I HeArT SiDeWalk ChAlK!

I know that's kind of a silly thing to blog about it but it's true - I love it! When I was little, my friend and I would tear off pieces of sheetrock that her dad had laying around (naughty, naughty - I know) so we could draw pictures and hopscotch, now you can buy buckets of it and my kids use it to write the cutest messages!

This is a little message about my apparently spectacular pancakes!

Anna asked me to help her write this...

A message from Parker to Anna...

I can't leave out the fabulous drawings...

Happy Happy Birthday Anna Dear!

My sweet baby girl turned five today (sniff!). I can't believe how fast the time has gone. Every year seems to go by faster than the year before. There's no stopping it, there's no slowing it down - she's growing and I'll we can do is enjoy every moment of it - the good and the bad. Anna is such a joy to everyone who is lucky enough to know her and even those that just barely come in contact with her! There really is just something about her!

We had such a wonderful day! She's been wanting her ears pierced for a while now so before school we got them pierced. She's as tough as can be and barely flinched. However, I cried - just because I think she's so perfect, so absolutely beautiful that she doesn't need any enhancements, well, and because she's five.

After school she played with all the neighborhood kids and then family came over for dinner and cake and ice cream. She played with cousins and got tons of great presents. She's a lucky gal to be so loved! Mostly by her mom!

After the party ended, and everyone went home she just collapsed. The poor little thing was so tuckered from her big day!

I've heard kids grow while they're asleep. Is this true? If so, I'm off to wake her up! I just can't take any more growing up for now! No more vegetables either!! I love her just the way she is and I want her to stay little longer!

Happy Fall Y'all!

Today is one of my favorite days of the year! I start anticipating it as soon as Pioneer Day is over. Every September we take a drive through Willard and stop at Paul's Fruit Stand to buy local vegetables and fruit - it is the BEST place to buy local fresh goodies like squash, peaches, peppers, cantaloupe, watermelon, etc. Then we continue up towards Logan through Sardine Canyon (which is amazing this time of year!) and continue on to Porcupine to walk around, see the fall leaves, enjoy the cooler crisp air and see the salmon. I have years and years of memories up there! Today we went with my mom, my brother and his kids and had such a great time!

There were so many fish! It was neat witnessing nature in action while the salmon were trying to get up the little waterfall!

Well, this is it for now. We have a big day tomorrow. Miss Anna Banana is turning 5. YIKES!

She just keeps growing!

On Saturday Anna asked me to take the training wheels off her bike. I took them off and went in the house so I could change into some running shoes so I could help her and when I went back outside, she was gone - down the street and riding like a pro! Her best friend who's a bit older learned how and refusing to be the 'baby' of the street she just up and went. Determined? Competitive? Strongwilled? TO THE VERY CORE! Way to go baby girl! You are awesome!

State Fair

I LOVE the fair! I love the smell of the air, I love the demonstration booths, I love the animals, I love all the different foods - I love it all!

Parker, Anna and I went with my dad and Julie on Friday. We had such a great time! Thanks dad & Jules for the fun day! Here's a slide show of all our fun!

Student of the Month

Parker is Student of the Month! Each month his school picks two students from each grade who demonstrate the month's character trait which this month is responsibility. He was recognized by the principal at the spirit assembly and given a backpack with all kinds of goodies. He also gets to hang a poster about himself in the hall. I am SO proud of him for the example that he is. He IS responsible and cute and funny and smart and awesome.

I'm happy that he loves school and does so well! Thanks to Grandma Judie, Grandma Julie and Grandpa Terry for coming and making the day even more special!

What a big girl!

Anna has been counting down the days until she could go to school and she finally started yesterday! She was so excited! After I picked her up we walked to the library and then to pick Parker up from school and she told EVERYBODY that made eye contact with her "I started preschool today!".

People at the library, kids at Parker's school, the crossing guards. I'm glad that she's excited! I hope it lasts for the 18 years she has to go!

Anna and her friend, Kate!

She's such a cute girl! I love her and although preschool is short and only three days a week, I miss her when she's gone!

Goodbye Summer!

We ended our summer on our 4th annual camping trip to "the dirty spot" with our friends Tom and Krisha. We always have a great time and it's something we look forward to every Labor Day.
Parker and Anna obviously weren't thrilled about the foil dinners we had for dinner.

UNO Attack and Catch Phrase are two of our favorite games to play while we are there. Nice face, Park!

This year we had some visitors - a mama, daddy, and baby cow. This is the mama - she gave us the stink eye while the dad and baby ate. Then they took a nap just down from our site.

I forgot Anna's bag of clothes (thanks dad & Jules for making the drive and bringing them to us!) and we had to leave early because of the rain but all-in-all, it was a great trip!

Thanksgiving Point

Last week my sister-in-law invited Anna and me to go to lunch and Thanksgiving Point with them. The girls had a great time petting all of the animals and taking a hayride. What a beautiful fun little place!