Doggies & Birthdays

Sunday we celebrated Stew's birthday! And once you hit a certain age, all you really want is cash right? Well...we decided to make this year a little more exciting than just opening cards with cash in them. So we all got $1 bills and we hid them all over the house! Stacy made up a hilarious poem to explain what we had done. I posted it for those of you that want to use it in the future. And I'm sorry the video is so fuzzy, but I had to post her reading it. Funny funny family.

 

Our neighbor invited Milo & Pumpkin to their dog Yankie's birthday party. I thought it was the best idea ever! We went to a dog park that was completely fenced in so the dogs could just run around the park as they wish. A bunch of dogs showed up to celebrate with Yankie. Most of them were Milo's size, except one 6-month-old Great Dane/Mastiff. It was such a huge dog! But after living in Alaska this summer with all sorts of large dogs every where Milo doesn't think twice. We played games like paw-paining (they dogs didn't seem to love it) and find the hotdogs (they LOVED that one). There was a doggie cake and even little doggie favors! It was so much to have all the dogs get together. Such a great idea.

Birthday & BYU

My amazing brother-in-law's birthday was a few weeks ago. So we went up the canyon to celebrate! It couldn't have been more perfect. I LOVE playing up the canyon and right now is the perfect time because it's not cold or hot---just perfect. (Can you tell I love Fall?) Here's a few photos of the fun, but if you want pictures that are actually in focus Stacy blogged about it as well- here.

Kinda hard to tell... but we are singing Happy Birthday

Last weekend for the BYU vs U of U game a bunch of us got together for the rivalry. It was AMAZING. The game was super intense, and while we weren't happy about the outcome, it was a great game to watch.

Jack loves Tiffany

Isn't this the best picture? Perfectly illustrates how into the game they were

Milo couldn't understand why he wasn't getting pizza when he shook my hand

Poor Pumpkin not quite used to all the people and a little shy so he stayed by my side all night

Too many people, too little house. Good thing we like each other

How cute is this? Dad & Jack...someones getting grandchild hungry

Girls chat- Boys watch

Sorry the pictures are always so grainy. Have I mentioned a need a camera? I-phone just doesn't do well when it's dim.

Summer Reading List

My goal this summer was to read as much as I possibly could.... and while I did ok, I definitely didn't get to half as many as I would like.

 I have always wanted Ryan to read the Hunger Games! I love the books so much that it was seriously painful watching the movie with him and knowing he hasn't read them. Ryan isn't a huge reader unless it's a self-help book like Rich Dad Poor Dad. However, we went on a ton of road trips this summer and I was able to talk him in to reading them out loud together. That was super fun for us and he really got in to them which made me happy. And yes, we did get through all 3 books this summer- happy day!

I watched the movie first (which was amazing) and was kicking myself the whole time for not reading the book first. I finally read it and LOVED it. I'm so impressed how well the movie stuck to the book, but it was nice having more background on everyone.

I was a little hesitant of this book because while I read all the Twilight books, I wasn't wanting the same type of thing. However, I was pleasantly surprised! I ended up loving the book. It does start off a bit slow.. so just get through the first 70 pages, then it gets really good. I can't wait for the movie to come out.

Back in elementary school I know I read this but I didn't remember anything about it. So I decided that since it's considered a classic to read it again. SO LAME. The book is fairly interesting (especially with all the socialistic ideas these days) but the ending is horrible. I'm not a fan, don't waste your time.

 I heard this was supposed to be the sequel to The Giver, so I decided to read it to see if I could get some closer from the first book-nope. Still lame. Shame on me for being tricked twice into reading a book. So I deliberately didn't read the third because I'm not letting Lois get me three times. At least Gathering blue does have a better ending, I'll give it that.

This book probably had the biggest impact on me this summer. Her world is so different from the world I've ever known that it was hard to believe this really was her life. Jeannette Walls is an excellent writer, she had me glued to the pages the entire time. I do need to warn you that this book is definitely PG-13. There's some rough language and very adult content. I'm glad I read it though because it helps me realize that I am a very blessed person, and that not everyone had the same up-bringing I did.

I did read about 50 pages in to Eat, Pray, Love... but I'm sorry I don't get why there's all the hype. It drove me crazy and I finally just stopped. I can only take so much of the inner whinings of a trouble woman. Please someone correct me if I'm wrong.

Anyone have any suggestions for my fall books?

Sweet Tiffany

Last Friday we threw a birthday party for our amazing friend Tiffany. Tiffany is the greatest person ever. She's such a sweetheart, always there for you, and an amazing friend. I can't tell you how much we love her. We decided to have a little luau for the celebration. The original plan was to have it outside with tiki lamps and twinkle lights everywhere- but of course the weather decided to not be so obliging. It still turned out pretty stinkin cute if I say so myself. Tons of good friends came and it was fun to get to see everyone again. We did Hawaiian Haystacks- which I didn't really get a picture of, with tons of goodies. Here's a few pictures of the party...

We love the Mabeys!!! And Woody and Nephi! It was so great to see them

The birthday girl herself, John, and the Jolley's!!! We love having Faith & Bryce live downstairs.

Isn't this the cutest stinkin picture? Love Jill & Amanda

Stacy is the prettiest lil thing. And Jack loved her

Ryan and Mike would be upstairs chillin together... :)

We made Faith hold Jack... kinda loved the first reaction.

But Jack took a liking to her

Making preparations for the cake

Happy Berfday Tiffers!

Zach & Stacy

Normal Zach & Stacy

I'm sorry that all the pictures of people are blurry... I seriously need a new camera since I dropped my old one and broke it... oops. So for now, we have to endure the iphone photos. It was such a great night for such a great friend. Love you Tiff!