I LOVE My Husband!!

So I came home from work on Wednesday and found this...

... you are thinking "No big deal, a fridge." But let me just say that we were out of tupperware because every piece we owned was crammed in the fridge full of leftovers! My husband (without me asking) cleaned it! That is why I love my husband!!

It is so clean you can see your reflection.

I am publicly declaring my "Thank You" to the best husband ever!

A busy month...

Madi has been working on her artwork. Her faces now include hair and the sides of the head. Maybe ears will be next.

Gioia's Birthday! We celebrated with a little backyard b-b-q, volleyball, and the girls went to a Lonestar concert. Good times as always.

Erin, Mom, Me, Gioia, and Nicki in the middle.

(We missed you Stacey... too bad you had to work.)

Mini Golf Date with the little munchkin

She golfs like her daddy... what a cheater!

Even a cheater deserves a kiss if he's cute.

A fun adventure at Pirate Island

Madi with her favorite Aunt Nicki

We said goodbye to our good friend and Madi's boyfriend!

John left us for sunny California... who can blame him.

Madi and Uncle Jared. Madi and John.

She misses her friend. She picks up the phone often and says, "I need to call John."

Kylie and Bailey Rock!

Kylie was my amazing student last year and her twin sister Bailey was in another class, but I like to pretend like she was my student too. Their awesome mom was also my Room Mother. Lucky me! Their entire family is wonderful, just the best kind of people I know. I am fortunate to call them all my friends. This month Madi and I went to watch the girls play soccer. They are so great, they both scored! Then a few weeks later Madi and I took them to see Kelsey play soccer for the BYU Women's team. I had a lot of fun! They are the best!

Kylie and Bailey

Can you find Madi?

Getting Kelsey's autograph

Wedding Flowers

I did my first wedding flowers (other than my own) for my friend Shay last December. The photos are not very close-up, but you get the idea. The Bride, Shay is way more beautiful than the flowers. Thank you Shay for being my "first".

I had my second attempt when I did the flowers for my cousins wedding last month and they turned out very beautiful, if I do say so myself! The pictures on the other hand, not so nice. Good thing I wasn't her photographer. When she gets her real pictures then I will post some better ones. I had so much fun making the arrangements, bouquets, corsages, and boutonnieres, thanks Breann.

So if you are getting married, or know someone who is contact me and I would love to do your flowers. I am gathering experience and adding to my portfolio... so get me while you can afford me because pretty soon I am going to be way out of your price range! Ha Ha!

San Elijo

We just experienced another great year beach camping. My family has been going every year since I was a little little girl. Each time we go the memories get better and better. I love spending this time with my family in one of my favorite places doing just about everything:

• Swimming
• Surfing
• Body Boarding
• Body Surfing
• Snorkeling
• Riding Bikes
• Bocee Ball
• Croquet
• Reading
• Talking
• Playing Cards
• Eating
• S'mores
• Campfires
• Laughing
• Digging Holes
• Football
• Napping
• Relaxing
• Sandcastles

... and just a little bit of sibling rivalry!

Kevin, Kade, PJ

Nicki and Madi

James

Stacey and Chris

Luke

Chris and Madi

Salt, sand and water makes great Bedhead

Lovely Ladies

Cheesie Pie

Madison and Luke

4th of July

I love the 4th of July because it is in the summer, the weather is always beautiful, and there are always lots of things to do with the family.

This year we started celebrating the 4th of July early. On Thursday the 3rd we went to Mount Timpanogos and hiked to the caves. None of us had been there and it was a steeper hike than we expected. Poor James hiked it with 50 lbs. of dead weight on his back: Madi 37 lbs. plus the carrier and snacks!! I felt bad, but he is such a stud he was still the first one to the top. After all, I married him for his bulging muscles. The hike was beautiful and the caves were amazing.

On the morning of the 4th my sisters and I woke up early at 5:45 and headed up Provo Canyon for our 11 mile run! We timed our running perfectly to end at the Freedom Festival Parade where My dad, James, Nicki and Madi were waiting. After watching a little of the parade we went home and mom had breakfast ready and waiting. We then headed to Seven Peaks Waterpark for a very relaxing and fun day. Following the waterpark was a B-B-Q at our house, cards, fire pit with s'mores, and sparklers. We didn't even watch the fireworks because we were more interested in stuffing our faces with the scrumptious s'mores!!

Ouray and Yankee Boy Basin

We just went on a weekend getaway to Colorado. It has been a long time coming. As we were driving there we realized the last time we were in Montrose was at Christmas. Jared was able to make the trip with us and we had a lot of fun with mom and dad. On Friday we went up to Ouray and walked around town. Madi had fun running up and down the streets, since she is finally big enough to go without being carried or in a stroller. We were going to hike up to a waterfall, but it started raining and James, Madi and I all had flip-flops on. Dumb Californians! Next time we will be better prepared. Here are some photos from the day...

Madi, Grandma and Grandpa Shores

Chris, Madi, and James

Possessed Madi

James, Madison, Christine

On Saturday we made the treacherous, but absolutely gorgeous drive up the canyon to Yankee Boy Basin. We tried to make this drive with my family when they were in Montrose for our wedding four years ago, but we didn't make it to the top. It is a really steep and narrow drive with no railing. My mom is afraid of "scary narrow dirt roads straight up the canyon with all of her beloved children in the car!" When we got to this spot and my dad squeezed my mom's Excursion under this overhang my mom convinced my dad that if he didn't stop he might be leaving Colorado a single man! Needless to say this is where we stopped and turned around.

This trip we made it to the top and hiked around for a bit then enjoyed some yummy snacks.

Madi and Daddy

Madison did a lot of this...

We saw more waterfalls than I could count. About every 1/4 of a mile on the drive up we saw one coming off the mountains and at the top of the basin there was a waterfall every couple of hundred feet! Some were big and beautiful and others were smaller and you could walk through them. Everything was so green and wet this time of year.

Jared, James, Dolly, Roger and Blue

Madi and her favorite dude, Uncle Jar-Jed

** No pictures of me on this hike... I was the designated photographer. I know you are all so sad, but don't worry... I will make an appearance soon :)