Family Picture Time

We finally got family pictures and they turned out so cute, I was so excited. The individuals of Jake and Jaxon are on the sidebar. They couldn't get any cuter! Jaxon's picture is totally his personality! And that is our snake just chillin!

Happy 3rd Birthday Jaxon!!!

Birthday Pancakes

The infamous dinosuar cake!

Opening our presents!

Time for candles!


Has it really been three years, I can't believe it! On Monday it was Jaxon's birthday. Grandma and Grandpa Squires stayed over the weekend after the race for his big day. All of our family was able to come for the party even Great Grandma and Grandpa Burgess were there, they are so sweet we love them so much. Well the day started off with Jaxon's favorite breakfast pancakes and he even asked for candles, so we sang Happy Birthday and he blew out candles on the pancakes. The rest of the day was busy busy. Thank goodness grandpa was there to play with the kids and even do some outdoor projects for me. Grandma saved the day for sure, I was incredibly sore from the race, I walked like an old grandma bent over and hobbling and complaining all day. She helped to cook all the food, decorate, clean up run errands and everything else imaginable. I was a helpless gimp. The project of the day was the dinosaur cake. Making it wasn't too bad, decorating it though took forever. We took a star tip to the whole thing but it was worth it! It was amazing sorry for bragging but it was cool and Jaxon loved it which made all the hours and sore hands from squeezing worth it. All to be devoured in 10 minutes from hungry monsters! Jaxon got loads of stuff, thanks everyone, you were way too generous. The cousins were great to help play with the toys and open all the packages, you need all those kids to get the packages unwrapped because we have to play with each one in between opening. What a concept for a three year old. After presents and cake we went outside on the grass and just hung out and talked it was the perfect end to a great day. Jaxon was so sweet all day even when he didn't take a nap for the first time ever, I hope this isn't the start of something new. We are so thankful for Jaxon, he is so loving and snuggly and always makes us feel loved. He is so good to his brother and is always trying to do what he is asked. He likes to please and help me in the kitchen and clean the house and whatever other task I am involved in the he actually does a great job everytime! We couldn't live without him! Happy Birthday Jax, we love you!!!

Bryce Canyon Half Marathon

We did it again this time! Another goal completed, I don't know if this was Jeff's favorite though! We drove up the Bryce Canyon Friday night and met my parents, and Mitch and Cami. We ate dinner at this ribs place, poor choice for all of us! We checked in for the race in Cannonville and were able to check out the course on the way. All down hill a tiny hill right before Tropic and one little one at mile 11. We stayed in Panguitch that night and for once before a race I actually slept all night long and felt ready to go. Jeff on the other hand was up every hour or so in the bathroom-need I say more-dinner didn't sit well with him at all. I was so worried when he told me because he is my running partner we've been able to do all our long runs together. So I said a quick little prayer and we drove to Ruby's Inn for the start. Jeff said he was feeling pretty good at the start so away we went. It was insane seeing all the people running and so motivating. Everyone is so different; size, shape, age, etc... And everyone is so positive!!! I love it!! The first 4 miles are downhill like 8% grade, I was praying for a flat by the end but we were making good time 9 minute miles not too bad. That was until mile 8 I am just in the zone plodding along and starting to feel the miles when all of a sudden I look next to me and Jeff is nowhere to be found, I turn around zigzagging trying to see if I can see where he went and nothing. So I kept on going, hoping he is okay. At mile 11 I was dead but I only had two left the last mile a finally found the strength to sprint, well stride to the finish line and I was so so happy to be done. I turn around just looking for Jeff and about 15 minutes later he finishes and is so so sick. He was sick like that the rest of the day. I honestly don't know how he did it I would have quit and called it good for sure. He was so tough. We finished that is what counts and I don't know how people do marathons but I am sure, though Jeff wouldn't agree yet, that we will do one someday soon! This race was perfect for our first half marathon. We will post pics later, I still need my mom to email me some.

Lake Powell

We have had a busy month! For the fourth of July we were so lucky to be able to go to Lake Powell. The whole family was able to come as well as my parents and my brother Nate. It was so nice to have them there, we needed the extra help with six kids under 2 and one on the way. They helped so much and made our trip even more enjoyable. We left Tuesday night and stayed until Saturday afternoon. The temperature was perfect. I have been dying to go to the Lake, even the channel was open so we were able to get to Warm Creek pretty fast. The water has gone up a ton hopefully this will continue. The only bad part to that was all the weeds and knats that surrounded the boat, we sent to brother in first to clear the weeds out and then we swam over to the rock and just played all day. The kids are all at a good age for the lake, where they understand the rules, at the least the oldest three, and they are all good in their lifejackets. That has been the hardest thing the past few years was keeping them on. Their necks are finally long enough it doesn't choke them now. We were able to get some wakeboarding in, which was the first for us this summer, it was just so cold in May and June we didn't get it in like in past years. We ate good, we played hard and came home rested and a little bit darker than before. Thanks so much mom and dad for coming last minute and helping so much! You guys are great!


I couldn't tell who was drowning and who was swimming!

Our rock! This is where we were most of the trip it was perfect for the kids, swallow enough to be able to touch (Jaxon's fav) and deeper you could swim(Connor's fav)


Nightly bedtime stories! This has been a classic Lake picture since the kids were first born! What great grandparents they have!

Fish Lake

I have been wanting to go to Fish Lake for what seems forever and we finally planned it with my family for our annual camp trip. I was so excited to take the boys and teach them all about camping because that is what I grew up doing. We got there on Sunday night and got camp set up and went exploring, we went up to Johnson Resevoir and saw loads of pelicans and the boys became pros at throwing rocks, I mean all the boys not just 2 and under. On Monday we fished there and got nothing so we went back to Fish Lake to look at the Lodge and stuff. It was so fun to see the old lodge and walk by the lake. On Tuesday we rented this big pontoon boat and it was the best, there is no other way to do it. Jaxon cast that line out all day long. We caught nothing the first two hours and were so bummed. Leave it to me to get the fish though, I started fishing, without a license,oops don't tell, and fish started popping up everywhere around us. I caught one my dad caught one and Jeff caught one on almost every cast! We kept two and we ate them that night, it has been years since I have had fish and it was good, the boys both loved it too. What a surprise that was. We went four-wheeling the rest of the afternoon up by Sheep Valley and it was beautiful. I just love the mountains! Jeff was hoping to see some elk, but not this time. Our campsite was perfect no one else next to us and right on the tree line, we even saw a deer behind our camp. By the way if you camp a lot you absolutely have to get a springbar tent, they are a dream compared to everything else! You can stand up while getting dressed, tons and space and you can put it up and take it down with just one person. Good investment! What a great camp trip. Thanks mom for all the picture taking, what would I do without you!


This kid can cast farther than I ever imagined he did it all by himself too.

Waiting for the fish to bite

Do they get any cuter

Roasting smores with Uncle Nate

Singing campfire songs you've got to teach them early!

Utah Summer Games

Well I finally did it. Its has taken me a year to accomplish my complet goal and I did. On Sat. Jeff and I did the Summer Games Tri in St. George and there was no wind just sunshine. No cancellations of any part of the triathlon and I was so excited. To update the rest of you who don't know. Last Sept. I did the Kokopelli Tri and it was awful weather torrential rain and wind. They had us swim in white cap waves and cancelled the rest, I was so bummed out. Next, St. George Tri in May, the same white cap waves, loads of Olympic athletes getting hauled in on the rescue boat, so they cancel the swim and we do the bike and run. Which was so fun, and I was thankful not to swim in that water again, but bummed because I still hadn't done all three events in succession. So on Sat. I finally did it. My goal was 1:45 and I did it in 1:42, which isn't fast just so you know I was going for the finish. It was tough but so energizing everyone there is so positive and it is the best atmosphere! So for anyone else who wants to "tri", do it. There is the Kokopelli Tri in Sept. again and I will be there hoping for good St. George weather.

Fathers and Sons

Could you get anymore relaxed!



Camping cousins!

This looks like trouble to me, with Jadyn always telling stories!


How much fun for me!!! J/K Jeff and the boys had a great time at F&S. There was a great lake that the boys would not get out of, but that is why no mom's are invited I suppose and for a lot of other reasons! They just played and ate. Jake came home with Jadyn and Logan, thanks Logan, and Jax, Connor, Jeff and Jim all slept together in the tent what an experience. I will have to say though, I am definitely the camping expert in the fam not Jeff. He calls me in a panic not knowing how to set up the tent just having a cow about it, I explain and they finally figured it out, Jax and Connor had the most important part to the tent and took it. Too funny for me!