Birdhouse and Iron Man 3

Ok...I have to admit that the first week of summer has thrown me off my groove. I just feel like I got into a routine with the kids in school and now they're out. I keep telling myself that once I get a routine I'll feel a little less unorganized, but that hasn't happened yet. I think we've just all been trying to figure out what to do when. Well this morning started out with chores. We're going to make Fridays our house cleaning days so that Saturdays are open for whatever we decide to do. After cleaning house, Dallin had to run to his basketball camp so Danny and I sat down to build a bird house. Danny has been working hard to get his requirements done so he can receive his Wolf rank in Cub Scouts. He's even finished 10 arrow points to receive a gold arrow point at his next Pack Meeting. In any case, building a birdhouse was one of the requirements so that's what we did. I courageously held the wood pieces together as Danny hammered in the nails. I think the end result was pretty nice if I do say so myself.

After Dallin got back from basketball camp, I took Amber, Dallin and Daniel (Laurin was on her second day of work) to finally see Iron Man 3. Dallin and Daniel have been bugging me for over a week now to see the movie. Jeff and I already saw it but I didn't mind seeing it again. It was a fun afternoon with the kids!

That evening, as is the case with most Friday evenings, was date night. Before we were married, I told Jeff that one date night a week was non-negotiable...it had to happen! He has been good about making sure it does. Lately he's been working so much and I've been dealing with the kids' needs that I feel like I've hardly had any one-on-one time with him so tonight we decided to have dinner then drive the Nebo Loop. I will always be an Arizona girl, but that's not to say that I don't appreciate the beauty of Utah. It was still quiet chilly at the Beaver Dam Outlook (our spot...it was here that I realized I loved Jeff for the first time during our first visit), but we stopped to enjoy the view. We took our time driving the loop and saw several deer. We've already scoped out a few hiking trails as well. I needed this night with Jeff. Actually, I just need him. I am so grateful that we finally found each other. I'm grateful that we are at the stage in life that we are. While I will always miss not being apart of Jeff and the children's lives prior to now, I look forward to the many years ahead that I get to spend creating memories with them.



Dallin's party

Since Dallin's birthday (May 11) he has been dying to have a friend party. Unfortunately with everything going on we couldn't make it happen until today. Actually, I think it was best it happened this way because he was already making comments that he missed some of his friends from school...now he got to see them...even (and probably most especially) the female friends. Yup, this was his first co-ed party. I can't believe he's old enough to have co-ed parties. I guess he may have had a few as a younger kid, but this is the first one that probably means anything to him. It was fun to watch them all interact. Dallin tends to be the life of the party. He isn't afraid to simply be himself. I think people are drawn to him because of that. All in all they all seemed to have a fun time. Here are a few pics I tried to secretly and not-so-secretly take.

I love Dallin's face in this one! I can't remember what was said or why he looked that way but it makes me laugh. 

L to R: Corrianne, Blayne, Tanner, Dallin, Tyler, Sam, Shelbi, Hannah...and Jeff photo-bombing the pic! 

Crazy kids!

Space Derby

Summer is in full swing! This was the first full week of no school. Tuesday (28th) I was the "mean" mom who made all the kids go through their rooms and clean them out, but I think I made up for it during the rest of the week. Tuesday night we found ourselves at the ball fields again, but this time I decided to spare you more pictures. Besides it was cloudy, cold and rainy! I was just trying to focus on staying warm and wondering why I was still wearing a jacket in May!! Wednesday was a much better day for the kids. The Distelhorsts (Jon, Julie and kids) are still in town and decided to go to Salt Lake City to tour Welfare Square, the Conference Center, and Temple Square. Amber and Danny got to go with them. Dallin had basketball camp so he missed out, but we made up for it by planning his party and taking him to Walmart to get supplies for the games. Unfortunately (or fortunately), today was Laurin's first day of work! She got a job as a Certified Nurses Assistant and Parkway Medical Center in Payson. I'm really proud of her! She wants to pursue a career in the medical field so she chose to take a certification course last semester. Now she is putting all her training into practice. She is spending long 12 hour days at work, but she seems to be enjoying it. It's a great first job! In any case, that evening Danny had a Pack Meeting. Tonight the scouts got to participate in a Space Derby. I always remember my brothers making Pinewood race cars so I was surprised to learn that there were space ships too! Danny and Jeff had a blast (well at least Danny did) getting the space ship ready. It was BYU themed (much to my dismay...sorry all you BYU fans). It wasn't the fastest and Danny had to learn how to accept disappointment, but I think he's ready to try again next year. (Plus I think it helped that I took him out for a Blizzard following the derby. The sting of defeat can always diminish with a little ice cream.)

Danny's space ship got an award for being the most loyal - Go Cougars (Ugh!)

Southwick Reunion: Day 3 - Memorial Day

As you have all guessed by now, I love holidays! I love to have any reason to celebrate and today was no different (actually I've been celebrating all weekend). I think today is a particularly poignant holiday. Today is dedicated to all the fallen heroes of war - all those brave men and women who have lost their lives so that I can live mine the way I choose to live it. Today is a day of remembrance. Today is a day to reflect on the freedoms we have because of the lives that have been lost. It is a day to remember all our loved ones who have passed on who have taught us and given us more than we could have ever realized when they were living. I have been fortunate to not have to experience losing a loved one in combat, but I have lost loved ones. I thought about each of them today. I also thought about a local hero, Cody Towse, who was recently killed in Afghanistan. I thought about his grieving family. I thought about his ultimate sacrifice. My heart broke and tears filled my eyes with each new thought. I was so grateful that we decided to start our day with a flag ceremony and a little devotional. Jon spent time with the scout aged boys prior to raising the flag. He taught them about why it is folded the way it is and reminded them about what the colors mean. After the flag was raised, Laurin and Amber beautifully entwined their voices as they sang the National Anthem. I couldn't stop the steady stream of tears. I am proud to be an American. I am proud to have such beautiful children and an amazing husband. It was a great morning!

Following the morning's events, we had a delicious breakfast then made our way back to our house where we spent the rest of the day playing! Aunt Katie (a shew-in for favorite aunt!) had a huge, inflatable water slide that she set up. The kids had a blast playing in the water, on the zipline, with the big ball, etc.

You can see Jeff had to get in the action!

Daniel, Maci and Bennett 

Laurin (reading a book), Grandma, Katie, Kristi, Daniel, Maci, Trudy, and Carson 

Heidi, Megan and Maci 

Bennett, Dallin, Grant, and Daniel 

I love this pic of Dallin! He looks like he's flying! 

Trudy and Maci 

Stan didn't think Jeff could get up. 

Then Stan had to try... 

Unfortunately, Stan, Kristi and their kids had to leave later that afternoon. I was sad to see them go. I loved having them at our house for the weekend...and not just because the boys stay entertained. I have always appreciated Kristi's calm, kind nature. I met her the first weekend I met Jeff (they were in town then). She was the easiest to talk to and made me feel so at ease. Thanks Kristi! And thanks to everyone for making it such a fun weekend!

Southwick Reunion: Day 2

Today, being Sunday, we all went to church before we met up that afternoon for a great steak lunch (thanks Katie!), games, and more family fun! Since Stan, Kristi and their kids were staying with us, they came to our ward. We laughed and joked that Stan must have felt like a polygamist husband with two women and a whole slew of kids to sit by since Jeff was on the stand. I still miss sitting by Jeff in church, but I am so grateful for the man he is and for the privilege he has to serve our ward. I know he is enjoying his calling, and I know he is where he needs to be. After church, I rushed home to make a couple quick desserts while Jeff attended a couple meetings then we were off to Grandpa and Grandma's house. I have to include a picture of the desserts I made because the fruit pizza was a bit of a disaster to start out with...just ask Kristi. Let's just say that there was smoke and burning on my first try! I have never been a stellar baker...but I'm not giving up! Luckily, it turned out just great and was gone quickly!

After we ate our delicious lunch, I was put in charge of organizing some games. In past years, I have played some "minute-to-win-it" type games with my sister, Nichole, during her famous New Years parties. The kids always seemed to enjoy them so I picked my favorites to play today. I think they were well received...judging by the laughter and the smiles from everyone. Here are just a few pics of the game highlights.



The rest of the evening we just enjoyed being together. There were some embarrassing family videos that were shown (luckily I wasn't included in those...at least not yet!) and then some wrestling (because what would a Southwick gathering be without wrestling?!). Again, I just enjoyed being there. I loved being a part of an in-law family that I have prayed for for years. I loved watching all the kids interact. I loved chatting with Jeff's siblings and getting to know them better. It was a great afternoon/evening! (Here are a couple pics of the Southwick grandkids.)

Top to bottom: Mitchell, Evan, Laurin, Sara, Amber, Grant, Megan, Travis, Carson, Daniel, Heidi, Bennett, Dallin, Alice and Maci 

The Southwick grandkids in their true form!