Good times with family and friends

We went to Oak City/Delta two weeks ago with some very great friends, to visit my Grandma and Grandpa Peterson and take some family pictures in front of the coolest red barn ever across from my friend's Grandma's house. I think we got some pretty good shots and we DEFINITELY had a good time. After torturing the kids and our VERY patience husbands, (thanks guys) for about two hours or so taking pictures, we then hung out and talked while the kids colored, planted a garden, and had lots of treats courtesy of Coby and Lynette's Grandma. Thanks you guys, we had a blast! We then went and visited my Grandma and Grandpa and got to see my aunt and cousin's family as well, which was very nice to catch up with them a bit too. I think we might head back down there for Oak City days, which I hear is something not to miss. So stay tuned....


Grandma and Grandpa Welker came out for a visit about a week or so ago and we had a grand old time with them. We went out to dinner, hung out, and just enjoyed being together. The highlight of the visit was probably when we went to the zoo, which Taylor had planned a few weeks in advance. She even made a list of all the people she wanted to come. This was Chase's first time at the zoo and he loved it!! As did Taylor. Of course, the penguins were a big hit. Taylor loves penguins. And the train and carousel where probably Chasey's favorites. Here's a picture of our group. Notice Chase with his sword, he rarely goes anywhere without his sword or baseball bat. Thanks for coming Grandma and Grandpa you never disappoint!


I ran my first half marathon last Saturday up at Bear Lake! It was soo much fun! I was quite nervous as the bus was taking us up. But honestly I really enjoyed it. I ran with two great friends and amazing girls. Thanks Audrey and Liz! We must do it again soon. I have definitely caught the running bug! I know it won't my be last race, as I previously thought it would be. Here's a picture of us coming up to the finish line.

We went up the night before the race and stayed at our very generous friends Matt and Liz's cabin right on the lake, which the kids absolutely loved. The Buchanans were there as well. It was the cutest little place and actually slept like 25 plus people. There was the cutest little swing out back and one in the front that the kids couldn't get enough of. They all stayed up pretty late, even Talan. And Taylor got to sleep right next to her cute little friend Eliza, who she just adores, which they both thought was the coolest thing ever. We also had the kids decorate some shirts to wear and cheer us on while we were running. It was the coolest thing ever when we came around the corner and saw them all standing there yelling "go mom!" It was the best!! It was my favorite part of the race. What cute kids. Thanks again girls for the fun memories.


The next day was Father's Day and I really wanted to make that day all about Cort. He does so much for our family and I wanted him to know that it doesn't go unnoticed. He is such a hard worker and a wonderful provider spiritually and financially. I had the kids all go and pick something out for him. Chase was sooo excited, he couldn't wait for his daddy to see what he got him. Taylor got him some cologne, Chase got him a tie, which he will tell you about if you ask, and Talan got him a shirt. While I got him a watch thinger that tells your distance among other things, while running or biking. I hope Cort knows how much we all love and appreciate him! I can't believe that we have been together for 7 wonderful years. We all love him so much. And me and him both are so blessed to have amazing fathers too, who are always there for us.

Taylor and Chase have been on a new kick lately, they love sleeping on the ground next to each other. Every night it has been "can we sleep on the ground?" I tell them only if they go right to sleep, which they usually will do. Their little relationship is so sweet and I think unique. They truly love each other so much. They do have their moments, but honestly they are few and far between. Taylor is always making sure that Chase is included even when she has friends over, and Chase is always making sure that Taylor has whatever he has, from treats to if we are at the store and Taylor's not with us, Chase still has me buy something for her, so she is taken care of as well. I really think that they are kindred spirits of some sort and as a mom I am so grateful for their closeness. It totally melts my heart to see them together.

Here's our little Tally with his bat. He absolutely loves this thing. He carries it around with him everywhere. The other day we were in his room and I turned around to find him trying desperately to get under his crib, when he finally came out he was holding his bat that must off gotten kicked under there or something. Cort says it reminds him of bam-bam from the Flintstones. I love how kids get so attached to things.

Oh and you might of noticed poor Talan's eye. He fell down the other day and cut his eye. I totally went into panic mode. Poor little guy. He was such a trooper though, he was totally smiling and playing while we were checking it out and trying to decide if we needed to take him in. He has such a sweetness about him. We decided that it wasn't that deep so we just put some of that liquid bandage stuff on it to close it up and it's actually healing a lot better than I could of hoped for. Thank goodness!

This past weekend we went down to see the Mormon Miracle Pageant down at the Manti Temple where me and Cort were married. We decided to just camp while we were there and the kids loved it! It brought back a lot of memories for me too. My mom's parents use to live there and I went to school down there for a year. It was a short trip, but fun. Taylor really enjoyed the pageant and asked lots of questions. She said her favorite part was when Jesus visited the little children in America and the Samuel the Lamanite story. Chase said his favorite part of the pageant was swimming in our neighbor's pool the other day. Go figure. I swear he says and does the cutest things. At the pageant, it was different then I remembered it being in the past. They had chairs sent up instead of blankets. Well, Chase of course made do and about half way though grabbed his blankie and went and laid it out in the middle of the aisle and made himself comfortable. You probably had to be there to really appreciate the cuteness of it. I wanted to take a picture so bad but they asked us not to take pictures because it was distracting, so I restrained. I tell Cort all the time how I wish we could just put him in a bottle and keep him this age forever. I love his age so much, it's definitely one of my favorites.
Here's the kids at our campground.

And one of them at the pageant before it started.

The next day we decided to go walk around the Manti temple before we left and let the kids climb up and down the hill. I love this picture of Cort and Taylor, there's just something about it.


We all feel so blessed to have such a wonderful family and amazing friends to spend our time with.