Nebraska

We are off to Nebraska...next June!

After literally interviewing from one coast to another (in a week and a half), Mark accepted an offer from the University of Nebraska for a periodontal residency. We will be off to Lincoln in June and will be there for 3 years! We are so excited and have heard so many great things about the mid west. Davis has been asking me all day "are we moving to Nebraska now mommy?" My darling friend Nancy made this adorable cake for us after hearing the news!!

Virginia Park

The other day we went to Virginia Park, about a mile from our house, and the kids loved it! We went with some friends and after about two hours I had to force Davis out of the water to go home. Just a minute after we arrived at the park Kate took off for the water and spent a good part of the time playing in it. I had no idea she loved the water that much!!

If you thought you were feeling fat... check out those thighs!!!

Turning 1

Happy 1st Birthday to Kate on the 15th!! Where has the time gone? Kate had a great day playing at the park swinging and sliding, swimming, eating out, opening presents and eating cake! Kate is a very fast crawler and loves to walk holding my hand. She has even taken a few steps on her own. She likes saying "mamamama..." and "dadadada..." Kate likes to be out doing things and wants to be in the middle of everything. She loves her little blanket and her dolls and is a very good eater. She adores her big brother (although sometimes I wonder why:) ), and loves laughing and talking with him for literally hours at night as they fall asleep. We love this little girl and cannot imagine life without her.

Birthday continued...

Happy Birthday Kate, we love you!

Kate's Birthday Party

So Kate had a birthday party with friends the day before her actual birthday. The kids had a fun time running around with each other, eating hot dogs, cupcakes and cake! Thank you, thank you Nancy for taking so many great pictures! I know I have posted probably too many pictures of Kate's birthday but how do you not when your baby turns 1 and she is so stinking cute!!

Now anyone who knows Kate and/or has seen her eat, knows that these pictures of her devouring her cake are no surprise! This girly loves food and to be honest with you I really don't think much of this cake even hit the ground, when she wants something she doesn't let it go to waste.

party continued...

I think it is safe to say that she thoroughly enjoyed her cake

Davis couldn't resist helping Kate eat her cake

Opening her presents

Thanks to our wonderful friends whom we love and adore! Life here

wouldn't be the same without you!!

Dodger Night

So a few weeks ago Mark and I took Davis to Dodger night, aka Mormon night. The Dodgers played the Braves that night and ended up winning the game in the last play. We had a really fun time and the weather was perfect. We happened to sit two rows in front of our good friends the Johnson's which was great because the kids had such a fun time being with each other!

Ava and Davis

Elsa (Ava's sister), Ava and Davis

6 Years

So Mark and I celebrated our 6th year anniversary on July 17th. We went to dinner at Benihanna (probably my most favorite restaraunt) and then saw the new Harry Potter movie. Mark was so cute and asked my good friend Nancy to watch our kids, all without me knowing, and planned dinner and a movie. He also bought me a little digital camera for my bag so I can always have a little camera with me. The camera was a total surprise because I thought we had decided not to buy gifts for each other until after we are done with school...however I gladly opened it right up of course! Thanks Mark, I love you.

Idaho

The kids and I were able to go to Idaho this summer for about 3 weeks. We have a lot of fun every time we go. (Thanks mom and dad for having us). Davis just loves playing with his cousins. One of the first things we did was go to our ranch in Island Park. The cousins love the ranch. They literally entertain themselves there all day long.

Chris talking with Davis and Nicholas about the fish being planted in our lake.

Matthew and Davis checking out the newly planted fish.

Nicholas, Davis and Matthew checking out the boat.

Something interesting at the end of the pier?

Davis and Nicholas roasting hotdogs and marshmallows.

4th of July

So the 4th of July has become one of my most favorite holidays! We (Mark is always in school so it ends up being me and the kids) always spend the 4th in Idaho Falls with my family. It has become one of the few times of year that siblings and cousins come for a vacation and so we get to see family that lives far away. So on the 4th, after the parade, we have pizza at my parents house with siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins, etc. This year my dad also rented a cotton candy machine and the children of course loved it! I might add that the adults got some good use out of it too.

Derek, Davis and Matthew

Davis was not seen without cotton candy in his mouth and/or hands for a good hour atleast.

Davis, Matthew (far left), Nicholas, Zach and Derek