Xander's birthday

Here's my second post for the day. I guess that's what happens when you try and play catch-up. Kassidy went to her friend Xander's 1st birthday party on Tuesday. It was so fun to see all the kids swim and play together. Kassidy kept trying to pull Xander's b-day hat off, I'm not sure why. Thanks for the invite Bree and happy birthday Xander!

Bear Lake & July 24th

So we finally had our first vacation of the summer...all the way to Beaver, Spanish Fork and Bear Lake. We were just excited to get out of Cedar City! Our 24th of July vacation started in Beaver where Kevin's sister and fam came to visit. Kass had a blast playing with her cousins and being around other kids. This is Kassidy and Lyndie in the tub (they're only 11 days apart, but Kassidy's got Lydie outweighed by about 6 pounds! ), aren't they cute?

Next we made our way up to good ole' SF, my hometown. Kevin and I got to the rodeo with my brother Kevin (two Kevins) on the 23rd while Gma and Gpa Hicken watched Kassidy. Apparently she cried the whole time, sorry!!! But the cowboys were great and the Mutton Busters were so cute! The next morning we had a good time at the Fiesta Days parade with the Hicken clan. Kassidy was very interested in the floats and sat so nicely in her chair.

Isn't this a cute picture?

Next we made our way to Garden City to play at Bear Lake for the weekend. We stayed at Grandma and Grandpa Bills' trailer (thanks!) and played at the beach Saturday. The weather was gorgeous and we all had a blast...even Karina, who for some reason didn't want to come and play with us (she's a teenager).

The fam at the Bear Lake pizza place. We waited almost 40 minutes for our pizza, but it sure was delish!

Kevin got a little sunburnt on all that white skin because he didn't listen to me and put on sunscreen. Told you so!

Loungin' in the lake with Mom

Over all we had a blast and a great vacation. Thanks Mom!

Blessings!

Just a quick blurp...I'm just so dang grateful today, I'm bursting!!! I'll put up all our pics and post about our 24th later. Today my wonderful visiting teacher Melanie Bishop came over for a chat. We had a good time talking and we circled around the topic of daycares. Melanie told me where she takes her kids to daycare, and it just happens to be my old employer! I called her immediately following our visits and got Kassidy in for this fall. This was such a blessing because the lady I was going to take Kass to was clear in Enoch and cost more than I can afford. This daycare is right down the street from my school that I'll be teaching at, right next to Uncle Kurt and Aunt Whitney's house (in case of emergency), is much cheaper than I expected, and is run by two amazing women who I know and trust....does it get any better!!! I'm so grategul for this wonderful opportunity and know that it is truly a blessing from my Heavenly Father who wants to take care of my Kass.

Binny-sitting

This week we bunny-sat for a friend in our ward. Kassidy had a blast playing with Binny (that's his name) and was pretty sad when he had to leave on Sunday. I love the pics of Kassidy walking the bunny in the backyard. She kept trying to catch up to him so she could pet him, but he'd just hop off before she got close enough. Binny was probably pretty glad to escape the grasping fingers by the end of the week, but we sure had fun!

Best Friends

Jenny Morris and I met about a year and a half ago when she and her family moved down here from Springville. Our husbands worked together doing construction and Kory had mentioned that Jenny was sick of being inside with her newborn baby. Jenny and I hit it off right away and started walking together in the mornings. I was very pregnant at that time and grateful for an exercising buddy. Jenny has been my best friend since she moved here and I'm so grateful for her! She's saved me on many a boring day and her daughter Brynn and Kassidy have become great little buddies. We're currently working on our weight loss goals together and we both just reached our first goals. I've lost 10 pounds with help from JEnny and we're still going strong! Thank you Jenny for alwyas being a friend and being there for me. I'm lucky to have someone like you in my life!

Cul-de-sac of Fire

We wanted to have a 4th of July party with our friends, but since most of them went home for the 4th, we decided to have a party on Monday, the 7th. We held it in the cul-de-sac next to our house because growing up my neighborhood always held a cul-de-sac of fire barbeque and firework party. We invited some of our new Sunset Ridge neighbors and some ward friends. The party was a success with lots of good food and better company. We lit fireworks at dusk and the kids all had a good time. I didn't take as many pics as I should, but here are a few:

I loved this picture of Kass and Dave Smailes walking side by side like little buddies!
Some of the grilling men: Jeff Goulding, Dave Smailes, Kevin and Nick Garcia

Erica Goulding, Alyssa Smailes and BreAnna Garcia

Finally the 4th

So I know it took a while, but I'm finally uploading some pics from the 4th of July holiday and filling you all in on our festivities. Because we are extremely poor, we decided to stick around town and save some money for the holiday. Lucky for us, Kent and Kurt (Kevin's brothers) were in the same boat so we hung out with them. Kent and Mel came and spent the night with us Thursday so we could get up the next morning and go to the parade. Kassidy loved all the festivities at the park after the parade, but we couldn't stand the heat for too long. We spent the rest of the day hanging out in the air conditioned house playing nintendo and watching Lost episodes. It was fun to have family around to play with! That night we went to watch some fireworks that ended up being a dud, but it was fun to get out anyway. We went to Bishop Hair's funeral Saturday, which was beautiful and very touching. We are grateful for the break and time to spend with family!

Kassidy had a blast playing Guitar Hero with Uncle Kent.


Kass sure loves her uncles!

Is there such thing as too much fun?

Aunt Whitney and Kassidy in her cute 4th of July outfit.

This is us watching the miniscule fireworks at the High School.

All the girls watching the Cedar City Parade.