My Little Song Bird

Lately, Dax has been singing along to every song he hears. On the way to the zoo yesterday he serenaded us in the car. If I am warming up or singing to something on the radio he joins right in. His technique, although young, is just outstanding! J/K :) I know he will be a star! We play the piano and sing together practically everyday. It's so fun to be able to share something I love so much with him. He makes me laugh! I love being a mother. He is so precious and brings us such joy!

Family Trip to the Zoo!

We went to the zoo yesterday. It was officially Daxton's first visit. We had such a great time, and Grandma Lindsay enjoyed it with us! That can't be beat!! He loved the giraffes and all the BIG animals. He especially enjoyed the reptile house at the very beginning. He saw a little boy with cotton candy right away, and about had a conniption. Needless to say, after a little talk...he was a good boy and was rewarded with that delicious treat. He pushed the stroller, ran around and had a fantastic time!

Camp Nauvoo

Friday evening our ward had a camp out at Camp Nauvoo. We enjoyed a chili cook off, cookie competition, and played with the members of our ward. Unfortunately, I only pulled out the camera for the swing and a little baseball. Some of the pictures were just too dark. We had a great time. Matt played baseball with the Ramirez family, and everyone joined in for the water balloon launch. He looked like a little kid playing, and it was really cute. Grandma, Dax and I played on the swings! There was a little program and I sang, "Joseph Smith's First Prayer." It is so special to sing that song up in the woods. I can just imagine the prophet praying and having sermons in the groves near his home in NY and in Nauvoo.

The Amber House

Matt surprised me Friday evening with a little one on one romantic time. We ate dinner our in Rocklin at this yummy Japanese restaurant. (They cook right in front of you!) It was delicious! Then, he had made reservations at this sweet Bed and Breakfast in Sacramento for the night. "The Amber House," was so much more than I could have anticipated. I have never stayed at a B&B, but it was amazing. We stayed in the "Dickinson" room. The bed in the picture of above was where we slept Friday evening. The room was beautiful! The innkeepers were awesome, and we even had delicious home made cookies waiting for us upon arrival in our room! (If you know me at all...that's all I need to be sold......baked goods!) Matt and I enjoyed each others company in probably the most romantic place I have ever been. Thank you so much honey for making such a memorable get away and for loving me so much!
I don't know about you, but every couple needs a little time away. If you need a little pick me up in your relationship, take my word for it, this will do more for your relationship than you can imagine. There was a journal in our room, and it was filled with the guests experiences who enjoyed an evening in the Dickinson room. We read several journal entries together, and there is a little magic in the Dickinson room. Many couples spent anniversaries, wedding nights, or special get aways. We all have one thing in common...we are all looking to strengthen our relationships. More than ever I have felt the adversary working on each marriage and family. When we take time for each other, we take time to create happy eternal families. Thank you mom for watching Dax. We can't thank you enough.

Sunny Monday!

Happy Sunny Monday! Yeah! The Sacramento valley has a perfectly blue sky this morning. (the first time in more than a week...b/c of all of the fires)
What a perfect way to start a wonderful week!

*The sky is blue today!
*My mom is in town...AND....might be moving here!
*Our lease ends in Aug! We will only be in an apartment for another month or so!!!
*Matt and I had an incredible get away this past weekend! (I'll create a separate post.)
*I feel like I have never been so full of hope for the future. Awesome things are happening right now for our family,and I can't wait to share them with all of you. :)

Quote of the week:
"Activity and sadness are incompatible."
- Christian Bovee

Keep active and make this the BEST WEEK EVER!

The Bachelorette Finale

OK....was everyone else as shocked as I was? I loved Jason and Jesse, but I thought for sure she would have chosen Jason!! Matt was thrilled! He was going for Jesse all along. (Suprise, my husband watches it with me...we only have one TV. He didn't have any other options.:) After almost every finale of The Bachelor or Bachelorette show I am disappointed. AND yet, I continue to watch this rubbish! They never seem to choose the one I wish they would. Still, there is something sweet and magical about watching them fall in love...sometimes it's lust....BUT seeing how those relationships change their lives is so intriguing. Tell me I'm not crazy...and who did you want DeAnna to end up with if you were watching?!?

4Th of July slideshow

Side note: Daxton swam alone with floaties for the first time on the 4Th of July! YEAH! I hope everyone had a very special day. I'm so proud to be an American!

Happy Monday!

Highlights:

• The 4Th of July was spectacular! I am so proud to be an American! We played in the pool, had a picnic with friends, and set off some sweet fireworks! (AND ATE REALLY DELICIOUS FOOD...ALL DAY!)
• I am the new Primary pianist (I play songs during music time for the children at church). We had a terrific first Sunday. Nicole, thanks for making my first week so enjoyable!
• I made my first steps recording Thursday night. We are still in progress, but one step closer to recording my song : "Reach Out"
• Saturday we had a BBQ at my brother Boyd's up in EDH. We swam and had a wonderful day!
• We enjoyed the great company of Amy and Josh Summerhays Sunday evening. Thanks for a yummy dinner! We can't wait to hang out again soon.
• Dax and I just finished a snuggle session and read about five or six books. He says when we finish, "Mo Boo." (more books! He loves to read with Mommy and Daddy!)
• We are having FHE with our friends Marc, Stacy, and Tana tonight!! FUN FUN!
• We continue to reach for our dreams and are making each day count! Have a wonderful week.

Quote of the week:

"Dreams come true; without that possibility, nature would not incite us to have them."
- John Updike

Forgot One...The Happy Couple

This is one of my favorites of us. I forgot to post it with the other pictures.

Family Photos!! Yeah!

I was so excited to see these today on Alyson's site! What a fun evening. I know the boys were dying of heat...it was like 99 degrees outside and I had them all dressed up! Thank you Daddy and Dax for being such good sports! Love you!

Check out Alyson's site...she is so talented!

www.alysonkayphotography.blogspot.com

Wizards and Potions

We went to a super fun birthday celebration last Saturday. Bella threw a wizards and potions party. It was a blast. Dax and I made his little wizard hat and Daddy made his wand. Then, our potion master (aka Bryan) helped each wizard make potions. They chose between the gift of dance, or to sing like Ariel. They ate it up! Great party guys! Thanks for inviting us. :)

Bowling 101 Slideshow

Bowling 101

Matt and I went on a double date last Friday night with our friends Bryan and Melanie. We ate dinner at The Cheesecake Factory, delicious, and enjoyed a sweet night of bowling. We found that it truly is a game of luck. The first game Matt and Melanie had a resounding lead over Bryan and me. The second game, on the other hand, tables turned and Bryan won. His score trumped mine by only one pin, and Matt and Melanie weren't even close to us. We all played very differently and had our little querks. Matt: puts and "English" curve on the ball. Melanie: straight and center. Bryan: threw down on bended knee (like he was being knighted:). Jessica (me): I always slide my right leg under my left, and after my release-leave without watching my ball go down the lane! (Bad Luck!?!?) The slide show gives you the flavor of our evening. We had a great time! Thanks guys!

Happy Monday...a few hours late!

Happy Monday/Tuesday. Woo...I need to get better at this. I've only just begun.

• We are all healthy!
• We are all happy!
• Daxton has been telling me regularly "I poo poo/I went poo poo" (YIPPEE!)
• Sunday was beautiful!
• Matt and I went on a date Friday with our friends! Bowling pictures to come soon!
• The dishes are done. (right now)
• The 4Th of July is Friday (Matt's favorite holiday)

Hope you all have a wonderful week. Here is a quote for the week:

"Don't let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do."
- John Wooden