Ferrari California

My husband has been in love since he was 5 years old and it wasn't with a girl from kindergarten. His first love was a Ferrari. When we were invited to the unveiling of the new Ferrari California he was so excited! It was a lot of fun and the food was great. He was so cute, all he kept commenting on was how fast the top went down! It did go down very fast, but out of all the things a $250,000 car could impress you with he was very impressed with something so simple! Lucky for me he is easily satisfied. Thanks for the fun date night and forcing me out of my pajamas.

Time for Bed Baby

Bentley loves to get ready for bed! She loves playing in the tub. She'll lay on her belly and blow bubbles and practices kicking her feet in the tub. She loves to splash! You can dump a whole bucket of water on her head and it doesn't bother her at all. She even dumps water over her head all by herself.

Bentley loves to brush her teeth all by herself just like Mak and Perry. She thinks that she doesn't need Mommy's help at all! She is very stubborn and persistent which I will someday see as a strength in her character instead of a frustration for me.

Bentley will let me do her hair as long as it's done quickly. Otherwise, she likes to try to drink the perfumes on my counter.

Bentley is very good about being revrant and saying her prayers for about 3 seconds. She sits down and says "Thank you....AMEN!"

Then we give kisses and she lays down in her crib, curls up like a bug with her bum in the air, cuddles her Buppy and goes night night.

Sweet dreams my love.

This afternoon I took Bentley and Roman to the Spectrum. Bentley played in the splash pads for the first time and had so much fun! She kept looking down where the water shoots out and she kept getting hit in the face! I was laughing so hard at her. She is such a curious little girl. We had a lot of fun and it was such a great way to cool off on such a hot summer day!

Utah

We headed to Utah for Matt's, my brother in law, mission homecoming. He served his mission in Richmond, Virginia. The kids were so excited to see him! Mak and Perry didn't remember him very well since they were 4 and 2 when he left, but they picked up right where they left off. They had so much fun playing with Uncle Matt! Bentley met her uncle for the first time ever and ran right to him when we got to Grandma Hartshorn's house. Bentley wanted to play with Uncle Matt, Grandpappy, or Dad the whole time. She wanted nothing to do with the women.

This was Bentley's second trip on an airplane and she did not want to sit still at all! She didn't cry or whine but she just wanted to play the whole time! At least it's only 1.5hr trip!

We stayed at Stein Erickson Lodge the first night we were there. It was very relaxing and it was so nice to just have my hubby around for a day.

On Thursday we drove down to Salt Lake to be closer to all the family activities. We stayed at the Little America. Mak and Perry love to stay at hotels. The kids all gained up on Dad and had a massive tickle and pillow fight! Friday morning we went to the Days of 47 Parade to celebrate Pioneer day. Bentley loved the "horsheys." I think they are her new favorite animal. Mak and Perry got front row seats. A family that had camped overnight was kind enough to squeeze them into the group and let them sit front and center to watch the parade.

On Saturday, we went to Snowbird to ride the Alpine Slide, and just go play! Bentley had such a fun time in the bounce house! We couldn't get her out of there! Perry rode the Alpine Slide with Mike and they raced Uncle Matt. Of course they won! Makayla was so afraid to ride it so she went with Aunt Megan, who is very cautious! They came down so slow, it was the perfect speed for Makayla and she had the biggest smile afterwards! I was so proud of her for conquering her fears, she wanted to ride it over and over! Afterwards Mike, Matt and Makayla went to ride the mechanical bull! Again, Mak was so afraid! She was crying so hard and being the awful Mom that I am I reminded her of how she felt about the Alpine Slide and how much fun she ended up having! Still crying I pushed her into that line and got my camera ready while laughing hysterically! She ended up having a lot of fun and went on it again! I love that kid! We rode the tram up to the top of Snowbird and enjoyed the amazing views! We also saw a deer while we were up there.

Saturday evening we went to the Oquirrh Hill Temple Open House. It was so special taking my children into the temple with me and walking through the celestial room with them. They were so curious about what went on in every room and had so many questions for me. Perry was mostly concerned with the baptismal font where we do baptisms for the dead. He didn't understand why people come to die in a bath tub at the temple, he is certain that thats where he wants to die when he's old. Makayla's favorite part was the brides room. She loved the gorgeous chandeliers and vanities. She told me that she can't wait to be a bride and get married in the temple. I am so thankful for the spirit that we felt as a family walking through the house of the lord together. I am also thankful for the love my children have for the gospel and how the open house excited them and their growth in the church!

After we went to the open house we went out to eat. Perry rode with Uncle Matt and his girlfriend, Catherine. While they were in the car Perry asked Uncle Matt, "Are we friends?"

"Perry, we're gonna be friends for a very long time."

"Thats good, Uncle Matt."

We had a lot of fun in Utah, despite the heat. I love traveling with my family and am so grateful for the memories that we made together! I am so happy that the kids love their Uncle Matt and had a great time bonding with him. We are so proud of him and his commitment to serve the lord, but we are also very happy to him home!

Swim Lessons

The kids took some swim lessons and I am so proud of them! Mak started at a level 3 and at the end of one week she graduated to a level 4. She has learned to dive, do the back stroke, and breast stroke. She is so confident in the water and has more and more fun swimming.

Mak diving.

Perry has really started becoming more comfortable in the water. He will jump in but still doesn't want to get his head wet. He's learned to kick and "scoop the water". I'm sure he'll be swimming by the end of the summer! Good job Lovies!

Perry's 4th Birthday

This year I was not up for the tasking of planning and preparing for a birthday party and then cleaning up after all those kids! So I found a solution, we had Perry's party at Bears, Buddies and Toys. It was the best party ever!

The party was was held in a library and a pirate ship! This is the second year in a row Perry has wanted a pirate party.

All of the boys dressed up like pirates and the girls got to dress up like princess'.

All the kids got to stuff an animal of their choice and pick out any outfit they wanted. They all made a wish for Perry and put their wishing star in his stuffed animal.

This is Perry's girlfriend Lily. They met in preschool. When Perry was star of the week he had a poster he had to fill out about himself. One of the questions was "If you had one wish, what would you wish for?" Perry's response was "That Lily will marry me and for rock n' roll toys."

Perry's preschool buddies: Matteo aka Matato, James, Louis, and Perry

The kids got to march in their own parade around the pirate ship.

Bentley got to march too, although she didn't keep up.

Perry and Johnny

Take a big breathe and make a wish!

I can't believe my little man is 4! It's amazing how much he has grown and learned in 4 years! I am so pleased with the little boy he is becoming. He is so sensitive, patient and kind. He never ceases to melt my heart or make me laugh hysterically! I love you Perry, more than you will ever know!

4th of July

Our morning started off at a ward breakfast at Bluebird Park, the bishop and previous bishops cook pancakes for everyone. They were delicious!

After breakfast the kids all participated in games and races.

This was Perry's first time climbing up these ropes all by himself with some coaching from his favorite, Nonnie!

Bentley was absolutely exhausted!

Michelle Kimball, Me, and Brittany Ballash

After our picnic we came home and took naps, then made our way to the beach. Mike loves to play Smashball and Bentley always wants to play. This is Bentley and Daxton giving it a try!

Nonnie and Makayla

Perry just couldn't take anymore and fell asleep under the umbrella.

The kids dug a huge hole with some help from Mike and Greg.

Cutest swimsuit ever on the cutest baby ever!

We bbq'ed at our house after and watched all 4 firework shows from our patio without having to fight any crowds or parking! It was so much fun and such a great day!