Library Card

One of the things on our "Summer Bucket List" is to visit the library each week. Elizabeth worked really hard on learning to read this past school year and absolutely loves to read. As a reward for learning to read, Elizabeth was able to get her very own library card. She could not be more excited!

Since it is her first time checking books out on her own, she was able to pick 5 books this week. However, the librarian told her that if she takes really good care of the books and brings them back on time, from next week on she can have up to 50 books out at a time. Elizabeth about fell over!

We are grateful for the opportunity to borrow so many amazing books. We love the library!

Summer Fun

To celebrate the first day of Summer, Matt and I gave Elizabeth and Zachary Razor Scooters. They haven't had scooters before, so we thought that they would enjoy riding them all Summer long.

Of course, we gave Elizabeth a pink one!

 And Zachary got a blue one!

Elizabeth still fits her helmet from last year, but Zachary needed a new helmet. He was thrilled with the Spider-Man one we picked for him!

He looks so stinkin' adorable in his helmet.

Zachary and Elizabeth had a great time scootin' around the neighborhood. It is going to take them a little practice..but they have all Summer to perfect their scooting technique.

Hope they have a blast with their new scooters!

Happy Father's Day!

HaPpy FaTHeR's DaY! Matt is such an amazing daddy to Elizabeth and Zachary. We love him so much and are so grateful for everything that he does for our little family. He is an amazing example of love and kindness. He truly loves his family and does a wonderful job of providing for us. Elizabeth loves to build legos and play video games with her dad, while Zachary loves to wrestle and jump on him.

The kids did some shopping this week and were counting down the days until they could give Matt his gifts. I am proud of them for being able to keep a secret and not tell Matt what they had picked out! After cooking him breakfast (yummy pop tarts) and attending church...it was finally time for the gifts!

Elizabeth and Zachary had also made homemade cards. They had a look of pride on their faces as they explained to Matt what all of the pictures and letters meant. Elizabeth had drawn a picture of our family and covered the entire back of the card with hearts.

Elizabeth was so happy that Matt LOVED her card.

Elizabeth picked out a Captain America t-shirt, Mega M&Ms, and a Kit Kat for Matt. Zachary got Matt a Nerf gun, Birthday Cake M&Ms, and Godiva Truffles. Superheros, Nerf, and Chocolate...the kids know just what he likes! What a lucky Daddy!

As Matt was opening his gifts, Zachary decided to start a game of "Let's Slap Daddy!" The rules were simple...slap daddy in face, then laugh uncontrollably! What a crazy kid!

How do we get mad at this adorable, little face?

Seriously so grateful for my darling little family. Matt is an amazing dad. Elizabeth, Zachary and I are so lucky to have him in our lives.

After relaxing and an impromptu Nerf gun fight, we headed to my mom and dad's for dinner. It was a wonderful night. I am grateful for this opportunity to celebrate the dads in my life. My dad, Matt's dad, My Uncle Bill, and Matt are all amazingly strong men with many talents and abilities. I am grateful for my dad's big heart. He has been a wonderful example of unconditional love. Matt's dad, Kelly is soft-spoken and family-oriented. If Kelly sees a need, he is the first to offer his help. My Uncle Bill is loyal and kind-hearted. He is always concerned about the welfare of those around him. He has a heart-of-gold and would give you the shirt off of his back if you needed it. Matt is laid back yet hard-working. He loves his family and the gospel of Jesus Christ. He is humble and desires more than anything to bring our family closer to our Heavenly Father. He honors the priesthood and serves those around him with love.

I am grateful for each of these men in my life and want to wish them a very happy father's day.

Ryan Shupe Concert

Matt and I have been looking forward to tonight for quite some time. We have made a tradition of going to the Ryan Shupe and the Rubberband concert as part of our anniversary celebration each year. We always have such a great time singing and dancing along to these crazy guys.

So totally random side-story...but funny non-the-less. At the concert, the people around us were complaining because of the gnarly dude with the bad-a** mullet that was standing at the center of the stage throughout the entire performance. After the concert, I came home and was looking at our photos from all of the past Ryan Shupe concerts that we have been to, and the dude with the mullet was in every single one of them. No joke...every. single. one.

Anyways... Ryan Shupe and the Rubberband always put on a great show. Their music is upbeat and they always have a lot of audience participation. Guaranteed no two Ryan Shupe concerts are the same.  I love hearing all of their funny stories and the guys really play off of each other really well.

The banjoist, Craig Miner is hilarious. He has a really dry sense of humor and does a really great Kermit the Frog impersonation.

Ryan Archibald is an amazing guitar player...and makes a really good devil for when they play The Devil Went Down to Georgia! You would never guess that he could be so scary...because he looks so sweet and innocent.

Ryan Shupe is crazy talented. I am convinced that he can play the fiddle in his sleep because he is THAT good. It amazes me all of the different instruments that he plays during the concert.

Matt even got a shout out from Ryan Shupe this year. Each year, audience members show up with corn dogs that they wave in the air during the performance of the Corn Dog Song. This year, we did not have corn dogs so Matt googled "corn dog" and waved his phone with a photo of a corn dog on it. Ryan Shupe stopped the song when he saw Matt's phone and asked Matt, "Do you really have a photo of a corn dog on your phone?" Ryan then commented that they missed the boat and Matt inspired him to create a corn dog app! Too funny.

There was a new addition to the Rubberband this year. For unknown reasons, Ryan Tilby was not at the concert...and this young man was taking his place. We absolutely love Ryan and hope that this new guy was just filling in...and is not a permanent replacement. Nothing against this guy...we just love Ryan Tilby!

I always love when I am able to get away for a date night with my sweetheart. I am so lucky to have Matt in my life. He is my best friend and I love spending time with him. I cannot wait to celebrate another year of being together...and another Ryan Shupe and the Rubberband concert!