The Ranch

Please tell me you're laughing. No normal person can see this fluffy baby and not literally laugh out loud! This is at Grandpa's Ranch. There's something about going up north and sitting in thick super comfy green grass that would put this kind of goofy grin on anyones face. Does she not look happy? Sorry, she's mine. I get to squeeze her whenever I want. I also get to nibble on those fat cheeks and see those big blue eyes disappear when she smiles so big. Mine. :)

Cousins are the best! We got to bring Aiden up with us a couple times this summer and he was surrounded by girls most of time! What a trooper. These guys would spend forever in the play house and amazingly, no one came in bleeding!!

Our great friends came up for the 24th celebration. Josh and Sadie and their 3 boys were so much fun to have up there. We're watching the St. John's rodeo here. I just love how D can hang with the guys!

Jenna's Cheerio mouth! This was one of the first times I saw her do it, but now it's a constant! Those little lips are just so kissable!

There's an afternoon shower almost daily up there and the girls HAD to get their "baby soups" on! This is Crystal and Abby ( Shelly's kids ) with Daisy. Those girls are just glowing with cousin love!!

Utah!! For Grandma's 90 Birthday!!

We went to Utah for my sweet Grandma Gunderson's 90th birthday! We drove up with my sister Cherise's family in their motor home and holy cow was that nice! No stopping to eat or change diapers! We watched movies and played games and even took very comfortable naps. So fun!

Daisy decided to get a little reading time in on our way up. Did I mention how awesome the motor home was? Not one time did either of my kids say, " I want out!"

This is my incredible Grandma Gunderson. She has this contagious laugh that draws you in. She's almost completely blind but still lives by herself and has a pot of fresh stew and hot bread every time we come to her house. She sends a birthday card to all of her grandchildren and great grandchildren every year (130 something people I think). Whenever we talk on the phone, I always get a little sting in my eye thinking that it could be the last time I hear that wonderful laugh of hers. I love and admire this woman so much for her incredible example of optimism and kindness. She has spunk too! We often quote her when we say, " If you've got it, flaunt it!" or " Oh, you can always sneak one in." ( talking about having children if your husband says no more!) How could you not love this woman!? I'm so blessed to have her!

Our family with Grandma Great!!!

Four generations of crazy spunky girls! :)

California!!!!

We went to visit some friends in Santa Monica and had the best time! The weather was amazing, the beach was beautiful, and it's always good to see fun friends! Note the sand all over Jenna's mouth. She ate it all day!

This is our so cute friend and amazing hostess Brittny. We made her pose so we could take a picture of her wedding ring. Holy crap! Right?! I love it! Go big or go home!

No Daisy did nothing evil to Jenna! The girl never even lays a finger on her! I think Jenna's mad cause she just realized that the sand doesn't taste like chocolate.

Daisy made sand castles all day! She loved the beach and says she's going back in a minute. :)

Scott and Brad ( Brittny's hubby) were roommates at UCI and played soccer there together. They got to go to the LA Galaxy vs. Barcelona game and loved it! Those are happy boys huh!

Colorado Summer Trip

There's something about road trips that make me want to giggle and cry at the same time... Actually more cry than giggle. Why does flying have to be so expensive?! Optimism. OK. We really saw some beautiful sights on our way to Scott's cousins wedding in Colorado. It is truly a gorgeous state.

This, unfortunately, was not one of our gorgeous sites. This is the face of a child thinking, " If you jam one more cracker in my mouth, I'm gonna lose it!!" Poor Jenna.

Suckers were our saving grace! Oh, and Barbie movies.

Before you call CPS! You need to know that at this point of Jenna's life her buns were "sturdy" enough for her to keep great balance! She wasn't going anywhere. This was just another diaper changing break.

This picture cracks me up! For those of you offended by tub shots, look a bit closer!! It just so happens that there are no offensive body parts showing!!

Daisy and Nana at the fish hatchery. Scott's Uncle Ed worked at the hatchery and had some major pull on getting us loads of fish food! :) Notice the sweaters!! This is June ladies and gentlemen June!!

Here's Uncle Ed, Jenna, Scotty, and Aunt Marsha.

We went for a drive up in the mountains. We were about 2weeks early for all the wild flowers but it was still amazing! Look at how stinken green!!

OK all you photographers! Scotty took this one and I think there needs to be some award. Like the "Awesome Picture Taking Daddy" award. We were just driving along and he stopped and said, "Lets get a picture right here." Good eye babe.

Sooo Sweet! Here we are at Sarah's wedding. Jenna got passed around to everyone but I think she loved Papa best! This one is definately a framer.

Why? You ask? Because he's Scott. That's why. I don't know how the crap those glasses wound up at a classy wedding...wait yes I do! He brought them!!! Wow! He makes me laugh!

This is Scott's oldest sister Shannon and her hubby Robert. They live in Denver in this awesome house that they've totally personalized. They had us over for breakfast and we had such a great time!

This picture means so much to Scott. This is Ed and Sheila's "Weena's" ( that's what Daisy calls her) home. He grew up going there every summer as a beautiful escape and now we go every summer for the same reason! We get to enjoy cool weather, fun family, and Weena's amazing cooking!

This is our Jenna in the same high chair the Weena ate in. I love things like that. I've never been super sentimental but things like that are pretty special.

This is Weena's mom. We call her Nana! This woman is amazing! She is 96! She's sharp as a tack and hilarious! I love spending time with her and hearing about how she grew up and how ridiculous kids are these days! :) "Kids these days." I love saying that.

We gad some very good friends come stay with us! This is Emma and Andrew with Daisy. Emma made up a little diddy with Jenna's name and we still sing it daily! Thanks Emma!

BFFs! Scott and Mike served their mission together in Chili and I'm pretty sure it's love.

We Have Arrived!!!!

We finally got our computer! So now I'm trying to find balance with everything. I have to remember to be a wife, mom, and catch up on my blog! :) This may be a long process but I'm up for it! Bring on the DR.Pepper! I have like four months of family fun to catch up on!! And I'm not sleeping until it's done!

Women's Conference!!!!

Imagine 18,000 women all in one room singing "The Lord is my Light". Amazing! The spirit was so strong that everyone stood up and just belted it out! I'm not going to go on and on about the classes and each individual topic. I feel what I really need to do is just share a couple of thoughts and hope it touches whoever it needs to touch. When Elder L.Tom Perry spoke, he shared a video of random people being asked if they knew what the Mormons were or what they believed... What a shock!!! I don't really expect everyone to know what a Mormon is. I don't think I'm that naive. But my heart broke at what people thought they knew about our beliefs! It went from, we aren't Christian, we can't eat chocolate (AHHH!), we have multiple wives, to we ride in horse and buggy and we're not very social! How sad! I felt sick that I'm not doing my part as a Ladder Day Saint! Our job is to share the gospel! Open our mouths and clear up all the crazy nonsence that may be giving us such an interesting reputation. We need to ask friends and family what they DO know about our religion. Then make sure they know that they're WELCOME to ask what they don't know! We are surrounded by people who know we're LDS and won't ask the questions they want to, because they don't want to pry or be rude... Wouldn't it just make your day to have them just ask!? They won't unless you help them! Woo-Hoo! I hope I just lit a fire under your and you also get to work!! I love the gospel! It brings joy into my life daily. I have my sweet eternal family because of the blessings of the Temple and I will be forever greatful to my Heavenly Father for this beautiful life.