Washington Getaway...

Brandon, Maron, and I made a quick trip up to Washington this past week. Brandon's sister and her husband were getting sealed in the Seattle temple and we of course couldn't miss that!! We had a blast spending time with those of Brandon's family that live up there. I am extremely grateful for the great family I married into.

Dad Martineau took us up to this crazy high bridge. Washington is gorgeous!!

View from the bridge

Our niece Emilie & me

The Bridge...it's scarier than it looks!!

Brandon LOVES going shooting with his dad...lets just say I still can't hear well:)

Brandon and his brother-in-law, Rich...Brandon got the awesome privilege of being his escort in the Temple.

Us with Ginger & Rich and their family

Their four kiddos...Conol, Cael, Nevin, and Adi

Rich & Ginger and their kids

Dad, Michelle, Liam, Brandon, Mom, Penny, and Aidan waiting to get into Buca di Beppos for dinner!!

Me and my hot stuff!

Maron and Papa Martineau...she LOVED being spoiled!! (she got to go since she flies free:)

I, like Nephi...

Have been born of Goodly Parents. I have had an overwhelming sense of gratitude since the Saturday session of our Stake Conference. I can hardly control my emotions when I sit back and think about how blessed I have been to have the family that I do. It was a sacred privilege to sit in that meeting and hear both of my parents bear their witness to the truthfulness of the gospel and of our Savior Jesus Christ. I have heard their testimonies a number of times in my life, but for some reason this time it was different. Maybe it's because I am older and appreciate it/them more, maybe it's because of the growth we have experienced as a family having them serve as the Temple President and Matron the last 3 years, but whatever the reason is...I will forever be grateful for the opportunity I had to be there and feel of the spirit.

Oh...Back to School...Back to School...

To prove to dad that I'm not a fool!!

Today I celebrated school being back in session by going to Red Onion for lunch with some friends. I LOVE my kids but I LOVE the structure that being in school brings. No more eating dinner after 8:00, kids going to bed after 10:00, and listening to kids fighting all day long! It does make me sad though that my kids are growing up SO fast!!

Tristen (8th Grade), Eva (6th grade), Michael & Porter (4th grade), Amelia (3rd Grad), Zach & Paul (1st grade), and Morgon & Caden (kindergarten)

I had to also post these other pictures..

Love this munchkin!


Mallori was sick puking the other day and Brandon took this picture...

Poor Girl!

Brotherly Love...

Anyone who has an older brother can understand the torment one goes through at times. They can be your best friend or your worse enemy! Watching these two brought back memories of being teased and tortured by my older brothers...I had to sit back and smile!!

SO not ready for this...

She's CRAWLING!

This wasn't suppose to happen so fast! Makes me SUPER sad!

Annual Swim...

The kids always look forward to swim lessons every summer. This year 10 or our 12 kids were enrolled in the 2 week class. Even though I get sick driving to Snowflake everyday...it really has payed off for us. The kids all did really well this year and even Miles (who is not afraid of ANYTHING) did great!!

Tristen diving

Mr. Paul

Caden afraid to jump in, and Miles getting sick of waiting on him:)

Eva Jumping In

Crazy Morgon getting ready to hold his breath for 6 seconds

Porter in his HOT glasses

Caden doing his alligator eyes!

Zach moved up a class this year and did a great job

Amelia modeling her glasses:)

This picture of Michael CRACKS me up!!

Miles...not sure what he's doing:)

Miles and his favorite swim teacher, Caitlyn

Caden with Caitlyn

Morgon, Miles, & Caden with their Swim Teachers Caitlyn and Jacob...Caitlyn has been the pre-school swim teacher since we have been going there. The boys absolutely LOVE her!!

Sad...

I am really sad to say that I have NO photos of the 4th of July this year. Since we didn't have fireworks in Heber it just hasn't felt the same. We don't ever go to the parade or to the park. We always celebrate by having a BIG BBQ before the fireworks. We also usually take family pictures before the BBQ but when we didn't have the fireworks and weren't really celebrating we didn't get all decked out in our RED, WHITE, and BLUE:(

Regardless of whether or not we really celebrated here in Hebertown...I am still very proud to be an American. I am thankful for those who have sacrificed and continue to sacrifice on our behalf so we can have the freedoms we enjoy.

God Bless AMERICA!!!

I also want to publicly thank Les Parham (and all those that help him) for ALL the years he has dedicated his 4th of July weekends and all the hours spent in training for us to be able to have our amazing firework show and to awake to the anvil. It was truly missed this past weekend and I hope he knows that we really do appreciate him!!!
BOOOOO to those who took it away from us!!!