Summer Highlights

The first summer in Vegas we didn't know anyone and were trying to unpack the house. The second summer I was pregnant and wanted to cry just thinking about leaving the house in the heat. So this summer we are good to go finally!! Here are some of our favorite things we've been doing:
1. Have friends over to Swim
2. Go to the YMCA pool with slides
3. Weekly trips to the new library (we earned free passes to the Children's Museum by doing their summer reading program see post below)
4. The Children's Museum
5. Morning Devotionals (with help from the Gospel Art Kit)
6. Earned lots of points from the summer points program (Thank you Lisa), to redeem for hours of video game playing, trips to get ice-cream, play dates, TV time, and stay up late nights.
7. Went to the Drive in to see "UP" with two other fun families
8. Jared and I enjoyed a fun night out at the Outdoor theatre with some other couples seeing a friend from our ward star in the "Buddy Holly Story". It was an awesome night and show....we may take the kids to see something there its a fun atmosphere!!

Children's Museum of Las Vegas

Las Vegas isn't the most kid friendly city, so I'm always excited to discover something new that is great for kids. The Children's Museum was a great find! My kids went crazy exploring. It was a fun outing together. This is what they learned:
Living in a bubble for 5 seconds is really cool
Blowing giant bubbles never gets old
Pretend airports and pretend security are much more fun than in real life Grocery shopping for a family of seven is really fun (what's mom always complaining about??)

All about snot, vomit, urine, and sweat at the "Human Grossology" exhibit
Who the best baby in the whole world is
How handsome Jake is when climbing on the plane that says "No Climbing on please!!"
How to put out some fires
How to change a tire like a real mechanic
What 70 mile per hour hurricane winds feel like
How to defy gravity with the use of our big muscles!

Happy early birthday to me!

I'm so excited about my early birthday present from Jared. I love pink and the cool designs on it. Its like I picked it out myself.....oh yeah I did!

Lake Mead

We made our first trip out ot the lake monday night for FHE. I finally got to enjoy the boat. Last summer pregnant was not very much fun!! We wake boarded because it was so choppy....it may be my new obsession. Its been 8 years since I did it last. Now I'm shopping for wakeboards!! Happy Boaters

Cole-man at 8 months

After being a sweet natured perfect little baby for 7 months, Cole took a turn for the grumpy this past month. We were about to throw in the towel when last week he finally popped through his first two bottom teeth. The very next day....back to sweet natured Cole. Thank goodness! What a character. Oh yeah and he started crawling the very same week. Look out world he's trying to pull himself up to furniture too!
I spend a lot of time doing this if mom and dad aren't holding me
I chew on everything
I always stick my tongue out
I love to scrunch my nose up like this and breath quickly
I love to cuddle with mommy

Jake turns 6!!

Mom says this about me at six:
I am very energetic and always know how to have a good time
I love video games
I love hanging out with Carter playing video games, and pretend playing with Josh and Hanna
I like to do flips into the pool and also on the trampoline. I taught myself how to do them!
I have memorized up to number 8 in the Articles of Faith and sometimes I say this when I'm play sword fighting with Josh "Stop that or you'll be punished for your own sins and not for Adam's Transgressions!"
I like to eat pasta, french toast, scrambled eggs, Cookie Crisp, and popsicles
I like Bionicles and Pokemon
I learned how to ride my bike without training wheels this month
I learned how to read in kindergarten
I like to carry Cole around with my big muscles
I shower all by myself now
I am a sweetheart, sensitive and give the best hugs
On my real birthday we had a donut tower for a cake and I asked for french toast for my birthday dinner! When I eat french toast my family claims I inhale it. I love it so much that I eat it fast
My present pile!! I get to open one in the morning before Dad goes to work and then the rest are for the party at night when Dad gets home.
A new Tony Hawk helmet to go with my new black scooter
A DS game I've wanted

The Party!
Dad made me this super cool Mario cake that I asked for

We had lots of fun with water: hot potato with a water balloon smasher, sponge relay, egg on the spoon relay, tiny water balloons, big water balloons, and dump water on everyone. We also broke a pinata.


Mommy and Daddy say that 11 (5-6) year old boys at one party is too much, but what do they know??? I had so much fun!
Spider man spin art --it has glow in the dark paint, music and is really fun
Each boy got to take home one of these Hawaiin punches with a balloon attached and their candy from the pinata.

Miracle Baby

This is Maylan with her Dad, Jared's brother. Maylan is four days older than Cole which makes her 8 months. You wouldn't know it from the smile that is always on her face, but she has spent a good portion of her life in and out of the hospital and at the Dr.s office. We were all saddened to learn when she was two weeks old that she had many problems with her heart. Thankfully she is a fighter and deeply loved by two sets of grandparents, two amazing parents, and numerous cousins, aunts and uncles who have all been fasting and praying for her.
But before I can tell you more I have to catch you up on the miracles that have occured to get her to the point of sitting in grandma's living room two weeks ago with us all ooohing and ahhhing over her every smile and coo!
Last summer over the fourth of July, Heather and I were sharing pregnancy whoas and complaints. It was fun to be pregnant together and expect little cousins together. We were all a little shocked that right out of flight training, Jason (Jared's brother) got stationed at Hill AFB. They had hoped to go over Seas and enjoy some traveling while their kids were young. In hind sight we can see why they got stationed at Hill. They have needed constant support from family members who live in Ogden.
Another small miracle was that Jared happened to be flying into SLC the day Maylan was diagnosed with all her problems for his older brother's 40th surprise birthday party. He was able to be there and help his family understand what the Dr.'s were saying and to comfort his mom and brother.
Next the surgeon at Primary Children's hospital that was overseeing Maylan's case was suddenly diagnosed with cancer and forced into retirement. At first her parents were dissappointed and sad. However after sharing her case around the country with many pediatric cardiologist teams, and finally getting a positive reply from a cardiologist team in Michigan, we believe she was put in the best surgical hands possible for her rare and unique heart.
She most recently traveled across the country and underwent open heart surgery (at 7 months old) in Ann Arbor Michigan. It was a scary and faith promoting experience hearing what they had to do for this little girl. She was accompanied by her parents, 3 year old brother, and two sets of grandparents ready and willing to do anything for her. After spending 5 weeks in Michigan everyone flew home. They were only home for a few days when Grandma Anderson's condition dramatically turned for the worse and she passed away. Karyl (Jared's mom) was home from Michigan and able to be there by her side as her mother passed away. Another small miracle that tells me that the Lord's hand is defintely guiding and watching over this special little girl.
A few days after Grandma Anderson's funeral, we all finally got to meet sweet Maylan. We had to remain 4-5 feet away from her at all times (she's susceptible to germs). She sat on a blanket in the middle of the floor while 12 cousins and some uncles and aunties watched her every move. She smiled and played and acted like a very healthy and normal 8 month old baby. What a testament to all those little cousins who have been praying for this little girl that prayer works and that Heavenly Father has a plan for every one of us. We love you Maylan.....keep getting stronger so we can hold you and hug you soon!!

Great Grandma Anderson

We had the opportunity to go to Utah and attend Jared's Grandmother's funeral last week. The kids know her as the great grandma who is sick and sits in her special chair when we visit. She has battled Alzheimers and Parkinson Disease for about 8 years. It was a beautiful service and she looked so amazingly peaceful. It was neat to have our older kids go to the funeral and learn so many fun things about grandma before she was sick.
I happened to look back and see this moment of Grandpa saying goodbye. It was heart breaking. Jared's Grandpa has perhaps taught me more about the pure love of Christ than anyone I've ever known. ( he's not active in any religion) He has lovingly taken care of Grandma for years. I've seen the love he has for her as he has touched her hand and talked softly to her. The most valuable thing he has taught me over the years is how to completely LOVE someone, more than yourself, more than anything else. It reminds me of one of my favorite quotes: "The only things worth doing in this life are the things we do for others". Knowing them has made me want to strive to have that kind of love for Jared and my children. Jared was honored to be a Pall Bearer
Carter and Hanna did well during the funeral, but seeing as it was their first experience with death, they were both very sad

It actually was very rainy in Utah while we were there. My hair is looking especially rained on in this photo.

Jared's sister Colette and two darling daughters Ellie and Leah

Disney Cousins

Here are a few of the cutest cousin shots at Disney land that my sister Kandra took. She takes great pictures and wasn't holding a baby all day when we were with cousins, so she got some great pics!
Hanna, Hunter, Jake
Cole looks just like Carter did in this picture
Harrison, Brandon, Carter

"Trek ies"????