Alyssa's First Girls Camp

Today Alyssa left for girl's camp. I can't even express how excited she has been to go. She counted down the days, packed way earlier than necessary and could not stop talking about it (hard to believe I know).

I remember my days at girls camp. I loved it! It was wonderful to be with the other girls in the mountains with no make-up or electronics. It was a perfect time to bond and to grow spiritually. I hope that Alyssa makes the same type of memories.

Lehi Parade

Hee Haw!! It's Lehi Round-up time!!

Since I have been attending all the festivities of the Lehi Round-up since I was 4 years old it is definitely considered tradition. My husband doesn't share the same enthusiasm for the Rodeo, the Stock parade or many of the other activities related with this big event. He has tried over the years to slowly wean me of my desire to fully participate. I must admit that he has seen some success in this endeavor. However, he will never be able to take the parade away from me. Never!!

So here are a few photos from this year's miniature parade. See how we are all having such a good time? Silly Roger, why would he want to take this away from us?

Matt and Courtney and the cousins came along and we had a great time. Matt figured out a system to get more candy thrown our way and we saw success. The temperature was perfect, the floats were beautiful and the festive spirit was present. We couldn't have asked for more.

I think Roger must still have nightmares about the parade since the year that we were called to do the float for our ward. (He insists that for this reason alone we moved to Saratoga Springs . . so we wouldn't have to do a float ever again). It wasn't so bad really and our float turned out great. Here are a few photos to always remember that day:

Happy Reunions

Tonight was a very fun evening. Angeles and David were here in Utah visiting with Mario and requested a little get together. Since I haven't seen them since their wedding (and of course I love get-togethers) I willing obliged. We planned for a nice BBQ at our house. Unfortunately the weather did not cooperate and our nice outdoor summer party turned indoors. Oh well, it didn't' stop us from laughing and reminiscing and enjoying one another's company

"Smith" (Andrea) came down from Salt Lake with her family. My kids had a great time getting to know her kids and found plenty of things to keep them occupied while the adults visited.

Here is Ariela (can you see the wonderful pregnancy glow?) and Mario and Hannah (Smith's daughter).

Roger and Jim talked shop and sports and whatever else manly men talk about.

Once again I was reminded of how blessed I am to have met and taught the Padilla family on my mission. They truly enrich my life and I love that we are still so close and wonderful friends.

Princess Party

Brianna decided that for her fifth birthday she would like a Princess Party. It just so happened that Legacy Center was having a special Princess Party that same week, so we decided that it might be nice if someone else did all the work and we could just go and enjoy it. So we did.

Brianna invited Brianna Wheeler, Jocelyn Millington and Danielle Webster to attend the magical event. Each girl was dressed to the nines complete with make-up and jewelery. They all looked beautiful.

The party was fabulous. They got to meet real live princesses (the Lehi Royalty) and were taught how to properly walk down a red carpet and greet all their constituents along with a royal curtsy at the end.

They were dolled up more with face paint and then whisked off to a tea party. They listened to princess stories, played princess games and even made their own wand. It all ended with a beautiful ball where they were taught all the dances of the various princesses. I think the dancing was the girls' favorite part as they had the opportunity to twirl their ball gowns while the crowd looked on and cheered.

They were treated with princess favors along the way and enjoyed a pink frosted cupcake and a balloon as they walked out the door. I think all the girls enjoyed it and Brianna thought it was such a neat birthday party.

We returned back to our house for presents and cake. Brianna received wonderful art supplies and princess flip-flops and accessories. She was in Heaven.

Happy Birthday Brianna!

Today is Brianna's birthday. I am still having a hard time accepting the fact that my youngest child is now 5. She acts like a little grown-up, talks like a teenager, is super independent and will be starting kindergarten next year. I feel a little sad when I think about how those baby and toddler days are over. And yet, Brianna is so fun right now. It is great to see the little person she is becoming. She is a jewel in the family and we are so blessed to have her.

Brianna counted down the days until her birthday arrived. She was so giggly and happy the whole day. Mom had to go to a funeral so she got to go to her friend Jocelyn's house for awhile. They played and did crafts together which was really fun for her. That afternoon she went to her swimming lessons. For Brianna, anytime you can be in a pool is a celebration in and of itself.

That evening she chose to go the resteraunt Bajio for her birthday dinner. I am not sure why she loves that place but it is her favorite. She had a bean burrito and sprite. The perfect dinner. Afterwards we went to see the movie "UP" as a family. It was in 3D which was amazing and Brianna thought it was so cool. (Here is my little plug for the movie. It was a wonderful movie, one of the best I have seen in a long time. The story was quite moving and touched me deeply. It helped me appreciate all the blessings I have in life and realize I need to focus on the everyday little things that mean so much. I would highly recommed all to see this movie.) Grandma and Grandpa Felix came with us and we had a mini-party in the parking lot afterwards.

When we got home we had cake (a princess one of course) and opened presents. Brianna is tough to buy for because she is an outdoor kind of girl and loves to do what her brother and sister are doing. But she does love art and so art supplies is what she got.

The next day her present from Ohio arrived. It is a razor riprider 360. It is a cross between a bigwheel and a scooter. It took her awhile to warm up to it but now she loves it. It runs smooth, goes fast, and does 360's. What more could you want.

This Saturday we are having a princess party at the Legacy Center with 3 of her dear friends. I will post on this event later.

Brianna's Favorites:

Color: pink

Food: cauliflower mashed potatoes

Treat: magic bars

Show: Phineus and Ferb

Movie: Princess Tales

Resteraunt: Bajio

Sport: soccer

Number: 5

Song: Once Upon a Dream, Sunbeam

Book: Skippy John Jones and Fancy Nancy

Things to do: Play with and make food with family

To do with Dad: Rock, Paper, Scissors

With Mom: Bake

With Alyssa: Doing hair

With Ryan: Hunt lizards

Other favorites: Art, swinging, swimming, crafts, riding scooters, reading, jumping on the tramp and playing all the time

Wants to be a Vet when she grows up.

Tribute to Brianna!

My baby is now 5!!! Here is a look back at the wonderful life of Brianna!