And We're Back

 We went to the temple for a session on Thursday, August 9, 2012.

Here we are at home before we left for Manti.

 Almost there...

 Ah:)

 Yeah, we've waited a long time for this.

Tonight we had Rylee's baby blessing at Andrea's house. Zane ran inside to tell me there was a rainbow. I like to think it means my Mom was there:)

 Rylee Ann and Grandpa Ken before her blessing.

Isn't she beautiful? 

THIS was a good day:)

I was SO productive today. Got up early and grabbed a few groceries at the local Wal-Mart.

 Hit the tanning bed for that healthy glow:)

 Spent 90 minutes at Cody's Gym. Dang, I've missed that place!

 Made THIS dip and some crock pot lasagna for my husband, which I served with fresh tomato slices which I grew myself. I have become a domestic goddess.

Did the laundy.

Went to the bank.

Moved mattresses into empty apartments.

Washed my husband's truck.

And THEN... the absolute HIGHLIGHT of my life!

Ken taught me to drive the riding lawn mower.

 I have found my calling. It was SO FUN!!! He usually does the lawn here at the apartments but it takes FOUR hours by the time he uses the edger and the push mower and the riding mower, so tonight I wanted to help him. Cut the time in half. And I had a blast!!!

And while I was riding along on my new favorite toy, these two came over selling homemade no-bake cookies. They only had three left, and we bought all three, for a mere $13. lol. They're so dang cute. I love these kids:) 

The 15th anniversary of my 29th Birthday & Ken's 32nd Father's Day

 My birthday fell on Fathers Day this year. Which was actually pretty cool:) It's our first year together and I'm glad Ken and I got to share the day. We planned a barbecue and invited all the local kids to join us. Here's Haiden helping me cut the cake. My first ever ice cream cake. Yummy:)

 Andrea and Jason planned to go 4-wheeling with Jason's family that afternoon, so they came over that morning and gave Ken the cutest EVER candy bar sign for Fathers Day. So fun:)

 Rylee is getting SO big. Even if it's only been a couple days since we saw her, she changes so much!

 Awe:) I love being in their lives. Zaney sits down right by me on the couch and Andrea hands me the  baby when she comes to visit. I love this family:)

 Jen is amazing. She just had Oaklee six days ago and here she is, sweet and kind, and looking adorable with her two babies.

 My kids are SO great at the whole blending thing. Here they are with Ken's 11th grandbaby, miss Oaklee Joy. I think we're all going to be JUST FINE:)

 Mack works TWO full time jobs, and when he finally has a minute to relax, he is EX.HAUS.TED. I'm so proud of the way he takes care of my little girl. AND the rest of our family, too. I lived with them for six months before I met Ken, and now they're opening their home to Zack, too. Mack and Ash are so good to us.

I saved this one for last. I wish Zack could have been here, but this was a GREAT moment. It's the first time Ashli's cute little baby bump has been noticeable in pictures, and I LOVE that it was on my birthday:) I absolutely ADORE Ken's grandkids, but there's something indescribable about Ashli carrying my first grandchild. I am SO excited about this baby. Isn't her baby bump ADORABLE??? Yay! Life is awesome:)

Vegas

 We took Zane and Alec to Las Vegas last week. I stopped counting the "Are we there yet"'s about 40 minutes into the trip, which normally takes about 4 1/2 hours but ended up being 6 for us this time.

 Andrea sent money with them so they could buy swim goggles, and they chose these hilarious masks.

 Zane gave me a little monster that formerly held a blue jawbreaker. Isn't it cute?

 The purpose of the trip was to see Anthony and his family, who were in Las Vegas from their home in Germany. I had never met them, and Ken and the boys hadn't seen them for three years. So it was great to visit with them. I was SO nervous to meet them, but they were really sweet to me, and I got hugs from all of them before we came home.

 Anthony and Sandra's daughter Alena is a beautiful little girl. Her big Shamu was a hit with her cousins.

 12 year old Julian is hilarious! We took him to Circus Circus to spend the day with the boys and he was joking with Zane about this being the perfect gift for him.

 This doesn't happen near enough. Alec cried when he had to say goodbye to Julian.

 We had some zany, crazy fun on the trip.

 We tried one of the buffets, but the boys were much happier with McDonald's, so we ended up there for most of our meals. They did have milk, juice and apple slices, though, so it wasn't a completely unhealthy week.

My youngest child is 18, and Ken's is 22, so we had both forgotten just how exhausting it can be to vacation with little ones, but I was SO glad Andrea let us take the boys with us. It was great to get to know them a little bit better, and we all had a good time.

New Grandbaby....

Ken's daughter is having a baby tomorrow. Her third. Her first girl. They're starting her at 8:00 in the morning. And I'm a nervous wreck. He wants me there with him while he's waiting for the baby to come. But I'm not sure she wants me there. I will certainly stay out of the way, not go in her room or anything. But I'm sure her mom will be there. And her mom HATES me! I came into the picture months after she and Ken got divorced. She wanted the divorce. She got remarried before Ken and I got married. But she hates me anyway. She calls me hurtful, insulting names and I am so dreading being in the same room with her. Dreading it to the point of crying and having anxiety and staying home from church today with a massive headache. Ugh. I have no idea where I fit in this family, I don't know my role and I don't want to offend anyone. But I want to be there for Ken. And hang with the boys who are about to get a baby sister.

I had these T-shirts made for them at the mall last night. Aren't they cute? The boys are really, really good to me. Kids are awesome. So I'm excited to see them. Let them play a little Angry Birds on my iPod and stuff. But I'm a nervous wreck. Hope all goes well with the delivery, Mom and baby will be healthy, and Grandpa will have a wonderful experience tomorrow. And that I'll get through it the best I can!!