Fun Fourth Filled with Frolic and Faves!

Well, my Fourth of July week started out on a sad note . . . I decided to cancel my yearly exodus to Utah and stay home to help get our business ready to open.  For the past 10 years I have made my way to Utah and enjoyed the beautiful weather and summer thunderstorms.  (LOVE those!)  But this year, I just had to make a choice and even though I missed seeing Kelsey dance in Stadium of Fire (for her 5th year in a row) I have been incredibly busy and am glad I was here to help.  

Ever since Kelsey was a little girl, we had this little "thing" that I would say, "My Kelsey" and she would say, "My Mommy."  I am so glad that she hasn't gotten sick of that or too old for that!

 I went looking for Hailey the morning after Kelsey left and I found her asleep in Kelsey's bed.  She said, "Mom, I just feel safe in Kelsey's room.  (very insightful!) Plus, she has a really soft, fuzzy orange pillow!!

 Kohler had some friends over this week from his EFY group.  This one, in particular, has caught his eye.  She is a doll!  We absolutely LOVE her!!!  Her name is Lexi.  She helped Hailey make brownies!

 Since I have always been out of town for the 4th, I didn't have any decorations.  Well, we couldn't have that, now could we?  So, check out these awesome fabric lanterns that I found at Rod Works for only $5!  

 Yummy Red, White, and Blue Crepe Breakfast!  Oh yeah . . .

 My awesome helpers getting our food ready for the big party!

 I was super excited when Tim, my hilarious brother in law, called to see what we were doing on the 4th.  He lives up in Scottsdale and his wife and kids are up in Utah (with Kelsey!).  I am SO glad he called us because it was so much fun having one of my "faves" with us on the 4th of July.  Speaking of faves, Tim is the biggest fan of deviled eggs and Mountain Dew I have ever seen.  Of course I had to have those for him!

 Another one of my "faves" - my awesome sister, Melanie (here in one of her signature goofy poses! ha ha!) - has her birthday on the 4th of July!  HAPPY BIRTHDAY MELANIE!!!

Kohler's EFY company got SO close during EFY that they named a Facebook page after their group, "GOT SERVED."  They keep in touch and all got together for a party at our house on the 4th.  It was awesome!  They are all amazing kids and we LOVED having them over.

 Of course, we broke out the ice and made a TON of shave ice for them!

Lexi and her awesome friend, Rachel!

 I am so thankful to live in a country where we can get together with family and friends without soldiers or guards asking us where we are going or what we are doing.  I am thankful that I can fly my nation's flag outside my home with pride for what it stands for.  I love this nation and am so thankful to all of the men and women who, on a daily basis, strive to protect that freedom for me and my family.  We are so truly blessed!

EFY Week for my Teenagers!

Monday morning, bright and early, these 5 darling teenagers and I headed up to Flagstaff for Especially For Youth!

 Sarah Johnson, Hailee Hoover, Kelsey, Keaton Peterson, Kohler

 We got them all checked in and ready to go!  Don't they look excited?

 Keaton and Kohler went to EFY up at BYU last summer and had a really great time.  I hope this experience is just as great.  Many kids from around here go to Flagstaff EFY and they love it because they get to meet kids from the Phoenix area (ones they may have a chance of seeing again!)

 Here is Kelsey with her cousin, Sydne, in their dorm room.  They have dreamed of going to EFY together since they were little girls!

I couldn't be more proud of my kids and the righteous lives they are living.  They are not perfect and neither am I.  But they are really GOOD kids who are trying hard to do what's right.  In this world, that's a hard thing to do.  I am eternally grateful for their amazing friends who encourage them to hold tight to the iron rod and make good choices.  I can't wait to hear how things went during the week!!  (part of me wishes that I was 15 again and could go to EFY too!)