Fourth of July

This year the Fourth of July was a lot of fun. We started out at the parade, Natalie's first! She was so funny, just taking everything in. You can see from the picture that she's really concentrating. After awhile, she started getting mad at the sirens and started yelling back at them when they would come by. It was too funny. And she also waved for the first time at the parade! It was so stinking cute.

We also taught Asher and Hallie this year that you have to yell and cheer if you want the candy. We ended up going home with half a grocery bag full of treats and other stuff. They were so proud of themselves! We spent the rest of the day hanging out together and with family.

Then we went to the fireworks. The coolest fireworks ever! I love the fourth!

New(ish) Floors

I have new flooring! Well, kinda. I got so tired of the ugly forest green carpet in our living room so I ripped it up despite my fears of beat up hard wood floors beneath. To my surprise, they were in pretty good shape for the most part. I'm not fond of old houses, but I do love the old flooring!

Happy Father's Day

Mark is the greatest Dad and I really appreciate all of his hard work to provide for us and to help me take care of our kids. I know that I wouldn't be the mom that I am today without him and I think we make a great team. Asher loves four wheeling with Mark and helping out in the yard. Hallie loves going on Daddy Daughter dates with him. They pretty much enjoy doing anything with him. Natalie is hanging out with him in the living room tonight and is quite happy. She is slowly warming up to him! Anyone who knows Natalie knows she has her favorites and I happen to be one. When I am home, she only wants me, so for her to be happy with Mark right now is amazing! I know that Mark strives to have the best relationship with our kids and I really appreciate his efforts because our kids do love him.

Funny Signs

If you ever go on vacation to China, you might want to reconsider following the signs!



A little demanding? Do I really have to push the toilet flusher before I leave?



Ah, yes. Please excuse me while I sit on my throne.



Ouch!



Probably not a good idea..



Huh?! Just to avoid the confusion, don't smoke!



This one is interesting.



Hmmm....



I guess the Chinese should work on their spelling too.



Another favorite!



I guess men wear skirts in China.



That would be the first place I would go for information.



Gotta love these.



I'm not sure where they are going with this one.



Did I just hear the grass talking?



What?



If you're going to slip, you better do it carefully!



Doesn't that just scream "relaxing"?




Last but not least, yet another confusing sign.

Good luck to anyone going to China. I hope you can find the bathroom okay.

Bridesmaid Dresses

The other day I came across a website where people were showing off their HORRIBLE bridesmaid dresses that they had to wear. I couldn't help but think of Jennifer and how much she LOVED her dresses for her wedding. Okay, so she hated them and she had every right to! These dresses I'm about to show you are reminiscent of her wedding!



At least with these dresses they were missing the poof sleeves and big bows!



I wonder if this one would look better on a person than on a hanger.



The least they could have done is made sure the dress fit!



Is she wearing a turquoise veil too? Oh man! That poor bridesmaid! By the way, this one reminds me of the one I wore for Jennifer's wedding. Now can you see why she loved them so much?



This poor girl actually wore one to prom!



Okay, I know the color is off, not quite so turquoise, but I had to show those awesome bows.



I'm jealous. These little girls got lacy gloves. Jennifer, why didn't you think of that?



Although Jennifer hated the turquoise, she could have had this!





Or a cake like this...



Wedding guests like her...



Or my favorite, decorated facilities! I wonder what that place smelled like.

Yee Haw Cowgirl!

Hallie's birthday party was on the 23rd this year. It was so much fun. Thank you everyone for coming and even dressing up! Hallie thought that was awesome. Enjoy the slideshow!

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Preschool Graduation Pictures

Hallie is officially done with preschool! Here is Asher and Hallie with their teacher, Onda K.

Hallie and her cap!

Doing the waltz with Nathaniel.

Singing her little heart out!

Hallie's Graduation

Here is a movie with the highlights of graduation!

Growing Up Too Fast!

Natalie is getting so big! She has discovered how fun the dogs can be...obviously from the picture, Meg is not too excited about it.

She's such a pudgy little girl. I love this age because she really interacts a lot more and you can tell she understands what you are saying. She's just so much fun.

Even though it was a pain in the butt to get Natalie here, it was totally worth it. She is 100% girl and I can tell that she will be stubborn just like Hallie, but she'll be smiling instead of crying about it.

Why I Love Primary!!!

I will admit that when I was first given the calling of Primary President, I was less than excited. Over time I have realized it's not all that bad. So here are the reasons I love Primary:

• I have grown so much. Heavenly Father puts us where we need to be so we can become the person he needs us to be and the person that we can be.
• I get to see how great my kids are! If I was in class, I would never know how good, and kind, and caring they are in primary.
• I am surrounded by awesome people. My presidency and teachers are amazing and wonderful examples to everyone.
  
• I love the kids. They are so much more entertaining and more enjoyable than Relief Society.
• It's not exactly spiritually satisfying on Sundays, but that doesn't matter because helping these children to learn how to live a spiritual life is more satisfying.
  
• I have a short attention span at church just like the children. When I attend Relief Society or Sunday School I get so booorrreed! Thank goodness for Primary, right?
• I have more friends in Primary than I ever would in Relief Society. Kids don't care what you drive or what you said the other day or who your other friends are. They like you for you.
• Finally, I have met someone who reminds me so much of my Grandma Turner. Her name is Emmy Collette. She is sweet and stern at the same time. She has such a strong testimony of the gospel and shares it every chance she gets. When you are out of line, she lets you know but still loves you anyway. She is a living example of what I should strive to be.

I know people have a negative attitude to a Primary calling, but I think it's the best place to be! Well, besides Young Women's! I still miss that, but Primary is definitely my second choice. I think you learn more there than you could ever imagine. So here's a thanks to anyone who has ever accepted a calling in Primary because I know you have influenced a child for the rest of their lives. Without you, some children may never know anything about the gospel because they may not be taught at home. Without teachers and nursery leaders, adults would have a hard time attending their meetings and learning what they need to learn. So when a member of the bishopric calls you to his office to extend a calling in Primary, accept it with a happy heart because it's one of the funnest callings around!