present time :)

Maelie got her present from us today since we are leaving tomorrow. She wanted her present hidden, so she had to find them. She had 3 smaller presents wrapped up - chalk, paint, and dry erase crayons... then she found the easel!

Maelie's Birthday Cake

Today we had birthday cake over at Grandma and Grandpa Rogers' house for Maelie's birthday. Maelie wanted a Rapunzel tower cake. That was very daunting to me, because every time I make a cake, it doesn't work out too well. But I still wanted to try it and go for it. I froze the cakes and that made a big difference for frosting them. It is far from perfect but it's probably the best cake I've ever made. Jonas made a stand with a dowel so that made it pretty sturdy. It was really fun to make and Maelie liked it, that's the important thing!

Maelie has been asking Grandma to make her a princess hat for who knows how long, so she was pretty excited to pull it out of the bag today! Grandma also made her this adorable dress!

Lovin' all the presents! Family is so nice - thanks so much!

don't buy dollar store candles! they were trying to keep them lit while we were singing to her :)

Maelie turns 7 while we are in Canada on Friday!

Happy Independence Day!!!

Happy 4th! (the kids enjoying our red, white, and blue pancakes this morning) We have been doing good and trying to keep cool! The kids finished swimming lessons last week. Maelie and Kyla passed their levels!!! but Jaxon didn't, but he made good progress for him! Maelie and Kyla will be starting their next level on Saturdays in August after school has started. School starts 3 weeks from today!!! And we are leaving to Canada in 11 days! We will get back right in time for school and will have to miss meet the teacher night, oh well. Friday my Mom and I (and Shannon too) made a weighted blanket for Kyla. It's supposed to help calm kids down. She loves it so far and even let me put away her baby blanket. Friday night we went swimming with fam. Saturday we went to IKEA and bought Maelie's birthday present and got some stuff for Shannon. We also had breakfast there since that's what they were still serving. We were 5 minutes late for free kids lunch we realized after we had already eaten! Then we took the kids to play at Shannon's while Jonas and I went to see 17 Miracles. It was an awesome movie about the Willy hand cart company. It made me feel very grateful to them and very blesssed for all the conveniences we have! I tell the kids now, if they don't like their dinner they can have flour and water, hehehe. :) Yesterday was a great lazy Sunday! Today we are getting stuff done around the house. We found a Western Banded Gecko in our garage, it was so cool!!! We named him Firework since it's the 4th. ANYWAY, later today we are having a BBQ, maybe going swimming or doing rockets, not sure, and then going to see the fireworks, YAY!! Happy 4th!!!

I need an expensive camera and photoshop!

My camera is kinda lame and picnik can only do so much and won't even let me get rid of all redeye sometimes... Oh well, someday! But anyway, Trevon and Hillary are married and on their way to California! Maelie was worried that they were moving there forever, hehe. Maelie caught the bouquet, or rather she was the first to grab it when it fell on the ground. The girls were so cute dancing when the bride and groom were dancing.

Maelie loved to hold Hillary's dress for her. Yes, Maelie's face is that red, it was a very hot day! The reception was at the Wright house and was beautiful! Jaxon (and all the kids) had so much fun!

My Mom made all the girls cute purple dresses!

our purple fam just outside the temple after the sealing, the sealing was awesome by the way and in the same room Jonas and I were sealed. :) All of my siblings were there which was awesome!

Just married!!

the girls posing before we left..

It was a great, beautiful, special, hot day!! Congrats to Trevon and Hillary!!

Holden Brent and swimming lessons

The kids started swimming lessons. We tried to get them all at the same time since they are all at a different level but they ended up being one after the other so we are there at the pool each evening for an hour and a half. It hasn't been as bad as I thought it would be, there is lots of shade and there is a splash pad for the kids to play in who aren't in lessons at the time. Jaxon totally refused to go the first day. He just kept saying "I want my mommy!" even when the teacher picked him up and pulled him in. He also refused to take his flip flops off. Well, on the 2nd day Jonas took him over, we were thinking it might be better if I wasn't there, well, when that didn't work, I told him you go sit on the steps in the pool or else daddy takes you to time out in the car. Well, he sat on the steps and he let the teacher swim with him. On the third day he went willingly and we made him take his shoes off which he wasn't too happy about. We missed day 4 this week for my baby brother's wedding dinner but we will be back next week. At least he is making improvements, not sure he will pass the class tho. Maelie and Kyla are both doing great in their classes! We got them goggles on the third day and Jaxon's CRACK ME UP!! We bought a 3 pack from Sam's Club and the mask ones that Jaxon wears are so funny on him!!!

On Tuesday my brother Travis and his wife Kristin welcomed their 3rd baby into the world. A sweet little boy, Holden Brent Rogers. I was so excited to get to the hospital and hold that newborn! I am getting so anxious to hold my own little boy and so happy that the 2 will be close in age. Congrats to Travis, Kristin, Ethan, and Brielle!! The pic is Maelie holding Holden with Shannon at her side.

Today my baby bro Trevon is getting married to Hillary! SO CRAZY! Last night was the wedding dinner that our family was in charge of and it was a busy fun day! Today we are heading to the temple. I am so excited to see them sealed in the temple - soooo awesome! And then we will head to the reception. I will take pictures!!!

car wash and dance recital

Last night was Maelie's dance recital! She had a great time and did such a great job! She was number 5 and number 38, she told us it was a long long long long long time before her 2nd dance. It was fun to watch her as well as the cousins and even both my sisters. :) Jaxon and Zacary had a great time playing together in the audience...

Maelie and Rebecca backstage and ready to dance!

Maelie right before I took her backstage

Maelie in her curlers with Kyla (Kyla decided she was done with dance a few months ago)

Jaxon being silly, still going strong potty training. He will go on his own now when he needs to but sometimes he will run around holding himself and he still prefers no underwear. Last night he had a diaper on at the recital (I wasn't brave enough) and I could tell he needed to go, I tried to take him but he refused to go on the big potty, so that will be our next step...

cutie Kyla...

Monday night was car wash night, the kids always love that!

summer

We have been potty training so far this summer, pretty exciting. It's not going perfect but little Jaxon is doing his best. Jonas went to scout camp Monday thru Wednesday, he had a good time and we missed him (and the van) a lot! :) We went to therapy, the library, dance, Grandma's and the splash park and the kids had some friends over this week. I am half way there with this pregnancy, wahooo!! I hope the 2nd half goes faster! Oh, and I think my kids are the cutest kids in the universe. :)

30

Happy Birthday to Jonas!!! He is 30! CRAZY!!! Wish we could stay in our 20's a little longer but oh well, what do ya do? We had a fun birthday party at home. I made his fave lasagna and the girls and I made him a (ugly) rocket cake. hehehe. :)

It's a.........

We were so sure this baby was a girl and we have been right every time. Well, it was a very pleasant surprise when the tech told us it was a BOY!!! 2 of each! What awesome balance. :) The kids came and were pretty excited!!! And everything looks good, about 3 days ahead of schedule which is better than behind! oh, and as for names, we got NOTHIN'!!