Summer break is almost here!

Life has been pretty busy lately. I can't believe summer break is approaching next week. I am excited to start a new schedule around here and have my kids around more. I have to keep reminding myself to enjoy them now while they are young. I love the ages my kids are at right now. I know this time with them is not going to last forever. This summer Mallory will continue with her swimming lessons, Troy is going to play baseball, and Lindsie is going to play tennis! I am so grateful that I can give my children the opportunity to do so many fun things. Rick and I plan to mountain bike a ton, and waterski every chance we get. I have a couple of races I am looking forward to -- Ragnar relay and Hobble creek 1/2 marathon. I also want to do the Scofield Triathlon. I'm sure we will be going out to Last Chance a lot, as the lake is getting so close to being done. I can't believe how good it is looking out there. I am not a visual person, and I can now visualize what it is going to look like. Right now they are working on shaping the shore lines to the perfect pitches. We are going to line the shores with really nice sand so the kids (and adults) can play on the beach. I can't wait until it is done. We are going to have a life time of family memories out there!

With the weather so nice last weekend, the kids had a blast running through the sprinklers and having water fights. Lisa and I soaked up the sun and supervised the fun!

We celebrated Meg's, Jeremy's, and Lindsie's May birthdays at Grammy and Grampy's house on Sunday.
Spencer's cool new glasses!
Lindsie was so excited to get three more webkinz to add to her collection!

St. George

We had a blast at the St. George Triathlon, or I guess I should say most of it was a blast! It was VERY windy, so windy they ended up cancelling the swim. Unfortunately, they cancelled it after my group had already started swimming. Needless to say, I made it about 1/2 way and had a boat bring me back to shore. I didn't feel like drowning that day. The great part was the bike and the run. It was my first race on my new road bike that Rick gave me for Christmas. I loved it! The run was really cool -- it was mostly on sand and rocks and there was a very challenging hill. It made me realize I want to do some more of these races, and hope for better water next time. I did the race with Tanya, Jay, Kristi, J.D., Brett and the Warrens. It was fun to have so many friends there with me. Also, a huge thanks to Grandma and Grandpa for taking the kids Friday night and all day Saturday. Its great to have such great grandparents!
I forgot my camera at the race, but I took a picture of my bib and medal (yes, that was really my number. I was a little embarassed at times :]).


Brent is always so nice to let us invade his home. He has such a beautiful place down there to stay. I'm not sure who had more fun with the nerf guns -- the kids or the adults. There were styrofoam nerf darts flying everywhere all weekend long.






We were also able to fit in some mountain biking while we were there. We went on the Bear Claw Poppy Trail and had so much fun. I think I laughed most of the way down. While we were all at the triathlon, Rick went and tried out the Gooseberry Mesa ride and absolutely loved it. Then, on Sunday, Rick and Brent took Troy and Lindsie mountain biking and Mallory and I went to the pool!

Guess who??

Who is this cute kid hiding behind all the motorcycle gear? Lindsie! She was right, she was the next to get a motorcycle.

She and Troy have been having so much fun riding around together. We can't wait to take them out to Last Chance for them to ride.

Motorcycle time

Troy just got his first motorcycle! He has been begging for one for a long time now. His wish finally came true. We surprised him with a little Honda 50 bike. He was so excited.
Zach and Mark came over and helped him get all ready for his first ride. He had so much gear on, I don't know how he didn't just fall over -- the gear weighs more than he does. Anyway, he did great. He got right on and started riding like he had done it before. Now, he wants to spend every waking moment riding.
It was funny when Grammy came over and said the bike was just her size. It was the perfect fit for little Grammy.

Lindsie wasn't sure if she was going to like it or not ... she got on and was instantly convinced she is getting one too.

Spring Break

Lisa and I took the kids to St. George for spring break. It was perfect because her family couldn't go at the last minute and we didn't have any plans, so we joined her. Rick and Jason had to stay home and work, so Lisa and I and the six kids all piled into our suburban. The kids were great on the way down, thanks to the latest technology -- car DVD players. They all had their head phones on and watched movies all the way down. It made for a nice quiet ride for Lisa and I.
We left the cold/rainy weather in Saratoga and enjoyed the warm sunshine of St. George. The kids had a blast swimming in the pool.



One night Troy and Caden turned into Captain Underwear!



It's always so much fun with the Erskines. The kids all get along so well, they never even got bored once. Lisa was a little bit difficult to get along with she was really moody (PMS) -- Just kidding:) Lisa was great. She is always so much fun to be with. I love that we can talk on the phone for hours or spend five days together and we never run out of things to talk about. We watched Juno one night and had a few laughs! We even got a babysitter who used to live in Saratoga, but now lives in St. George, to babysit two of the nights. We had fun shopping at the outlets and going out to dinner. Tara was there with her family, and we stole her for one of those nights (thanks Bubba for letting her come). I saw Bubba and Tara out running one morning -- it was such great weather. I didn't recognize Bubba because he didn't have Trouble with him. He was running so fast, I couldn't catch him, but I'm pretty sure it was him :)
Thanks Erskines for making our Spring Break the best!!

Mallory's 3 year check-up

Well, Mallory passed her 3 year well visit with the doctor. She is a healthy, happy 3 year old. It's fun to be Mallory's mom. She has got to be the funniest kid ever. She loves life and lives it to the fullest. At the doctor's office, she needed one immunization. When the nurse came in, Mallory was so excited to think she got to sit up on the exam table on the "paper." Mallory closely watched as the nurse prepared the needle. Most kids at this point would be screaming bloody murder, but not Mallory, she was intrigued by the whole process. She watched as the nurse stuck the needle into her thigh and put on a Curious George bandaid. Mallory proudly said, "Oh, thanks so much for the Curious George bandaid" with total enthusiasm in her voice. I said "so, Mallory, did that hurt?" and she replied, "no, it felt gooooood." Life is always an adventure with Mallory!

Thanks to Jenn for snapping this priceless moment! How would it be to feel so comfortable walking around in your underwear and a feather boa!

Mallory turned 3!!

Our sweet little Mallory is now 3 years old.



We had a fun family party. She loved swinging on the swing with Uncle Jeremy, or as Mallory would call him, "uncle Lester" Meg had a picture of Jeremy and said that it was taken "last year" and Mallory thought she said, "It's Lester." Ever since then, Jeremy's nick name is Uncle Lester. Sorry Jeremy, I hope you plan to answer to Lester for many years to come!


Grandma and Grandpa gave her a new Cinderella dress she had to put on right away!


She got lots of fun new toys from everyone! Thanks to a great family -- we love getting together as often as we can. The cousins have fun playing together. Rick and I are so fortunate that both my parents and Rick's parents get along so well, they actually enjoy each other. It makes for a lot of family fun!

All of Mallory's Princess friends came to her castle to celebrate with her!


It wouldn't be a princess party without a castle cake!

Princess Kenlee, Princess Mallory, and Princess Emery
London Bridges falling down. Princess Cali loved being "locked up"


Lindsie and Nicole had fun helping with the party!




Thanks to all the beautiful Princess girls for making Mallory's party so much fun!

Janessa's Birthday

On Sunday we went over to Barry and Michele's for Janessa's 13th birthday. We had fun talking about when she was born and what a cute baby she was. I can't believe she is already 13!


It was so exciting watching her open her present from Grammy and Grampy. Janessa is a huge Jazz fan and my parent's neighbor is Darren Williams. They got her an autographed picture of him signed personally to Janessa. She was so excited. Mallory was excited too, she said "wow she got a picture of a guy."

Troy's latest and greatest

Troy saved his money and bought a rip-stick. He has had so much fun learning how to do it. He figured it out pretty fast and has had a blast boarding with his friends.