Summer Fun

The kids were sad to have to say goodbye to their Weight Family cousins last week. They had been spoiled with the Kentucky cousins visiting for 2 weeks and the Missouri cousins for 2 1/2 weeks. We enjoyed some time with them in Yellowstone, had a sleep over, played games, did baptisms in the temple, watched parades, etc. It was a fun visit and we can't wait til they come back again.

Back row: Kelsey, Ashly, Morgan, Shelby
Front row: Jake, Hayden, Brandon, Woody, Brooke, Dylan

Woo Hoo!

Jessica, Kathy, Kristie, Wendy

I haven't taken enough time lately to be social and enjoy my friends. The gals from my old Green Park Ward got together for lunch on June 24th. It was SO GOOD to see them, chat about the families, swap parenting stories, and just catch up. I sure miss these women. Thanks for being my friends and still liking me (or at least pretending you do) after all these years. Love you guys!
We got to enjoy another year of Lehi Roundup Week. Jake and Kelsey helped pull the Northlake 1st Ward Float. Our float was the "Three Little Pigs." The kids were hot and sweaty after but had a good time.Finally, we took the kids to see Toy Story 3 last weekend. Wow, I am a bawl baby!! The show was awesome but I was in tears 1/3 of the time. It really is sad to think of the kids growing up. Don't get me wrong, I don't miss diapers for a second, but the older my kids get, the more I realize they aren't going to need me anymore in a few short years. I guess that's why we try so hard to build a good loving relationship so even if they don't "need" me, they'll "want" me in their lives.

Yellowstone Tradition

I only have one complaint about our Yellowstone trip this year. It was TOO SHORT! We had such a great time enjoying the beautiful scenery and our wonderful family. We were only there over the weekend. Next year I'll have to get the whole week off work and enjoy.

Yellowstone fits into the same category for me as planting flowers....it's therapy. I don't need a psychiatrist, I just need some dirt, flowers and Yellowstone. Thank you Uncle Shirl and Aunt Toni. We love you and are grateful for the service you give our family each year.

Birthday Girl

Morgan got to celebrate another birthday in Yellowstone this year. Wow, I'm not sure where all the years have gone, but she turned 14. Seems like yesterday when Joe and I were headed to the hospital to begin this journey of parenthood.
We sure love you Morgan! Thanks for being such a wonderful daughter, sister and friend. I'm not sure how I could possibly be more proud of you. Keep up the good work, you're becoming the beautiful young woman (inside and out) that God intended you to be. Love you! Mom

Summer Begins

Summer vacation has officially begun and you can tell the kids have pent-up energy just waiting to burst free! Jake and Kelsey built a floor-to-ceiling blockade to fortify their fortress. (If you think that looks messy, you should have seen inside the room.)
Can I tell you how much I love my little Kelsey? She is such a sweetheart. I walked in her room one morning to find she had written on her mirror with dry erase marker. These were her goals:
I'm trying to be like Jesus......
Be kind _____
Do a good deed a day _____
Make others feel good _____
Feel good _____
Love one another _____
She just melts my heart. From day #1 this child has had the sweetest most genuine soul.
Jake has been busy trying to pass off his Scouting requirements. We had a fun pack meeting this month. Jake learned all about cycling safety, bike tire repair, etc.
They also had a cycling rodeo and got to ride through an obstacle coarse. It's so much fun watching the kids grow up and being a proud parent. Life doesn't get much better than that.
Both Kelsey and Jake were gone the other night at sleep overs. Joe and I felt a little lost. It's weird how you miss them when they're gone. Makes me think about the future....ugh. I'll miss these little guys when they are all grown up and independent. I'm so glad Heavenly Father has created a plan so I can be with them forever. I LOVE you family!

Susie Rocks!

My BeSTie GaL PaL, Susie, participated in the American Fork Women of Steel Triathlon this morning. We had estimated her ending time, and in true "Wendy fashion," I missed it and was there right after. (I'm such a loser!) Regardless of the weather and her stupid friend, Suz did great and still had enough energy to hold up her bike after!! Way to go Suz, I'm proud of ya.

Susie asked me months ago if I wanted to do this with her and I was too much of a wimp to take on the challenge. Lately my challenge has been mental, not physical. Trying to learn a new job, adjust to full-time hours and not lose my mind, has been all too consuming. How have I become such a weirdo at my young age? :) I'm sad now cause all the training exercise would have been good for me, both mentally and physically. Anyway, I'm hoping to join in the fun next year and try it out.

Mother's Day

Thanks to my incredible husband and children for making Mother's Day great. Following a long Harris family tradition, Joe got corsages for me and the girls to wear to church. I always love my corsage because it reminds me of my dad buying corsages for my mother and also his daughters.

(Yes...I know Kelsey is a spaz. What can I say? That's just how she came out.)

(Wasn't I just trying to be cute?)

Joe was fabulous at getting the "hint" I dropped about wanting a cute apron. He got me this apron at Sweet Tooth Fairy (I have their site under my food blogs to the right) and also these way cute work gloves. I can't wait to go garden in these gloves!

I had a fun day with lots of gifts, love and good food. Those things were all nice but the real gifts are my children themselves. My children are truly my greatest joy. I thank my Heavenly Father each day for the opportunity to be a mom. I am blessed.