HAPPY BIRTHDAY KYLEE!

I can't believe my little miracle is 3!!!

I asked her what she wanted to do for her birthday and she said she wanted to go to the park and have a picnic, so that's what we did. It was a great day, although a little windy. She played and had princess decorations and got a lot of great gifts from family.

Her cake was the cutest thing and she loved it so much.

We broke open a castle pinata.

And she got a well deserved and patiently waited for bike.

Every time we would go to Wal-mart she would ask to look at bikes and play on them and every time we would leave she would say "I hope I get a bike someday." She looks so grown up in all her gear and driving herself around on her bike all the time.

We had such a good time (if you can't tell by how dirty Cannon's shirt is).
Man, am I lucky or what. Look at those cute faces.

Curtis's parents came down from Boise just for the day. It meant so much to us and we were so glad to see them.

Kylee, I can't put into words how much I love you and how much you mean to this family. You truly are a miracle and we are so thankful you are ours. You are so kind, helpful, funny, and smart. You always know just how to cheer me up or help me out. I'm so proud to be your mom!

Follow The Prophet

Tonight's family night lesson: Follow The Prophet

Question: Why should we follow the prophet?
Kylee's Answer: "Because he's handsome"

How Do You Know You've Had Too Much Fun???

I don't know what I would do without Aunt Em and Grandma and Grandpa Eisenbarth. They are my saving grace and the only reason we got to take a weekend away. The best part about leaving my kids with them is I know they will have so much fun, get lots of attention, and be spoiled, so I don't feel too bad leaving them behind.

THANK YOU SO MUCH MOM, DAD, and EMILEE!!!

How do I know my kids had a good time? We get home and Cannon asked for a snack so I got him a string cheese out, ran upstairs to put a load of laundry in, and come down to find him FAST ASLEEP! This is not usual for Cannon at all. When he's tired, he wants his bed and he wants it now...and there wasn't a fuss or anything out of him. He didn't even finish his string cheese...which is VERY unlike him to leave any food behind. ;-)

He must have been one tired out little guy.

When I first picked up the kids they didn't seem to care too much that I was there. But once we got home Kylee said, "I missed you mom. I'm glad we're home."

I felt the same way! Missed my kids and glad to be home.

So Long Summer

This weekend took us all over southern Utah for tub repairs. Curtis hates driving around all by himself, so I figured since I was finally starting to feel better and we never get to really spend too much time together, that I would find a babysitter and travel around doing tub jobs with him. We literally went ALL OVER to a ton of different little towns, but it sure was fun to just be with him and talk like we used to way back when we were young and dating and friends. ;-)

We set out with no real plan, other then what jobs needed to be completed and where they were at and that sort of thing. It was laid back and fun. We saw SO many interesting and fun things. Like this truck at a gas station at some po-dunk tiny town (I can't even remember it's name...somewhere out by Richfield I think). We love "The Office" so we had to get a picture of it.

The first night we worked from 9:00 that morning until 9:00 that night and ended up in Panguitch, UT at this tiny little motel called Marianna Inn. It was cute on the outside, and pretty much the only place that didn't look like it belonged in a horror movie. It was cheap and ok for the one night of sleeping. (Thankfully I had my own blankets and pillows to use) It really wasn't too bad though.

Then we woke up and didn't have a job until later that day and it was all the way in Cedar City, so we figured since we were so close to Bryce Canyon and had the time to spare, we'd swing up there real quick and then head over to Cedar. On the way we passed Red Rock Canyon and stopped to play around for a second.

Curtis and his orange shirt kind of blend in with the rocks.

Then we got to Bryce Canyon. I have seen pictures of it a thousand times, but they don't do it justice. It took my breath away. It is SO beautiful and amazing.

It was a gorgeous day and a gorgeous view and I just kept thinking of the words to one of my many favorite primary songs..."I'm so glad that I live in this beautiful world, Heavenly Father created for me."

Just can't describe how incredible it was.

We really wanted to hike down into the canyon and do a lot more at Bryce, but we had to head out to Cedar City for our final job. Once we were done there, we debated what we should do next. We had purposely arranged for the kids to stay with my parents so that we could spend the rest of the weekend alone. We just weren't sure where. We used our GPS to try to decide where we could go that would be fun (and not too expensive). We debated between St. George, Mesquite, Las Vegas, and even going back to Bryce. Then I thought I wonder how far Zion's is from here. It was only 40 miles and closer then going all the way back to Bryce Canyon, so we decided what the heck and headed on up there.

By the time we got there it was getting dark, so we just drove around the canyon, through the awesome tunnel, and saw LOTS of wild life (deer, big horn sheep, wild turkeys). We got a quick tour of the major sites and info on what hikes were best and so on and found another cheap hole in the wall to stay at just outside the park. ( I didn't even take a picture of this place, because it was too embarassing).

This is us in the Canyon at night. The stars were SO BRIGHT and gorgeous and it was so peaceful and romantic.

The next morning we decided we would start out our day by doing the toughest hike Zion's has to offer...Angel's Landing. It was still early enough that it was nice and cool.

This mountain is Angel's Landing. The hike takes you STEEPLY up it on the right side, and then you can climb the 1/2 mile across the top to the highest peak on the mountain on the left there. They told us that you shouldn't go that last half mile if you were scared of heights (which Curtis is) or weren't in good physical condition (which I'm not).

This is us about 1/4 of the way up Angel's Landing.

When we got to the top and saw the hike to the peak, we both looked at each other with a little bit of fear in our eyes. It looks pretty intimidating.

Curtis wasn't sure if he could make it. His fear of heights started kicking in. There were a lot of people at this point giving up and turning around, as well as a lot of spouses staying behind while the other took the climb. There was even an older lady telling me I shouldn't do it. But we had made it to this point and neither one of us wanted to give up when we were so close. We started the climb...

And WE MADE IT...TOGETHER! The reward was more magnificent then I ever imagined.

I got a little teary eyed as we made it. It just seemed so fitting to our life right now. We are constantly on this uphill climb to get to somewhere AMAZING. There are so many times when it seems too hard and we just want to give up, and we loose sight of where we are going...but thankfully I married someone who loves and forgives my weaknesses and helps me stay on the path I need and we take turns helping one another. There are also many people in life who will tell you it's not worth it, or not to even try, or that you can't do it...and all too often are marriages broke up because they just give up and no longer want to try...or maybe one person just doesn't want to go on anymore. Curtis and I have been through Hell this year. We have been on the verge of giving up more then I would like to admit. But we've made it! And the reward will be more then I can ever imagine I'm sure!
(There are way more pictures on Facebook of this hike)

We rested awhile after Angel's landing and then explored more of the park and trails.

It was so gorgeous, again pictures don't do it justice.

We hiked in the river to get to the narrows, but just ran out of time. We had the best time and it was one heck of a way to say SO LONG to SUMMER!

Lovely Labor Day

I have to start out with a HUGE shout out for my sweet hubby. He was such a trooper this weekend. He worked hard taking care of the kids and helping me get the rest and attention I needed. I woke up Saturday feeling like a million bucks for the first time in a long time. We both got our house in order and did some major cleaning and rearranging and organizing. Things are so much easier when you have HELP! He had to work Sunday night but still managed to come out and play with us on Labor Day...even though he only had about 3 hours sleep.

I LOVE YOU BABE!!!

My family all wanted to go on a picnic up the canyon for Labor Day and debated where we should go. When I was younger, we lived in Provo and used to go to Bridal Veil Falls all the time. I suggested it would be fun to go there again, since we hadn't been in so long. The idea was a hit and we headed down to Provo.

It was a little sad to see that the falls weren't as awesome as they used to be. I think since the avalanche a few years ago, it just hasn't ever really recovered. Of course it wasn't the same without the tram, which I guess is in the works to be rebuilt, but the hiking trails were HORRIBLE and you could just tell it hasn't been kept as well as it should be. :( It was still beautiful and my kids loved it.

Kylee wouldn't stop looking at the falls.

She was so excited to go climb up the mountain.

This picture is awesome because no one was really ready for it...except for me of course. :)

This one is a little better.

What a bunch of cute bums.

We found a nice shady place and had a picnic.

Cannon and Kylee both had a great time eating yummy food and playing in the dirt (and probably eating some dirt too, knowing Cannon).

At one point Kylee was so dirty she literally created little dust clouds as she walked.

Grandpa was such a good sport and followed Cannon around every where. That kids loves to explore.

Em and Jon getting ready to hike up to the falls.

WE MADE IT!

Kylee was AMAZING!

(Luckily Cannon stayed behind this time)

Us at the falls.

We had such a great day. It was perfect weather and fun to be outdoors and with the people we love most. My kids were so great all day and exhausted by the time we got home.

Just a PERFECT Labor Day weekend.

Are You Ready for Some Football???

The only good thing about summer coming to an end...

FOOTBALL!!!

Before Kylee was even born, Curtis saw this 49ers cheerleader outfit and bought it for her. She wore it last year, and it was a little big. This year, it is a little short, but SO CUTE! I told her everyone was coming over to watch the BYU football game on Saturday and she immediately went upstairs and got her cheerleader outfit on. She cracks me up!

So we thought we'd take a few pics for daddy of his girls in their football gear. :)

She is just too cute.

Then the next day, I told Kylee to go pick out an outfit and she came back dressed in her cheerleader outfit AGAIN. She looks so cute in it, I couldn't say no. She ended up wearing it 3 days in a row.

These 2 make me happy.
Man I love those faces!

I told Kylee to give me a cheer and this is what she did.
I don't know where she even picked up on what a cheerleader is...but she is a darn cute one.

We had my family over for the BYU vs Oklahoma game (which was awesome). Always so fun!



Axel was on the prowl for any food dropped on the floor.
I'm sure Cannon provided him with some.
Along with the BYU game, we celebrated Jon's birthday. Kylee wanted to make him a sign, card, and get him a gift. She really loves birthdays and is always so thoughtful. She came to Curtis with a few golf balls she had got out of his supply and asked him if it was ok if she gave them to Jon for his birthday.

He loves to golf, so it was the perfect gift.
When I asked her what she wanted his sign to say she said "Jon." I double checked, just Jon? And yep, that was it...just Jon. So we printed out the letters for JON's name and she colored them and hung them on the wall. Luckily Aunt Em brought a happy birthday banner too.

I just had to include this picture because I think it is so sweet. Here is Em and Kylee waiting for Jon to come to the party. Kylee sure does adore her aunt Em, if you can't tell. :)