Cousins come to play!

On Saturday, the cousins came to play. We have tons of raspberries at our house and there is no way to eat them all. I called Tricia and asked her to come with the family and get all the raspberries they want.  The kids had a fun day playing on the water slide, eating lunch and playing inside. It was a perfect day to have some family fun.

The cousins all lined up!

God Bless America

I love America. 

Yesterday, Matt and I woke up early to take a 3 mile walk. It was a beautiful morning with blue skies and birds chirping in the trees. When we got home we woke up the kids and got ready for our stake 4th of July breakfast. 

When we got home from that, Matt and I took Gannon with us to Goodwill to buy some "rodeo shirts". We had a fun picnic in the later afternoon and then rested until we took off to St. Paul for the RODEO. I used to go to rodeo's as a young girl and so I have always wanted my kids to go and enjoy one. This year was perfect timing to go to the rodeo. When we arrived at the rodeo, I felt excitement in the air. I loved seeing the horses, the smells, the noise, the announcers voice. What an exciting place! We ended the night watching fireworks at the rodeo. 

We are so blessed to live in the land of the free and the home of the brave. 

I love the USA.

We made homemade raspberry ice cream for lunch.

Oh so gooooood!

Carter, Paige and I eating ice cream.

Hot dogs and hamburgers.

Relaxing on the lawn at home.

Just having arrived at the rodeo.

Matt giving our tickets to the ticket guy.

We had great seats close to the shoots.

We sat there for 4 hours. The kids did awesome.

Bull riding is my favorite event. The kids really liked it all.

This was our comfy location.

Paige watching the fireworks.

We had a great evening at the St. Paul rodeo.

My Birthday

I just celebrated another birthday. I have wanted to go to the Portland Saturday Market for years now.  Matt and I planned a short trip down there with the kids on Saturday. I could have spent the whole day there but the kids weren't crazy about it. Matt and I will have to go another day. After that we headed to the Portland Rose Garden's. They had an awesome play structure that the kids played on while we ate a picnic lunch. It was a great day! On my real birthday, Matt made me a wonderful BBQ dinner and lemon pudding pie for dessert.

Eating elephant ears and corn dogs.

Standing in front of the famous VooDoo doughnuts.

Rose Gardens.

The kids really enjoyed playing at the park for lunch.

After the Rose Garden we started to head home and I saw a second hand store that I have been wanting to go to. Matt dropped me off and I ran inside. I was so excited to find this B. Makowsky handbag. I have wanted one of these handbags for a few years now. I immediately asked the cashier if I could look at it. I bought it without hesitation. It has double straps, which I love. It is an amazing handbag. Yeah for second hand goodies.

Matt bought me a hair magazine, lilies and gave me cash to go get some things that I have wanted. 

My lemon pudding pie.

The kids don't like raspberries on pie so Matt put it on our half of the pie.

Right before my birthday, we had a celebration for our fitness instructor who is moving away.

We are very sad. She has been a great instructor.

Bailey gets baptized

We celebrated Bailey's baptism this weekend. To start everything off, we went and got her ears pierced. Madalyn and I took her to the mall and watched as she joined the pierced ear CLUB. Her earrings look so pretty.  I got my ears pierced when I was 5 years old, so I couldn't wait until Bailey said that she wanted to get her ears done. You don't have to ask me twice.

The next day was her baptism. She was so excited that she kept counting down the hours. Both grandparents came, Darren and Tricia, Jennifer and Michael, Ashlee and Jeff and all of the cousins. It was a beautiful night. 

Bailey getting ready for her ears to be marked with a marker.

She is wearing earrings!

Madalyn flew to Utah to go to EFY the day of Bailey's baptism so we took this picture before she headed to the airport.

Grandma and Grandpa Newell bought Bailey her baptism dress.

We are not complete without Madalyn.

Cousin Katelyn and Bailey.

Grandparents.

Right before the baptism.

Friends from church and cousins.

Jen and Mike with B.

Afterwards, we had a dinner in the gym. Everyone pitched in and made delicious food.

Thank you everyone.

After the baptism we returned home to open some gifts.

Bailey got scriptures, stickers, marking pen, hymn book, bag, watch and a CTR ring.

Hanging out on the couch.