Missy Miss Turns 7!!

Where did seven years go?!  Its hard for me to believe she is growing up so fast!  She is a wonderful sweet girl, full of love and life.  She is such a special part of our family!

Kyla wanted an ocean themed party this year... We started the week long celebration with star fish sugar cookies with cousins.

Waffles for a birthday breakfast!

The cake!  Leo picked out the sea life figures to give to Ky and they all had fun putting them on the cake.  

Steak and mashed potatoes for dinner!  We don't really eat steak and potatoes that much but Johnny and Kyla both choose it for their birthday dinners.  :)

Ky got to use the "birthday cup" we had one when I was a kid and I remember thinking it was so cool.  We resurrected the tradition and made it through dinner without breaking it!    

Happy happy birthday to our sweet seven year old!  

Sugar Cookies!!

Sugar cookie season is here!  Mae helped me cut them out, she loved the flour, so fun and messy!!

Messy miss ended up in the sink, she hung out in there for quite awhile...

We have a WALKER!!

Delayed Labor Day Vacation

Steve had to work the Saturday and Monday of Labor Day weekend... so he decided he needed a little family time and a break.  We took Monday and Tuesday off and went to Utah for a four day weekend.  It was a fun filled, jam packed weekend.  Starting with boating on Saturday morning, Steve said the skiing was so good, just that was worth the drive... :)  AND Kyla knee boarded!!  It is so fun for Steve to see his kids loving the same things he does!  

Then we headed to the aquarium with Liz and kids, Uncle Matt and Jenny.  Kyla wanted to go to an aquarium for her birthday and we were planning on going to the one in Phoenix, but it doesn't have penguins, Kyla's favorite!  Utah's does... plus some cousin time... PERFECT!!

I love this funny picture of those silly silly cousins!!  Go Bella!

Leo and Buggie!

 HUGE snake!!

PENGUINS!!!  Kyla loved it!  She said the penguins were worth the drive!    

We unintentionally planned our trip perfectly to be in Utah for a big b-day party for Aunt Sid, Uncle Vaughan and Caroline, fun!  We went to dinner at David and Michelle's and got to see their beautiful new home!  I won't ever buy another fixer upper again, unless it has a view like theirs!  Logan Temple, Old Main, mountains, the works!  And we got to wish the soon to be newly weds congrats, we won't be able to make it back again in two weeks... Steve's annual Scotland trip is then.  

And thanks to Steve's sweet mom, Steve and I got to do a session at the Bountiful temple before heading home.  THANK YOU!

We finished off with a short stop at Grandma Grover's and we were on our way.  We made it home before midnight and got the kids to school for picture day on Wednesday.  Whew.  I'm tired!    

Cinderelly, Cinderelly night and day its Cinderelly...

We put Mae to work sweeping Grandma's floor... she had great balance, maybe I should have her carry a broom around... 

I think her next job is to clean herself up... she LOVES watermelon!

I have a picture of me sweeping the floor around this same age... and one washing the walls with a sponge...  either I was really into cleaning as a toddler or my mom was exploiting the cheap labor that didn't complain... :)!!

Brigham City Temple!

We got to go to the Brigham City Temple open house while we were in Utah.  It was our kids first time at an open house, mine too.  The Temple is gorgeous and full of peach blossoms, the door handles, windows and carpets...  it is beautiful!

Steve's parents have been helping with the open house, they were both there the day we went and by some miracle we found each other.  Grandpa went on the tour with us, with an extra detour or two, one of which landed us in the Bride's room where Grandma was!!  It was a really special day!