Celebrate!!

We helped Gavin celebrate his first birthday today! I think he enjoyed the extra attention that was given to him for being the spotlight of the day. He had plenty of help opening and playing with his presents and blowing out his candle. He was the first of my kids to actually dig into his cake. Loved it!










A little more about our little guy:

His favorite foods include: cheese, yogurt, cucumbers, strawberries, grapes, and watermelon.
He makes a humming noise while he is concentrating on something.
He is attached to a blue and white blanket that Grandma Sherman made for him.
He loves it when his brother and sister play with him.
He loves playing outside on the grass, in the dirt, or in the water.
He loves dogs.
He continues to get a lot of attention because of his red hair.
We love his cheesy grins and booty dancing.
Gavin is such a happy little guy!

Happy Birthday!

On the way back to my parent's home tonight, we saw a double rainbow. Makenzie was soooo excited because she hasn't seen a real rainbow before-- at least one that she can remember. She jabbered about rainbows the whole way home. It was cute and worth capturing.

Hidden Creations

Mandy and I took our kids to hike the Kanarraville Falls today. This is an amazing hike that is only 20 minutes from home. The first time I discovered it, I was astonished at how beautiful it was. I have hiked it several times, but not since I have had children. When we first started hiking, I underestimated the skill level needed to accomplish the hike. I was a little nervous about our little ones making it the whole way, but they did great! They had so much fun!

The start of the hike:


Rock slide-weeeee!!!

Taking a break from the pack. By the way, did I mention I got the backpack for $10 on Craigslist?!?! Best deal ever!

Starting to get into the water. It wasn't the best idea to let Makenzie wear flip-flops. We almost lost her shoes in the water like ten times!



I had to capture this. Jordan is holding his shorts up so they don't get wet! The water was ankle deep.

Gavin loved walking in the water too!




We started getting into some slot canyons.... beautiful!


A ladder to go up the waterfall. We successfully made it up there with all four kids!




I love hiking with my kids. I need to do it more often. The only thing that would have made this day better was to have Tyler with us. We miss you. He is in Hawaii for 2 more weeks. I am Hawaii bound on Tuesday to see him!

24th of July

Since living outside of Utah for the last 3 years, I forgot that this day is a holiday due for celebration. We started out by having my dad take me, my sister-in-law, and a family friend out shooting. My dad is a gun activist and tries oh-so-hard to get his daughter who is completely uninterested in guns to get a little more interested. Well this past Spring after a possible home intrusion and feeling completely helpless, I'm open to a gun now. We went out and got a little practice.



I took the boys to the grand Enoch City parade. Ha Ha... it was a joke. But my Dad was riding a lawn mower in it, so it was fun to see him there.



Poor Gavin didn't like all the loud horns honking, so he settled for a sucker to calm his nerves.



I, of course, had to take advantage of my dad's borrowed riding lawn mower to mow the lawns. Jordan and Gavin both enjoyed the rides as well. I have taken it upon myself to do that while I was here for the summer. I have mowed those lawns ever since I could push a mower. I use to mow them for $12 a week... and it is a lot of lawn! I always begged to get a riding lawnmower and my dad always said when he had to mow them, then he will get a riding lawn mower. I really don't know why he hasn't yet, because he dreads mowing those lawns. I may have convinced him now to do it.

Gavin is walking!

And learning how to go down the stairs!

Utah at it's finest!

We had a family reunion with all my siblings. It takes effort to get us all together now. Here we are in age order: Dan, me, David, Adam, and Rebecca.


Here is just a handful of the cousins playing around.


Brennen and Gavin hit it off great! It was so fun to watch them play.


The kids all got a few rides on this. Who am I to let my daughter ride on that with just a swim suit on? At least she has a helmet on!



I took the kids out to the Three Peaks area to play on the rocks. They had so much fun! I had Gavin in a backpack and by the end he was getting bored. He started pulling my hair and found out I would give him a reaction. He was giving me these full belly laughs. I could only handle it for a few minutes before I had to take him off my back.

First week

We have only been gone a week and I've got so much to show-- this is really for Tyler who has had to miss this. Our hearts are empty without him!

We survived the plane trip.

Mostly because of this....


It was a treat having Grandma Sherman visiting from Arizona.

Tyler's mom's yard sale find... 120 Ponies! Makenzie has been in heaven.

One of the many uncles that Jordan gets to bug. This is Dan, my little bro.


Grandpa Sherman took the kids on their first fishing trip. Luckily everyone caught a fish in the first half hour, because they were done with it and ready to explore the area.


I turned my head and caught Jordan watering the bushes! I couldn't help but capture it on camera. He even said "cheese" for me!

This was Gavin's outdoor playpen. Gavin in the dirt by a lake did not work for me.


Makenzie and her cousin, Lexi, playing in the creek at the park. One of the many memories I had as a child!


Sorry for another bathroom shot with Jordan. I couldn't resist. He couldn't stop playing on the i-phone. He must have learned that from his Dad!

I had a morning playdate with just a few of my hometown friends. We will be friends for life!

To Makenzie's delight, my friend has horses!

House Jumping

I guess the good thing about living in so many homes is being able to know what you like and dislike about each home. When it is finally time to build our dream home, we will know exactly what we want. We got into our new rental home last week. I definitely like the floor plan a lot more than our other home. We've unpacked the basics and tied up any loose strings.

I am now here in Utah with the kids for 2 months. We left Tyler to study hard for one more week before he takes his board exam next Saturday. After that he has to do 3 months of active duty hospital rotations with the Army. He will be going to Hawaii, Washington, and Texas. One of these areas is what we will be calling home for the next 4 years after graduation in May. Tyler will be interviewing while he is there for their OB/GYN programs. Yes, Tyler has decided to become an OB/GYN!!! We will know in December where we are going.

So does that tell you what kind of wife I am-- allowing my husband to join the Army AND become an OB/GYN? When does life ever turn out the way you want? Life is good because they have been guided decisions. I know we will continue to find joy and fulfillment from these choices.

I'm so grateful to come home to see family and friends and all that is familiar. I have missed my hometown. My parents still live in the house that I grew up in since I was born. Last night I went on a jog in the neighborhood. It brings back many memories. I remember riding my bike the same three blocks I was running now and thinking it was so hard to make it up the small incline it made. We loved riding all the way back down to the house without pedaling to see how much speed we can gain and to see how far we could go before we stopped. I remember we rode our bikes up and down our street and would pretend all the mailboxes were gas stations or fast food restaurants with drive throughs. I remember the countless nights we played night games in our yard and basketball games in our driveway. I remember walking to elementary school just one block away for 6 years and always playing down there after school hours. It's fun to take my own kids down there now.

As I was running back home last night, I got to watch the sun set behind the 3-peak mountains. I love the sunsets and never get to see them where I am at now. It's breathtaking! I came home and enjoyed a forgotten Banana Creamie! Coming home has been a comfort food for my soul.