chris' dresser. So then she just finds something else on the dresser.....say, a cup of SeaShells, that Chris and I collected the last time we were at Bear Lake. I've been meaning to do something with them, but just haven't gotten around to it yet. So today, she dumps them out all over into my Rocking Chair. I guess it could have been worse. All I had to do was pick all of these tiny shells up, and vacuum everything. There was dirt all over. Or sand from the beach.

Please tell me, that she will get over this, "I have to get into EVERYTHING Phase", because if she doesn't, she may be locked in a padded Cell for a long, long, time :)

Albion Basin

Today we wanted to go hangout with Jen's family, but the weather kind of scared us off.  Well, we couldn't just sit at home, so we decided to go check out Albion Basin.  It's up Little Cottonwood Canyon, and my friend Becky had just been up there, and made it sound really fun. There are two ski resorts up this canyon and Big Cottonwood.

The Wildflowers were amazing.  They were everywhere.  There wasn't much sun, because it was overcast, and down right chilly really.  I think it was only 45 degree's according to our Truck :)
The girls and I.  Elle was not really excited about sitting in the flowers at first.  We'd just gotten there, and she wanted Daddy to carry her.  
We ate some lunch, that we had packed with us, and then headed off to walk through the Campgrounds and check it out.  It's totally amazing up there.  The Ski Lifts, so right through the Campgrounds etc..  
Bree wants to go back there to camp.  But this might just have to be a tent trip?  We'll have to wait and see.  
The views were amazing!
Daddy and the girls :)
Elle!       

She absolutely LOVES to be outside.  Any chance she gets to be outdoors, she is loving life!      
We stopped at one of the empty Campsites, and she crawled all over the logs at the Campfire, and sat in the dirt of course.
Mommy and Elle :)  
One of the many many little friends, we saw along our walk.
Well, we're just about to head home, and we snagged someone to take a family picture for us!
Looking back down the Canyon, into the Salt Lake Valley :)  Wow!  It was a great time.  Too short.  Bree wanted to stay, but we had to head back.  Maybe we'll end up there again someday soon.