YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT!!

If this statement were true, which I'm starting to believe that it is, I would be this. I am a junk food junkie! I could live off of it. Vegetables? Yeah, okay they're alright. Truth be told, I tolerate them, I don't love them. I wish I could find something that would cure the craving. If I don't, I am going to be as round as that piece of cake and just like it is, I'll be full of fat! This and diet soda are my vice and I can't picture either one of them leaving my life anytime soon. Ugh, why can't this stuff be the healthy stuff?

Military couples retreat!!

This past weekend the army hosted a couples retreat out at Lake Las Vegas and everything was FREE!! (well not for them but for us anyway) They paid for our room for two nights, our food and even our gas out there, which wasn't much but seriously, EVERYTHING was paid for. My sister came up and watched Avery for a couple days and Erik and I got to spend a weekend alone. It was so fun! There were a few hours of classes that help to strengthen marriages and whether any marriages were in distress or not, it was helpful for everyone. It mostly talked about the differences in men and women. It was awesome. It was called, Laugh Your Way to a Happy Marriage, if anyone is interested and wants to look it up. It gave both Erik and I a better understanding of why we are the way we are. I appreciate and understand him so much more than I did before and that was quite a bit! We spent an hour on the lake in a pedal boat. Yeah, not the coolest thing ever. That dang thing was so slow, it took us the whole hour just to go maybe a mile. Whatever, it was fun to hangout with our friends the Manuele's so I'd pedal that dang thing again to hangout with them.

We heart San Diego..........

We just got back from our trip to San Diego and boy was it a blast!!! It went by way too fast. We went to Sea World, the Zoo, the beach and the San Diego temple. The weather was awesome but I'm not going to lie, I found my arms were often full of goosebumps. Yep, I was cold. I guess I've been living in the desert way too long. I just have to say that not only do I heart San Diego, but I heart the army because we got into Sea World and the Zoo for free! So yeah it pays off to be in the military! Avery loved it and we just had such a fun time hanging out together as a family. We were sad to see it end. We've decided to make this a yearly event, every summer!

I took this picture of the temple, isn't it beautiful? Erik said it looks like it came out of a magazine. I loved this temple. If we had a sitter, I would have loved to do a session.

Aves loved the beach!!

Yep, two turtles at the zoo mating. Isn't that just lovely?

Birthday happenings!!

On my birthday, my cousin Miciah, from Colorado, got married here in Las Vegas. It was fun to be able to go and see a lot of my family. I even got lucky enough to get my Granny for a few days. Erik and I went to dinner at Red Lobster (lobster alfredo, yummy) for my birthday then went to the reception, which was held in a penthouse at the MGM. Of course I didn't get any pictures but it was a pretty cool place. More fun later!

Erik loved this car! There were like 5 of them there and he just kept gawking!

Me, my Granny and my mom

Avery and her Great Granny! She absolutely loved her!
When she had to leave, Avery threw the biggest fit. It was so sweet.

HAPPY 60TH AND 28TH BIRTHDAY!!!

The month of August is filled with birthdays in our family. August 1st was my moms 60th birthday! Wow, just saying that sounds so strange! Sunday was Erik's 28th birthday, and today is my sisters 30th birthday! She's going to kill me for that. Tomorrow is my 27th, Thursday is my nieces and the 26th is my oldest sisters b-day! Wow I'm pretty sure my sister in laws is in August somewhere as well. It's a crazy month! For our birthdays this year, Erik and I have decided to take a trip to San Diego so more on that later.

My mom and step dad

I went to St. George for my moms birthday and my sister and I took her to lunch.
She chose pizza factory because we all love the salad bar. I am so thankful for my
mom and she couldn't have married a nicer man. We love you guys! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

On Monday, we had a few friends over to celebrate Erik's birthday because on his real birthday he flew to Reno with the military for the weekend, he was laid over in an airport and told to exit a plane that had something wrong with it so, he didn't make it home until 11:30 that night and we didn't even get a chance to celebrate. So, let me just say a few things about the man that I love. I am so happy he was born! The strangest thing is that he and I were both born in Colorado about an hour away from each other. Kind of funny huh? He is the best husband and friend in the whole world. I couldn't ask for a better partner to raise children with, retire with, travel the world with and spend an eternity with. He is amazing in every way. He works so hard for our family and I still can't believe he chose me! I am a very lucky girl! HAPPY BIRTHDAY BABE! I LOVE YOU!

Our life lately

So, not much too exciting has been going on. Last weekend we ventured out to show Avery some lions, which when she saw them, all she kept saying was ROAR. So funny! And we went to a cute little botanical garden and after the fun trek in the heat, she was pooped so I came in the front room to find this. I think it's so sweet. I love seeing Erik and Avery snuggling. She loves him so much. (As do I.) Oh and if you didn't already know, Avery loves Dora aka "Dori" as she calls her. Whenever we turn it on, she starts dancing around freaking out. Here's a little video snack for you all. This is pretty funny! Also, I think we've found Avery's future husband, Boston! Our friends the Moons stayed with us for night on their way to California. Avery just loved Boston. They would hug and she wouldn't let go! I took one of these picture while she was sneezing. Brooke, I'll have to steal the one you took. lol.





Don't mind the crazy hair. Avery had just woke up!
Notice in this video she is carrying around a stinking Dora doll. Eew I hate her! (Dora that is)

Do ya think she's ready????

Today I was making lunch for the three of us and Avery walks up to me with her pants in her hand all while tugging at her diaper. We haven't been trying to potty train quite yet because she hasn't really shown all the signs. I took this little gesture of hers to mean, I need to go potty. So I said, "Avery do you need to go potty?" She says, "Potty!" So I asked Erik to help her to go in her potty. He jumped up and took her. She sat down and of course nothing happened. Well, she stands up so he goes into her room to get her a new diaper. Meanwhile, she closes the bathroom door and and proceeds to pee on the floor instead of in her potty. Erik was kind of peeved but I took it as a good sign. To me, she is starting to show us she is ready. She's never even made a gesture until now. I think she's getting close. What do you think?

Not much to show for it!

This year, once again, we went to Richfield for the 4th. We absolutely love going there for the 4th. It will forever be a family tradition. Why do we love it so much you ask? Well, first of all there is our wonderful family who lives there and the wonderful family who joins us there every year. Second, you can't beat the weather. It is usually in the high eighties or low nineties, which for us is a magnificent break from the heat. Third, it's a small town so the festivities are just perfect. They get so into it and they make it so patriotic. I just love it. Avery loved the fire works too. She just clapped and screamed. It was the cutest thing ever! Erik's ten year reunion was this year as well and just as the title says, I don't have much to show for it. I like the smart one that I am, forgot our dang camera! So I didn't get any pictures of his reunion or the fourth :( My sister in law got a couple of our family over the fourth so when those come to me via email, maybe I'll post them. We had such a good time hanging out with friends and family, having a BBQ and staying up late to play games. Erik's reunion was fun too. I'm so proud of how much he's accomplished in the past ten years. He is a hard worker. The only pics I have for you all, are the pics of our sweet Aves at the pool a couple of days ago. She loves to swim!