The best weekend ever...

Okay, so the best ever might be a bit of an exaggeration, but it was definitely one of the top five. We had so much fun on our rafting trip with friends and since we've been home I keep thinking about how nice it was to just hang out at the river and do some fun, intense rafting! Vanessa and Josh- you are "the bomb" for making that happen. Don't you think it should be a tradition?? Please say yes!

Do I look a bit nervous? I am! Rafting trip #2- Gunnel's, Meagan, Kyra, Grays and THE GUIDE (aka- Josh)

We had an adventurous trip down the river. On the fourth big rapid, we lost Josh, our guide, who is also our friend. I apparently only considered him our guide at this point though because apparently when he fell, or rather plummeted over the top of the raft out I started yelling "our guide our guide!" I guess I was in panic mode. And for a good reason- we were fast approaching huge rocks in the water as our "guide" was stuck under the boat and then being squashed between our boat and a big rock. However he was still shouting instructions from the water- when the wind wasn't being knocked out of him (So cool Josh) But, we didn't listen to the instructions very well and ended up on top of a gargantucous rock. I held on for dear life and watched helplessly as Meagan and Rich fell out. They were eventually pulled out and we made it the rest of the way without any other mishaps. Good thing, because the adrenaline was running thick for all of us. In fact, it was running so thick that I didn't register that I had been hit in the head with a paddle during the commotion and had a big bump on my head. The bump went down after a few hours, but I have had a headache since. So worth it though. We really did have a blast! I wish I had pictures of us jumping off the rocks and Dave rope swinging- but those images will have to live on in my head.

We were able to leave Ash and Tera with friends (Thanks Kati and Bekah) and just take Maz along for our little adventure. No, Mazzi did not go down in the raft. People keep asking me that. Matt and I took turns rafting down the river. Mazzi was able to hang out with her friend Mitch. She was loving his company! I know this is lame, but Matt and I have only been away from Tera and Ashton 3 or 4 nights ever. The night I had Mazzi, when my sister Sierra got married, and when Matt and I went to Catalina Island. We need to get out more! It is hard to go anywhere overnight when you don't have family nearby. But it was so nice just having Mazzi. Very relaxing. I think Mazzi was loving the time alone with her parents also.

White trash river baby- I can't believe she got in. This water was pretty cold.

Meagan helping out with Miss MazzAfter our rafting trip we went and hung out at the river and floated down in our vests. It was fun and entertaining as we tried to dodge the rocks and screamed (was that just me) because it was freezing and we kept hitting our bums on the rocks. I think Katie got it the worst.

So, I don't like this picture of me but think it is so funny because it reminds me of the pictures of the astronauts about to get on the space shuttle or something.

Watching the boys float down the river- Katie, me, Mazzi, Meagan and Mitch

The guys getting ready Matt, Rich, Rob and Dave

We didn't know if Rob was going to fit in his vest- but with teamwork- anything can be accomplished.

We played boggle while waiting for raft number one- Meagan, Marcie, Heather, Dave, Katie, Vanessa, Amy and Rich. Amy kicked all our butts- but if slang words were allowed Vanessa and Heather would have won fo' shu (for sure- I don't spell ebonics that is probaby wrong) Hilarious!

And chilling at the park with our malts. I thought malts were always better than shakes, but some flavors just taste weird as malts- like my cookies and cream one (aka as Oreo for Rob)

Amy, Katie, me and Megan

My Smiling Swimmer

Tera just finished taking swimming lessons from my friend Emily. Tera loved it and always had a huge smile on her face. She has become an awesome swimmer and I can't believe how quickly she caught on. Emily is a great teacher. We have a lot of summer swimming ahead!

Nana's Girls

Nana and Grandpa came up for a short visit. It was a nice little visit. I loved these pictures of Nana with Mazzi and how smiley Mazzi is.

Tera was in a silly mood when we were taking pictures. Nana got them these cute matching outfits. I love my girls in yellow.

Mazzi's new friend

Mazzi recently met a new friend- her reflection. She smiles and giggles and reaches for herself the whole time she is in front of the mirror.

Breakfast is served...

The other day when I was getting ready for church Ashton came upstairs and brought me breakfast. It was adorable! He had prepared it himself. The funniest part was the cinnamon toast. He cooked it in the microwave and it was hard as a rock. He picked the tomatoes and peas from our garden and cut them up. My little Ash is so adorable!

Not my son!

I got this note from the lady watching Ashton at the gyms Kids club. She handed it to me as I was teaching my class. I opened it and could not stop laughing! I went into kids club to discipline him and then returned and read the class out loud to my class telling them I could not believe Ashton would do something like this. It doesn't sound like sweet little Ashton does it?? I was glad to have this in writing so I can put it in his scrapbook. Proof from someone besides his mother that he is a handful! If you can't read the note it says:

Ashton is not paying attention calling me a liar, sticking his tongue out at me and calling kids names.

6 months

Mazzi Shaye is six months old!

Time is going by way too quickly with this little one. She is precious and makes my life that much more wonderful. I feel honored to have been chosen to be her mother and wish so badly I could slow down time. Why is it time DRAGS on and on when I am pregnant and miserable and then when I just want to enjoy my little baby girl- time speeds up? It makes me understand so much more the words from a song my Dad used to sing me- "Don't grow up too fast" Because babies and kids grow up way too quickly! Here's hoping the next six months don't go by as quickly. Just thinking about Mazzi turning a year old in such a short time makes me want to cry!

Free makeovers

Tera is offering free makeovers at our house. Makeover includes makeup, maicures and pedicures.
This week only you can also have your legs bedazzled with alphabet stickers.

*Other stickers availalbe (Dora, Scooby-doo, spider man, etc)
* Call Tera for details.

My Dads cooler than your Dad

I have always firmly believed that I have the coolest Dad ever (even when he has nasty facial hair- see picture below)
I know I am who I am today because of my Dad. Because he believed in me and helped me feel his love and the love of my Heavenly Father. He always had faith in me and saw the goodness in me- even as a snotty teenage girl. I have so many fond memories of my Dad and have always felt proud to be his daughter. He is smart and can figure anything out, he has a way of captivating people when he talks, he is good at everything he tries (racquetball, arm wrestling, knee-boarding, air chair, to name a few) I feel like he will always protect me and that I would never get hurt with my dad there, and he makes me laugh. I feel blessed to be his daughter and to have him as the grandpa to Matt and I's children. I love you Dad! Happy Fathers Day!

Happy Fathers Day!

Watching Matt play with the kids will always be among my favorite memories. The children are blessed to have a dad who takes the time to play with them. I asked the kids some of their favorite things to do with their Dad. Tera likes to kiss him and dance with him, go on motorcycle rides with him and roll the ball with him. Ashton likes to wrestle him, play kites with him and catch with him. We love you Matt!  Thanks for being a righteous leader in our home and for all you do for our family.

Dohney Beach

We had a great time camping with friends at Dohney beach a few weekends ago. It took me a while to get this post up because it took me this long to recover! 

Me, Matt and Mazzi (My face is not dirty- just sun burnt)

Mazzi loved hanging out by the campfire.

Ashton and Tera with friends Davis and Tatum at the rocks looking at crabs. 

Ashton, Tatum and Tera

Ashton and Mommy making silly faces at the campfire. Yes- Ashton is filthy! 

Mazzi was fascinated by the glow sticks we brought for the kids. 

Ashton and Tatum spotted some spiders in a tree.

I asked Tera to share her banana with Brendan. I thought she would break off a piece for him, but instead she gave him a bite, then took a bite, then gave him another. It was adorable!

Rich and Matt returning from surfing 

Ashton and Tera having fun with glow sticks.

Tera and Tatum as mermaids. This is always Teras favorite part. She could sit and be a mermaid all day long.

Each kid had a kite. Surprisingly we didn't have too many tangles. Ashton ended up losing his spider man kite and cried for a long time over that. It broke his heart. 

Mazzi discovered sand is awesome! She didn't eat any so I was proud of her. This is actually a very silly picture of her- but I love how happy she is to be sitting in the sand!

We had a great time with our friends and are grateful to be back and have all the stinky laundry done! Thanks Niki for planning a great trip!