Porter's "Pretend" Birthday Party

We thought it would be fun to have a birthday party for Porter with his cousins. Porter kept calling it his "pretend" party because it wasn't on his real birthday. The theme was a carnival. We had games and prizes, cotton candy, peanuts, hot dogs, face painting...the works. The kids had a blast and it was the easiest party I've ever thrown.


We spent all night decorating and painting. We payed for it the next day and had to take a major nap so that we could party in the afternoon. I painted the muscle man.

Jodie painted the monkey

Carnival decorations

Stack Stand

Tanner and Kara

Kendra and Peyton

Porter and Tanner

Me and Jodie

Porter said, "I'm falling at my party"

Kendra is getting a heart painted on her face.

The sun catcher station

They toasted to Porters party

Barry was an awesome hot dog cooker

Balloon toss

He got a few presents from me and a transformer from the Acors.

Wisconsin visit

I decided that since the kids and I were just hanging around this summer, we should take a little trip to Wisconsin to see my sister Jodie, Barry and the kids. They just moved into a huge new house and it was fun to see. Porter couldn't wait to see them. The kids did awesome in the car. I was nervous to travel by my self, but it turned out great! We had a lot of fun! Jodes and I went shopping and found a lot of great things to decorate her new house with.


We went to Rotary Gardens on Tuesday. It was gorgeous! Flowers everywhere! We barely made it through and then it started to rain. The kids had fun running through the mazes and down the trails.






The kids had fun playing outside, inside, riding bikes, playing the Wii and watching movies.

Visiting Heber

We were able to drive to Heber while we were visiting the west. We got to spend a week hanging out, shopping, playing games, and more!

We went to Jump on It which is a trampoline lovers paradise. We had so much fun there. The kids loved it too!

My sister Kim and I

Peyton decided that he needed to feed Karlee :)

Porter adores Karlee and she loves him too. Every time he entered the room, she would just start smiling and laughing. So cute!

We had a family reunion in Park City at a fancy resort called Escala. My brother-in-law works for a developing company that helps with this resort. It was a blast! The Chambers came up and spent the night there one night with us. We were so happy to be able to see them again. Our kids remembered them and Maddie remembered us.

Here we are playing heads up 7-up. Are we still in grade school? It was really fun.

We had a blast swimming in this heated pool.

Us girls hanging out in the hot tub

Porter and Micah

Lynn and Peyton playing with toys

Grandpa is always teasing Porter...watch out he might eat your cookie!

Lynn painted the door frame

We had a Father's Day feast with the Millers. We loved the chocolate fountain too!

4th of July

We had a very chill fourth of July. We spent time with one another and drove around Columbus a little bit. We ended up at a restaurant we had never been to and an ice cream place that was phenomenal! Later on we went to Westerville to watch the fireworks with my cousin Kemily and her family. We had a blast and the kids had fun watching the fireworks with their cousins.

Peyton's 2nd Birthday

Since the deck was finished, we really wanted to do Peyton's birthday party outside on it. We had been fishing the whole morning and when we got back Shelly and Stephanie had the whole deck decorated for the festivities. I was so relieved and very surprised that they did this because I was exhausted. It was a good time and Peyton enjoyed his special day.

We enjoyed fabulous BBQed food.

Lynn's having fun with Peyton's new toy

Peyton had fun with the party favors and wasn't too interested in blowing out his candles.

Peyton has been into dump trucks and tractors lately, so I thought of doing this dump truck cake with the dirt dessert in the back of the truck and a brownie cake. Stephanie gave me the idea of using those cute chocolate rocks underneath. I think it turned out great.

Peyton and Eric had so much fun together, they are little buddies! Are ya diggin' for something Erik?

The present that Grandma and Grandpa Gurney gave Peyton took the cake. I didn't get a picture of it, but he got the cutest ride on dump truck that makes noises. All of the kids loved it, especially Peyton!

Peyton didn't want to blow out his candles, but Erik did! So funny!

Visit to Emmett, Idaho

Four days after we moved to Columbus, we flew to Idaho to visit the Gurney's. We got to spend two and a half weeks doing so many fun things. The kids had a blast with their cousins. Porter loved playing the Wii with them. We got to help with their remodel, and Lynn got to build a deck! It was nice being able to hang out with them because it will be awhile until we see them again. Thanks for the fun!

Grandpa wanted to take the boys fishing. We had fun in the boat, but my boys are wimps and wouldn't touch the fish. They had fun looking at them though. I relaxed and slept a little.

Here is the beginning of the deck building

Shelly and I

Joey, Jacob, and Porter hanging out before church

Us girls had so much fun making jewelry. Here are a few of the sets of earrings that I made.

Cute little Sarah is quite out numbered with all of those boys around.

I thought this was cute, but Lynn brought to my attention that it looks like he peed his pants, but dont' worry, he didn't.

Grandpa is relaxing on the newly built deck.

Shelly and I sent the boys on a treasure hunt. They thought that this was the "funnest day ever". They are wearing the pirate gear that was found in their treasure box.

They found the Treasure!

Graduation and Farewell BBQ

The Saxtons Threw Lynn and Craig Chambers a Graduation BBQ. We were so happy they did because it was the Chamber's last night with everyone before they moved. We were so happy that every came and supported. I wish that we would have gotten a huge group picture with everyone, but we only got a few group shots.

Us and the Huyhns. They are the family that got baptized this past year. We have been good friends ever since. We miss them!

Us and the Wilkensons. Tom Wilkinson was our Branch President and I worked with Cathy in the Primary Presidency for three years. They are the best examples and we wish we were still in their company.

Us and the Chambers. Craig graduated from Law school the same day Lynn graduated. Our families were inseprable. They are some of our best friends.

Sweet Maddi and Peyton hugging. So sweet!