:: let me count the ways ::

{Em, Tate, and Krista}

My family made the long 24+ hour drive from Arkansas to Utah many times growing up. Even as a young child I realized there was something VERY special about Utah summers. And now that I am blessed to live in this wonderful state my love has grown.

Here are just a few reason's I adore Utah summers:

+ grass...lots of green lush grass (even though our yard is not up to par, at least we some)

+ the gorgeous evenings

+ spending many lovely evenings in the backyard chatting with family & friends while the kids play

+ more daylight...always a major plus in my book

+ tasty produce/farmer's markets/gifts from friend's gardens (hint...hint)

+ barbecue

+ my babies in diapers and shoeless

+ swimming at the pool

+ picnics

+ water Wednesdays

+ motivated to go to the gym...usually anyways

+ being cooled down by AC in a hot car or coming inside to its loveliness indoors

+ vacations...the more the merrier

+ Summer Olympic Games in Cedar City

+ running through the sprinklers

...and the list goes on!

:: sisters ::

In each of our lives there are a handful of people that mean more to us than the rest of the folks going through this journey with us. It always amazes me that out of all the people that have and will exist, we are only privileged to know a minute amount of them...and out of all those people there are a handful that we love. I have been blessed by a very loving Father in Heaven to have three of the most special women to walk this earth as my sisters. Time has only made our bonds stronger and more valuable. I treasure my three amazing sisters more than words can say! I love that we are each special and unique, but at the same time so similar. We can relate, understand, communicate, serve, laugh, love, criticize/critique, offer advice, show affection, give, be silly, cry, share, admire, uplift, dream, connect, and yes...even fight in ways that I believe only sisters can. You girls have helped shape me into the woman I am and have brightened my days from the beginning of my life...we will always have each other for all eternity! I love you each so much!!!

XooOXxOOxxXoOx

Lub, Jenny-Penny

There is nothing better in this world than family!!!

It was Big D's birthday around Christmas time so we decided to celebrate both his birthday and Christmas in one night.

These two have been close buddies since T was just a baby, despite the age difference...and I love it! I think Tate will always feel like he has a big brother.

The first part of our evening together was dedicated to Dallin's birthday party. He has grown up sooooooooo FAST, I can't believe it! Dallin is the oldest cousin on my side of the family and has always been so special to me!!! He requested a Stouffer's Lasagna (the best...and a Pearson family favorite), raw carrots and garlic bread for dinner...yummo. Anna made his cake with wild blueberries in the cream cheese frosting and it was out of this world good. I might just have to get that recipe and share it later.

Tate and his cousin "Mema"...BEST BUDS! These two have been more like brother and sister and I hope it stays that way. =)

For our Pearson family Christmas portion of the evening we exchanged gifts for those of us that had them and then went over to Thanksgiving Point. We wanted to go see the lights for a fun and simple activity, but the wait must have been at least two hours so we moved on to the next activity. My plan was to have home made hot chocolate by the fire pit, unfortunately that was diminished as well...they must have closed minutes before we arrived. Luckily, Santa's reindeer were still out so we ventured out into the FREEZING cold to take a look. Levi slept through the whole ordeal tucked away warmly in his car seat and covered with a leather jacket to protect him from the frigid air. The kids got a kick out of the reindeer and we all got really cold fast so we came back to my house for some yummy hot chocolate.

We are a very touchy-feely family, as you can see! =)

Look at that face!

ADORABLE,RIGHT!?!




So I discovered that I love face painting at a primary activity! This is my sweet niece sporting my butterfly creation (my personal fav). I bought regular acrylic paints from Wal-Mart that worked wonderfully. :) It wipes off clean and doesn't leave a red residue behind or anything! The kids LOVE it and I can get some of my creative juices flowing. :) If anyone wants to come over for dinner and family night...I think this would be a GREAT activity for the kiddies!

The Petting Zoo

My little sister, Ashley, with her family.



My older sister, Annalee, with her crew.



My little gang.







It was my niece Krista's 3rd birthday on Friday...isn't she a cutie! I love her so much!!! We went over to the petting zoo at Thanksgiving Point and looked at all the animals. The kids really loved riding the ponies and we were just glad it wasn't raining on us. Afterwards, everyone came over to our place for a yummy BBQ and cake that Ashley put together. Everything was delicious! I think Krista had a great birthday this year and is going to have fun playing with all her new princess gifts.

I never the get the 'blues' when Krista Bell is around!

Krista is so fun to photograph, except you have to be very clever to get her to smile... and looking at the camera takes a small miracle. :)






I can just see the prgression in these few shots, I think they would make a cute storyboard.

Ashley and Dan's big date night out. Meanwhile, we were babysitting all the kiddies. And to think I used to want twins...hmmmm?

What a cute pair these two make...they were made for eachother! Daniel is such an AWESOME husband and always treats his spiffy wiffy like a princess. Ash and I had a blast getting her all dolled up :) Isn't she gorgeous!?!?!



Okay, so Ashley thinks this is a silly picture...but I LURVE it! I think she is so beautiful. Click on the pic and check out those eyes. The Pearson kids did luck out with some pretty amazing eyes, if I do say so myself. :)




The babies have a blast playing together with the fish mat. My personal favorite is laying them side by side on the floor and then blaying peek-a-boo with a blanket and shaking it up and down. All three of us getting laughing and have so much fun with that game. I should get it on video and post it for all to see :)

Adorable!!!

We had a blast this weekend watching the Jazz game (well, Andy and Dan watched). Ash and I LURVE to take pics of our kids and we got some good ones of her sweet girls and Ash's new incredible quilt treasure (I am a little jealous about it really). Poor Krista wanted to play in this little car all night, but we wanted to do other things...like photoshop :) Krista kept trying to get me to cave, because she knows she has me wrapped around her little finger! She would say, "Nenny, this,Nenny, Nenny"...pointing to the door. I just love their family!

Smile....we love you so MUCH!