API weekend

Kyle played in the famous API golf tournament over father's day weekend. He was so excited when my dad asked him. He has waited 6 years for a spot to open up on the team. He played really well and had a blast. He had one putt where he was the last one to go and no one else on the team had made it. My family had 3 other teams playing and they were all right together. So everyone was watching him and giving him a hard time and he sunk it. He was very proud and so was I! 

He said the food was amazing and there was a ton of it. I was super jealous that I didn't get to have any. I had a lot of fun hanging out with my grammy and Aunt Denee. We had fun chatting and being together. I also took Tragdon and the girls to visit my Grandma Country. It was a very fun relaxing trip. We had a blast and hopefully we get to do it next year too!

The team (Left to right) Chet (my daddy), Dennis (my grandly), Lester (my uncle), Kyle and Uncle Jackson. 

On the way to Utah Juliet never took a nap. We left at 11 and got into Roosevelt a little after 5. She was awake the entire time. She was happy of course, but no nap. She was great when got to the house too. She was happy and ran around with Abby and gave everyone hugs and kisses. She went to bed great too, but that at 12:30 she woke up and wouldn't go back to sleep. She would scream when she was in her crib, but then be happy and wanted to play as soon as we got her out. It was awful. Finally I went into the big room upstairs that has all the toys and shut the door. I fell asleep on the couch while Juliet ran around and played for 45 minutes. Then Kyle came in and traded me. He did the same thing for about another 45 minutes until she finally fell asleep. Then she slept for about 4 hours until we woke her up so that she would take a nap that afternoon. It was crazy and it was hard for me to catch up on my sleep. She looks like an angel in this picture. Little stinker. At least she is almost always happy. I just love her. 

Outside swinging. Look at that little smile! She is the sweetest thing.

Filling up the car with gas getting ready to head out. They were both awesome on the drive out and on the drive back. We had to pull over to the side of the road twice so that Abby could go potty. It was hilarious holding her out and pulling her legs up so she could go and it wouldn't get all over. It was an adventure.

On Saturday while all the men folk were still playing golf we took the kids to Marions. That place is delicious. The girls loved their grilled cheeses and had fun looking at all the stuff there. It is fun to sit up to the bar and order your food. It has that small town feel for sure. Everyone knows everyone in there.

Hanging out with my grandma and aunt. It was so fun to get to see them for a little bit.

We stopped in steam boat springs on the way out and on the way back. On the way back we stopped at this awesome park that had a path along this river. It was gorgeous and felt so good to get out and stretch out legs.

On the way there we stopped at this huge overlook. It is one of the most beautiful views.

Another family self by the river on the way home.

Our sweet girls playing at the park. Steamboat is seriously gorgeous. Abby was spinning around in circles while holding her little purse.

Kyle was throwing rocks into the river and Abby wanted to do it too. I caught her mid throw. 

We were able to see a lot of my labrum family while we were out there. Thats my dad's mom's side of the family. I love them and it has been a long time since I've been able to see a lot of them. We went and visited my Great Grandpa and it was really sweet. Our girls almost destroyed the place so we didn't stay long. As we were leaving my great grandpa hugged me and told me how proud he was of me, my girls and my dad. It was a special moment. Especially coming from him. 

This is my dad and his cousin Matt, who grew up being as close as brothers. They are both grandpas now! We couldn't get abby to join us for these pictures because she was with her "boys". She was with Tragdon, Luke and Payton. She wasn't about to leave them.

Me and Matt's daughter Gentry. We are about a year apart and she is the closet thing to a cousin I have ever had. It was fun to get to meet her little girl and for her to meet Jules for the first time.

This is from when we were with my Great Grandpa. Tragdon is the sweetest uncle ever. He was so sweet with the girls. As soon as the both saw him they screamed and ran to hug him. It was adorable. At one point the little boys were all playing and throwing frisbees. One hit Jules and she started to cry and wen to Tragdon he told his cousins "I have to take a break, my niece needs me". Then he picked her up and comforted her until she was all better. So sweet. Abby followed him everywhere and he didn't mind at all. It was awesome. It warms my heart to see my girls love my family so much.

It was a wonderful trip and it was fun to make memories with family. I can't wait to be back with everyone again!

Carnival

This was one of the most of the most challenging things I have ever taken on. I was so worried and stressed out over this. It turned out amazing! 

The youth had decided that they wanted to do a carnival fundraiser. It was a really fun idea, but I had no idea what it was going to entail. The young women did great, they had amazing ideas and were so awesome in helping me get everything done. They made all of the pennant banners that we put up in the pavilion and one of my young women painted all of the signs for each of the booths. They turned out amazing. 

We had about 7 booths (we were supposed to have more but the young men...you know...) Anyways the girls did a great job picking the booths and making them amazing. 

Some things that I would do differently would to make better assignments to let the youth know where they need to be and give them better incentives to stay there. Like a competition between the booths or something. We served hotdogs, salads and watermelon for dinner. I would have had better toppings for the hotdogs to make them yummier!

I would advertise better and a whole lot more. 

I would be better at making sure that youth and leaders (young men) followed through with what they said they would do. 

The day before and the day after the carnival the weather was terrible. But the day of the carnival was a little chilly and windy, but sunny! Our knock down the cans game wouldn't stay up. The wind knocked down the cans before anyone else could. The atmosphere was awesome. We had music playing, the decorations were awesome. We had a snow cone and a shaved ice machine. My second councilor does events and she knows how to do face painting and balloon animals. She taught the laurels how to make balloon animals, and two of my other girls helped with face painting. They worked their little tails off the entire time. 

I was so proud of those girls. And luckily we made some good money too! It was so fun! I'm very glad I don't have to do it again until next year. 

The decorations at the pavillion

Our hot dog grillers! Kyle cooked hotdogs all night long. He cooked at least 300 hot dogs. Crazy.

Balloon flower and ballon sword. I love these two kids. So do Abby and Jules.

Awesome facepainting and a fish from the fish booth.

Our knock down the cans game. Check out that sign. Ana did a great job. The girls recovered all of the cans in scrapbook paper too. So cute.

A member of the bishopric in the dunk tank.

More awesome face paiting!

Abby wasn't impressed.

Abby and her buddy stetson sharing a shaved ice. They are so dang cute together.

The sweetest little face. My dad was in town this weekend and it worked out great. He took care of my sweet girls so kyle could help me and I could focus on the carnival. We were so lucky to have him.

My First counselor Meagan and my secretary Kaylene. I love these girls.

Super awesome face painting! Ana and Tristana were naturals. The face painting booth and the dunk tank were the most popular.

Another awesome sign by the incredible Ana. She is seriously amazing.

My amazing husband slaving away. I am so grateful for him. He was so patient with me when I was so stressed over everything. He was always there to help, and he worked so hard. I couldn't be luckier.

Cute little Stetson digging through the treasure dig. The little kids loved this booth.

What an adventure. I am learning so much and growing so much. I love this calling so much. It is pushing me and helping me to be better. It was so much fun. But I wouldn't mind never having to do it again. Ha ha. 

From Kyle

So I have not done this yet. I need to write a post and explain why I am the luckiest man in the world. My wife impressed me so much yesterday when our ward had a large fundraising carnival that she put together. They raised over $800 and it really was a lot of fun. I was beaming with pride as she was delegating to all of the people there helping when they were setting up, running the show, and taking down. She is an amazing woman, young woman's leader, mother and wife. I cannot believe how well she takes care of our girls, keeps the house clean, serves in the church and still manages to find time for me. All the while with a smile on her face. It's been five and a half years and I just keep getting happier and happier. She helps me with my weaknesses and is helping me become the man I've always wanted to be. I love you Nat.

Kyle
p.s. She styled this pic. AMAZING!

Its May!

I can't believe it is already May and that my sweet little Abigail will be 3 years old this month! Time is just flying by! 

The last week of April and this first week of May have been kind of a bummer. Kyle is in the middle of very stressful finals. And this friday when he finishes he won't have any break. They start right back up the following Monday. He is working so hard and we couldn't be more proud of him or more grateful for how hard he works. I just love that man. Even when he is so stressed and busy, he makes sure he gives me the time I need to go running, and go out with my friends. I couldn't be luckier. Seriously.

Abby and Jules have been so much fun lately. Juliet seems to be taking a break from cutting more teeth. It has been so nice to have our happy Juliet back again. She is such a happy light in our home. You can't help but be happy when you are around her. She is always smiling, laughing and wanting to hug you. She will look right into your eyes, talk to you and give you a big smile and a hug. It is impossible to be sad around her. I wish I could capture her sweet hugs and kisses and always remember exactly how they feel. How her little eyes look as she looks into mine. Its like a little bit of heaven. 

Abby is my little fireball. She is so sweet, and funny and full of life. She doesn't nap, and she is always go, go, go. I love that about her, she keeps me very active. One of her new favorite things is to get a blanket, or her towel after her bath and have us hold her "like a baby". I never say no. I get to snuggled her up in my arms and she just holds still. Its amazing, and so incredibly sweet. She has had some big life changes where we have asked her to be more independent. Like potty training, and I think she is struggling a little bit with some of it. She still wants to be held close, and I have to remember that she is still so little. She is so smart, and says the funniest things. She loves to make me and her little sister laugh. She is working on sharing and not being a toy hoarder. She is getting a lot better at trading toys instead of just taking whatever she wants from Jules. 

Abby with all of her disney stickers on her jacket. She is channeling her inner uncle carson.

Her hair is getting so long and thick!! I have an appointment to cut it next monday!!

Eating our lunch outside. These two little girls love to be outside, luckily the weather has been so nice this year!

Watching TV together. I love how jules is just chilling on the floor. that is so her. Abby's hair is in a crazy mess because she won't leave her pony tail in all day. And her clothes don't match. Classic Abby. 

One of my all time favorite pictures of these girls. Juliet has started saying "tcheese" when we ask her to smile. So darn cute!

So I made a quilt. I started it during conference and just finished it this past week. I am in love with how it turned out. I made a lot of mistakes, but over all it looks really good.

One of those heart melting moments as they played together. Every time Abby would get out of the stroller Juliet would freak out and start pointing to Abby and then back in the stroller until Abby came back. It was hilarious.

I bought them these cute little chairs to sit on outside and for when we go camping. They are in love with them. They look so cute hanging out together. Abby always makes sure the chairs are right next to each other.

Picking flowers. They both love to go for walks and pick all the flowers. Abby likes to take them home, Juliet likes to eat them.

Juliet loves holding hands. She will come up to you and grab for your hand saying "han". She then gets a death grip and wants to walk around everywhere. She even does it to Abby and Abby is really good about taking her hand and running around with her. Another heart melting moment.

I wish I could freeze the two of them exactly as they are right now. Abby wants to listen to the pirates of the Caribbean ride soundtrack over and over and over and over again. Juliet loves to hold my hand and walk all over the house. They both want me to hold them like a baby when I'm feeding Juliet her bottle before bed. So I have one draped over each arm holding them close to me as they play with my hair. They always usually play very well together. And those moments when they are playing so well together melt my heart. I wish I could write down all of the things that they do. I don't want to forget, I want to always remember how wonderful and exhausting these days were for me. Even though I say  I want to freeze them as they are right now, I've learned from experience that it only gets better. I can't wait to see where this summer takes us!