Way too long...

I know it's been way too long since i've posted, and it will probably be a few weeks until i'm ready to catch up. But yes we still exist. Here is one picture for proof!

A few from our Vacation...

We wanted to get a few family pictures when we were at the beach and I volunteered my awesome sister in law to snap a few...little did I know that the dress I picked out would make my arms look like the size of elephant trunks, and the lighting was not great...but we did manage to get a couple.

This is my favorite, they are best buds.

These next 2 are telling of what the kids did all vacation.


Brigham ran in and out of the waves for hours on end. He loved being in the ocean.

Max just chilled on the beach and smoked cigarretes, jk. Really he was too excited that he had a massive sandbox that the ocean wasn't that appealing to him. He found some disgusting stuff in that sand, but he loved every second of it. I'm still cleaing sand out of his ears.

Happy Mothers Day!

I love you Mom, for so many reasons. But especially because you are the best grandma these kids could ever ask for!

Marley and Me Trauma...

We watched "Marley and Me" as a Family tonight. We thought it would be fun for the boys to see it since they love my Dad's dog, Sioux. I had seen it before and bawled the last 20 minutes. Anyone that has loved a dog before has to cry at the end of that show, it's just sad. And it doesn't help that the dog I grew up with was a yellow lab as well. So yes I knew the ending, but every time Brigham saw a commercial for the show he would just laugh. Well let's just stop justifying and get to the point, my 3 yr. old bawled the last 20 minutes of the show. Seriously, it was the sweetest and hardest thing I have ever had to watch. Who does that to their 3 year old? And I really shouldn't be surprised. I know my child, I know how high strung and super thoughtful and sensitive he is. I guess I just didn't realize how old he really is. I didn't think he would really grasp the concept of death. When my Grandma died a couple of months ago we had several talks with Brigham about death and the resurrection. Sure he could repeat what we had just told him but didn't feel like he could grasp that whole thing yet. Well apparently he can and he did. Maybe it hit too close to home because of his love for Sioux. The worst part is, is that its not like we turned off the movie and all was forgotten, like we as adults tend to do. He continued to cry several different times as the night wore on. And his bedtime prayers were practically dedicated to Marley, and yes he cried as he prayed. But it really isn't all sad. He reminded us that Marley went to heaven and will come back alive when Jesus comes again. And even though we will miss Marley we will see him again.

# 1 on my to-do list -teach my children the importance of Easter Sunday before Easter.....check.

Cameron caught these with his cell phone. The boys and their Marley (Sioux).

3 Shout Outs!

1. To my beautiful Mom whose birthday was last week. It was her first birthday without her mother here and I know it was hard for her but she is amazingly strong. She is always positive no matter what life throws at her (which seems to be a whole lot lately). I love you mom, you are the BEST! We are all so blessed to have you in our lives!

2. To my brother Denis (on the right) who got his mission call a few months ago and I haven't mentioned it on here yet. I'm not a great sister. He is going to South Africa and leaves in the middle of May. He doesn't even have to go to the MTC in Provo, he gets to head straight to South African MTC. Denis is hilarious and sweet. He's been so helpful lately and we will miss him so much, especially my kids. We know he will do great though! Love you Denis!

3. Last but not least my brother Kenny who also received a mission call last week to Mexico. At age 23 that can be an even harder decision to make, especially because it's his second time around but we are so proud of him and know he will do great too! Kenny leaves the middle of July. He has the biggest heart I have ever seen and can ONLY see the good in people. We love you Kenny!

How exciting to have two brothers out at the same time....there is just no greater gift they could give to my boys either than to set an example like that! Actually I should say 3 brothers, Quinn (Cameron's brother) is out already serving in Taiwan. We are so blessed!

Oh and I better throw in this last shout out to my brother and my sister in-law and their two sweet kids in Iowa. They just found out they get to move back home to Utah for a year! WAHOO! My kids are so excited to have their cousins around for a little while, even if they do have to move to Michigan after. Mike graduates from Medical School this May and starts his residency this summer. Congratulations you guys!