Camping Tradition lives on

Going into summer we had quite a bit going on with the new house and getting ready for a big move.  I wasn't sure I wanted to get packed up and head out camping, but I knew in my heart that I had to continue the camping tradition for the kids.  So, we packed up and headed to one of our favorite spots, Leo Carrillo.
We had a great time and enjoyed getting away from the home repairs for a little while.  Camping will always hold a special place in my heart even though the dirt is nasty, showers are either cold or hot, and the sleeping arrangement is less than appealing. 

Baseball Fans

I have to admit I was not a fan of the idea of having Bruin start baseball, I thought it would be boring and long-but I have to admit that I was dead wrong!!! I am completely a changed mama.  I loved every minute of cheering him on.  He really did well this year as he learned the second base position and even did some pitching! His little team got 2nd place and even defeated the undefeated 1st place team toward the end of the season. I was the team mom, and I loved meeting new moms. I also loved spending time with my family watching the games.  I am looking forward to possibly winter ball.

I love seeing Kirk and Bruin finding things they love to do together. Here they are all ready for a Dodgers game.  I love hearing them talk the sports lingo together. I am shocked by all the things Bruin is aware of with the teams and players. He is definitely his father's son!  He was so excited about going that he made a poster to hold up at the game.  So cute!  Love these boys, and I am now a baseball lover. You should hear me yell at those games!  INTENSE!!!!

Del Mar Obstacle Course 5K

Months ago my dad called me to see if I would want to run this crazy obstacle course thing with him.  He was putting together a team- and said he was paying for the entire team. I figured I had no excuse so I jumped on board.  It all sounded good and well until I heard their were monkey bars and rope swings- then I got a little freaked out.  But, it was too late to back out, so that morning us girls headed out.  The back seat of the car, Heather (my brother's girlfriend), my sis Janell, and I.  All ready for our adventure.

 My Dad and I giving the thumbs up with our team shirts on.  My dad made 17 of these shirts- crazy!

 Janell and I ran the whole race together.  From shaving cream faces, across the monkey bars (my most feared obstacle and I made it all the way across!!!!), tube sliding, the slip and slide, crawling through the tubes, hanging of for dear life across the rock wall, over hurdles, through the rainbow of colors, high kneeing it through the tire run, up and down the dirt walls, down the huge water slide, and dodging the huge wrecking ball: we were together through it all cheering each other on.  I remember quoting our gym trainer at one point when we were both exhausted, "YOU CAN REST WHEN THE GOOD LORD CALLS."

 This is our goofy selves after the race. Love this girl!!!

 Of course the occasion called for a human pyramid.

 And some more piggy back rides, ready, set.....

 Pose and give muscles :)  

Fun memories made with my sisters and dad.  I hope it puts another team together next year.  I'm in!

Mother's Day 2012

Mother's Day has turned into Mother's weekend once again!  I have to celebrate with so many of my favorite mothers that it just turns into a big fiasco, which is fabulous!  So it started with a day full of shopping, pedis, dinner at BJs, and movies with some of my friends. I am blessed to have so many friends around me who are trying to raise and teach their children.  I feel like I have a crew to back me up at all times in my mothering role. We some how never ended up with a group shot, but it was tons of fun!

The next afternoon I had lunch at Applebees with my sister and mom- where my brother Joseph served us.  Its always good spending time with those who matter most, my family.  Afterward my mom and I hit up TJmax in search of some clothes for her upcoming cruise.  She is going to look adorable :)
That same evening Kirk took me out for dinner.  I am a lucky woman to have him as the father of my children.
Sunday I loved watching my children sing to me from the stage with all the primary children.  Even London went up there and stood while the kids sang.  I was smiles from ear to ear seeing all 4 of my kids up there singing to me.
Sunday evening was spent with the wild Salmon crew.  These kids can entertain us all night long.

They loved giving Grandma her cards.  I don't know if they realize how blessed they are to have her as a Grandma, but they love her to pieces!!!  I love this picture of her reading her card, surrounded by the kids.

It was a wonderful weekend spent with people I love.  These 5 I have to say are at the top of my list.  So blessed to have such sweet children and loving husband right by my side.  I thank Heavenly Father everyday for giving me more than I deserve.  I wouldn't have it any other way.

Women's Conference 2012

What a unique opportunity to jump in the van with all the Salmon sisters and wonderful mom and head to Utah to attend Women's Conference at BYU! We stayed at Aunt Kathy's this year, which was so nice.

We enjoyed delicious food, lots of laughing, wonderful talks, and being with our Utah family and with each other.  Two of my best friends from home were also there, so I spent one of the days taking classes and having lunch with them too. Can't believe I didn't end up with one picture!  

Erika and I waiting for a class to get started.  I'm so lucky to have her as a sister!

Here is another one of my favorite people, don't know how I would live without her.  Best friends and sisters, what could be better?  NOTHING!

One evening we got to hang out with lots of the family and eat at Kneaders- a yummy sandwich place.  Cousin Jamie has these two cute girls- love them!!! I was declared Emmie's bestie after I proposed I do her hair and makeup. I ate up every moment with them.

Here we are trying to look cool while riding a "wave" in Utah, did we succeed?  

LOL! Maybe Candace did :)

We also got to meet sweet red headed Kate.  We played a little game of tag in the house and got them in trouble.  Whoops!!

The last night at nearly midnight a couple of the sisters requested a last minute run to the Creamery. I was stuffed to the brim, but didn't want to miss a moment of the fun, so we headed over for some ice cream.

A trip I will always remember.  What a wonderful family I am blessed to have married into. 

 Love you all!!!

After Easter and London's Bday

Our Easter fun continued when Grandpa Mark came to visit. The Salmon kids all ran off in all directions to find what he brought for them.

After the loot was all collected we somehow got them to all sit for a picture with Grandpa

It was also a perfect time to celebrate this little stinker face turning two.  Gotta love that smile, haha!

After Grandpa came and went we headed over to Grandma and Grandpa Heaps' house for another birthday celebration.  London, Joy, and Trey were the birthdays this month, so we celebrated them all!

On London's official birthday, April 23rd, we were lucky enough to catch both sets of Grandma and Grandpas to come over for a birthday dinner.  I think London enjoyed being the center of attention.  What a lucky little girl to have 2 wonderful Grandmas.

After dinner we sang to London and snapped a family photo.  You may be able to tell that I spend all evening preparing myself for this photo op haha!  With my Kiss me I'm Irish bright green shirt :)  A goofy picture, but its all of us as we are, so I think its great.

We ended the evening with some horsey rides on Grandpa Salmon, he's always such a trooper.  Who would have known this guy just turned 60?

Happy Birthday London.  We all love you!!!

First beach day of the year....
London played in the sand
London ate lots of snacks
She enjoyed mommy blowing bubbles for her,
and digging a hole.
Had fun smashing castles.
Ate more snacks.
Played with her friends Riley and Harley,
then probably stole their snacks too.
Didn't like the cold water,
so she stayed clear from it.
Love my sweet London!

Mr. Independent, Hudson
Dug Holes
Played by the water with Shane and Isaiah
And, I'm not sure what else because he was happy
and I was busy watching his sister :)

We are looking for many more beach days all the way through the summer.
We love the beach!!!

FHE FUN

This week we had Family Home Evening with some fun friends.

Kickball and Potluck, lots of fun and food.

The kids had a blast taking their turns at kicking the ball and running the bases. I think its a toss up between a few of the dads for the kick of the night. We love having so many friends for our kids to play with, and fun parents too. This is a time in my life where I just wish I could freeze the clock and keep my kids this age forever and keep all the wonderful people we have around us as well.

Sunday Hike

A couple weeks ago I went with 2 of my friends on a Saturday morning hike at some close by hills. I thought it would be fun to go as a family. So, on Sunday in between our church's General Conference sessions we decided to take the kids on a short hike. I love bringing the kids outdoors away from electronics and just enjoy the beautiful things that God has created for us to enjoy.

How sweet is it that my oldest two still like to hold hands? (Please excuse the bedhead on Capri, since we didn't have to go out of the house that morning we did not care for the mane :) haha!

Daddy loves when London reaches up and yells for him to hold her. She's always happy in Daddy's arms, and it makes me smile to see them together.

We sat here on this bench and watched some birds, lizards, and a little gopher who kept popping his head out of a hole to check us out. It was a fun little outing which we will do again in the near future.

Hunger Games

So many of my friends were looking forward to Hunger Games coming out. We've been passing the books around for the last year or so and taking turns reading them. We were so excited that we decided we had to make a fun date night of it! A couple of us got together at the last minute and went shopping and made some fun shirts (seriously we were blow drying them just as we were about to head out the door!!!). The boys thought we were silly/nerdy for matching, but it made it all more fun and memorable.
We hit the movie, dinner, then played some Just Dance had dessert afterward at Pam's house. So much fun! I am so blessed to be surrounded by such fun, loving friends. I can't wait for the next excuse to get another group together and party Mormon style :)