Lake Powell Again!!

Our second week in Lake Powell was in August and it was quite a bit warmer this time. In fact, it was HOT. It seldom cooled down at night. Thank goodness for air conditioning. I don't know how we survived without it before. The water was beautiful and warm. Just nice enough to keep us cool in the day. It was another wonderful trip with our family and strengthened our bonds even more. We are so blessed.Me, Tyce and Bella looking hot and keeping cool.(There are no beauty contests at Lake Powell thank goodness!)
Lacy, Katy Jayne, Casey, Me and Megs taking care of my pops. (Looks good for 50, Huh?)

This is just one of the many beautiful pictures at the Lake.

More pics of my sisters and Mom. I guess Megs and I were the only ones who got the Jazz hands memo. Leave it to us to throw something crazy in there.

Everyone but my Dad on the houseboat. We love it! And I love all of them. Can't wait until next year.

Bella"s Blessing Day

Bella was blessed by her daddy on June 7th in the Highlands 1st ward in Eagle Mountain, Utah. We had lots of family and friends come to support us. Bella slept most of the day. We were able to really enjoy her on her special day. She looked so beautiful in her blessing dress and I even loved the sweet headband that added a little color to all the white. She has been such a good baby and a blessing in our family's lives. The boys still love to hold and kiss her. Tyce tells me all the time, "Mom, I love her."

She is so pretty!

Go Army!

Rebecca, my good friend and hilarious neighbor called the other morning to see if we wanted to go watch a special forces team jump out of airplanes. The boys were totally excited especially when I told them we could stop at Maverik and buy donuts and chocolate milk for breakfast.

Trey, Laurel, Trevon and Tyce in front of the medic truck.

We got close enough to this helicopter that we could feel the wind from the propeller. Tyce really wanted to ride. I told him maybe someday. Even if they would have let us, I wouldn't have gotten on that thing.

We were super close to where they parachuted down. We learned by accident that we weren't supposed to go into that wheat field unless we had on a helmet. It was a really cool eperience and now the boys want to be "U.S. Army guys" instead of Jedi's (for the moment). Thanks for thinking of us Bec.

Lake Powell

I Love Lake Powell!!! What a great way to start the summer. The weather was great, the water a little cold but swimmable. A couple of showers but mostly sunny. There are so many things to do at the lake....

Build a fire..(LP 2009)

Look cute...(Bella went out of the house boat once and never got in the water but we just had to take pics of her in her new suit.)

Jump on the houseboat.....

Jump off the houseboat....

Float in the water.....

Play Baseball....

Go boating with Grandpa..... (The kids looked forward to their morning ride with their Grandpa Ted)

Catch fish.... (Trey did this all day, every day.)

It was such a great vacation! I can't wait to go back in August.

A new baby, 3 birthdays and 1 knee surgery

It's been a busy month for all of us. On top of our sweet addition to the family we celebrated three birthdays in the last 2 weeks. Mmm watermelon from Costco is delicious and a great birthday treat.
Trevon is sporting his new goggles. I will teach him how to wear them before he actually gets in the water. Trevon asked for a "Rocky" (Balboa) birthday but I told him I was having a hard time finding "Rocky" party accessories so when we woke up the morning of his birthday he told me he was having a Shrek birthday and he wanted a Shrek cake. Luckily the party store I went to had all their Shrek stuff 80% off. Good choice Trev. We will do Rocky next year.

Brook also had another ACL repair last Friday. Everything went well and better than anticipated. He is a trooper. Looks worse than it really is. That's me talking but he has not let it slow him down much. He had to have it done now so he can be back on the field by Fall. (Men and their sports.)

Doesn't he look great. He's always a little loopy after surgery and I love to play with his mind. He may even be funnier than when he is sober.

Trey's birthday just happen to fall on video game day. How lucky is he. So we went to Olive Garden and then came home and had cupcakes and played Mario Cart as a family.

The cutest 7 and 5 year old I have ever seen. They are good boys too.

The 7 only looks backwards to you. This was the second lighting of candles. Tyce snuck in and blew out the first round. Trey did not think it was as funny as the rest of us.

This is my little Bella. Isn't she beautiful. Such a good baby too. She is growing too fast but it is fun to watch her change. She is not holding that bird on her hand it just looks like it.

I had to throw this one in. I asked Tyce to keep an eye on Bella while I went in the other room for a minute. I wasn't gone that long and this is how I found him. He always wants to be as close to her as he can get. I am so glad he loves her.

I think she loves him too.

Barbies??

This is why you have to be careful who you let your kids play with. The Young's are our friends and they have, in the last year or so, adopted my son Tyce as their own. He would rather be there than home and is completely comfortable in their family. I'm sure they spoil him rotten while he is there and that is ok. Teasing them the other day when they offered to take him, I mentioned that he learns bad things at their house.(he really doesn't) So I get this email from Brannon the next day asking if this is what I meant by learning bad things. I asked Tyce about it and he said, "I played with the brown one and Carson got the white one." I actually love this picture and think it will be great as he gets older to threaten him with when he misbehaves as a teen. I did tell Brannon that I am glad that his kid is holding the topless Barbie.

I have a daughter!

On April 7th at 4:20 am Bella Grace Talbot joined our little family. She was immediately loved and adored by her 3 older brothers. They are still very much in love with her. Trevon tells me every day that she is cuter than the cutest flower. They are so sweet and gentle with her. I can only hope this continues as she gets older. I have a feeling she will be wrestled and tackled more than she will like.

Bella was 7 pounds 4 oz and 19 in long. Labor was quick and painful but all very worth it. I would do it again just to remember the joy of finally having her in my arms. I hope I will never forget what it is like to go through labor and delivery. I know it sounds crazy but i am grateful for those experiences. She has great skin still even after 2 1/2 weeks. She eats well and sleeps great and loves to have her hair washed. I can't imagine our family without her.