Our Trip to Utah. . . NOW BOARDING!

Usually when we make our trip out to Utah Rob drives out with us, gets a round trip ticket so he doesn't miss too much work, flies back out, and drives us home. This year we tried something a little different. As we were planning our trip and looking at flights for Rob, we noticed that there wasn't going to be that much difference between the cost for us to fly or drive with gas prices the way they are. Especially when you consider the worth of NOT driving in the car with 5 kids for 12 hours (each way). So Rob sacrificed his trip to Utah to work on the wood floors, but we didn't tell the girls we were going to fly. The girls were really bummed when they found out that Rob wasn't going to be going to Utah with us. They kept saying it wouldn't be as much fun without him there (which he totally ate up!) and they were really concerned about him being sad about getting left behind, but he kept telling them that if they were good and would be happy, he would give them a surprise before they left that would make their trip "go by really fast". They had been pestering us for a couple of years about wanting to go on an airplane. We didn't tell them until the morning we left. We gave them each a boarding pass in an envelope - they were SO excited!

Saying goodbye to daddy for 18 days! :(Madison had the hardest time with leaving Rob behind. Here she is when we got to our gate already on the phone with Dad.
Madison and Ashlyn were really great about helping me keep track of Kennedy and Mckinlee, and keeping Jaxton happy. With two strollers and a car seat, I was really glad I had their help.

Keeping Mckinlee entertained was a challenge!Jaxton, always a perfect angel flying. This was his third airplane ride!
We made it! Defininately the way to go!
We've spoiled ourselves on all future trips to Utah!

A work in progress...

Rob and I decided we were going to attempt to put in hard wood floors ourselves. I got a little anxious and just wanted that carpet out of there. So, we decided we would get a head start on all the prep work so we would be all ready to glue when the wood came. I can't believe we started ripping our carpet out and taking the baseboards off before we even bought the wood. I didn't realize it would be two weeks before we would actually get the wood! We were told it would be a couple of days! The first week of living on concrete floors wasn't too bad, but after that it got a little old. Laying our first row... It was very exciting!!
Just cruising along... We were trying to get as much done together as we could before I left for Utah.We had lots of little helpers!

MCR Night with the Stockton Ports

*Sorry, I'm back tracking a little here. There was a couple of things I wanted to post before our trip to Utah, but wasn't able to because of our computer crashing.

Each year Rob's work buys tickets and invites the employees with their families to dinner at a Stockton Ports baseball game. We all made it out this year, and had a great time (even though it's the Minors). The girls were especially impressed with the Ports Mascot (what is that, anyways?)

Last day of dance

Madison and Ashlyn's last day of dance before summer vacation. Even Ashlyn, Kennedy and Mckinlee got to participate in Madison's Jazz and ballet class! Good thing they have such a fun ,easy going teacher because I couldn't keep them off the dance floor. It definitely made it a lot less stressful for me for the two hours.

Lots of catching up to do!!

I have so much to post I don't even know where to start! My computer crashed about a month ago and I finally just got it back this week. That's my main excuse. Also it's been a busy summer, we've had lots going on. Hopefully I'll find time to update soon. We just got back from a three week stay in Utah. So, sorry if I get a bit carried away with posting pictures. I love taking pictures!

Look what I can do!

Jaxton started sitting up all on his own last Sunday. He's growing up way too fast!

Who needs TOYS!!

Kennedy and Mckinlee had so much fun playing with this box. It kept them entertained longer than any of their toys ever have!

5 Months old

Oops! I forgot to publish this post!

Lovin the water

We went swimming at Don and Carla Valk's the other day (first time this season) and Jaxton just loved being in the water. This was his first experience in the swimming pool and he loved every minute!

Honor roll

We're quite proud of our Miss Madison. She got straight A's on her final report card and made the honor roll. Way to go Madison!

3rd Grade Choir Performance

Madison was selected to be in the third grade choir this year and has really enjoyed it. This was their last performance. This was one of the songs they sang.

Hooray for Madison!

Madison passed off all 13 Articles of Faith today! Not only did she have to recite them, but she had to explain the meaning of each one. I'm not sure I could do that! I was very proud of her.

A Birthday at our house

Ashlyn turned 7 today! (5/17)

Events of the day:

1. purple pancakes

2. swimming all day

3. dinner at her favorite restaurant,

Panda Express

4. cake and ice cream with family!

*Grandma Betty was sick last Monday on her

B-day, so we had a combined Birthday.

I think Ashlyn was a little exhausted from

swimming all day. She fell asleep on the way

to dinner!

Ashlyn in her new church outfit. I thought she looked so cute and grown up. Thank you Megan for the cute head wrap and flower!

Field Trip to Big Trees

Ashlyn's first grade class went up to the Big Trees last Monday. Rob was able to take the day off work and go with her. Unfortunetly Ashlyn wasn't feeling too well. She threw up shortly after she got off the bus. She was able to make it most of the time, then Rob ended up just carrying her. Luckily he was able to bring her home with him instead of riding the bus back. She slept the whole way home and the rest of the day.


You can tell from the picture that she just wasn't feeling well.

Libby Lou

Kennedy went to her friend Ashlynn's B-day party at Libby Lou on Saturday. She had so much fun getting her hair and make-up done. She even got her nails painted! She felt like quite the princess.

Happy Mother's Day

I woke up to breakfast in bed and lots of hand made cards and pictures from my girls. It was a good day. We had his mom and sister over for dinner. Rob barbequed chicken and made a good potato salad and Cindy made a yummy fruit salad. It was so nice not to have to cook!

Jaxton meets Colorado cousins!

Jaxton and I spent a few days in Colorado last week. I'm thankful for good friends and family and a wonderful husband who made it possible for me to get away. We had such a good time. It was nice to be able to spend some time with my mom and sister's kids. (My sister and her husband went to Mexico, so my mom was there watching her kids) Jaxton was perfect on the airplane. He even slept the whole 2 1/2 hour flight on the way home. He is such a good baby. I always get a little nervous flying, so I was grateful Jaxton was so good and that my plane didn't crash!!

We left 80 degree weather for this!?!
I know, I went a little over board on the pictures, . . . but just wanted to share them with my family. :)


Brinlee wanted to style Jaxtons hair. Doesn't he look handsome?

Me with my "boyfriends" Jake & Cayden

Jaxton misses you guys!!