Grandma and Grandpa Visit!

I was so excited when my parents said they were coming down for the weekend. Its so weird that now they are no longer in Green River... It makes these little visits so much sweeter. We hung out and played games (learned Chicken Foot) and then we tried to work with Ivy on riding her bike without training wheels. Not much success, but got some great pics of Bella helping Ivy.

We decided last minute to go and float below the dam. It was a great experience and I was so glad we got to go. Thanks to Dad for being our chouffer to and from the drop off points.

The water was FREEZING but Brad decided to jump in. Bella (after coaxing and offering $5 from parents and grandparents) hopped in as well. They thought mom needed to join them so Brad pulled me in after he got in. WAY too cold for me.

Another Highlight of Texas...

Another HUGE highlight of going to Texas was hanging out with the most wonderful people on the planet. We met so many amazing people are are so lucky to still be in touch with a few of them. For Brent and Jen's wedding, many stayed at a house just up the street from the church. Jen's Parents and brothers, brides maides, groomsmen, and other great friends stayed there and we all got along like we had been family for years. Plus, the girls got to spend extra time with Grandma Sue. She tucked them in bed and spent lots of time with them. Bella and Ivy were the only kids there (besides Jen's younger brother- but he acted so grown up) and they were so good for everyone. Ivy became instant friends with a gal named, Kat. She is stationed at Hill AFB so hopefully we can see her sometime since we are so close. The girls also LOVED that there was a swimming pool in the back yard. We swam everyday and I can't believe Bella didn't grow gills. Thank you so much Brent, Jen, Dusty, and Laurie and everyone else staying there.

PS... The most amazing youth leader stayed there as well and she told me of the COOLEST object lesson ever for teenagers. Its along the lines of "Getting Crap out of Your Life."

Sea World!!

Sea World, Baby!! Since Brad wasn't able to go to Disney World with us, he was a great dad and took us all to Sea World while we were in San Antonio, Tx. It was SO hot, but we had a great time with the girls, Brad's mom, and Brad's dad and his girlfriend. (The more the merrier!)

Ivy with her new stuff animal from Papa Steve and Lisa. She LOVED it.

Bella LOVED to ride all of the rides. Ivy wouldn't go on any, so mom got to go!

Cute little show from the gang at Seseme Street.

Time with Grandma...

Bella was so brave to stand in front of the aquarium with the sharks. You could tell she was a little nervous.

Ivy feeding the dolphins... she was so excited- until Flipper opened his mouth and showed all of his teeth.

Brent and Jen!

Ok, I know I am a little behind in my blogging, but the first part of July, we were able to go down to Spring Branch, TX for Brad's brother's wedding. It was so wonderful. My new sister in law was so beautiful and wonderful. Brent definately got a winner there. (She got a great guy too!) I was so impressed with the ceremony. It was so elegant and simple. It was so perfect for them. The girls got to lay down flowers before the ceremony and were so excited to be a part of Uncle Brent and Aunt Jen's day.

A few handsome men.... (check out the shoes!)

Its War!!

Brad finally had a few minutes for a break, so joined in on the nerf gun war with Bella and our awesome neighbor, Tavis. It was so cute to watch them all shoot each other.

It is what it is....

So.... Summer has finally begun and I realized I had no idea where May went- it kind of went by in a blur.

It started with the BIG purchase of a painting company... Signature Painting, Inc. Wow. I can't believe we left Sherwin Williams to be self employed, but I am excited to start this adventure. It has been a HUGE roller coaster. I have no idea what I am doing... payroll, taxes, employees, accounts payable and receivable (thank heavens for the receivable part). Not to mention the headache of some very important paperwork to complete certain jobs. Its been the biggest headache ever, but I am hoping its going to be worth it. Its also hard taking over something that has been someone's "baby" for the past few years. They have their way of doing things, and we may see a different way of doing things. But, hopefully it will all be ironed out and all will be good. Brad sure is working hard, though, to make sure those jobs are all lined out.

In the middle of buying a company, we had Disney World. A BLAST, as you can tell from the previous posts. Then, two days after we got back... Walnut School's Spring Fling Carnival. What a HUGE success. I am so impressed with the ladies I worked with. They have so much talent and organizational skills. It was so wonderful.

Then... the big day.... Bella graduated from Kindergarten. She is such a BIG girl. She tested at almost a second grade reading level and is one of the top in her class. I am SO proud of her accomplishments and her willingness to learn. Ivy also did really well in her preschool class. Her teachers are working with her on her speech and she is progressing. I'm excited to see what the next year brings.

I am also heading back to work for Farm Bureau... I've kind of been MIA for the past few months. I've had to concentrate on Signature Painting and the kids' activities and feel that those situations take priority over this job. However, I LOVE it. It gets me out of the house and I love working with insurance. I have a great boss that is so understandable so its nice to have a "home" to come back to when I want/need to.

In the fall... I will also probably start teaching preschool gymnastics. I am SO excited about this one. I use to love being in gymnastics and I'm hoping to get my girls into it more.

So... THREE part time jobs, ONE full time house, TWO full time kids.... Whewww.

I have a really good friend that taught me... "it is what it is." When you have bad times come your way... It is what it is and you just have to deal with it. I'm grateful for how things are. We have a lot on our plate right now, but its a good thing. Sometimes we need to shake things up.

Welcome to Disney World!

While it was snowing and raining in our lovely home town.... We went to SUNNY and HOT Orlando. Mom and dad invited the whole family to have a huge get together in Orlando this spring. They are awesome. Everyone was able to go except our fearless leader, Brad. Since we just started a new business... Brad needed to stay home and take care of things. This trip kind of fell at a weird time for us, but we made it work and the girls and I had a tremendously great time! We had a long day of flights and layovers, but then made it into Orlando Friday night and my parents took us to an awesome condo. We stayed at the Sheraton Vistana... Very nice and so friendly. They even helped us find a doctors office.... Bella got a fever on Sunday and on Monday, we found out she had strep throat. So, after a day of antibiotics... We were off to Disney World. We were constantly on the move and the girls were SO worn out by the time we left to come home, but it was very worth it. I am so grateful for very generous parents that allowed for all of us to be together. Marisa and Paul's family were great hosts to all of our family meals and bath time with all the cousins. Kelli and Ryan were awesome to go swimming with... Ryan has the touch with the little ones. Kyla and Paul were so much fun and Ivy just can't get enough of Uncle Paul. Thanks so much!!! It was so great to see all of you!