Happy Birthday Alan!

Today is Alan's 26th birthday! I just wanted to tell you how much I love you Alan and I hope your birthday is amazing!

Now I have to tell you all about my amazing find. Alan has been wanting a metal detector for a while so I thought I would get him one as a anniversary/birthday present this year. I decided that I would spend up to $150 on it, but I didn't really want to go over that. So I went to Big 5 and they only had one that was under $150, it was on sell for $100, but it wasn't the one I was really looking for. I wanted a digital one that told what kind of metal was in the ground. So I talked to the sales associate and she recommended the most expensive one (of course) that was $250. So I said that I couldn't get that one because it wasn't in my price range. So the girl was like well what are you willing to spend? I told her I thought I could get a decent one for around $150. So she was like okay just a minute and went to talk to her manager. She came back and was like we'll give it to you for $140. I was flabbergasted (good word huh :)! So I got it and I couldn't believe that they went down over $100 to get the sell...kinda shows you that you really can barter with people right now.

So Alan, my dad, and I went to the park last night and tried to find buried treasure :)

It was way fun and we found a nail, a couple of bottle caps, an old sprinkler head, and 26 cents. All in all it was a good day.

And of course a post wouldn't be complete without this face. Madison likes to sit on grass and play with it, which I think is kind of odd because it seems like it bothers most babies. I also did a little spout in her hair, I thought it turned out cute, but it sure was difficult to try to get her to sit still so I could do it.

Memorial Day Weekend

WARNING: Long post :) Memorial Day weekend Alan and I decided to take our first overnight trip since Madison was born. We went up to stay with Alan's sister Debbie and her husband Phil and their family in Eagle Mountain. We love going and spending time up north with them. We always have a lot of fun. Sunday was actually our two year anniversary so that was kind of the point of the trip. On Friday night we went out to dinner and a movie while Mady (Debbie's daughter) watched Madison for us. I didn't get any pictures of our date because I forgot the camera at in the diaper bag so yeah...Thank you though Mady and Debbie for watching Madison so we could have an enjoyable time just the two of us. :)

Saturday morning we got up and decided to go for a hike. I don't know if anyone has ever hiked the Y mountain in Provo, but I'll tell you that hike kicks your butt! I'm still sore from the hike...granted I'm way out of shape, but still. You ascend over 1,100 feet in less then a mile. It's way steep, but it was very accomplishing. Here we three are before we started the hike. Madison was happy at this point.

Here are Debbie and Phil's two oldest kids, Jake and Mady, before we started the hike.

Here I am with Jackson, their youngest, before we started. (for some reason I thought Gabe was in this picture with us, but apparently he's not. So Gabe is not pictured unfortunately.)

Here's my happy little girl. :)

There were eleven turns on the trail and on each curve we all had to take a break and rest because it was sooo steep and it was hard. Maybe I'm a wimp, but I had a hard time. Anyway about halfway up Madison got bugged by the backpack and we ended up carrying her the rest of the way in our arms, which was fine, just made it harder. But on this curve you can see the bottom of the giant Y behind us. We were almost there! Oh and that in the white shirt with his back turned is Gabe...haha I didn't want him to be left out.

WE MADE IT! That's the Y behind Alan.

On Sunday after church Phil wanted to make us his steaks and they were amazing. Hmm they look mouthwatering right?

It was nice Sunday afternoon so we all went outside to sit while the steaks were cooking. Madison had just woken up from a three hour nap so she was very happy.

And the boys wrestled Alan on the tramp.

And last, but not least, here's my sitting up girl! She is getting so good at sitting up on her own and it was seriously just over the weekend that she did it. I'm amazed at how when she learns something it's like she is just amazing at it and can do it so well automatically. And that in her hand is her hairbrush. That has become her favorite toy, I know weird.

So thanks Debbie and Phil for letting us come up and crash at your house for the weekend. We always love coming and spending time with you and your family! Thanks!

Emma Smith

Alan and I watched the Emma Smith movie last night and for those of you who haven't seen it, you should, it's quite amazing. She is such an uplifting woman. I told Alan that if any person is having a hard time with trials all they need to do is learn about Emma and they will feel 20 times better about the trials in their life. She had to have so much strength to endure the things that she had to, but she did it, losing child after child, watching her husband be beat and sent from jail to jail, being threatened herself, and so much more. Anyway, I thought I would leave my commentary of the movie. :) See it if you haven't.

The Next Michael Phelps

We went over to our friends, BJ and Missy's, house the other night for dinner and to go swimming. It was way fun, and Madison's first time actually swimming. I decided that since she kicks her feet so much she would be a great swimmer. She actually really liked it.

Daddy and Madison hanging out in the hot tub.

Missy with the kids. (Isn't it crazy how much bigger Jack is than Madison?)

Madison and Jack holding hands, they pretty much love each other.

And here's my pretty girl in her overalls. What a sweetheart!

Main Street Water Park

So yesterday Beth and I took the kids over to the main street water park to play in the water because the weather is so amazing!

Madison and Mommy enjoying the water.

Madison wasn't too sure about the water. I think it was because the water was a little bit chilly, but she loved being outside.

Garrett loves taking Madison's binky and putting it in and out of her mouth. They are so funny together. Last night I went over to Beth's, and Madison was laying on the ground kicking her feet as usual and Garrett came and stood right in front of her and had her kick him. He was laughing so hard. It was hilarious. I wish I would have gotten a picture of that. They are so sweet.

So Madison looks more and more like her daddy everyday. I totally think she looks like Alan in this picture. I need to get one of the two of them together on here so you can compare.