The Land that I LOVE

The 4th of July has become my favorite holiday over the past few years. I love getting together with family and friends to celebrate. I love how layed back it is. The parades and festivals, barbeque's, the shorts and flip flops and of course the fireworks. What better way to celebrate our Independence?

We had a such a fun time this year. One of our family's most favorite things to do is going to the sand dunes. I love, love, LOVE IT!! Especially at Sand Hallow, (near St. George.) It's hotter than hades but down there they have the Sand Hallow reservoir that sits at the bottom of the dunes. So you can literally go ride around for an hour or two and when you get too hot, you just cruise on down to the lake and go jump in!

Family guy! Lol!!

Taking a break

We stayed at Jon's Uncle's winter home that sits right on the Sky Mountain golf course. Each night there we had fun in the community pool.

I LOVE THIS MAN!!!

Jon's birthday was on a Wed this year so the two of us kept it low key and went to dinner at one of our favorite restaurants, Texas Roadhouse. Afterwards we headed up to the mountains and went for a off-road 4-wheeling ride up to Bountiful Peak. We both love to do that and we always have a good time with each other. It was perfect for him!

We also celebrated our 5th anniversary on June 17th! It seems to have snuck up on us but at the same time so much has happened in the past 5 years that it seems like we've been together much longer than that.

I always knew that Jon was the one I was suppose to spend my life with. I don't know where I'd be without him. He has always been such a good example to me. Jon loves to serve and help others. Those who know him know what a hard worker he is. He is such a great provider for our family and I have 100% trust in him. (And he's handsome!! :) He's such an incredible husband and father to our girls. People in our ward make comments to me all the time about how great they think it is that Jon takes our 3 little girls to church by himself every other weekend when I'm at work. Most of the men say they wouldn't dare. But he's a good sport and our girls adore their daddy. I love you SO much, babe!!

Fun times in Horseshoe Bend

This past June Jon and I took our kids up to visit his family in Horseshoe Bend, Idaho. We always love going up there. Every time is full of fun, laughs, games, 4-wheeling rides, cookie-dough eating and adventures!! This trip we went on a half day (guided) horseback ride in the mountains above the Payette River. It was Beautiful! Afterward we came back to the ranch and had a weenie roast. We all had SO much fun!

4-wheelin' above his parents house...this is a neat barn we saw along our ride.

~Our fun horseback riding adventure~

WARNING: Picture overload!!

Jon getting aquainted with his horse

They had fun swings and a teeter-totter for the kids

On the trail...so Beautiful!

Jon and I had Oakley and Whitney and Kiaya rode

with his sister Joie. (I wish I had a picture of them).

All of us on top of the summit

The gang!

(Jeremy & Danilynn, Nikki, Jenna, Grma Walker, Joie & Kiaya,

Grpa Walker, Jon & Whity, Britt & Oakley)

HaPpy 7th BirThDaY KiaYa!!

We celebrated Kiaya's 7th birthday this summer. Man, do I feel like I'm getting old! Let me tell ya, it's crazy when your kids start getting to that age and do things that you yourself can remember doing when you were little. Although, it's fun to have girls that I can relate to.

Kiaya is our little "social butterfly". Anyone who has ever met her would agree. She is so much fun and so full of life! It's fun (and a little bitter-sweet, too) to see her grow up and get more beautiful each year.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KIAYA! We LOVE you!!!This year Kiaya invited her cousins Anna,McKenna & Ashley and her friends Madie, Ashley, Avery & Elli over for a swim party and pizza. They had a pretty good time!

She loves High School Musical and Webkinz!

Whity & Kiaya

Say CHEEEESE!!

Bunch of cuties!

WAY behind...

It's been forever since I've posted anything and this has been one of the busiest summers our family has had. So needless to say I'm a bit behind on my blogging, but here are a couple of posts for now. In the meantime I'm working on others.

Oakley's 1st Birthday!!

Oakley had her 1st Birthday on May 13th. She had a Ladybug themed party. It was our family and grandma & grandpa Richins. It was pretty low key but a lot of fun too!

Oakley is such a sweetheart! We have enjoyed having her in our family so much. I can't believe how fast the year flew by! Wow!! Now it's hard to imagine what life would be like without her. We love you, sweetie!!!