To all the Nay Sayers... the Debate is over!

So, as we were watching the Lehi Horse Parade (which I am sure Pam will post about later), Pam reminds me that this August we will celebrate our 15th Wedding Anniversary. Whoa!! That went quick - I think that it is my turn to plan our anniversary this year (Any ideas?).


This post is not about Pam but for all her family and friends that say our kids look like her. Don't get me wrong, Pam is beautiful and our kids (especially our girls) look like her - thank goodness for them. Here are some pictures of me as a child and I think you will see some similarities... you decide?



First, the crazzzy Dutch Boy Hair? Oh, did I forget to mention a binky??


Second, the 70's background and clothing??





Third, always eating, wanting to eat, or chewing on something - Mom Give me some Cake!!!
Where is that guy - that man guy... he always gives me CAKE!!!


AND Finally, you will no longer wonders where Ella gets the big blue eyes and slobber?



Like I said the debate is over. If you need more proof... I can pull more picture and add others of Preston, Abbie, and Mckena.

cake bar date night

DISCLAIMER:

this super fun yummy treat was not my idea. totally stole the idea from kellie's blog!

THANKS!

for family date night we had a cake bar! the kids thought it was awesome!

#1 pick out your cake mix and stuff to add into your cake!

(we picked marshmallows and chocolate chips)

#2 in a microwavable bowl mix 1/2 cup cake mix and 1/3 cup h20 and mix.

don't forget to add in anything you think would be yummy!

#3 pop it in the microwave for 90 or so sec. and let cool

#4 frost and sprinkle

#5 shove it in your face as fast as humanly possible

#6 super happy little people who think mom is great:O)

p.s. request for next time nuts, coconut, and m&m's!

THURSDAYS THOUGHTS

1. happy today because i was up, ready for the day, and had my house cleaned by 8:30. LOVE IT!
2. happy today because i got to do something nice for someone yesterday. feels good to pay it forward. i am going to fine ways of doing it more often!
3. mckena is at the age where she wants to play ALL the time. she is pretty much driving me crazy!
4. why do kids have to eat all the time? i think my kids actually believe that we live in a buffet. that's the thing about summer...your grocery bill is through the roof!
5. having a hard time finding tents for girls camp and youth conference. i need some good 8 man tents that you can stand up in for a good price. any ideas?
6. love that it has been raining every night. i open my windows and listen. it is the best plus my flowers love it:O)
7. my baby will not drink ANYTHING out of her sippy cup. i have never had a problem with this before. i have tried milk , juice, choco milk, even diet coke. no go. i think i might have to resort to tough parenting and just wait until she gets thirsty enough. i don't know.
8. so funny story... my mom asked me to take her little family history she wrote for a reunion and type it up. of course i said yes and brought it home. as i am reading i am thinking this is boring. then i have this great idea. i could embellish a little and make this a great story! so at this point my mind is running...we could have become fly fishing experts, sold our houses and decided to live on the road in a motor home, had some great family party's like a nose hair waxing party or square dancing hoe down. ya know just some stuff to make people think, did they really do that? so as I am reading i realize that in the part of telling about her children she had totally left me out! yep went from cheryl right to kenny. no mention of me in the middle. can you believe it??? now i love my mom and i know shes on medication but for real? so i start laughing hysterically and then i decided fine if she cant even remember me than she can take her boring old letter to the reunion or i could help her tell all about her most favorite beautiful, talented, daughter:O)

TOUR DE CURE!!

On Friday we went up to Brigham City for the Tour De Cure. Boyd, Mare and our family headed out in the afternoon to check into the hotel and figure out where we were suppose to be. After we were totally grossed out by the first hotel we were lucky enough to find 2 rooms available at the Day's Inn. Josh got our money back and we HAPPILY checked in to our new rooms. Jo and Grandma caught up with us for a yummy dinner at Maddox (Thanks Boyd and Mare),a little ice cream and then straight to bed for the riders. Josh, Jo, Boyd,& Mare in one room and me, the little people, and Grandma in the other.
Saturday morning looked a little scary but Abbie has been praying that they wouldn't get hurt or rained on so we tried not to worry:O) After checking in and getting bib numbers the team was posing for a photo at the starting line when the director came down and asked Abbie to join him on the podium. When she got up there he announced her name and told the riders that Abbie was going to lead them out to the course! What a great experience!!! Grandma and I couldn't help but shed a few tears watching her up there. When the race started she took off with 300+ riders behind her. What a sight! Abbie had the best time. The ride was perfect! Overcast so it wasn't too hot, a few rain drops, beautiful scenery, and lots of great people. Josh and I are so grateful for all of you that came to ride. Boyd, Mare and Dave came all the way from Vegas, Ryan rode with an injury, and Jo rode as the representative for the Aunties of the Brown family. We also wanted to tell Grandma a big fat thank you for helping me with support. You were the BEST!!! We appreciate all the money that was donated and raise on Abbie's behalf. We recognize the sacrifices that you have made on our behalf. Words can never express how blessed we feel to have such great friends and family who are so willing to do whatever it takes to support Abbie. We pray that you will also be blessed for your efforts. Thanks so much for making this the perfect ride! I don't think any of us, especially Abbie, will ever forget this memorable weekend!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Happy Birthday Mckena!

THE BIG 5!!!!

This picture cracks me up:O)

This morning Mckena woke up and starting asking if she could open her presents up. All she has asked for was a dog but since that isn't happening ( I know I am a mean mom) she settled for a this great set of Polly pockets with a swimming pool! I am sure this is just as good as a dog:O) I am sure this will bring HOURS of entertainment and some floods too!
She pick her favorite Cinnamon rolls for breakfast with chocolate milk. When I pulled them out of the oven she said "This is the best birthday ever!" Who knew it would be that easy?

Then off to our Wed. neighborhood activity. We went to the BYU Art Museum for the I spy exhibit. It was family day so they had extra activities and the kids had a great time with the face painting, cookie making and they LOVED the art pieces:O)

For dinner Grandma Brown and Pappy came and took Josh and the littles to dinner and shopping!

Mckena picked IHOP and shopping at Target.

Then home for cake and ice cream!

Here are a few things about Mckena and her 5th year...

her bestest friends are Emily, Faith, Kate, Aryann, and Ellie.

She loves to color. If she draws a person they always come with a belly button:O)

LOVES to sing and dance.

Still scared of the water.

WONT eat or drink anything red (except licorice) Weird huh?

Super independent

great story teller

never has ANYTHING to wear but usually has a purse

has full on cell phone conversations even though the phone dosent have a battery:O)

Favorite song is When Jesus Christ was Baptized

Favorite colors are brown, purple and white
Total sass-a-fras but we love her to pieces! She keeps us laughing and is so much fun.

We love you Kena!!

pretty much the best weekend ever!

Last weekend Jo and Jed hosted the 1st annual Camping at the Chrisman park!

On Friday after the kids had their last day of school and the men got home from work we congregated at the Chrisman's for a camp out!!!

We had a yummy dinner and then set up our tents.

While Josh was setting up our tent these two little cuties came wondering in for some love from Uncle Josh!

Car Car and Spence came from AZ. for the celebration. Car got all the beads for the kids to make necklaces. We set up a table in the garage away from the wind and worked on our creative side!





Since Ella wanted to eat the beads, I took her in the kitchen where she found a drawer with all of Taylor's Binky's can you say HEAVEN!!! She was very fair in sucking time with each Binky:O)
It wouldn't be a real camp out unless we had SMORES!!!
We had a little fire pit in the center of the tents and after some instructions and threats from Aunt JO JO on not using the marshmallow roasters as swords we made yummy smores!

The kids thought this was super fun!

Ella's version of a smore:O)

Abbie LOVED the smores! I wont even tell you how much insulin we used! WOW! Good thing this is once a year:O)

When it got dark Josh hooked up the laptop and projector for a movie on the house.

The kids got their sleeping bags and lined them up in a row. Super cute!

Mckena And Georgia all snuggled up!

Jo Jo and Cy snuggled up he was so tired all he wanted was his Mama!

The next morning I went for a run while Josh, Spence, and the Brown girls all got ready for a bike ride.

Here they are ready to go don't they look tuff?

On Sunday we meet and Grandma Brown's for dinner and hanging out. Car Car and Spence introduced my kids to the game of Clue. They played about 5 games that night and now the kids are saving their money to buy their own game.
It was a great weekend! Thanks Jo hosting we made some great memories and we cant wait till next year!

recitals

Preston and Abbie had their first piano recital. Grandma Brown and Pappy came for dinner and then we headed over to the church for the recital. Sister Burt, the Bishop's wife, is their teacher. She is one of the sweetest women you will ever meet. We are so grateful to her for helping our kids find the love of music. There is nothing better than watching them develop their talents.

Both did a fantastic job. Abbie played an individual song and a duet with her bff Sarah. Sorry I erased the photo:O( Preston played an individual song and also a trio with his friend Taylor and the Bishop.
We are so proud of both of you! You did a great job:O)

josh's new job!

a few months ago the chief of social work retired and they ask josh to "temporarily" fill in as the chief until they could hire one. well he did that and found that he really enjoyed this so... when the job came up he stepped down from acting and applied for the job. he was worried when he realized who he was interviewing against. some really great people applied and they were only interviewing 2, josh and another gentleman who has 20+ yrs social work experience. they interviewed on thursday and on friday morning they called and offered him the position. HURRAY for josh. he works really hard and it was so satisfying to see him rewarded for his efforts. we really didn't think this kind of a job would come up for another few years so we are thrilled. i know that he will do a great job. they are still in the negotiation faze and he will start in the next week or two ( the federal government takes FOREVER)! mckena has started calling josh CHIEF. chief i need some water, chief will you help me get my clothes on... it really is funny to listen to her. CONGRATS josh! We appreciate how hard you work for our family. we LOVE you!

Preschool graduation

McKena Graduated!!! Preschool was event every Monday Wednesday, and Friday. We usually got some really great stories and good laughs. One of my favorite moments was when I dropped her off and she would start running back she would turn and wave every few feet. It really was cute I did worry however that she was going to hurt herself by not watching where she was going.
Graduation was really fun. We were treated to some great songs and lots of smiles
Thanks to Miss Jennifer and Miss Jessica!

end of the year program

Abbie had her end of the year program. It was fun to go watch them sing their hearts out. Abbie loves to do stuff like this so she was totally in her element:O)

Abbie and one of her bff's Tia
Abbie, Tia, and their teacher, Mrs. Page

All in all 2nd grade was a success.