Ahh . . . Days in Lake Tahoe . . .

Exactly 24 hours after we got home from the trek, our family was at Sky Harbor Airport ready to board our flight to Reno!!

Of course, Hailey had to bring her little lamb that Colleen gave her!

 Then, our flight was delayed a few hours.  It was ok - we just walked around the shops and ate way too much at Paradise Bakery!  We brought Keaton this year!  He is Kohler's "other brother" - they have been friends for almost 8 years now.  We are super glad he could come hang out in Lake Tahoe with us!

 When we got there, the best sight to see was baby Noel!

 Is she a little doll or what?  I LOVED LOVED LOVED holding her!

 My nephew, Tate, really took to Keaton.  In fact, he was glued to his side most of the time . . . well, him and Grandpa's boat!  ha ha~!

Grandpa took them on a WILD tubing ride at Boca Reservoir!

 Keat was a really good boat driver!  He said he had a lot of practice driving his grandpa's boat in Idaho.  Nice----------

Yes, those are Kelsey's glasses . . .

 Kohler pretty much ROCKS on the knee board!

Here's me on the wakeboard - tearing it up a bit!  ha ha!  Hey - I'm a 42 year old mom getting out there on the waves!  It was awesome fun--right up until we accidentally drove over the ski rope and spent over an hour in the really cold water trying to untie the knots from the propeller!  Finally, another boat came by and offered us a really tiny pocket knife, but it was better than nothing and that helped A LOT!  Kohler, Keaton, and I were in that 65 degree water shivering ---but it finally was cut loose.  The metal handle bar was completely bent and wrapped around the prop!  Crazy!!!

(more Tahoe fun to come!!)

Happy Birthday to my 1st Baby

I truly mean it when I say that I cannot believe my 1st baby is turning 17 years old today.  High School and talk of a mission and college were "those faraway/someday" days . . . and those days are NOW for me.  

Kohler has been such a joy to raise.  Has it been easy?  Uh, no . . . but I think raising any child with their specific needs and concerns isn't easy.  It's always more work to help them reach their potential and teach them correct principles that will last a lifetime.   

Has it been fulfilling?  Oh yes! 

I wouldn't trade ONE day with my precious son.  He has taught me how to be a better mother - more patient, more understanding, more trusting---and I have LOVED every step along the way with him.

Kohler is a GOOD KID through and through.  He truly is. Has he been perfect?  No - none of us are. But he has always had a strong testimony of Jesus Christ and honors his priesthood duties completely.  He loves and respects his father immensely (for which I am totally grateful!) and is so eager to learn from him.  He has such a kind heart and is one of the most sincere teenage boys I have ever met.  He loves his family, his grandparents and cousins----family comes FIRST for Kohler and I love him for that.  He is a friend to many and has so much love to give to others.

 There's that smile that melts my heart (and a few girls' hearts too!)

 I will forever be grateful that Kohler was sent to our home.  I mean, what would the world do without those muscles???  ha ha!

Happy 17th Birthday to you, Kohler.  "How wonderful life is, while YOU'RE in the world!"  (thanks Elton John for that great lyric!)

Too much to catch up right now . . .

Quick over-view of the past month---but not enough time to expound on all the events----July is CRAZY!!

 Tom and I were a "ma and pa" for our stake trek.  It was an incredible experience.  (more stories to come!)

 We absolutely LOVED going with our two teenagers!

 Keaton came with us to Lake Tahoe this year and it was awesome! (we flew out the morning after we got home from the Trek!)

 Look how cute Kelsey is and how BLUE that Lake Tahoe is!

 Spencer with his cousin Luke, and Hailey with her cousin, Olivia.  Best buddies this whole trip!

 Monday after Tahoe, construction for Kea Lani is completed!!!  So, for FHE, we moved into our shop.  It was "all hands on deck!"

 No organization yet ---just moving stuff off the floor for the health inspection tomorrow!!

Tired kids . . . we are hoping to be open by Wednesday!!!  It's a family adventure, that's for sure!

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!