WAY too quiet...

yesterday i was cleaning up a little bit & i couldn't hear the kids.  i called for them a couple of times & figured they were just upstairs & couldn't hear me.  after calling a couple more times with no response i knew sOmEtHiNg WaS uP!!!!  when i went into beckham's room, this is what i found--

{good thing it was washable}

{the 3rd culprit}

{still so dang cute}

{that sneaky grin says it all}

after i got done taking the pictures, i took becks into the bathroom to wash him off.  when he saw himself in the mirror he was a little upset.  when i asked him what he was doing he said, "i was just coloring myself to be an angel."  to which i responded- "what kind of angel?" he looked at me with the most DUH! face & says "a GREEN one!"  even at times like this, he can always find a way to make me laugh!  

primary pioneer day parade...

for the 24th we had such a fun time at our wards pioneer day parade.  the kids had such a blast decorating there bikes & scooters.  i wish i would have gotten a picture of this boys scooter!  the sign on the front said "non-stop to Salt Lake".  i thought that it was so clever!  thanks to the primary for putting this all together!  can't wait to do it again next year!

{all the kids: getting ready for the parade}

{Becks & his bike getting in place}

{Quinn & Avi-- what gReAt parade watchers}

{Ellie & her darling decorated bike}

{there were even horses}

{having some slight helmet issues}

{coming back to the church}

{what a fun bunch}

{he's just so pAtRiOtIc!}

i can't believe i missed it...

so- since the end of june i had been watching those dang quail eggs... remember?  so everyday, multiple times everyday, i would check in on them.  i even went so far as to google the incubation period for the little babes.  anyway, long story short-- the morning of my birthday i checked on bright & early.  but nothing.  when i went out later that day i found this... 

yep, just egg shells.  no babies, no mama.  just shells.  all i can hope is that they hatched & i just missed it.  total bummer!  but, as long as they survived... that's all that matters.

Happy Birthday to ME...

{my birthday cake to myself... delicious}

So, this week it was my birthday & the best part of all is that-- i finally got my new phone.  i have my same number.  i know it has been a while since my last phone was stolen.  father's day to be exact.  so YEAH! to quinn, now everyone can get ahold of me again & i don't even have to be at work to do so.  

** i will have to do a follow up post with other FAB gifts.  like my dar-dar "think green" grocery bags- thanks kes!

saturday @ deer creek...

this weekend we had a little family trip to deer creek.  Becks had tons of fun swimming, riding on the jet skis with daddy & just going on boat rides.  Avi loved the boat, but was still not excited about the sand.  She was so wiped out by the end of the day she just cRaShEd!!!  thanks babe for taking us out for a fun day at the lake!!!

{how do i look in this???}

{Becks & daddy on a little ride}

{i don't know what happened, but doesn't he have a great frowny face?}

{Quinn spraying eVeRyOnE!!!}

{just takin' a little break}

{out for a dip}

{doggy paddling around}

{some seriously DiRtY pIgGieS}

{first you get the sand in the cup...}

{then you pack it down.  that's how you make a sand castle}

{do you need more water dad?}

{daddy, you rock at wake boarding!}

{& he's down!!}

{avi & aunt heaphy on a boat ride}

{& she's OUT!}

.... a beautiful park & an old favorite for lunch...

Yesterday we went to the most beautiful park for the kids to play in the morning.  It's called Nielsen's Grove.  It is just north of Wal-mart in orem.  If you haven't been, you should totally check it out!!!!  They have a duck pond & a fountain.  Not to mention a really nice playground.  They also have this great "swing carousel", that my sis & I were not strong enough to make go FaSt... but still a whole lot of fun!  

{ becks & his blasted backpack}

{he was totally obsessed with the drains... he wanted me to give him money to drop down}

{don't mind the "no wading" sign}

{splash, splash, splash}

{duck feeding}

{he only took the backpack off to get the bread out}

{avi loves the swings}

{"weally high momma"- that's what she tells me.  she is a total jabber mouth!}

{meeting new friend... oh yeah, & the backpack is back}

{slides also better with backpacks}

{you can climb better with them too}

{on your marks, get set... GO!}

{avi wants a re-match}

{monkey bars... with the backpack}

{hold on tight!}

{i am so strong!!!}

So after a really fun time at the park we headed over to one of our good family friends BBQ place.  When we were growing up Charlie had a place in Provo, but he was forced to close it.  Now he just opened a location in Lehi- 88 west Main.  And he will be opening up soon in Springville in the old Brand X location.  You should definitely go get some grub there.  So super yummy!  Thanks Chuck!

bridal veil falls...

it is hard to believe that if we drive about 5 minutes from our house, we run right into this.  how did we get so lucky?  it is not only breathtaking, but about 10 degrees cooler in the summer.  the kids love going up, having a picnic or BBQ & playing in the water.  one of my new goals it to not take this beauty for granted.