We're Back...

So this is Alli writing today... It's been awhile since we updated so here we go!!!

Kevin, Rachel, Claire-Kevin is still working for our family business, ServPro, in St. George. He loves it and is always thinking on how he could improve new things and always has new ideas. Rachel stays home with Claire as she is a handful sometimes. But she is adorable and getting so big!! We love when they come visit, it's always so fun!!

Stephen-Also working for ServPro. He is loving it up there. He likes the outdoor stuff as in fourwheeling, boating, etc. He got his own house a little while ago and is just living the single life!! haha!

Katy-Just finished her second year at Dixie State in St. George. She is home for good now and will attend UNLV in the fall. She is working for a nannying company that lets her work all over the city and she is loving it! She's always had a knack for kids! We love having her home!

Alli (me)- Still playing volleyball. I'm going into my senior year and I can't even believe I will be graduating in less than a year. It's crazy! I am trying to get a scholarship to play volleyball in college so we will see how that works out!!

Meghan-She is 13 and sassier than EVER!! We love her wit though. She plays the piano (we both do) and we all can't believe how big our baby is getting! She's pushing 5' 11"!!

Brad-Still the bishop. Still a lawyer. Still the best dad in the world. Also, he's Claire's FAVORITE PERSON EVER!! If he's not here when they get into town, she freaks out and points to his picture immediately. It's adorable.

Susan-Mom is our wonderwoman. She literally does everything for everyone. As I write this she is sewing a wedding dress!! We love our mother!!!

I know this seems like a Christmas card but it's been awhile!! We are having a great summer so far!! We are going to Hawaii in July and we can't wait!! It'll be a blast. We love our family and we are all so blessed!! And we will try to update more frequently! (Although I can't promise it won't be me everytime) haha!

Here's to Happiness

I saw this on another blog that my friend showed me (taza-and-husband.blogspot.com) and I just loved it. This has gotta me my favorite blog EVER!! So here's to happiness.

1. walking down a boardwalk at sunset with a light breeze

2. riding bikes along the ocean with baskets in front to carry 'discoveries'

3. rushing the court/field after a big game and having a HUGE dog pile

4. smelling the scent of my shampoo after showering

5. getting wedding invitations/graduation announcements

6. painting my toenails

7. singing (more like screaming) in the car with my best friends to our favorite bands or artists

8. getting woken up by my alarm on a Saturday at 5:00, only to turn it off and realize i can still sleep

9. rascal flatts

10. taking crazy pictures

11. the way it smells after it rains

12. rolling down grassy hills

13. smiley babies

14. eating ice cream after working out

15. sleeping on the floor with tons of blankets and pillows

16. old squeaky houses

17. remembering my amazing childhood

18. fresh cut flowers

19. good shopping days

20. knowing that my family is forever

What makes you happy?

Labor of Love

Every costume I've ever made for my children has been a labor of love, whether it be for Halloween (absolute best holiday), a school dress-up day or for a play. The year I made the three "50's" girl's skirts for my daughters was no exception. I planned to make each skirt with it's own design, so each one would be unique. Usually Brad helps me with my costumes when it comes to applying any kind of hardware or painting (like the Riddler costume we made Kevin...I made the green coat and Brad handpainted questions marks all over it). The year I made the skirts, Brad was living in Las Vegas studying for the Nevada Bar and I was left on my own to figure out how to apply the details to each skirt. The skirts turned out darling and the girls; ages 22 months, five and eight were a big hit at the school carnival. Fast forward through many ward 50's themed parties, and the skirts were not really being used very much anymore. Then when Meghan was in 2nd grade she didn't know what to wear for Halloween, so I pulled out the skirt that was originally Allison's and suggested she wear it. She did wear it and spent the entire afternoon trying to explain to her fellow second graders what a "50's" girl was. I don't think that she even knew. I was pretty sure we were done using the skirts, and even suggested last Halloween that we give them away as a set, so that another family with three cute little girls like mine would be able to use them together. The girls put up a collective whine, begging me to keep them for just one more year. Well, shortly after that day, Meghan had Spirit week at school and one of the spirit days was a "50's" day. I'm not even being prejudice when I say that she was the cutest, most authentic looking "50's" chick at the school. Looks like the labor of love paid off once again.

Mother Knows Best

With Mother's Day coming up on Sunday, I thought it was the perfect time to make a tribute to my mother. All my life, I have looked up to my mother in so many ways. She is strong, organized, smart, loving, NURTURING, skilled and so much more. To really tell you how great she is, here is a story:

Last year when Katy was going to her Senior Homecoming they were having a bit of trouble finding a dress. It was very last minute and they still hadn't found one. It is especially hard to find dresses with sleeves and that are long enough so that was one of the main issues. Finally they went to a normal department store and found a dress that fit Katy perfectly, was a really good deal and was perfect length. One problem: NO SLEEVES!! Being the skilled seamstress that my mother is, she had an idea. Buy the Medium size dress AND the Extra Small size dress. She used the extra small to make sleeves for Katy and a matching tie for her date, Matt. Of course it looked great and she did it in a matter of days.

So there we are. Even though we always make fun of my mom for her "When I was younger I walked to school everyday" blah blah blah stories, we love and respect her none the less. She always knows what to do, and like Grandma Reese always says, "Mother knows best" :)

Fabulous Field Trip

Meg is 2nd from right on the top

On the ride there, note the beautiful scenery in the background :/

6th grade beauties at the Food Court

Last weekend Meghan and I went to Reno with her middle school choir so they could perform at the Reno Jazz Festival, which is held every year at the University of Reno, Nevada. I was very excited to go because I haven't been on a field trip with Meghan in a long time. Although, I was a little hesitant about the eight and a half hour bus ride with 27 6th graders. All in all, it was a great weekend, even with the 40 degree dip in temperature and rain. The kids sang wonderfully as usual, and were rewarded with an "almost" perfect score (missed by one point). These are some things I learned:

1. There are still mean girl groups as young as 6th grade, and having cell phones to write nasty things to each other on makes it even worse. (Just another reason Meghan doesn't get one until she's 14).

2. My daughter is extremely polite in social situations where she is required to be quiet and attentive.

3. My daughter can be very naughty when left in a hotel room full of friends who are "also" jumping on the beds!

4. I'm definitely getting older....I had to sit right in the middle of the bus so that the screamers in the back, nor the gossiping texters in the front, got to the me.

5. I'm still young enough to have fun. Meghan's friends were great, and we had a fun time walking around campus and enjoying the shows.

6. Mrs. Ligon, the choir teacher, is still AMAZING!

My Son The Pilot

Just a quick "brag" moment. Kevin has been working on his private pilot's license for about nine months now. This was no small feat considering he works long hours at our business; and he and his wife had a baby in October, but after many long months of studying and "behind the wheel experience," he is a full fledged Pilot. We are so proud of him!

I'm A Fan!

And not of baseball...of online shopping. Ever since I started working a few years ago I have found myself in a constant time crunch. Then I found a wonderful website called OVERSTOCK.COM. It has the best deals, plus, you don't have to pay any sales tax and most of the time they ship for $2 or free (if you're a "special" customer like me). Just a few things I've purchased are; my refurbished IPOD (works like a charm), bedding for all of our beds...three bed in the bags complete with matching pillows (twin, double and queen) plus a king down comforter, all for $80 or less, mostly less (around $50). I've also purchased clothing, not jeans-they are too hard to purchase online unless you have tried on a certain brand in the size you like. I've also shopped at SmartBargain.com where I found a 600 count (is that like 60 spf sunscreen, does it really exist at that level?) duvet cover that is well made and super soft for $39.00. I love Amazon.Com because I can find old videos, out of print books and CD's. I even like it when my kids shop online. During the Christmas season Allison found everything on her wish list from local stores that were listed online. She printed me a list of items she wanted (complete with prices and pictures) and when I got to the stores they had about 3/4 of the items instock at the sale price or lower. On another note, I wanted to share some information about a couple of stores that I actually frequent that have good deals. Amazingly enough Nordstrom has great deals in the Brass Plum area (also known as BP to the teen set), that rival the sales at Target or Kohls. Also, I have been taking Alli to Buckle to get her pants because she wears such a long length. I'm not recommending anyone spend that much money on jeans but the tops and blouses range from $22-$36 with much more original styles than you will find at other stores for the same price. Of course, both of these stores have sales racks which make the items even more affordable.