ScHoOl'S oUt fOr ThE SuMmEr

ScHoOl'S oUt FoR tHe SuMmEr

Shout HOORAY!!

Let the summertime activities begin....

My kiddos got out one week ago...May 21st. I have loved no more homework...no reading logs...no waking up early....just fun filled days!!

A day worth remembering....

Today is a day worth remembering. A day worth the tears. A day worth pulling out the scrap book. A day worth celebrating!! It has been 16 years. Sixteen very long and very short years. I use to think that today would be a day I would eventually stop remembering. A day I would only think of sometimes. After 16 years though I have come to realize and come to appreciate that it is a day I will never forget. A day I should never forget! It was sixteen years ago today that my dad passed away. Sixteen years ago today that my life turned upside down. sixteen years ago today that I realized just how important life is. Sixteen years ago today that I learned not to take for granted the time we are given with those we love and cherish!!

My dad was loved form the moment he was born. He was lucky to have four brothers that loved him and showed him their love.

A loving mom who raised him and taught him well!

He was raised in the gospel and showed his love to his Heavenly Father from the early years...here giving a primary talk:

From left to right: my uncle Nyle, Uncle Barry, DAD, Uncle Kent and Uncle Lane

Always the goof off
On my blessing day

My first birthday: Dad, ME and Grandma Smith

My Baptism day

DAD and his brothers: Barry, Kent, Lane, Nyle and my daddy

Family picture at our favorite vacation spot....Colter Bay in Grand teton National Park

Hiking In G.T.N.P

There are many times my heart still breaks that he is no longer here. Not here to share in my big milestones. Like the day I got married or held my newborn child in my arms for the first time. Not here to wrap his arms around me and tell me that he loves me. Last year I started a new tradition in my house. Instead of mourning the loss of my dad I celebrate his life and the time I had with him. How lucky I am I was able to spend 17 wonderful years with him. I want my kids to know their Grandpa and the funny man he was. Today is most definitely a day worth celebrating! Celebrating life and those we love and cherish!

I made dad's favorite dinner...TaCo'S

Jason had to work late so he was not able to join in our celebration until later...but here are the kids enjoying our dinner

after dinner and cake (every good celebration needs cake) we watched some family videos. (Thanks Kel for doing this for us!! The kids have loved being able to see their Grandpa!!)

While tears are still shed I feel good in knowing that his legacy lives on! I am so very grateful for my family. Grateful for the love that we all share. Grateful for their example to me. Grateful for all the times we share together. Grateful that we are a Forever Family!

I love you daddy!!

A quick catch up...

All right, I am behind...really behind...so I am just going to do one quick catch me up as opposed to finishing all the posts I've started. I went out to Utah the end of March to be with this little girl:

Not so little anymore! My baby sis is getting married (in a few short weeks) So I went out to help with a few wedding plans. It also happened to be her b-day while I was there! Lucky me! My wonderful hubby took a few days off work so I was able to go with just me. Yep not one little person was attached to my hip. I had fun staying up late, sleeping in (Which really was the same amount of sleep I get at home since I was staying up late) and hanging out with family!

While I was there we had a shower for Jaclyn and her soon to be hubby Jon. We also had one for my cousin Jesse and his soon to be wife Steph. Crazy story about all of them. Jesse lined up Jac with Jon and Jac lined up Jesse with Steph. Oh it gets even crazier. They got engaged on the same day. They had no idea the other was proposing so it was really funny when they called each other with a big guess what?!? Here are the love birds:

While I was in Utah I was able to go See my friend Cami and her new cute little girl Camryn. I'm so happy I was able to time my trip with her arrival!

While I did not have little ones of my own and I had fun hanging out with my nieces.

Whenever I head into town I need to hit my sister up and get my hair done! It kinda made me feel special when my family all showed up so we could be together and chat.

Soon after I got home it was Lauren's last Prom. She went with Tyler...her ex-boy friend that she still sees and talks to every day...hmmmm

Two days later was Easter AND Lauren's 18Th birthday. Taylor made this cute picture for the Easter bunny. All over she wrote "I believe!" I love her question:

Here are the kids Easter morning:

Later that day we surprised Lauren with her present...a car. I'm not sure who was more excited..her or me!! No more driving her around!!

Spring break was fun as well. We went to the zoo with Kelly and Breckyn.

And hit up Chuck-E-Cheese

And then we got to watch this cute little girl while her mom and dad went on a trip. Oh how I love my Breckyn!!

We also got to watch Kingston...her dog...while they were gone. Carter had fun hiding under the bed with him.
Soccer has come and gone. With five girls in soccer my weeks were a little crazy...hence why I am soo far behind!!
Lauren played her last high school game. It was bittersweet! She had the same number her dad had growing up...#13.
WHEW!! So I still have to post my trip. I'll get to that hopefully soon......