Summer is here!

In our house summer begins the day the kiddos get out of school, not the actual first day of summer, which is not until June 21st. Well the kids got out of school yesterday, May 22nd, and I was able to go to their classrooms and spend some time with them on their last day. Thanks Tamra for watching the little ones for me. The last day is always a play day and they had parties, pizza, games and goodies. I also managed to snap a picture of the kids and their teachers so they will never forget, as I have forgotten mine.

Brock and Ms. Clayton - Third Grade

Brock's crazy class - only 8 girls, the rest boys!!

Kenley and Mrs. Dede - First Grade

Enjoying the Pizza

Two of Kenley's closest friends this year - Hayden Stewart and Sydney Kimball

Because it is summer and the kids tend to get a little lazy, I thought that we could still use some structure. So, Tamra and I made up this chore chart. It is all based on free agency and their will to earn a prize. They get to move their star every time they do their morning chores and their dishes chore. That equals two moves a day. Once they get to the finish line = the red star, they get to pick from the treasure box. If they make it to the finish line 3 times they then get to go to the store and pick a prize. We hope that this will motivate them to keep things picked up but that they will know that they have a choice. I'll keep you posted!

Getting Older

She's 18 months old!!! I can hardly believe it. She is growing so fast. I can't believe that she is going to nursery this Sunday. Here are some fun Embry facts:

she loves to be outside

she loves shoes, mostly flippys

she is very active

loves to twirl in circles until she gets dizzy and falls down

can say a million words, okay not that many but a lot (just a few: up please, nana, blankie, mama, daddy, kiki(kenley), brocker, boody(brody), bike, bye bye, brush(means I want to brush my teeth), ladlo(color)...

loves, loves, loves her blankie and nana (pacifier)

likes to read books and be read to

loves to brush her teeth

loves to play in the water

loves to take showers in mom and dads shower

loves to sit on moms lap and color on paper, she says "eyes, nose" when she wants to draw a smiley face

loves her siblings

loves to give daddy hugs and kisses when he gets home from work

she loves sunglasses

loves to ride bikes, scooters, quads, the kids motorized truck, pretty much anything that moves

likes to play in the curtains

likes to sit in her bed after her nap is over just so she can have more time with Blankie and Nana

She is the sweetest thing, we love having her in our family. She makes us laugh everyday and is very willing to hand out the kisses and hugs. Happy 18 months Embry!!

It's only just begun...

Tamra and I took the kiddos to Tempe Water Park on Monday. It was so much fun,

after the SCHOOL BUS full of kids left.
We really had a great time and the kids were in heaven. Even Embry, who was a little shy about the water at first, couldn't get enough of the slide and went down it about 50 times in a row. We took lunch and had a little picnic. It was a lot of fun and I'm so excited that summer is here. I love swimming, summer vacations, spending tons of time with my kiddos, and most of all their little white bums after being in the sun all summer.

Just a bunch of couch potatoes

Jump right in fully clothed

A couple mornings ago Dustin turned on the shower to warm up and went to get his clothes out. When he returned to get in the shower this is what he found:

We undressed her and let her play in the water, now every morning as soon as Embry hears the shower she strips down and runs to get in.

A MUCH NEEDED VACATION

AHHHHHH... That was nice. An

ADULT ONLY

vacation is just what I needed! My family gets together quite often, but never without the kiddos. It was nice to have some quality grown-up time with my family. Don't get me wrong I love having the kids around but a break is always nice. We were able to get in some much needed, Resting, Jet Skiing, Banana Boating, Relaxing, Game playing, Eating, Resting, Swimming, Tanning, Relaxing, Shopping, Body Surfing, did I mention Resting and Relaxing? I came home missing my kiddos like crazy and just wanting to stay home and be a mom. That's when you know you had a great vacation. The only down side to our trip was that TJ and Sarah were not able to make it. We really missed them and hope that we can do it again soon and that they can come.

Dustin and I wouldn't have been able to go with out the help of my

WONDERFUL

sister-in-laws Tenay and Heather. They cared for and loved our kiddos for us while we were gone. Thank you so much guys, we would love to repay you anytime.

Well until next time guys...can't wait to do it again in 2010!

Let's Play Music Recital

This is Kenley's second year in Let's Play Music. She has learned so much this year. She is learning to play the piano wonderfully. We are so proud of her and all that she has accomplished this year. Can't wait to see what she learns next year.

Her brother Brody is following in her footsteps, he starts next year, maybe someday all my kiddos will play beautiful music for me.

Just what I needed!

I took the opportunity to go to Women's Conference this year (May 1-2) with a group a friends from my old Windmill Ward. If I would have known what a wonderful experience it was going to be I would have gone a long time ago. I learned so much and came home with a new energy to be a mom, wife and nurturer for my family. I want to go every year!!!

The girls that I flew with, drove with, laughed with, talked with, roomed with, and really enjoyed being with. (LtoR - LindseyB, Velvet, SarahB, CarolineL and Me)

My wonderful sisters (SIL's). I didn't get to hang out with them as much as I would have liked to, maybe next year!!

This year our new Prophet, Thomas S. Monson spoke at Women's Conference. What a wonderful man he is. I have had a testimony that we truly have a Prophet that speaks to God and gives us modern revelation but hearing him speak in person and feeling of his Spirit strengthened my testimony in so many ways. I will never forget the feeling I felt as he walked into the room. The women in the audience began singing We Thank Thee Oh God for a Prophet, a song I have sung many times, but for the first time the song came to life for me. I could hardly sing, being so overcome with emotion. As he spoke to us I felt his love for each of us and our families. He joked and laughed and let us know that he is a real person. When he left the building I felt sad to see him go and didn't want that Spirit to leave, he turned in a circle and made sure to wave to all of us before he left. I write this down so I will never forget the feelings I felt that day. I want my children to know that I do have a testimony that we have a Prophet that speaks to us. He leads and guides us, shows us the way we should go. He helps us to know the choices we should make so that we can return to live with our Heavenly Father. I am so grateful for the knowledge that I have and I hope that I can help my children gain their own testimonies and to feel that Spirit that I have felt.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!

A very Happy Mothers' Day to all those many mothers out there that so willingly love, nurture, and care for others.

And a Special Happy Mother's Day to all my mothers:


The one who gave birth to me and has loved me all my life

The one who even though I wasn't related by blood cared for me as if I was

And the one who raised a wonderful man who became my very best friend and love of my life


All of my mothers have taught me many things in life and have been great examples for me to follow. I feel very lucky and blessed to have them in my life. I look forward to the many lessons I have yet to learn from them.

Thank you for your love and support.

I love you!