No More Monkeys Jumping on the Bed!

It's been a good, but BUSY trip here in California, helping move some of our family members. I think it's been non-stop since Monday.

Emma is loving her cousins and enjoying the time with extended family. I think this trip in particular she has caught on to the idea of cousins being family. She goes the rounds giving kisses and hugs goodnight. She has to go the Spencer's house ("Mommy, go Spence ouce?) and she likes to give Rylee (wylEEE, here go Owl) her stuffed owl. I think she is most sad when Noah (Noma at scoo?) is at school. It's really been a lot of fun to spend time with family in cooler weather.

learning to get dressed by herself (a vital step to potty-training)

Naturally, there has been some Dora The Explorer while away from home.

Sherman, the big behemoth that has helped us get some work done.

Watermelon at the end of the day!

...on a rocking horse!

Shane and I keep hearing a special request:

Sorce-see wide pweeze? (Horsey Ride Please)

We take turns trotting around the living room with miss cowgirl on our backs just to 'buck' her off onto the couch. She loves it, so we love it.

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I thought of so many song lyrics that could be the title of this post but nothing could really describe how I feel about this topic.

-warning: this may not be the blog post you hope it to be, feel free to skip and I'll try to post something new again soon-

Dear David,

today is your birthday, truth is I don't even know which one. I suppose I could do the math and figure it out but I'd much rather a phone call or some kind of communication...

If I could say anything at all to you I'd have to bite my tongue for a moment, regain my composure and start by telling you I miss you and I love you. I want nothing but pure joy and happiness for you. I wish you could see that family is suppose to bring that and by leaving your family, MORE THAN ONCE, you're destroying what life is all about-peace of mind, love, and happiness.

Yes, I'm sad that you have made the choices you have made. Yes, my feelings are hurt and I really want to be angry with you. Some days I wish I didn't care at all about you. But the truth is I do.

So I will wait, I will pray, and I will work on my own anger issues to prepare for your turn-around.

I hope you find some happiness out of this day-it is your birthday after all. All hurt and anger aside David, you are WORTH so much more than you know. You are Worth CELEBRATING, and you are LOVED.

With heart,

your sister, Erin

I'm Strong to the Finish Cause I Eat Me Spinach:

I did it!

I wasn't sure if I really would, but I did it.

I've started making spinach shakes-yup crazy I know. The truth is you really can disguise the flavor and it tastes like the fruit you put in. However, it takes a strong stomach to overcome the look of it (and that's saying something because I LOVE the color green).

Give it a try, there's plenty of recipes online and spinach is SO healthy for you.

Up, up, up, I'm Going up from here

I had the best date night the other day. Emma and I visited Shane at work, Emma loves to visit Daddy and his helicopters.

Emma put on her sweet face and said "Daddy ride Dah?" (Dah means helicopter, don't ask me where she came up with that one). He smiled big and got on the phone. Moments later we were riding to the Grand Canyon!

It was so beautiful.

We had a picnic dinner down in the canyon and Emma just loved walking around.

After the flight we were able to get a babysitter. While Emma slept Shane and I went to see Harry Potter! It was the best day ever, everything was spontaneous and unplanned and went as smooth as silk. What a fun day we had.

Ain't it a fine life...

...Carrying the banner through it all?

If you don't know this song title you're seriously missing out, however, here's a link to catch you up on long lost heartthrobs, and musically talented boys. HERE

Summer vacations are great, I just love any excuse that will take me away from this heat. Emma and I took the opportunity to visit my Grammy in Oregon. I must have been the only person to wear a jacket in 90 degree weather :)

Point is, we had a good time:

Traveling took forever but we endured.

Opie and Emma thought they would take a nap.

We were actually able to PLAY outside compared to hiding from outside.

Salt Creek Falls

Grammy's piano and of coarse a new Duck shirt

This is my card, my entry for my Grammy's 'contests' that she does each year. She comes up with a way for her grandkids to be creative so she can reward their efforts. This year's theme was favorite vacation.

It really was a fun trip, I can't get over how beautiful Oregon is-home sweet home!

I've got the Power!

Today I feel empowered. I'm not sure why or even how to keep this feeling with me.

It's possible I'm simply inspired by my husband totally obtaining his goals this morning. It could be because I'm more than half way done with work for the day and it's only noon (quite the feat for me). Perhaps it's the joy of putting on old shorts that practically fit. I could just be excited about Emma taking a nap. Or maybe I'm so happy to feel like Primary is organized and I work with GREAT people who are becoming my friends. It's most likely the fact that I not only read my scriptures, but studied them today.

Either way I'm glad to feel well rested, know my goals for the day are obtainable, and genuinely feel happy.

In the words of Kuzco from The Emperor's New Groove: "Bring it On."