Best Birthday Ever - Part 1

I never thought I'd say this but so far I have really enjoyed being thirty. As you probably remember, last year I was completely terrified to hit this mile stone but a year has gone by and I don' t know how to explain it but I've really, really liked being thirty. My friends and I have had many long talks about how we feel that something really does change in you when you turn thirty. For me the biggest change has been accepting myself. I feel like I'm more me, I'm more comfortable in my skin, I'm more confident in who I am, I feel like I'm really getting to know me - all the stuff I use to worry about just doesn't matter to me as much. So, now that I'm officially thirty one, my new attitude is to own it and love it!!

And, in all honesty I have nothing to complain about. I'm sincerely grateful for all that I'm blessed with, I'm grateful for my beautiful children, for my husband whom I adore, for my family, my friends, I'm grateful for me (even with all my imperfections) and I'm grateful for my amazing life - all 31 years of it!

My birthday was about a month ago and I have to say that I had the BEST BIRTHDAY EVER! I'm not usually a birthday person - I don't mind them as long as I don't get a lot of attention. I'm completely happy with Scott taking me out to dinner and a movie and of course presents. Who doesn't like presents??

This year Jake planned my entire birthday day!!! He and Court took me out to breakfast at Jeremiah's for scones. We then played miniature golf (he wanted to take me to a movie but we couldn't find one that Court would like) and went to a park. Jake offered to take care of Court so I could have a birthday nap and later that night we went swimming with the Cole family and had birthday cake. Perfect plan and a perfect birthday! Thanks Jake!!

These are some picture's of us swimming.

My niece Sophia Dunyon. Such a cutie :)

Here we are miniature golfing.

This picture was taken a few days before at my Mom's house where we celebrated my Birthday with my family. This is my favorite cake- Pineapple Cake!!! Yummy!

A few days later I continued my Birthday celebation with my girl friends in Park City.

To be continued ...

Hogwarts Castle

I forgot to post these pictures with my recent Harry Potter post. About a month ago Jake and Courtney built Hogwarts Castle in our family room.

Love their imagination!!!

Ha! Ha! Love the spelling!!!

Introducing Harry Potter to Jake

Like most of you, I too am a huge Harry Potter fan. Last year I started reading the first book to Jake but it ended up taking us about a year to get through (I realise now that age six was a litle too young for him). Half way through the book I took a six month break as my patients wore thin as I had to explain what was going on every few sentences, I had to explain all the new magical words, help him figure out all the characters etc... Right before first grade ended I decided to give Harry Potter another try and this time Jake was completely ready. Instantly he was hooked to the story, characters and could follow the plot. We finished the second half of the book in about a month and we loved every page.

I promised Jake that after we read each book we would watch the movie. We made a big night of it and I have to admit that I really enjoyed the movie as I haven't seen it since it first came out in theaters. Jake on the other hand was a little upset as it skipped a lot of the book - at the end of the movie he stated very sternly and kind of grumpy "the book is way better than the movie".

Soon after, we started reading Chamber of Secrets and we finished it in about six weeks. Jake again loved it. It's been fun watching him live in Harry Potter world. I can tell that it's always on his mind as he's always talking about it and asking questions and trying to solve the mysteries. (This time he enjoyed the movie a lot more than the first time as he was more prepared of what to expect - but he still loves the books more).

We're now half way through the 3rd book and we're still loving every second of it. I remember my first time reading Harry Potter and falling in love with it as I was transported into the Harry Potter word, I also remember thinking to myself that one day I'll get to read these amazing and extrodinary books to my children. And, here I am living this dream and loving it more than I thought I would.

I'm so thankful that Harry Potter has introduced Jake to a magical, imaginative and incredible world but what I'm most thankful for is that Harry Potter has given Jake and I something in common and have bonded us in such a special way. I know I'll never forget these special evenings reading to my son and I hope he will always remember sharing Harry Potter with his Mom.

Swim, swim, swim!

I can't believe the summer is nearing to an end. I knew it was going to go by fast but not this fast. Crazy! My goal this summer was to try to make every day fun and exciting. Or, at least do one fun activity each day. The first week of summer I was really creative finding fun activities to do but by the second week of summer the only idea I could think of was swimming. And the 3rd week and the 4th week and the 5th week etc.. You get the picture; we swam and swam and swam. We went to Willard Bay, Ogden Athletic Club, Lindsey's Pool, Roy Aquatic Center,Bear Lake, Wolf Creek, North Ogden pool, Pine View etc.. You name it we swam it.Thankfully my kids love to swim and I love to swim (as long as the water isn't too cold). Here's some random pictures of some of our many swimming adventures.

Below are pictures of my new favorite place, my friend Lindsey's parents pool. It's in Huntsville and as you can see from the pictures it has the most beautiful view. We've been going at least once a week - I always get excited when I get the call that we're going swimming. I can't even explain the peace I feel when I'm sitting by this beautiful pool with the most amazing view, with some of my dearest best friends and watching my kids swim and play. It really doesn't get much better. Thank you Lindsey for making this summer extra fun!!

I had to throw this picture in - Courtney with her friend Sydney. They usually choose Barbies over swimming. Sooo cute!!

I'll post pictures later of my kids tan lines - they are hilarious.

Fireworks!

I've been going to the Weber State Fire works for over 15 years, Scott's been going his whole life, so of course we went again this year and of course we had a blast. This year my Mom joined us with the Cole Family (I'm hoping this will become a new tradition). We arrived early to do all the usual; eat treats, visit, play games, dance and my all time favorite - people watching. I always like to see what people are wearing, what the new styles are and then I get depressed that I'm so outdated. A mall? What's that? Lol! The fire works were absolutely amazing this year. I'm sad they're over but at least we have next year.

My sister in-laws.

Scott being a cheese head with his brothers.

Can't remember why Jake was upset when I took this picture? Such a grumpy guss!!!

Dancing in the street!!

O' Canada

Around the end of June we headed to Canada for a Selman Family reunion. We had a blast seeing the extended family we only see every 5 years and hanging out at a beautiful cabin for a couple of nights with all my Aunts, Uncles and Cousins. We were also able to spend time with our Cardston family so to sum it all up, it was a great trip!!

Jake & Court were angels in the car there and back. Here they are having fun at Mcdonalds.

Jake and Courtney ready for the Raymond Parade. We were there over July 1st which is Canada day. Scott wasn't too excited having the kids look like this - too bad Scott! Lol!

This is Scott's favorite picture, I'm sure you can guess why!!

This is the beautiful Cabin we stayed at.

Unbelievable views of the mountains

Check out how many beds are in the basement of the cabin. It was definitely a big sleepover!

The rest of the pictures are of all the Woolf family. In Cardston we stayed with Aaron and Jen and had a blast. Thanks again for being such great hosts.

This is a statue of George Woolf , he's my Grandpa's cousins who was a famous Jockey who rode Sea Biscuit. pretty cool eh!

I've always wanted my kids to see and play on a teeter totter and the town of Cardston actually still has one. How fun is that - definitely brings back a lot of childhood memories.

A big thank you to all of my family for all the hard work it took in putting the reunion together. Thank you for all the food, sleeping arrangements and for all of the fun visits. I try not to take for granted how special our family is, I know our family is unique in how close we all are and I'm blessed to be apart of it. Love you all and thanks again for everything!!