BEAR LAKE

So, we finally made it to Bear Lake at about 11:15 pm Friday night. Kyle ended up working later than expected so we didn't leave the house 'til about 7 pm. Then our quick trip to Wal-Mart for food and sand toys turned out to be an hour trip :) After that we went to Sports Authority to pick up some life jackets for the little ones. Turns out they were 40% off which was great! Anyway, we finally got on the road at 8:45 pm. The drive to Bear Lake takes about 2 hours, but it took us longer because it was dark and we had to watch for deer. Kyle is a pretty safe driver, especially when we are in the car. When we finally got there we unpacked our bags and had some burgers (wonderfully grilled by Gage and Chief). Then it was off to bed so we could get up early to go to the lake.

Gage's family has two trailers parked up the hill from the lake and they were so nice to let us use them for the night. Me, Kyle, and the girls got the small trailer to sleep in. It was pretty comfortable, but cold. Kyle and Brin took one bed and watched Mulan on the lap top (really roughin' it huh). Me, Rai, and Hallie took the other bed. Chief, Sugar, Cass, Gage, and Mike slept in tents and everyone else slept in the bigger trailer. It's amazing how cold it gets up there at night and how hot it is during the day. Anyway, we woke up at about 9 am Saturday morning, packed up the car, and headed for the lake.

Brin went on the boat for about an hour and a half watching the other kids wakeboard and waterski (however she was asleep most of the time). Raigen didn't like the sand at first, but learned to love it. Trav played with her a lot! Hallie sat in her little beach chair and loved being in Kennedi's floaty in the water. Kyle was a party pooper and stayed in the shade and slept the WHOLE time. He never even took off his shoes or socks. I'm glad I have a great fam that helped watch the girls, because he was no help at all. I think everyone else had fun sun bathing, volleyball playing, sunscreening, boating, and just being together as a family. It was a blast!

Here's a slideshow of some pictures. Kenna took all the boat shots so I'll post them later. This slideshow is kinda weird, just click on the play button and the slideshow will come up in a few seconds in a new window. The slideshow program I usually use wouldn't work. Anyway, check it out.

Bear Lake Slideshow

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Tribute to Janae

As I'm sure most of you know, Janae loves taking pictures of herself. Kyle has been setting tile at Ashleys house for the last week and a half, so on the nights that I work and even some of the nights that I don't, Brinlee has been hangin' out at Sugar's. She loves to hang out with JJ (that's what Brinlee calls Janae). Anyway, last night I let Brinlee have the camera for a while. When she finally gave it back to me, this is what I found (thanks J)....

I couldn't stop laughing and I guess you'd have to know my sisters. Half the pictures on their cameras look like this. This just shows that she watches everything we do. She is growing up so fast.

As, I said before, Kyle has been tiling Ash and Jared's house for the last week or so. He finished grouting last night and it looks sooo good. He has spent so many late nights over there and we miss him at home, but he loves to tile and loves to help out family when he can. He's a good guy! I can't wait until the day that he gets to tile our house. He really is getting good at it and much faster than he used to be.

We took this chair over to their house so the girls could sit in it and watch daddy work. This time it was hallie's turn. She is 7 months old today. I think she will pass Rai Rai up in the weight department soon. She is getting so big and is such an easy baby. She loves to play with toys and laugh at anyone and everything. She hasn't quite conquered sitting up yet, but I'm okay with her being a "stationary" baby for a little longer. I already have two other little munchkin's that can get into things and that's good for now.

Anyway, I better get to work. We're leaving for Bear Lake when Kyle gets off work at 4:30 (it's 2:15 right now) and I still need to finish cleaning the house, pack, and grocery shop. My family decided to take Gage's boat up and try a one night camp out. We haven't been the "camping type" so we'll see how it goes. I think some of us will sleep in trailers and some in tents. FUN! Brinlee is totally excited.

OH YEA! CONGRATS TO ASHLEY AND JARED. THEY'RE EXPECTING A LITTLE ONE IN MARCH! THEY'LL BE GREAT PARENTS!!!!!!

Look What Mom Bought

Well, I finally got the girls Hannah Montana shirts. I know it's dorky and I've been hesitating because I really don't like character clothes, but I thought they should have something to remember their love of Hannah. It's so funny that they like her because it's not like we forced them to watch the show. Brinlee has just loved Hannah since she first saw her on Disney Channel and now she has passed that love on to Raigen. Cassidy got them the new Hannah CD and they both sing along to it. It is sooo funny. You'd have to hear them. It's just cute that a 2 and 1 year old can be into a show like that. They'd much rather watch Hannah, Wizards (Wizards of Waverly Place), or CSI (seriously) than watch Dora, Winnie the Pooh, or Spongebob. They're just not cartoon girls and I guess I can't complain.

Here's some cute pics of the girls pushing Hallie in their baby stroller. Hallie loved it as much as they did. Don't worry, I was watching close.

MY LIFE IS GREAT

My life is so wonderful! Just when I start to think about everything that is going wrong or everything I am doing wrong, I remember how blessed I am.

I have a great husband who works hard to provide for our little family. He is always telling me he loves me and I can't count how many times he hugs and kisses me everyday. He is an awesome daddy! Our girls get so excited when he comes home from work and he gets so excited to see them. He always puts family first! I'm so glad I get to spend eternity with him. My girls are my life. They love to read their scriptures and say their prayers. Brinlee is so compassionate and caring...everytime Rai Rai wakes up (from a nap or in the morning) she asks her "You sleep good?" She knows when I am sad and will not be okay until I'm okay. She is very aware of other people's feelings. She helps me with laundry, cleaning up, and taking care of Hallie. I am very proud of who she is becoming. Her sisters have a great example to follow.

I am so thankful to be a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and for the direction it gives me in my life. I need to be better in so many ways and I will never stop trying. I am thankful for my Savior, The Atonement, and the amazing gift of repentance. I can't even imagine not being able to live with my family for eternity. They are the most important thing in my life. I continue to realize that worldly things just aren't as important as I make them.

I want my family to know that I appreciate EVERYTHING you do for me. You are always so willing to help with the girls and that means the world to me. It is so great to have so much support so close to home and I love you all.