Love being an AUNT

Being an aunt is the best. While Mike and I have been in Utah, we've really enjoyed spending time with our nieces and nephews. It's difficult to get three young kids to look at the camera and smile at the same time. I give props to all photographers who can do this. (From left to right, Rachel, Brooks and Derek. Rachel and Derek are Mike's oldest sister's kids. Brooks is Mike's brother's little boy.)
I love that Mike loves babies. This is the newest addition to the family, Jason.
(Mike's sister's baby)

Amanda's kids, Ian and Posey, adore Mike. He can always make them laugh, and he is not afraid to be silly with them. Mike especially enjoys getting them hyper right before bedtime. My sister Mandy greatly appreciates that.
Ian's face in this picture makes me look like I smell, or I am forcing him to be in this picture. I think Ian was ready to be done taking pictures; on the other hand, Posey sure doesn't mind posing for the picture. I'm so glad I was able to spend so much time with my sister and her kids while she was visiting in Utah. They have only been gone three days and I miss them so much!

Everett is Mandy's youngest. I adore this baby. He is so well mannered. Everett loves to smile and laugh. I had to post this picture Katherine (my sis) took of him. Katherine has a true gift of capturing the personalities of anyone she is taking a picture of. I thought this picture portrays the sweet little boy Everett is.

Although we don't have any cute pictures of Grace on this post,

we love Katherine's baby Grace too!

And we love Jamie's kids (Mike's sister) Katie, Ethan and Adam. We are looking forward to seeing them next week! It's been way too long since we have seen them.

BIRTHDAY EXTRAVAGANZA

Mike's birthday celebration started early Saturday morning and lasted throughout Sunday evening. We started celebrating by going boating with Mike's sister Stephanie, her family and friends from their ward. We had a blast. Thanks Steph and Troy for being so generous!

Me attempting to wakeboard. The water was really bad so I was bouncing all over the place.

Mike wakeboarding. He looked like a pro on the water. Too bad both of us are still sore from the wakeboarding and tubing. (We went Saturday and today is Wednesday. We are pathetic.)
Saturday night, I got Mike tickets to the REAL soccer game. Mike played soccer growing up and played in college too, so I thought he would enjoy watching the game. It was a beautiful summer night and REAL Salt Lake actually won!
On Sunday (Mike's actual birthday) I invited his siblings who were in town to come over for dinner, cake and ice cream. I was too busy enjoying family that I hadn't seen for so long, that I didn't take any pictures. Thanks to Tracee, we did get a few pictures of the night.
You are never too old to blow out birthday candles! We had a great time celebrating Mike's birthday with his family. We missed Jamie and her family as well as Steve and Carol. But soon enough we will all be in Utah celebrating the homecoming of Steve and Carol. (Mike's parents who are serving a mission in Germany.) We can't wait to see you guys!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MIKE!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MIKE! THANKS FOR BEING THE BEST HUSBAND!

(Sorry everybody, this is dedicated to Mike. I apologize for the gushiness. I know gushiness isn't a word, but it just sounded right.)

In honor of Mike's 28th BIRTHDAY.....28 reasons why I love MIKEY:

1. He is not afraid to be himself in any situation.

2. He enjoys an adventure.

3. Mike finds the silverlining in everything.

4. He makes everything a good time.

5. He loves children and will someday be an amazing father.

6. Every morning he wakes up with crazy hair.

7. He enjoys dancing and is actually pretty good at it.

8. Mike can pick anything up with his toes. (So talented)

9. He is hilarious and has the best sense of humor.

10. He loves to take funny pictures of himself.

(All of the pictures on his camera phone are of himself!)

11. He will have read-a-thons with me.

12. He is always willing to eat my leftovers.

13. He is practical.

14. Mike is goal oriented and strives to do his best in everything.

15. He is determined and driven.

16. He loves learning.

17. He welcomes change.

18. He accepts what he doesn't have control over, and is ok with it.

19. He watches Sound of Music with me. (And he actually enjoys it!)

20. Mike makes up new songs everyday. About anything. "Oh Laura please come do your taxes with me. Your taxes with me. Laura! Laura! Laura!" (One of Mike's originals)

21. He is a meticulous cleaner.

22. He's a great cook

23. He leaves singing telegrams on my voicemail.

24. He is very organized.

(Need I say more?)

25. He has a solid foundation of faith.

26. He is so handsome.

27. He takes his responsibilties seriously.

28. He is the most thoughtful, considerate husband a girl could ask for!

YELLOWSTONE

I went to Yellowstone last week with my extended family. It was fun to see my cousins, aunts, uncles and grandparents. I have been to Yellowstone many times in my life and I always forget how breathtaking it is! My sister Katherine updated her blog with some of the pictures from the trip. Since she is a much better photographer than I am, if you want to see pics from the trip check out her blog. (You can view her blog by clicking on Wallins, underneath Family on my blog)

TORN

I just finished reading this book. It's the story of Chris McCandless who after graduating from college, left everything behind, including his family, to live "off the land" and eventually hitchhike his way to Alaska. After hitchhiking across the country for nearly two years, Chris finally makes it to Alaska, where he spends four months before his life ends. (Don't worry I didn't spoil the book) I'm not usually into nonfiction, but I was intrigued and enthralled by this book. In some ways I completely envy and admire Chris for leaving everything behind (modern society) and fulfilling his dream of an explorer/adventurer. But on the other hand I was upset with Chris for the way he left everything behind including his family without communicating with them once he left. If anyone has read this book, please share your opinion. If you haven't read this book, I highly recommend taking the time to read it, and then letting me know your thoughts.

Random happenings in the SLC

Just Mike and me hanging out at my parents house. It's so nice to be with family again.

I love being with my sisters. It's been awhile since my whole family has been together! I can't get enough of hanging out with everybody.

Mike after a long hard day at the hospital, holding my nephew Everett. Everett is the sweetest little baby. It times like these when I see how adorable Mike is with babies, that I think I'm ready to have one. (Don't worry the desire goes away in about five minutes)

I've been tagged

I've been tagged. (Answers were given randomly in no particular order)

4 jobs I have had:
1. Trailside Dry Cleaning: Not the cleanest place.
2. Old Navy: Only for one summer.
3. Substitute Teacher
4. Second Grade Teacher (I like this one the most)

4 movies I can watch over and over again:
1. Sound Of Music
2. Braveheart
3. Finding Neverland
4. Best in Show

4 places I have lived:
1. Sugarhouse
2. Provo (ugh)
3. Lake Bluff (Illinois)
4. Skokie (Illinois)

4 favorite TV shows:
1. The Office
2. American Idol
3. Friends (still love the reruns)
4. What not to wear

4 of my favorite places I have been:
1. Salzburg, Austria
2. Glacier National Park
3. Lake Powell
4. Lake Tahoe

4 favorite foods:
1. cheese pizza
2. my mom's homemade chicken pot pie
3. thick shakes
4. cafe rio enchalidas

4 websites I check daily:
1. hotmail.com
2. blogs
3. weather.com
4. NBC news

4 favorite hobbies:
1. running
2. reading (I've already read 3 books this summer. I can't get enough!)
3. being with friends and family
4. sleeping (can you even call that a hobby?)

4 places I rather be:
1. Lake Powell
2. Costa Rica (I've always wanted to go)
3. Getting a massage
4. Hanging out with Mike, wherever he is

4 friends I would like to tag....TAG you're it!!
1. Megan Woodley
2. Sarah Morgan
3. Lauren Foulger
4. Lindsay Dwyer (Did I even spell that right? Sorry if I didn't)

Sorry friends for tagging you. Enjoy!