29 Never Felt So Sweet...

Last Friday was my 29th birthday. I never really get excited for my birthday because for as long as I can remember no one is around during the summer to celebrate with me, and hardly anyone ever remembers it because as summers go, everyone is busy vacationing. I have to hand it to Justin though, he really made turning 29 a real treat! In Utah, the 24th of July is a state holiday, which in this case, worked out to my advantage this year. Justin had work off so he could watch the kids while he surprised me with a day at the Sanctuary Day Spa, at the Gateway, in SLC, to get a deep tissue message and a pedicure. What a great gift right? Just picture a black NFL football player giving little old me a deep tissue message. I am serious, my words before we even walked into the room were, "Just don't break me." He laughed, but I wasn't kidding. He was huge. But "Jamicheal", as Justin refers to him, did a fabulous job. I think I could do this every week! And who doesn't like a pedicure? Later that night we got our, get this, first "babysitter", cousin Lauren! We went out to dinner and hit up our first Real Salt Lake soccer game, and watched the fireworks afterward. What a great birthday. I definitely got spoiled! So spoiled, I admitted to Justin that with how great my birthday was that it could count for my birthday and our 7 year anniversary! What was I thinking? I could have really taken advantage here huh? Oh well, not only did I have a great birthday, but I have had great 7 years, as of the 27th of July 2002, being married to Justin. WOW!

On Sunday my brother Jeff, had us over for a BBQ, to celebrate again. I love family... they always make you feel so special! Kate really liked the cake!

Ever since my birthday on Friday Zach has been asking when is it his birthday? If you asked him today when it is he would want it to be tomorrow. Too bad it is in five months. He has not let up, continually asking if we can celebrate his birthday tomorrow, and the next day, and the next, etc. So he doesn't quite understand the whole time thing, but he already knows what he wants...a DS and a head flash light. Luckily Uncle Jeff had one he could play with for awhile, to only peak his interest and want even more. I love this picture though. He is wearing his "Brother Cousin's", Alec's, scout badge sash, and is right down to business with that head flash light. I will be hearing about the camp out he wants to have all week!

Is that...

Really what I think it is?

Oh My...

Seriously?

He really is addicted!

This is what I showered with on my birthday! Anyone who knows Justin knows he loves his DP, but honestly to have to have it in the shower? Come on! I guess he got the idea from his favorite morning radio talk show, MMR, back in Philadelphia. He downloads the podcast and listens to them on his way to and from work. Supposedly one of the radio personalities was raving about how great it was to have a cold one(beer) in the shower, so Justin decided to try it out with his one vice, besides me of course(hee hee), Dr. Pepper.

McCall Revisited...

To keep up the tradition, my family all gathered again, for a week in McCall, Idaho, for some fun in the sun. Well the first day it rained, but the rest of the week was great! Here are the highlights...

Zach's favorite activity, water fights with the "Brother Cousins" (Alec and Parker).

The beach, well what there is of it anyway. The water is so high from all the great winters Idaho has been getting. Still, we love it for all the kids to be able to play without the fear of the "deep" waters.

Zach's other favorite activity, tubing. The kid could not get enough!

On this particular run Zach hit a huge wave that caused him to soar into a back flip barely hanging on to stay in the tube. My sister Paige has it on video...so footage soon to come hopefully. He thought it was great...the same kid who is fearful of the "deep"! I don't think I will ever get it.

OK, so maybe this was his favorite activity, playing with all his boy cousins. My brother Andy bought this new Aquaglide. Britt, Paige and I tried it out...so much fun, so many options to keep yourself on, that is unless Paige is holding onto you to keep herself from falling off the darn thing.

Kate with her new suit on...I saw this at my Costco, they were out of her size, called my mom to check her Costco, and sure enough they had it. I just love the ruffle bum! Thanks to cousin Halle for the cute piggy tails.

A little "Man Tubing"! AKA tubing without holding on to the tube while the driver of the boat attempts to eject you as high and as far away from the tube as possible. Many head-aches are suffered here.

How does one fall asleep sitting up? Pure exhaustion. Poor Zach could not keep his eyes open.

Kate's new best friend, my new found babysitter, cousin Lauren. This sweetheart made my vacation that much more fun and relaxing.

If you could not find that "something" you were missing and you were sure it was in the house somewhere, rest assured Kate had it and was stashing it in her little hideout, the bathroom cupboard.

Another one of Zach's favorites, "Grandma's Store" where they trade coupons for treasures. This particular day he chose glow bands. His favorite trade by far though were his finger lasers, which were featured this last week in Travis Wall's dance on SYTYCD.

First ever McCall Olympics, or just a swimming race. Justin vs. Marnae vs. Casey.

Justin's favorite activity wake boarding. Also the cause of his worst crash and whip lash to date. Those darn edges, or attempts to get the biggest air. He's still learning...maybe it's better to attempt big air at the end of the summer and not the third day after a year long break.

Kate with cousin Heath. They had a love-hate relationship all week. He loved her and wanted to just play. Kate on the other hand sometimes wanted to share her toys, sometimes wanted to hug, but in the between times stuck out her lower lip and pouted like those Angelina Jolie lips of hers can! What a sass-o-frass! It is cute for now, but we are hoping she eventually grow out of her little "tude."

There he goes again pulling his face.

What a great vacation...hopefully it won't be our last for the summer.

Fun With the Cousins...

Now that we live closer to our cousins, we have been able to play with them. Zach has really missed this and Kate is learning to enjoy it. My sister Heather and her kids were in Utah for three weeks and we got to do some fun things with them. We went up to Silver Lake and walked around the trail. Zach was so excited when the boys came over to play at our house. They were the "Pirate Band"...you can imagine that Zach was in heaven given his obsession for music. It is so great when you can leave kids alone to play for hours and never hear a peep out of them because they get along so well.

It was Maddi's 9th birthday on the 1st of July and we were able to be there for that too. Before the party Zach and Kate were watched by Britt and the girls. They did not want to go home. I guess they will have to watch my kiddos more often. The kids loved her party. Zach especially loved the water balloon toss. He was prepared from the very beginning sitting, patiently waiting, with his shirt off.

Then on the 4th we went down to Aunt Ashlee and Uncle Paul's for a BBQ and to watch the fireworks at Thanksgiving Point. They have the perfect view from their yard. Zach borrowed Paul's work earphones to drown out the noise. He has never had to do this in the past, but on the flip side it was the first year he would actually hold a sparkler in his hand. He is such a particular kid. Kate on the other hand, grabbed hers right away. She is so daring for her age.

Now we are headed off to McCall, ID to play on the lake all week. The kids are so excited to see more cousins and go tubing! We got them new life jackets from Costco, and they are a hit. Zach wanted to sleep in his...he didn't, we told him it would squeeze him for too long. We are so mean huh?

Four Years Ago...

When we first started Dental School, Justin and I always talked about taking a trip after graduation, to get a break before the next chapter in our life started. I voted for some place tropical and he voted for Argentina, where he served his mission. We compromised and ended up in Exotic Island Park! Our friends the Broadbents invited us to stay in their cabin/house for the weekend. Okay so not really exotic and by no means anything close to South America, but we had so much fun! It was the perfect little getaway before Justin started his residency. We even got a visit from the Orr's. We have definitely missed these guys. It was so great to see them again.

The kids all back together again, ready to watch Bolt and eat popcorn

This is one of the last pictures Amy took of these two before they moved. I thought it was fun to see what a years difference made.

After the kids were in bed we played a little couples ping pong. We lost.

Me, Amy and Val

We were initiated into the annual Island Park trip with a visit to Big Jud's. They are famous for their 1 lb. burger. If you can finish the entire meal, burger+fries+drink, you get your picture posted on the wall of fame. They have since upped the burger to 5 lbs...can you imagine? Here's Justin's attempt to the 1 pounder. Are you kidding me? We split it.

We went boating. Cold but fun.

We took a little day trip up to Yellowstone Park. We saw a lot of geysers and hot pots, lost patience when waiting for Old Faithful to do its thing, and managed to see one animal up close.

Justin and Austen liked to disappear for a few hours here and there to fly fish and four wheel.

Thanks Broadbents. We loved it!

How Do I Pick...

From a handful of favorites? I asked Michelle to take some pictures of my kids before we left Philadelphia. I don't normally take pics of my kids at 18 months, but thought that Kate has changed so much that I better capture it before it disappears. It also gave us a chance to forever remember Valley Forge Park, and our time spent in Philadelphia while in Dental School. Thanks Michelle!