Mermaids, Nemos, and Patricks Oh My!

There is something so magically wonderful about the aquarium, something so serene. When the girls stepped foot inside this place their eyes twinkled with delight while they stood in front of each exhibit for the first time. Every word out of there mouth made me smile.

Look Mom, we found Nemo!

Mom, Ursala's eel is gonna bite my finger!

Mom can I go swimming with the Jellys?

Mom, let's look in the clam, stick your finger in there.

Tickle Tickle little fishies!

I'm the captain of the ship, say Aye Aye captain!

Mom, I love him. He's teeny like me.

Look it's Patrick!

Is it bad when your children constantly make Sponge Bob references?  

Daddy's Little Girl

Today John made some fantastic ribs, seriously I am dying for some more! I asked Ashlyn to try some and she told me "NO WAY mommy, ribs are dangerous." After about fifteen minutes I saw her start poking around and before you knew it she was going to town on some good ol' FAT bbq ribs. I think she is going to be a carnivore just like daddy!

Family Reunions and Pretty Ponies

This past weekend we were able to gather with family for the 1st annual Scott and Trillis Pierce family reunion. My grandparents have left a great legacy which is worth celebrating! My father and his six sibling were in attendance. It's so rare these days to have all the aunts and uncles together under one roof (more like a pavilion in the park). My father, the planner, put so much time and effort into the whole thing, it was nice to have everyone there. We had a ton of fun, even if it did rain the whole time! Cuzzies we need to get together more often, I miss you all!

 On a side note, this evening when I went to check on the kids I found a pony who received one heck of a makeover.

Ashlyn told me that Princess Pony needed her hair done for the royal ball, don't you just love little girls!

Happy Father's Day

Top ten reasons why we love you John (if you haven't noticed I'm a bit obsessed with lists)

1. You are ok with all the pink!

2. You can make the grumpiest grouch turn her frown upside down in a matter of minutes.

3. You are Prince Erick.

4. You make the best pamcakes.

5. Non stop airplane rides.

6. You sing I Am A Child of God before bedtime almost every night (you even sing it twice if requested).

8. You always are there to dry the tears and kiss the boo boos.

9. You give the best bear hugs.

10. You are our the BBQ winner king (straight from Ashlyn's mouth)

Happy Father's Day to a wonderful father and husband!

Freakin Awesome Tasting

John recently competed at the River City BBQ competition at The Taste of Idaho. He was the underdog with his Ugly Drum Smoker (which is his trademark). The other competitors had pricey equipment and smokers that are in the 2,000 dollar range. Anyway he beat out the competition by winning in every meat category (best ribs, best brisket, best pulled pork). John also won a trophy for best overall meat category. Way to go baby!

John was featured on a local news station, click HERE to see.

All Access

I was more than ecstatic to take the girls to the all access park today. I think I had more fun than they did. We also got to hang with our Utah cousins, which made for an exciting day!

Ashlyn was immediately drawn to the musical instruments.

"Uh oh mommy the pippo (hippo) is eating me."

Sway Fun with Laura and Julianne

Future musician

Cousin Page happy to help the girls down the slide

"Look mommy I am spinning, weeee!"

Ashlyn pushing Nanna and Claire

Little miss tude

I see the sun and moon and stars!

So cool, this park truly makes me happy!

Playing the drums

Never to old to play at the park! 

27 Life Lessons

As I reflect upon my 27 years on this earth, I felt compelled to share the simple life lessons I have learned through the years:

1. Families are forever and will always be the most important thing in my life.

2. God is real!

3. If it wasn't for the atonement, I wouldn't be where I'm at today.

4. The best thing to do when times get rough is to go to work helping others. 

5. Complaining about your situations leads no where and can often prove that a person is selfish (A difficult thing I have had to face about my self).

6. You can't just wait around expecting for your perfect life to begin, you have to work for it (A lesson that my husband has taught me).

7. Put yourself out there, break the comfort barrier. A wonderful friendship might be waiting around the corner.

8.  Those who truly love you will forgive you and help you through your addictions.

9. True love does exists!

10. Children are the most wonderful blessing, being a mother is more wonderful than anything I could have imagined.

11. Kids always give you a perfectly good excuse to act like a goofball, so do best friends.

12. Knowledge is power and more valuable than money.

13. Don't ever expect anything from anyone, that way you're constantly surprised.

14. Give with all your heart, mind and strength!

15. It's ok to be a little eccentric.

16. Don't worry what other people think (It sounds so simple but it has taken me a long time to be ok with this).

17. Always eat a good breakfast, thanks mom!

18. Dance like no one is watching, very very therapeutic.

19. Looks never matter, love your body. That means nourish it don't STARVE it!

20. As I get older, I see the valuable wisdom of my elders. 

21. Live your life the way you want your children to live theirs, don't be a hypocrite.

22. No T.V. show compares with getting lost in a good book.

23. One of my favorite quotes is "The test of courage comes when we are in the minority, the test of tolerance comes when we are in the majority." Have the courage to stand for something and in doing so accept others opinions and ideas. Remember we are all brothers and sisters. 

24. Talking bad about someone will inevitably come back to bite you in the bum!

25.  The small and simple things are what make life GRAND.

26. We all are talented in one way or another.

27. Chocolate is divine!