Beautiful Day

Saturday was so hectic that we didn't really get many pictures so I wanted a picture with Alex in his new suit...he looks so good, don't you think?
My sister Amy told him to be serious and I think he looks so handsome. GQ here he comes!
Here is a shot of Alex with his Grandparents, Linda and Terry Oliver.
Here is my beautiful family, we had to set the timers and we are kinda far away but it turned out OK. I can't believe what a perfect day it was on Sunday...I wouldn't mind a few more of those. (side note: Rich is really proud of how green the grass looks in this photo so if you see him tell him how great the lawn looks he will love it!!)
IS THERE A WEIGHT LIMIT ON THESE THINGS???
I guess they wanted to see how many people they could pile on the trampoline. It isn't a very bouncy trampoline so I hope that helped stretch it out!! We ate lunch outside and just enjoyed the great weather. Then half of my family had to leave and I was sad to see the weekend coming to an end. It was the best!!!

Alex's Baptism

We headed over to the Stake Center for Alex's baptism. He had alot of people there for him. My whole family was there, Rich's Grandparent's were there and almost all his family (just a few missing brother-in-laws), also his Uncle Isaac and his son Isaiah came. It was a great program Grandma Cope gave a talk on baptism and Grandma Oliver talked about the Holy Ghost. His cousin McKenzie played I am a Child of God on the violin. Grandpa Oliver baptized him and Rich confirmed him. It was really great to watch him have these important ordinances performed. I am so proud of him and the Primary had everyone that was there write something for him on a piece of paper and they made a book out of it. It is so neat to read and he got some really great advise so I hope he really enjoys that book for years to come.
My Dad Terry and Alex
Handsome Alex
Alex and Grandpa after the confirmation
Uncle Isaac and his son Isaiah

Lunch at the Park

 

We headed over to the park for lunch after the baptism. It was a cloudy rainy morning and I was nervous that we wouldn't be able to go to the park but by the time we were done the sky was pretty clear and it had warmed up so it was a great day for a lunch at the park. We had Ham and Turkey sandwiches and everyone brought either a salad, dessert or chips. We had a great time and the kids always love playing at the park. I am so glad everyone came and is so supportive, family is the BEST!

Noni Gardens

 

We all went to Noni Gardens after lunch. Shannon took pictures of the Harris's and the Clark's. We had a little photo shoot of out own. It is the first time we have a picture of my Mom and Dad with all 8 grandkids. I took some pictures of myself (because Amy made me do it) we got a cute sister picture and then we went on a tour of the place. Rich showed off his cubicle and everyone enjoyed it. Its a beautiful building and everyone was jealous that he had such a beautiful "backyard" at his work (which by the way he dosen't even take advantage of). It was a great evening.

Olive Garden

By the time we got done at Noni and decided where to eat it was 9:30pm (it is hard for 20 people to all agree) but The Olive Garden is always a great choice and so that's where we ended up. My sweet parents treated us all to a wonderful dinner, we had a really fun time. The food is always great and we even played a game while we were waiting for our food. We played 'Pass it On' where someone starts and pulls a face at the person next to them and then that person passes it on to the next and so on and so on, when it gets back to the one who started it they show the face they started with and the one they ended up with. Everyone participated (even Rich who hates games like that) it was really funny...I should have taken pictures of that!

Sleepover Party

We had 20 people sleepover at our house and we got home really late from dinner, its amazing that we were on time for church at 9:00am the next morning. My Mom and Dad slept in the 'spare bedroom' on the futon with Owen on the floor. Monica took over Alex's bed and Brinlie and Alex slept on the floor. Melanie and Dave talked Alexa into giving up her bed so they had a room to themselves. Amberly snores pretty bad so she was upstairs on the living room floor. Everyone else was in the family room. Melissa and Steve had an air mattress so did Alexa and Kenzie. Amy and Jason had the 'high rise' and Jake and Brooklyn were on the floor. Max ended up sleeping in our bed cause he was too wound up to be quiet in his crib. It was so great and there was even room for more!!

 

Alex is getting Baptized

Alex is getting baptized tomorrow and we are so proud of him. Revolution Photography (Lacey) made these incredible invitations and I think they are so unique and look fantastic.
I just have to tell a story about Alex real quick. Last Sunday was 'Fast Sunday' and since Alex turned 8 in May it was his first time to have to 'Fast'. I didn't say anything to him in the morning cause we didn't have time to eat breakfast anyway so we were walking home from church and he was talking about what he was going to eat and I reminded him that he was 8 now and has to 'fast'. He was very disappointed and very hungry. So he told me a few times that his stomach really hurt (but he says that ALOT) so I didn't really say anything. I just told him that he was hungry and I was hungry too but we have to wait to eat. He went to his interview with the Bishop and when he came home we all took a short nap. He had told me a few more times that his stomach hurt. A little later me and Rich were out in the living room and Alex was laying on the couch and he sat up and said "I am going to throw up" so I said "you better go to the bathroom" thinking that he would just sit there for a minute and come back. Well I was wrong, a second later we heard him throwing up and Rich looked at me like "I guess his stomach really did hurt". I felt really bad about not taking him seriously and told him that he could just do half a 'fast' for a while until his body got used to it.
Anyway I just wanted to tell Alex what a great kid he is. He is always nice to everyone and sometimes gets his heart broken because of it. He is such a sweet boy and I know that he will do great things with his life. I love you Alex.

Alex's Haircut

As you know from my earlier post I 'relaxed' or straightened Alex's hair and he was having alot of fun being able to do different things with it. I was kind of getting sick of helping him fix it and with the baptism coming up and it being summer and all we decided it was time to cut it. He didn't just want it shaved like I usually do so I made an appointment for him to get a haircut at Imageworks.

This is his hair before the cut...
Here he is after, I asked him if he liked it and he said not really. I asked him what he wanted it to look like and he said 'like Parker and Nate's' so I told him I would do my best when we got home. Alexa made fun of him as soon as he came in the door and then he had a baseball game so I didn't get to cut it til later on.
He wanted it a little longer on top and short on the sides so here is what he ended up with. his dad is way better at 'the fade' than me but I did a pretty good job and he was happy with it and that's all that matters!!

I HATE Spiders

I got in the shower this morning and I was just reaching for the soap when I saw a HUGE (as big as a quarter) spider on the wall. I freaked out!! It was really fat and gross and huge and I didn't know what to do. I was for sure not going to squish it, it was way to big for that. I was trying to figure out what to do, I thought I would just watch it and make sure it didn't move and then what?? I had to get rid of it somehow. I hopped out of the shower and put the water on hot and grabbed my shower head and decided the best thing to do is scald it and send it down the drain. It took a minute but I finally got it down the drain. I thought, its going to crawl back up...I hadn't washed yet and so I just figured with the water running down the drain there is no way he can climb back up but I didn't take my eyes off the drain the entire time. I also kept feeling things crawling up my legs and back (I totally freaked myself out). As I am typing this now it all seems pretty silly but believe me at the time it was not funny and I hope it never happens again!!

Alexa and Miss Groneman (Mrs. Cope now)

Hi this is Alexa, my mom asked me to tell you about some memories I have had this school year so here go's. One memory I will never forget is the first day of school, I wrote Miss. Groneman (Mrs.Cope now) a note saying "Hello, so I have an uncle who just got back from his mission and I think you should go on a date with him". She didn't really respond to me so I just kept on asking and asking. So one "hectic" day (although everyday was hectic in our class) at the end of the day I went up to her and I said please will you go on a date with him and this is what she said "fine, but I don't ever want you to talk about it again". So she gave me her cell phone number to give to Joseph and he called her that night (what a shocker) ever since that day she has loved him. The funny thing is, they got married 4 or 5 months after that! That is so crazy! So anyways I love her and she has been my favorite teacher throughout all of my school years (and I am not just saying that)! So there you have it my memory, thanks, I'll be here all week!!

6th Grade Graduation

It was the day she's been waiting for...no more Elementary School. Alexa is moving on to bigger and better things, Jr. High. YIKES that's all I have to say. I made her favorite dinner Rice and Meatballs with Blueberry muffins.

My Mom and sisters Monica and Amberly drove down to surprise her on her big night. We were kinda rushed through dinner but we were all so glad they came down.

Here is the big moment where they called her name and she got her diploma. I don't know what it is about the dang cafeteria lights but I could not get a good picture, sorry.

Here is Alexa with Grandma Cope. She came along with Stephanie and her kids, Joseph was there and Carrie brought her kids too. What a great family, thanks so much for all your love and support. She is a lucky girl to have 3 families that all love her so very much.

Here is Alexa with my mom, now maybe you can see where Max gets some of his genes. Thanks so much for coming all the way to support Alexa!

The Cemetery

We went to the cemetery on Sunday. We met the Keller's there and it was perfect weather (we are really glad we went Sunday cause it was really rainy on Monday). My Grandpa (my Mom's Dad) passed away last August so it was his first Memorial Day. It has been along time since I went to the cemetery and my kids have never been. We all wanted to go and visit Grandpa. He is buried in Mantua (that is a tiny town in Sardine Canyon between Brigham and Logan). He grew up there and that is where most of my relatives are buried.



Afterwards we all drove to Brigham to his house (they still haven't sold it) and ate dinner and hung out for awhile. The kids all took something to remember my Grandpa. Alex took a couple of his hats, Max took a baseball bat and Alexa took a chair and a clock. It was good to get together as a family and remember my Grandpa, he was such a great man and we all miss him alot.

Photo Op

 

There was this old barn by the cemetery and they had some cool old stuff and alot of junk. Of course we took advantage and got some really cool shots. I wish I was a better photographer and had a better camera but some of these turned out pretty cool. It is an awesome place to take photos (too bad its so far away).

Rock Band

We went to Logan for the Memorial Day weekend. On Friday night Me, Rich, Alexa, Kenzie, Jake, Amy and my Dad slept in the tent in the backyard. It was a pretty fun time. We went out pretty late and we were all tired but we managed to tell a few stories before we fell asleep. We had donuts in the morning for breakfast (the most delicious donuts ever, I am sorta glad there isn't one in SF cause I would probably weigh 300 lbs if there was).
Saturday we hung out all day shopping, eating etc. Melissa and Steve brought up "Rock Band" and it was a big hit. I didn't even play...I guess I was too busy chatting. Here are some pictures of the band...

Steve on drums, Alexa on Guitar

Jason rockin the bass

Alex on drums

Melissa, Max and Alex on vocals...they were awesome!!!

Amy on vocals, Alexa rockin the bass and Alex bangin the drums

Tagged

Well Shannon tagged me and so I have to think of 6 random things, I feel like have already aired all my 'dirty laundry' so let's see what I can come up with:

1. I hate being home on Saturdays, I would rather be anywhere but home on Saturday. I think it's because that is when you are supposed to clean and do laundry etc and I just don't want to! Thank heavens for my wonderful husband who is always keeping the house tidy (so tidy in fact that I tell him the kids are never going to learn to pick up after themselves) He is the best!!

2. I have wanted a boob job since middle school I think. I was always jealous of the girls that had a 'nice rack' (sorry this might be too much info so skip it if you want) I am so jealous of my sister Melanie and Rich's sister Stephanie...they are so lucky!! I love the part on the movie "Liar, Liar" when Jim Carrey is in the elevator with that chick and says "your boobs are huge, I wanna squeeze them etc." One day someone will say that to me!! Again I apologize for being obscene, at least my Mom dosen't read my blog and sorry Dad if you still do!!

3. I HATE being hot!! Summer is always met with mixed feelings by me because I love all the summer activities and being able to be outside so much and the beautiful blue sky and the swim pools etc but I hate being sweaty and so I guess like everything there is a good and bad side to summer for me!!

4. I don't care what I eat...I mean if I eat stuff thats good for me or bad for me and this drives Rich crazy!!! I just like to eat things that taste good and are easy to prepare. I have never been one to skip dessert either (in fact a few nights ago at Bunco Steph didn't want her delicious Lemon Pie that Rachel made and so I ate it for her...yes I ate 2 pieces of pie and I am not sorry!) and I don't feel bad about it at all!! Come on guys life is short, enjoy!

5. I do wish I was ready for swimsuit season, but hey you have to pick your battles I guess and I just don't think I would like myself if I gave up eating.

6. I am so excited for all my kids to be independent. I was there once and then we threw Max into the mix and he is at the cutest stage right now cause he says the cutest things and is happy one minute and so crabby the next, I think its hilarious but life is so much easier for me when they are self-sufficient. I know most people dread the thougt of their kids growing up...I hope that dosen't make me a bad Mom.

Now I tag 6 people: Mary Jean, Tandy, Tiesha, Jen, Stephanie and McKell
(you all better do it too or else I will me really mad!!)