The Tradition of Spoiling

I'm off for vacation to see my sisters. I'm so excited. We all don't get together much and I'm so happy to spend time with Lanae who lives so far away. Cyndi will be having her baby and I can love on all my cute nieces and nephews. Yes, I will now have 2 nephews on the Stewart side!Although I'm excited there is a man in my life that isn't. He's pretty much helpless. He's spoiled. It started off with his mom and then I continued on with the tradition. The clothes are ironed and hung in matching order. The cupboard is stocked with enough cold cereal to last years. There are plenty of cold ones in the fridge with ample fresh fruit. Thank you to (as Shane calls them) "the ladies" AKA my friends for taking care of this poor helpless man. I know he won't go hungry and wither away to nothing while I'm gone because he already has a few dinner dates. The spoiling continues and I'm starting to worry that he may get spoiled too much while I'm away. All "the ladies" are fabulous cooks so my cooking may not look too good once I return! His belly will be full, boredom will leave, and the tradition of spoiling will go on so a big THANK YOU!

Every once in awhile

Every once in awhile I get a picture that makes me feel complete and happy. I love capturing people in their real element and this pictures is one of them. Normally Damon's Dad doesn't smile huge in pictures but in real life with his son's around he is always laughing. Who knows what was said but either Damon or Josh made some funny comment and I am thrilled I was there to capture it. We were playing at the park in Nebraska at suddenly we come around a corner and I decide to peek around and see a perfect picture spot! I have so much I need to get done but I just couldn't resist playing around with these pictures.

I'm glad Shane and Trevor will finally take pictures together. It took me years to be able to have them cooperate but they do now and I'm oh so happy!

The three loves of my life!

Now on to my darling niece and nephews. All these kids have so much fun together! After a week of playing together there was not one fight which is pretty hard to believe. This is spunky little Lyla.

Gavin who is in between Shane and Trevor. He is one shy little guy and I am happy I got him smiling!

Cameron shares a birthday with Damon and is so good to Shane. He plays with him for hours and teaches him so much about being a big boy!

Now older kids are so easy to take pictures of! Whenever I ask they just stop and smile like perfect little models. Dillon is one fun young man. He can out eat me and Damon combined any day!

Now I'm noticing I'm missing our oldest niece! She went off with Grandma and so I missed getting pictures of her. There are so many pictures to post but I have so much to do besides blog! Nebraska was wonderful and I'll be posting more when I get back from my NEXT vacation. I really need to get out of this heat! We have only been back 2 days and I'm already sick of it!

Longest Road Trip EVER!

We made it back from the longest road trip ever! We drove 2600 miles round trip through 6 different states and this is how we feel about getting in the car again any time soon... Yesterday, Damon and I were ready to be home so we decided it would be a good idea to drive straight from Nebraska back to Las Vegas for a 16 hour drive! Amazingly we made it. Amazingly the boys did a great job! We went through farm land, the beautiful Colorado mountains, a rainstorm so bad we couldn't see the road, to the Utah desert, and finally back to our desert and home Las Vegas. We won't be here long because the boys and I are headed to California for a few weeks to play with more cousins in just a few short days!

California Dreamin'

When we returned from California to our Vegas summer heat we were already dreaming about returning. We love being home. We love being with family. We love the cool weather. We love having a good time even though Shane doesn't look like he does! He was upset because he just wanted to sit on a bench. He was having issues about who knows what. Mr. T loves the motions of the carousel and giggles the entire time. I love watching him and the joy on his face while spinning around and ground.

There is something about Santa Barbara that we just love. Even simple tasks we do weekly in Vegas seems more grand in SB like going to the park. It's so beautiful and so relaxing. I take the boys to the park each time we visit and each time we have a blast.

Grandma Young enjoys all the little grandkids around and playing all day. Allie isn't technically a grandchild but she loves her "Aunt Net!"

Gotta love a family picture on the pier. Can't we ever just smile!?! Crazy kids just wanted play, imagine that!

There is my happy boy not having any issues now! I look at him now and can't believe how big he is!

We always stop for ice cream on the pier and always stop for candy in the candy store. I remember going into these same shops and ordering bubble gum ice cream just like Shane when I was a little girl.

Trevor is all smiles when there is sugar involved.

Whenever we head up to Santa Barbara we talk about when we can move back. The lifestyle is completely different then the hustle and bustle of a big city. However, if we move anytime soon I'm afraid we will be living beach side withe this guy!

Lucky in Love

Things haven't always been perfect for Damon and I. He almost ruined it when he got back from his mission and was his cocky self! However, we were destined to be together. We are sole mates always searching for our other half. It really is hard for me to imagine my life without him. We started out as best of friends at 15 and here we are 16 years later still best of friends. Sometimes I think he knows me better then I know myself and that is scary! He still makes me laugh and feel special everyday. I'm lucky to still be in love and have forever to continue to be in love too.

4th of July

Vegas is way too hot to enjoy the 4th of July outside so this year we went to Ventura and had a great time with our families. When I was little I was in the Pushem Pullem Parade and now Shane and Trevor are! Waiting for it to start took awhile but once we did we had a blast!

We met up with cousin, Gavin, and him and Shane rode around together for awhile.

Mr. Trevor opted to not ride his scooter we brought all the way from Vegas and decorated to cute. Instead Damon helped me out and rode it through the parade. I think he was having more fun then the boys!

Trevor had his own float AKA Baby Jace's stroller! He took his job seriously with waving to the crowd. He was very important waving and riding in the float as you can see with the serious expression on his face.

The last time we were all in the parade together was when Trevor was the little baby in the stroller and Allie and Shane were 2!

After the parade we always enjoy the Street Fair. This year we went straight to the food and had lunch! Trevor seems to always crawl up onto Grandma Stewies lap and take a little rest. I love it. Almost every time we are together he does this!

As always Shane enjoys the BBQ corn which is my all time favorite too. Yummy!

Now Trevor is lucky to have Grandma Young being so nice to him. She got him an ice cream in a cup and he cried because he wanted a cone. Normally he would have to deal with it but Grandma's are for spoiling and she is perfect at her job!

Festive cupcakes.

After some swimming, jumping on the trampoline and relaxing we headed to the college for a fireworks show. Do you notice I'm wearing a sweatshirt in JULY? Loved it! The boys had a blast running around with cousins and Grandparents.

It's great to be with family. As always we had a great trip and can't wait until our next 4th of July festivities all together.

Too tired to eat

I haven't had someone fall asleep while eating for a very long time. I guess Trevor wore himself out and just couldn't find enough energy to finish eating his snack of chips and beans (a number one favorite of his). I couldn't believe it! He slept at the table for a good hour and I couldn't help but think of the last time he fell asleep while eating back in May of 2007. What a sweet baby.

I guess some things never change with Trevor. When he finally stops he crashes and it doesn't matter where he is at!

Handy Damon

We break it, he fixes it! I'm so lucky to have such a handy husband. Yesterday morning we woke up to a broken water heater. Things don't last long when they are sitting in the boiling hot garage in the Las Vegas heat! At first we were thinking we would have to buy a new water heater. Then we realized it was under warranty but would have to pay between $600-700 to install the new one with the warranty! Finally, I went to the distributor myself and picked up the new water heater for Damon to install. Not only did he change out the old water heater but he had to replace the pipes that were all nasty pipes! It was a long day but I was finally able to take a shower, do some laundry, and run the dishwasher by 11 p.m.

a sign from above

Sometimes I have this problem with judging people before I even know them. For instance, one of our neighbors who I thought might work it on the streets. Come to find out she doesn't and is super nice. Most recently I have found some new friends while camping this week-end and all the judging I have done before has gone because these girls are wonderful! Crazy, I know. Who would have thought we'd be hanging with the pligs for hours while camping? They were just as curious about us and we were of them. They answered all my questions and changed my view on polygamy. A sister wife would be nice to help out around the house but that is about it, so don't worry I won't be converting!

They even did my hair! Seriously, my hair done by a real polygamist. We didn't have hairspray so we couldn't do the front the same but the mothers were impressed by my new style.

Some of the girls are so secluded they have accents. They use different terminology for things like they "comb hair, our MotherS and Father, and they call themselves the children." When I told our new friend she should do hair when she grows up she glowed. I don't think compliments are given much in their culture and they loved hearing us tell them how beautiful their hair is.

Can anyone else out there say Warren Jeffs niece has done their hair into a french braid?

At first I couldn't believe they were by us. We took pictures in the down low.

Taking them from afar but after awhile we were all comfortable posing for a picture.

These children are fascinating. Here are some things we learned...

• There are 44 children in their family, 3 mothers, and 1 father.
• 24 rooms in their house and 13 bathrooms
• They make 15 loaves of break twice a week
• They choose what color dress to wear and make them all
• Some girls don't like to sew so they don't
• They clean the baseboards and door knobs daily
• There is a drinking fountain the their home
• The girls choose to have long hair
• After 8th grade they choose if they want to continue on with school or to stop. This doesn't mean they are an adult because I asked and they laughed at me and thought I was crazy that I didn't know it was 18!
• They buy food at Costco and WalMart.
• They can fruits and veggies from their garden.
• They get dairy products from the town dairy.
• Computer and TV use is limited.
• Some children had seen movies others hadn't. It is up to the family.
• They couldn't name all 44 siblings and forgot some!

Life is interesting. They told us we could visit in Colorado City, which I think we may. When I asked them how many kids they thought I had they said 10. They couldn't believe I had only 2 and said I need to have more. They told us they love having a big family and someone to always play with. We made their day and they came back for hugs and good-byes. I cannot believe how much I was wrong. Like all groups in our society there are always creeps who hurt people but for the most part they are kind people. The children were happy. They were the most respectful and helpful children I have ever met and because of this I will always respect them and not judge those around me.

Camping Adventures

We just got back from a camping adventure in Mammoth Creek, Utah. We camped, enjoyed being with friends, and the girls only showered once in 4 day...YUCK! Somehow the men always ended up finding a shower when they were out fishing or 4-wheeling! I was shocked at the beauty of being in Southern Utah. I felt like I was in Colorado with all the green and water. Here we are dogs and all. Liberty is laying on the ground and cannot be seen.

This was our first camping trip since children and it perfect. The boys loved 4-wheeling and begged to go and go! Damon and I even escaped and went out alone for a ride. Thanks for watching the boys Nikki!

Who knew binoculars would be the best entertainment for a 3 and 5 year old?

Fishing is always a must when camping even if the fish aren't biting much!Each night the boys were sure to eat a good dinner so that they could have smores!

A few more years and I'm sure Shane will be taking Trevor out on the trails!

Not only did Shane enjoy the outdoors but he also enjoyed making sweet Emerie happy! She did so good camping!

Trevor loved playing in the dirt and just running around all day.

Right by our campsite was a creek that the boys played in all day. Shane was timid of the water at first but after a day they went on their own adventures by the creek.

Uno was played and Shane is still insisting on a rematch since mommy won!

I love camping and being in the outdoors but it is always nice to get home, get clean, and sleep in your own bed! It was nice not having cell phone service, no Internet, no Facebook or blogs to check. Thanks Eric and Nikki for sharing your spot I'm sure we'll be back because the boys are already asking to go camping again!