Thankful Thursday!

Today was Justin's 6 month follow up with the Cardiologist since his PDA closure. We felt pretty confident going in... but it always feels so good to know that your little one is healthy. He had an EKG and echo done, and all checked out well! So well that we don't have to go back for at least two years! I am SO thankful!
(He's gotten the "smile for Mommy" thing down pretty good. It's cheesy... but it's cute!)

I am also very thankful for these sweet princesses!
LOVE my kiddos!

Friends Forever!

You guessed it! Another fabulous get together with my Blogging Buddies! Everyone already knows the love I have for my new "family." I am so thankful for each of them and how they contribute to my life! The stories, hugs, laughs, and support. All are wonderful and I don't know where I would be with out them!

Thank you Lacey for putting this together and inviting all of us to your house! Thank you Denise for making the trip out to Utah to see us! It was so good to see you again!
I was able to see some families that I have met before and finally meet others that I have been wanting to connect with! I look forward to seeing everyone again in the near future!

This last picture cracks me up! Justin and Ella are looking a little flirtatious! He's gonna have himself some cute girlfriends when he grows up!

My first visit to the Down syndrome clinic!

In the past several months, we have met many families with children with Down syndrome. When we tell people that we found out that Justin had Down syndrome at 6 months of age, lots of advice would pour in... which we are thankful for! The first few months I was glued to the internet. I honestly didn't know where to turn for information! The more people I meet, the more I learn! I feel I still have a long way to go, but I wasn't sure if I knew enough. I wasn't sure if I was doing enough for him. I was asked by many people if we've ever been to the Down syndrome clinic at Primary Children's Medical Center. Actually, I never knew such a place existed! I was told if anything, it was just great to go for information. They answer questions and give suggestions. I made the appointment!

The staff there is fabulous! I was given more information in that short hour than I could have possibly learned on my own! We have been so nervous thinking that he wasn't getting enough therapy. I felt maybe we were denying him things that were critical for him to progress. (He does have Early Intervention twice per month.) The Dr. said we are doing a perfect job! He is very happy with what he is doing, how he is communicating, and how much he is loved! They answered our questions, asked us questions, and wanted to be sure we felt 100% at peace with any concerns or questions that we had before we left. We left there feeling fantastic! We have a sweet little angel in our home. We couldn't ask for more!

Beach bums!

For years and years we have made the long drive to California just to hit the beaches. Not anymore! Utah finally has a beach! Better yet... only a few miles from home!
Friday we spent the day at our "local beach" with our family. The kids had so much fun! I am so glad we are on D track. While most kids start school tomorrow, we can still hit the beach for another three weeks!
Justin LOVED it just as much as the girls!

Look what I can do!

Everyone thinks it's crazy how flexible I am! I just think it's down right comfortable!

I really enjoyed Grandma's and Papa's new toy! Molly's doggy door!

In this video I "army" crawled in and out of the gym. I LOVE hearing my echo!

I'm also quite the dancer! Check this out...

Trip to California!

This past week the kids and I were able to head to California to visit Mom, Dad, and Kyle! We were also lucky enough to meet two of my "blog buddies" who were so sweet to make the drive to Bakersfield! I know I have mentioned it before, but I thank Justin and my Heavenly Father everyday for the wonderful families they have placed in our lives. I love how we have all become a "family" of our own through this amazing world of blogging. Most of you are familiar with Sweet Ella Grace and The Lehnick family. For those of you who aren't, here are our new friends, Ella and Brayden! Aren't they precious?!

Justin was the pee wee out of the bunch, but the wild one to say the least! I think he has forever scared Ella with his play screams. (I hope she recovered) Poor Brayden kept being attacked and pulled down by Justin. Luckily in this picture he seems to be smiling!

Here we have my new friends for life! I love you Denise and Darlena and can't thank you both enough for making the drive to see us. I am still amazed at how it feels like we have known each other forever.

Adorable Brayden and Ella!

It was so nice to be able to tell our stories. They are all so different. It was so neat to see how much these three are alike, but yet how different they are. It's a wonderful bond that I love having with these awesome families!

We love and miss you guys bunches and can't wait to see you again!
Thank you so much Darlena for the hair bows. My girls LOVE them!

By the way... this is going to be a long post. Hang in there!

We hit Frasier Park and went camping as a family. The kids always enjoy going in Grandma and Papa's trailer. I have trained them well... no tents for us!

This is the bike we bought Mom and Dad for Christmas. Papa was worn out after taking the girls (several times) around the trail. Did I mention it was all hill? The girls had a blast! Papa, you're a trooper!

S'mores anyone? Mmmm... they were yummy!

It's become some what of a tradition to go to John's Incredible Pizza. We had a good dinner and lots of fun playing the games and collecting tickets! Notice the one Brynn loved the most!

Of course this is where the kids spent MOST of their time! They are getting so brave in the pool! Justin actually enjoyed the water this time (for a few minutes anyway). It felt like bath water... it was so hot!

As always... thank you Mom and Dad for the wonderful time. We love our visits to California!

4th of July fun!

I hope everyone had a fabulous 4th of July! All of these pictures speak for themselves... except for a few!

Yep... this would be it! Here's the story... My husband and I were at Costco together picking out fruit for our 4th of July dinner with family. I am clueless about picking out fruit, so I asked a Lady who seemed very into the whole picking process. She led me to the right watermelon, then told me not to keep it in the hot car. "Go straight home." Tyler was poking fun at me (or her, really) when I told him we needed to get the melon home. I was putting the cart away while he was loading the final items into the car. I couldn't stop laughing. This is where I found the watermelon! He wanted to make sure it was well taken care of! I must say... she knew what she was doing. The watermelon was delicious!

Bring on the summer!

No more 1st and 4th graders for me.... School is out!

We joined Taylee and her class for a slide show, an award ceremony, and refreshments. It was very cute. The kids all decided what award each student should receive. Taylee was recognized for Doing The Best Work! She was also very proud that she lost her tooth the night before. She thought it was perfect timing to be going into 2nd grade! I don't have any pictures of April and her last day in class.... according to her, 4th graders don't do that!

After school was out, Grandma treated all of the grandkids to see Ice Age 3 in celebration of graduating. Justin wouldn't sit still in my lap, so he stood as long as his legs would let him!

I promised my girls I would make cinnamon rolls on the morning of graduation.... but I forgot! (Luckily they did too!) So to make it up to them, we hit Kneaders this morning!

We are anxious to take a trip next week to California to visit Grandma, Papa, and Kyle! We have to take advantage of summer with year round school... they are back in school in 6 weeks! (it could have been 3! Luckily we got the track that starts later!) Bring on the summer!