First day of school!

Alicia or as most of the family calls her, Lici or Leecy or leecy lou who? but what ever you do, don't call her Alesha. I can't handle it when I hear that. Drives me absolutely nutty. It's as bad as running your nails down a chalk board. Grrr!!!
Alicia has totally grown up this year. Can I really be that old and how did this happen? But good news, she is an awesome 12 year old. I must say I haven't done so bad raising her. Here are ten things I love about her.

1. Her dimples.

2. From the day she was born she had to fight. She is still fighting and does what people say she would never do. She has so much courage.

3. Loves to read. I think it's awesome. When I was that age I did the same thing.

4. I never have to ask her to do her homework. It's done before I ever have to ask.

5. She loves everyone no matter how mean they can be.

6. She is the worlds biggest tease.

7. She is a girly girl. When she was little it was princess galore and pink, pink, pink. Now she wants to dye her hair pink. Um, NO!!!

8. Loves to shop.

9. Talented artist.

10. Loves music and sings like no other. I love it but she can't carry a tune and most of the time she has me rolling on the floor or running for a pillow. Either way it makes me happy that she does. Plus it's very entertaining.




Savannah Banana. The day had finally come. The first day at a new school!!! For those who know my darling daughter, know that I was up at the crack of dawn helping her get ready. I really think she just needed someone to boss around, tell her everything was going to be okay, and of course she wanted my opinion on what she was wearing right down to the socks. Not that she listened. Here are 10 things I love about her.

1. She looks like her Daddy.

2. She is very bossy, has something to say about everything, needs to know every ones business. My grandma Monson used to laugh at her and say she will be the next president of the United States.

3. Loves to hang on Mom. I pretend that this drives me nutty but when she isn't around I'm constantly wondering where she is because she isn't hanging on me.

4. Totally is concerned for every ambulance that drives by the house and wants to know what happened, did anyone die, can we go see, and so on. She will be chasing ambulances when she turns 16.

5. Keeps track of every penny I spend.

6. Loves to play with Kayden.

7. Every morning I try to sneak out of the house for work. Every morning she is right there giving me kisses and saying I love you. Really makes my day.

8. Loves to go to church. A very good example to her parents.

9. She is really good at guitar. Not so good at practicing. I'm in no hurry, I want her to love it not hate it.

10. She has my eyes, a cute little nose and a bottom lip that gets me every time.




Kayden's first day of school.
I remember when I found out I was having a little boy. I thought to myself, what am I going to do with a little boy? I only have girls. How silly of me to have questioned myself. From the day he was born he has been my sweet, loving, easy going boy. Here are a few things I love about him.

1. He is the peace maker in my home.

2. He is always making me projects. Today I received a Halloween book. With title, a story, and most importantly illustrations. Very professional for a 7 year old.

3. He is like Pig Pen from Charlie Brown. I trail always follows him.

4. He ALWAYS gives me hugs and kisses. I never have to ask.

5. I adore his imagination and creativity.

6. He knows how to wear out his bike tires and thinks he is Evil Kneavle.

7. Love watching him play soccer. His team is so good I feel for the other teams.

8. He loves to camp and hunt with his Dad.

9. Can hang with us girls without complaint.

10. He has a old soul. I've seen him observe a situation and then tell me his thoughts and I'm always amazed at what he has to say. He teaches me so much. But I won't tell him that until I'm on my death bed. lol!

Snowbird

Every year we head up the mountain and play with Grandpa. This year Savannah brought her friend Brenna they had a crazy fun time. Alicia and Kayden enjoyed it as well. Alicia's favorite was the zip line and Kayden went nuts for the bull. Clinton and Michelle brought Tyler. He is a hoot to watch, his little legs and adorable determined face. It gets you laughing. I love that age. It was good to see Grandma and Grandpa. Now that we live in Midvale we don't get to see them very often. I was having withdrawl pains. Camille was there looking fabulously tan and beautiful. It was really nice and perfect weather. A good time was had by all and it was wonderful to hang with my family for a couple of hours.




Snowbird ski resort. Every year we get to go hang out with Grandpa and ride all the rides.


Mom you amaze me! I'm so glad you made it to the end and got to hang with your sweatheart! I can only hope that my marriage can last as long as yours.


I think she looks like me and Travis swears she acts like me. But I really think that she is a better version of me and smarter to.


Every one of my kids went home with injuries from the bull. They loved it, I think Kayden wants to be a professional bull rider.


Alicia and Camille. Alicia loves her Aunt Camille. I'm so glad that I have an amazing sister who loves my kids and is a great role model.


Savannah got to bring her friend up this year. Brenna and her goofed off and disappeared most the time. I think they where trying to go down the Alpine slide as much as they could before we left.


Clinton and Michelle. They loved looking into the sun so I could take a picture.


Isn't he just the cutest?!!! I think he had the most fun on the trampolines. He worked so hard to do a flip.


Mom, Camille, Me and Dad. I was so glad to see mills and my parents.


Bounce! bounce! bounce! They had so much fun chasing Tyler up the slipe and slide.


Chickadee ski run in the summer. Isn't it pretty!!!


Every year we go on the tram. This year we took the chair lift up to the tunnel that runs out the other end of the mountain to mineral basin. It was amazing and a little sad that they would venture on my territory like that. I camp up there all summer long, how dare they! It was great fun to run up the tunnel and meet at the other end.

San Francisco

The City of Cedar Hills sent Travis to California. Believe it or not I've never been to California, pathetic. It was a very quick trip. Picked up a motor and drove home. But because I'd never been to California of course we drove the scenic route through Tahoe and then to San Francisco. I was so excited to go and see all that everyone else gets to see but me. Let me just tell you, I am glad that I live where I do. So many people, so much traffic, so many buildings. It was fun to see it all but to live there. No way! I'm a small town girl and I like it that way. It was nice to be with Travis and not have the kids talking non stop in my ear though.



I want a sign!!! Oh the things I see.


My first time in San Francisco. It was fun to see such a big city that you've only seen on T.V. The bridge was beautiful but I felt out of place. Maybe if I had black hair and a camera around my neck I'd felt more at home. Tourists are crazy, stay out of the way.


I dragged Travis into the wax museum. He told me it was going to be stupid but I wouldn't listen. I wanted to check it out. He was right it was really lame. The funniest moment was when Travis sat down in this chair and the wall across from him says, look here. It sprayed him with air! He flew out of the chair, ha! ha! scared him to death.


We went to the warf and walked around and saw all the fun things. I only wished that we had more time.


Looking out over the Sacramento river.

Summer Time Fun in the Sun!

This summer Savannah and her new best friend came up to me and handed me some papers. She then says to me " These are the plans for my party and if you don't do everything we have planned you'll ruin everything!" very dramatic. Because my kids had stayed at Highland Elementary all winter they didn't have a lot of friends around here. We thought it would be a great way to meet the kids in the ward and neighborhood. The party turned out great and to my surprise lots of kids showed up. Now I'm not so afraid to let my kids out the door. Right behind our house is a stash of good people and friends for the kids to play with. The theme of the party was "Summer time fun in the sun". They played water games, had water balloon fights, donuts on a string, the pinata, we even made Father's day cards. At the end they got a yummy earthworm pie. It was a great time and I'm so glad Savannah pushed me into doing it.




I have a wonderful neighbor who helped me with this party. She hand made this sun pinata. I sometimes wish that I was crafty like that. The kids all had fun whacking it to death.


Donuts on a string? I find this activity a little disturbing but they loved it. I'm sure after all the treats they had to eat they where on a sugar high!


Water volley ball is so much fun, even without a net. The older kids had hundreds of water balloons. We all know they loved plastering us with them!


The object of this game is to fill the bucket with water, with holes in your cup. It's fun to watch all these little kids totally obsessed with winning.

Payette River Trip!

For the 24th of July weekend the Monson family ran the Payette river in Idaho. Travis was unable to come with us this year and man did I miss him. He let me pull the trailer and wished me luck setting it up. The whole time we where there the door never shut. It was impossible to get it level. I seriously take my honey for granted. I was exhausted. It was a really beautiful area of Idaho and the river mesmerised me at times. Just beautiful.

Anthony and Angie came with the babies. And I have to apologise for giving them really bad directions. I feel like an idiot. Sorry guys. Mike and Kendra came with Kendra's brother and sisters. My girls loved them and they where really great with entertaining them. Camille of course was there. She was our guide on the river and worked up there this summer guiding river tours. David, Rachel, Kristina, Mark and Annie came as well.

The trip was so much fun and even better because my family was there. I'm really grateful that my family loves me and we could do a trip like that. My greatest memories as a child are the big camping trips with cousins. And I'm so glad that my kids could do the same thing. Camille and my Dad are such troopers. They worked there butts off and never complained. I really think it's amazing to have such an adventurous spirit. I thought I was going to die hiking to the hot pots. I am really out of shape and feared I'd fall of the edge. LOL! But Camille hung back with me and I was really glad she was so nice about me being so wimpy. It was fun and I'd love to do it again, but with everyone!!!



So we hiked up this crazy trail to get to these hot pots. It was really cool. I just wished we had more time to relax before heading back down the mountain.


Everyone hangin out around the camp fire.


Angie and Tate.


Camille and Chloe. What would we have done without Camille?


Playing at the beach with Chloe.


Alicia just waiting...........


My Dad. The greatest joy for him are these river trips with his family.


Good morning!


David and little Joshie.


Camille (mastermind of the trip), Rachel (brought the cute kids), Kristina (young, beautiful and tons of fun!)


I love that my kids get to go on all these trips with there cousins.


Playing in the river waiting for the raft to float by. Kayden loves these river trips.


The girls went on EVERY trip down the river and had a blast. But thats cuz they where with really great people.


Right before the hole! It's crazy.


I love this picture! Amazing that no fell out.

Steele Days Carnival

Every year we have to go to American Forks Steele days celebration. It always brings back great childhood memories. This year Grandma Shirley was in town so we rounded up the kids and took them to the carnival. This year was different, no more kiddie rides for my kids. I did make Kayden go on some with his little cousin Hailey. But to my surprise Savannah wanted to go on all the big kid rides. This is a huge milestone for her. Alicia loved having a buddy this year and I was glad I didn't have to go with them on the rides. Alicia is a crazy, dare devil fool. She has no fear of anything and doesn't even think twice about the rides. She laughs and screams and I FrEeK OuT!!! But it was great to spend the time with Aunt Chyron, Hailey and Grandma Shirley. Thanks for inviting us!


Hailey, Kayden and Grandma Shirely.


I felt so bad for Kayden, I talked him into going on this ride. He was so scared. I wished I had video taped it, it was so funny!


This ride made me fear for my life last year. So this year Tiffany took Alicia (sucker!). They loved it, Alicia has no fear!





The kids had so much fun taking a ride with Grandma Shirley.
Kayden, Grandma, and Hailey


Savannah banana was so brave this year. She rode all the scary rides.

American Fork Canyon

As you all know the Monson's all love the great outdoors. If you aren't in the mountains at least once a week you're depressed. So we packed up all the gear and headed up American Fork Canyon. We camped up near the loop and it was so much fun. Hiking, playing in the water, and to my shock the girls got along. The dog even had a blast. I love camping and enjoy hanging out with the kids and looking for adventure.





This fur ball you see is Max, Kayden's best friend.


The older we get the more we love each other.



Aren't they cute?