Quick trip

My mom was in Utah visiting her sister for a few days so Shayla and I decided that we'd run down and go visit with her on Shayla's day off. We made a quick trip down Wednesday night and back home late Thursday night. It was just so much fun to see my mom and visit and be with her. We got to visit a little with our aunt as well. We swam at the pool Wednesday night and then did a little shopping Thursday. After we shopped we decided to go walk around temple square and I'm so glad that we did. It is always so beautiful and I just love being downtown Salt Lake. We also made it to the Deseret Book downtown and that store is so COOL! You have to go if you haven't been.

Love these two


Saw this on the way down. Love the hand and foot sticking out





touching the temple doors





Love this picture such a beautiful building


Addi dancing at the Church History Museum


translating hieroglyphics

Addi turns three!!!

We had such a busy busy day on Addi's birthday. We went to the Shelley Spud Days to watch the parade, we went to Addi's twin cousins birthday party at an awesome gym in Idaho Falls, and then it was time for Addi's family birthday party. The parade was fun it was just really cold and windy so we were glad when it was over! The boys birthday party was awesome, Addi loved seeing her cousins and running around and playing with other little kids. Steve and I had a little fun there as well. We were jumping on the trampolines and using the gymnastics equipment. Steve's dad was in town so we had a little family dinner/birthday party for Addi! She was excited to see her Grandpa Holiday and spend her birthday with him. Addi sure loves her cousins Grant and Garrett. Especially Grant because he just loves to let Addi follow him and he is pretty patient when she tries to play with his toys. She loves to rough house with both of them! Addi sure had a good birthday, she got cute outfits, a scooter, littlest pet shop house and a couple littlest pet shop animals, a tutu and some adorable boots. I can't believe I have a 3 year old. I just really love her and the sweet spirit she brings into our home and lives.



First picture on her birthday


Waiting for the parade


loves this face


swinging


love these 3


Grandpa picking out which princess he wants


Steve got in the way but I still love this picture


Little Spencer, he's the best baby


Addi sporting her tutu and boots


Making a wish

Beautiful Park City

We were so lucky to be able to go up to Steve's brothers families cabin in Park City this year with a couple of great friends. We left on a Friday and came home on Sunday. We all really wanted to stay just a little longer because it was so beautiful and fun up there. Their cabin is on top of a mountain on a hillside and it is just amazing views wherever you look. We stayed up way to late talking and visiting and having LOTS of laughs! It was so much fun because we have all worked with each other for at least 5 years and even the wives have worked together except for one but we count that she has because she has heard so much about it. It was great to be in such a relaxed environment and beautiful place with friends.

It's a beautiful cabin


Catching a ride with dad


My little ham


My cute family


Skipping rocks and exploring

Summer full of fairs

We sure do love fairs, we are always up to going to a fair any day. This year we were lucky we went to 3 different ones. 2 of them Steve was able to come with us! We went to the Cheyenne Frontier Days with my family and then the Sterling County Fair and the East Idaho State Fair in Blackfoot. We really enjoyed them all! I especially loved the Blackfoot fair because they had this free kids play area with tons of little cars, a little gas station and the kids were just able to play their little hearts out there. In Sterling it was great because all of us were together as a big family, so the cousins were able to ride rides together and we were able to watch them all. I love how much kids enjoy riding rides! Addi loved riding the ponies, riding in a boat and a big truck. Steve and I enjoyed all the fair food especially the bacon cheeseburger on a glazed donut, and the funnel cakes of course! I've always been a big fan of fairs and really miss being in my hometown for the "Mormon Christmas" which is held every 24th of July with tons of beautiful floats, food, rides and rodeos. I hope Addi will continue enjoying spending days at the fair with us!

all her cousins were on ponies as well


we love her


loved getting gas


every couple minutes she was refilling


the boat ride


driving her truck

Courtney & Preston The Big Day

Well after being in Colorado for 3 1/2 weeks it was finally time for the big day! It was so awesome to be able to be such a part of Courtney and Preston's wedding day. I am so excited that she has found her Prince Charming and that they were able to be married. We had to throw a little bridal shower which was so fun. We played a couple silly games which included making Courtney look absolutely ridiculous! Then the days flew by and finally the guys finally arrived on Thursday morning (they surprised us by driving all night to get there early in the morning) we played on Thursday and let the kids have some dad time. Friday we were all business in decorating for the wedding and reception. My mom is so amazing and had such great ideas along with my sister and sister in law, I was just there to "supervise" :) We had a lot of fun decorating and might have done a little messing around. It was crazy because we had 8 kids between all of us and they were just running around driving us crazy but we were able to get it all decorated. It was kind of funny that we finished about 5 that evening and none of us were really paying attention to what time it was and we quickly realized we didn't feed the kids lunch, oops..... no wonder why they were kind of cranky! Saturday was the big day and we just focused on the finishing touches! The ceremony was so beautiful and spiritual, I thought the Bishop did an amazing job and the reception couldn't have gone better. I was responsible for the pictures which made me really nervous but I had a ton of fun doing them. I can't wait until I can learn a little more about my camera and get better at pictures. I am so happy for my sister and new brother in law.


Marshmallow mouth


We're having fun


Sexy


here comes the brides





find the slackers





Dad & brother

Grandma Snuffy ~ until we meet again

I am so thankful that Grandma Smith was able to be my grandma! She was the best I could have ever asked for. She was someone that I looked up to and have so much respect for. I am certain I will never meet another person as sweet, selfless, and loving as her. She was the sweetest grandma ever and set such a great example for her children and grandchildren. I'm so thankful for the way she raised my dad and the values she taught him. My grandma had a lot of grandkids and great grandkids and I guarantee that each one of us think that we are her favorite. I have so many memories of my grandma that I will treasure forever and hope that I can grow to be like her. She always spent her time caring for others even in her last days she wanted to make sure Grandpa was ok and taken care of. It was so sweet to see how much they loved each other. My favorite time is when they lived out on the farm and we'd stay with them and go play out at the big tree in the fort our cousins built. We played on the 3 wheeler most of the day and we rarely were inside. We made up our own play land on the side of a mountain called "secret" (weren't we creative). She encouraged us to use our imagination and to get out and play. She truly loved her family and they were her everything! She's only been gone a couple months and I miss her so much. I know that she is not in anymore pain and I know she is free from the temporal trials and for that I am grateful. I am grateful for the knowledge that I will see her again and be able to hug her! The sweetest memory from the funeral is when my grandpa went up to her and said I'll see you soon! What an amazing amount of faith he has! I love you Grandma and you'll be missed until we meet again!



Grandma "Nuffy" as Addi calls her





My last picture I took of her February 2009 (she hated having her picture taken so I snuck this one)


The quilt she made for my wedding


March 2009


Grandma's beautiful flowers and yard


The famous "big tree"





Happy times





Grandpa at the funeral


Grandpa & 2 of his sons