4th of July Weekend!

Okay, so I'm almost caught up!
Our fourth was so much fun! It's one of my favorite holidays. I love all the things that surround it: fireworks, carnivals, parades, camping, pool parties, sno cones, BBQ's, and everything else that comes with!
We started off the weekend by spending a little quality time at the pool working on our tans.




Jason, Mika, and Janessa came over and played with us. The actual pool ended up being closed cause some kid took a lil poopsie in it. But we hung out on the little splash pad which was perfect.




The evening, we had a BBQ at Tay's uncle's house, who just so happens to have a pool. Basically, what I'm saying, is we didn't get out of our swim suits all day and we LOVED it!




It was fun watching Carter and Morgan (the neice and nephew) splash and play around.






Saturday, Jason and Mika came over and we swam again! I know it seems like a lot, but we LOVE the water and can't get enough of our pool.





We played with our waterproof camera and tried taking some underwater pictures. It was pretty unsuccessful, but lots of fun! Us girls had a hard time staying under water, we just kept floating!





All that made us hungry so the boys went and got us Quizno's for lunch. Hit the spot!!


We got cleaned up and decided to hit Riverton park for the carnival.



We showed off our mad skills with some balloon darts!



Rode some rides!


Then met up with Jason and Karlee for some frozen yogurt!


Last it was fireworks time. Ryan and Janessa met us and we all watched together.











Monday night we finished off our weekend with our own fireworks show after good ole Bachelorette. Such a perfect weekend, wish it could've lasted longer!

Tay is 25!

For Tay's work, he had to go to Seattle for a business meeting. He was able to come home a little early to make it to Monica's funeral.
(Here he is, with his buddies on the coast... and they are looking slightly homosexual in my opinion. Ha!)


It was such a nice funeral and luncheon. I love these people!



Afterwards, I tried to make his day special and liven up the mood a little bit. We first went to dinner at his favorite place, TEPANYAKI with both of our families. That place never disappoints!




I got him a button that says "Birthday Boy!" but he wouldn't wear it. This was the best I could do.


After dinner we went back to our house to have cake and open presents.




I love this pic. Harley was paying so much attention to her daddy reading his card. Ha!


He was pretty spoiled this year. He got a watch:


And since my birthday is next week, we got a combined present from my parents: A double wide humungous sleeping bag!


The kids were pretty entertained with the balloons and gift bags. They were bouncing on the balloons, but didn't weigh enough to pop them.




Harley wanted to get in on the fun too. She loves trying to keep the balloon in the air. That's right, we have our very own AirBud! (Video soon to come!)



Then she wanted to get inside a present like cousin Morgan. She fit inside great, it was the popping out she messed up. Haha, one of my favorite moments of all time!



Later after everyone left, Tay wanted to set up his backpacking tent he got and try out the sleeping bag. Harley just played in the balloons like a little kid.




Overall, I think it was a good day.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY LOVE!!

Monica and Auzzie

This blog is gonna be super hard.
My best friend Mika's mom lost her battle to cancer last Monday. :o(
She had breast cancer for 19 years and fought everyday like it was her last. She was seriously the strongest woman I know, and like another mom to Tay and I. She was so positive and made me laugh so hard everytime I saw her. So many of her qualities that she had, I see in Mika. Both beautiful and strong, I look up to both of them so much! They're such amazing examples to me and they'll never know the impact they have on me.





This was 4 days before she left us, we got to say our goodbyes. She could barely whisper but she told us she loved us and squeezed our hands.


If it already wasn't a hard week, Jason and Mika's puppy Auzzie got hit by a car. Just two days after they lost Monica! It was so sad and very hard, but we all looked at it in a positive way, and that Monica just wanted a piece of Jason and Mika up there with her. She needed Auzzie more than any of us.





I'm sure the two of them are up in heaven, dancing around, eating lemons together, (Monica LOVED lemons!) having a great time. I'm trying to be a good friend (I know they'd do the same for me) and keep Jason and Mika busy and be supportive. They're being so strong, I have no idea how they're doing it. I wish so badley I could take away their pain and make it okay. They are such amazing friends and I'm so lucky to even know them!
Harley misses her best friend too. When I told her what happened, she knew it. It's crazy how dogs have that sense. But this is the plan and this is how things are supposed to be. One day we'll all understand.
Thank you Monica and Auzzie for making me a better person. I love you guys!!