4th of July

I love America! The 4th is one of my all time favorite holidays. I love the patriotism on this day. I wish more days resembled days like this. We are so blessed to live in the United States. We have every opportunity and nothing holding us back but ourselves. I am grateful for the people who have fought for my rights. I am grateful for the founding fathers and their for site. I get choked up when I see a flag being raised, when the veterans walk by in the parade, when the jets fly over head, and when ever I sing our national anthem. This year the 4th was on a Sunday so we did the parade on Saturday and on Sunday we were able to go to church and hear more about patriotism and the plan that God had for this country. We sang the national anthem in sacrament meeting and I had tears streaming down my face. I just have such pride in America. I wonder sometimes if it is because I was born in July, or I am a bicentennial baby, or what it is but I love this nation. I love peolpe like George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Abraham Lincoln, Ronald Reagan...I think there is so much we can learn from these great men. I am inspired by people that still love the constitution and this country. I don't know if we realize how blessed we are. I most of all am grateful to my Father in Heaven for preserving this land so that we can now be free to worship how we want, to raise our families how we want, to live how we want. God bless the USA!

I pulled Emma and Ellie out of dance a year ago but their cute teacher knew we went to the Kaysville Parade so she asked if they wanted to dance in the parade. Emma was really excited to participate. When I drove the parade route the day before she got pretty nervous when she realized how long it was. So after a crash course dance class and a little bit of nerves it turned out to be a fun experience for her.

JJ and I dropped the girlies off and then had to run and find our spot on the parade route.

Jeron's cousin Turner and JJ

I would love to embarrass Jeron and tell the funny story that happened when he saw an ex on that day but I wouldn't do that to my poor husband. Let's just say FLUSTERED:)

Jeron with his family. Grandma and Grandpa were so cute collecting beads for Emma. Grandpa almost got in a fight with some mean guy who took a ball away from him. It was a good thing I wasn't there our I might have punched the guy. We are lucky that all of the grandparents are always there for our kiddos.

JJ loved seeing Herbie

(This is actually before the parade but the only picture that turned out) Ellie did great until she saw us and then she wanted off of the float. It was nice to have her back for the rest of the parade.

Emma looked so cute. I was sad that they didn't dance in front of us. She sure looked sweet though

Boo loving her Mama and Papa. They were so cute. Papa ran up and got a ball for Ellie and Mama made sure that Emma got some beads as well. All of the cute grandparents thinking of our kids. We are lucky to have them.

Boo stayed right by Mama the whole time. She would come over to me and then say "I go Mama" and run back. Too cute.

I was surprised that Grandma B came out to support Emma and Ellie in the heat and craziness but apparently she loves parades. When Ellie spotted her it was the cutest thing. She ran to her saying "Yeah, Yeah, Yeah"

Ellie always sits so stinkin' cute.

After the parade we headed home. When we came back there was music playing. Ellie went right up to the stage and danced her little heart out.
Before that I took the little ladies and we played a little baseball. It was fun but funny. Imagine Emma pitching to me and Emma hitting with a bat almost as tall as her.
Ellie was such a helper carrying the balls. Boo came but unfortunately I didn't get a pic.

We went and picked up pizza and headed over to our blanket to people watch. This is one of Jeron's favorite things to do.

Sure do love these people

Our neighbor's the Otteson's sat by us this year. That was fun having them there.

My hottie and I

I love this picture. My boys are so goofy, and i love Emma's face

I just love this chick

Ellie has so much fun on days like this.

Elsie just makes me smile

Papa and his only Grandson

Mama and Papa came with us this year. Last year we were wondering how Mama was and this year we are so blessed that she was able to be here with us. I think back to the way I was feeling on the 3rd of July last year. It was a scary day, and one I will never forget. I am just so glad that all went well and that we still have my mom with us. I sure do love you, mom.

Happy 4th of July everyone

Eclipse=Let's get cRaZy!!

As much as I told Amy I was going to make her get crazy we weren't even half as crazy as some of the freaks out there. Amy had an extra ticket to the showing of Eclipse. I always feel very VIP when I go to one of these premieres. This one was fun. They threw T-shirts and I of course was crazy enough to get one. Wahoo!! They also give out candy. I felt a little guilty cause there was warm raspberry chocolate candy bars for Team Jacob and Cool mint chocolate candy bars for Team Edward. Well I LOVE mint more than I love Jacob so I totally cheated on Jacob and my "Lifestyle change" Mmmm it was worth every bit. I did have a major tummy ache though.
It was a lot of fun hanging out with Amy. I just love her. She is such a great friend to me. Thanks for thinking of me.

PS. This was suppose to be your birthday dinner so why are you providing all the fun. See I am one lucky lady I guess.

Flying High

David my brother is a pilot. He flies privately, and kind of has access to a plane when he needs or wants it. He has been asking to take me for a while now. He has taken JJ and Emma but I have been too chicken to go. Well, on Sunday he had me trapped. The best part was that Jeron and I both were there so he could actually take us together. We headed down to the Provo airport and flew out from there.

If anyone can explain to me what Jeron is looking at in this picture that would be nice.

Look at how little that plane is. Holy cow, am I really going to let my brother fly me in that?

We have our headsets on and we are ready for take off.

I think David had a lot of fun taking us. He did a cool take off where he was only like 20-30 feet off of the ground and then we flew over Utah lake really low. His plane kept saying don't sink, don't sink letting him know he was low. I thought that the plane was giving sound advice. After the lake we headed over to the mountains. We flew really close to them so we could see them perfectly. I have never seen the Wasatch mountains like that before. Even in a commercial plane it just isn't the same. We were so close. I loved it. He flew us up Millcreek Canyon which was cool. I am very impressed with David's flying skills. I will have to say I could have done without the Zero gravity drops he did 3 times but we all know he had to torture his big sister a little.

This is a picture of the mountain peak right above our Jr. High.
David commented at one point that this is his office.
WOW, what an office to have.

Now I am a plane junky and can't wait to go again. I sure hope we get the chance.

Happy Birthday Jeron Part 3

It is tradition at our house to have everyone over for cake and ice cream. We love that every one comes. Jeron really loves to be center of attention. He just doesn't like to show it.

He was able to get all of them. In respect for his announcement that
he is 21 I put a 21 on the cake with 13 more candles.

Jeron's Mom and Gene

THe Meads Clan

Look at Marjie. Jeron must be her favorite.

The boys played a little football while the ladies chilled.

We are so blessed to have such wonderful family and friends

Happy birthday hon. This had better be the end of Jeron's birthday celebration. Come on 2 whole days. Just kidding it was a lot of fun.

Happy Birthday Daddy part 2

Jeron had a birthday that just wouldn't quit. He worked all day Thursday so on Friday he took a half day. We went to Training Table for Linner. I just love this man of mine. We had fun just being us.
Oh, wait the kids are here. Dang. Please turn off the phones within a 5 table radius of us. Thanks.

JJ and his Dad. I think this is by far Jeron's favorite hair cut
so it was only fitting that JJ have it for his birthday.

Oh, ya, we are so not alone. CRAZY kids

Even though we have a crazy family birthdays are meant to be spent with eachother.

Happy Birthday Daddy

Grandpa has kind of started his own tradition of taking us to dinner for our birthdays. Jeron picked Texas Roadhouse. I was secretly excited because I knew that the birthday boy has to ride the saddle. Hahaha. Jeron thought he had caught a break but little did he know I have my ways.

Jeron about died that he had to do this. My favorite part though was when they asked how old he was he said 21. So to everyone in Texas Roadhouse that night they thought it was his "21st" birthday. YEAH RIGHT!

He is eying me down

It was fun to see Jeron be a little silly even if it was at his own expense. Happy birthday honey.

Sweet Moments

Boys will be Boys

Jeron and his brother Jeff have been playing softball this summer. The team leaves a lot to be desired but it has been fun talking with my sis in law and watching Jeron hit the ball like nobody's business. Before this particular game Grandma and Grandpa came to the park and we had a picnic with them. The kids love being with their grandparents.

Jan just had surgery on her other hand. Ellie kept looking at it and saying ouchie.

Tara and JJ just chillin' to pass the time.

Emma is the worlds best big sister. At one of the games she was in charge of Ellie and Elsie at the playground. She looked around to find Elsie and couldn't see her. She started to search and searching became panic. Then a little boy about her age said "Are you looking for your little sister, cause she just got hit by a car in the parking lot." Emma was sobbing by the time she came to me. Poor thing. And what a mean kid. Elsie had actually just wondered over to me. We both found her at the same time. I felt so bad for poor little Emma. She actually cried for a while after that. That is why she insisted that she bring a friend. Shalea is a great friend.

Grandpa and his little princess.

Jan with her "baby boys"
Look how proud she is.

It was a painful season for Jeron. The team never won a game and for my competitive hubby that is really tough. He did enjoy spending time with his bro and Kyle a family friend.

We are hanging out with "my cousin"

We had a really fun night. We first ate at Zuppas and then headed back to my parents house to talk and hang out. I feel bad but Abi, Marilee, and Mom missed pictures but they did come. It was great catching up with everyone.

Calee and I still have it!
Except that I have the most tired eyes lately.

Maren with her cousin Emily, two cute hotties and a sweet little baby

My Baby Bro is off to Paris France for 2 years

So get this, my dad rented a 15 passenger van so the whole fandamily could go see Michael off at the MTC (LDS Mission Training Center). We started our journey out with a stop at the Stake Center to have him get set apart as a missionary. I love to be with my brothers at this time. Then we all drove down to Provo, where we ate at Denny's for Breakfast. After Denny's it was off to the MTC to say our goodbye's. We all got out and took pics with Michael. He really started to look nervous at this point. We then hoped back in the van and went to the drop off and sent him on his way. I am a little surprised at how hard this has been for me. I have cried reading his letters and have been just a little melancholy the past couple of days. I will miss him, but I am so glad he is out serving the Lord. Paris doesn't know what is about to hit.

A little more mini golf at Boondocks

What is a day without Taco something? We have had Taco Time and Taco Maker almost everyday this last week. It is insane how much Michael, Maren, and I love tex mex. I am feeling a little bit of a bean overload though.

The kiddo's enjoying their own table

Boondocks+the loud race track next to the mini golf=LAME
We are most definitely a Cherry Hill family. It has a better course also.

Ellie on the other hand decided she liked mini golf today.
She was pretty cute.
She lasted about 5 holes.

Emma got a hole-in-one

Lulu and Emma

Despite some complications we had a good time? The best part is this trip will never be forgotten. In case you are wondering "No, You SHUT UP! Love you all.