Pioneer Saturday

I unfortunately I had to work today. Usually I can move clients around when we have family stuff come up, but this time the clients that I had booked was a wedding party. And they obviously cant move their wedding day right? So I had to bow out of the Smith Family Bike Ride this year. Kind of a bummer. 

I pulled these pictures from the Smith Family fb page of what everyone else took pictures of. 

 Jesse bought this bike attachment right before the bike ride. He found it on kslads.com and it worked out just right that he was able to pick it up on his way up to Park City's Rails to Trails Bike ride.

 Grandma Heidi's friend gave her these hats for the grandkids. They are so cute.

 It wouldn't be July without the boys creating a dam in the creek. I hear that when Jesse, Tyson and Andrew were young they used to do this same thing.

These two cousins are 3 weeks apart, so it's been really fun watching them grow up together. Originally Emily and my due dates were only a day apart. But Evie came a week early and Fynn 11 days late, making them 3 weeks apart. July 2015 we were very pregnant, and every July since we plan on getting a picture with them. One day there will be 18 years worth of photos to compare their growth.

 July 2016

 July 2015

Fireworks to complete the night!

Happy Pioneer Day!

Being Kids

Jesse's partner at work, Kris Jenkins also got Lagoon Season Passes for his family. Actually on several occasions the 2 of them took the kiddos on their own while I was working. But there was a time that they were all together and got talking about going as couples. No kids. So we made it happen. 

It had been years since I had gone on any roller coaster rides. Like since my graduation trip which was 13 years ago. Haha. So the first ride we go on was the new one at Lagoon called Cannibal. And it's an intense one. It's silly, but I was so nervous. Haha. But after going a few rides the anxious feelings went away and it was fun. So much fun!

 Mid July and it was extremely hot while we were standing in line. We joked about how sweaty we all were.

 I loved that we were got to feel like kids together...

 ... and  what better to spend it with close friends.

Shooting and Tinfoil Dinner Tradition

We started this  summer tradition last year and I think it will definitely need to be continued. Going up in the mountains for some family time, tinfoil dinners, smores, shooting practice is good for the soul.

 So many girls I know complain about their inlaws, but not this girl. I am blessed to have a second set of parents to confide  in and spend time with.

 This guy right there is THE BEST husband ever. So lucky to claim him as my husband,

 We were trying to stay warm in the back of grandma's JEEP.

 Ryker focused on the target....

 ...while Cy blows on dandelions. Haha

 That smile.

We stayed until dark and the coals were perfect for roasting Smores.

4th of July

Since Jesse was scheduled to be on Duty for the 4th of July we decided to celebrate as a family yesterday. And because we have these Lagoon Passes we wanted to go.

 Summer really doesn't get better than sun, swimsuits and these boys.

 Lunch break

 Once we were all Lagoon-a-Beached out we went on a few rides together. The train is pretty much the only ride we can all go on together. Fynn just loves it though, he's slightly obsessed with trains right now.

After several hours we went home completely worn out. You know it was a good day when you and the rest of your family is totally exhausted from playing so hard. Haha.

 This morning I took the boys to the Centerville Parade. Which worked out so nicely this year because my grandma had saved us a little place AND I was able to park in Great Uncle Darrell's driveway. He lives right on Main St. and his whole front yard is shaded by a huge tree. So I didn't have to worry about parking and walking the kids over (and possibly losing one), we didn't have to sit in the blazing sun so we stayed quite comfortable and happy.

 When did these 3 get so grown up? (insert teary emoji).

 I am pretty sure that Grandma Lois does not miss a parade. I was so grateful to her for arranging for us to come sit with her and Grandpa.

 Once the Parade was over I got a text from Jesse and he tweeked his back when pulling on his turnouts. He was hurting and needed his tens unit. Since we were planning on coming to see him anyway I ran home to get the tens unit before we made our way up to Ogden.

As soon as we pulled into the fire stations driveway so did another engine. Before I know it there were 4 firemen washing the truck. And even having Ryker and Cyrus spray the hose. It was rather a cool moment with these guys.

Then I had to get a picture of Jesse and the boys because it doesn't get much more patriotic than that huh?

As a side note...
Ryker and Cyrus made this sign to sell our cherries when they come on. They sold them last year so this year they are upping their marketing. Haha.

It reads:
Cherries for sale
15 cherries =5cents
1 bag =50 cents
2 bags =1.50$
big bag = 6.00$

 My favorite is the back with the notes:
-Speak happily
-Act Kind
-Say "Thank you" after they pay

Jesse and I were both very impressed when we found this. They did it all on their own. Proud Parent Moment Right?

Mother Teresa 50 Years Young

For the past few week my siblings and I have been working on something special for Mom's 50th birthday. I know she requested not to have a surprise party so we decided to surprise her in a special way. I met with everyone and we came up with a plan to decorate the park (where we were holding the party at) with balloons so that when mom showed up she was surprised. 

Also we decided to put together a book of 50 reasons why we love her, personal letters and pictures of her. Then with all the individual reasons Tyson designed a collage of them all then sent it to Jesse to print out on his vinyl cutter and put it on a painted board. Seeing the book and plaque some together was so neat.

The best part was the look on her face when we each took our turn reading our personal letters and all the reasons why we love her. There wasn't a dry eye there as we shared our love for this dear woman.

Might I mention that we celebrated Chantel's 20th birthday as well. She's such a sweetheart. I just love this baby sister of mine. She just had her baby one month ago and is fitting into her skinny jeans (which feels very unfair to me, but I'm very for her). Like I said already that I love her, but I think I love her too much at times that I tend to mother her. I have loved watching her grow up and become the most natural mom herself. She's full of love and spirit and I feel so blessed to call her my sister!

Happy Birthday Mom and Chan! You are 2 women in my life that I couldn't go without.

A Lagoon Day That Didn't Go As Planned

I had the day off today and a day off on a Friday for this working mama doesn't come around very much. So I braved Lagoon A Beach by myself with these 3 munchkins. Worth it! As these boys get older and older I find myself grasping for every moment I can spend with them. 

 Always love me a little Fynnie snuggles. He stayed with me the whole time while Ryker and Cyrus would go ride a water slide and then come back to check in with us.

 At lunch break I got a kick out of them all eating their lunches in their tubes.

 After several hours of being there it was time to go and get dinner. I was feeling awesome that we were all together and I hadn't lost anyone or had anything crazy happen. Well I thought too soon because I experienced one of the biggest fears of any parent. I lost Cy as we were leaving Lagoon. He was missing for 20 mins and it was the longest 20 mins of my life.

 I have to thank my heavenly Father for watching out for him. When I finally saw him I burst into tears with such gratitude for him.

Here's the story...
We were actually leaving Lagoon and passed the fountain at the front area and Cy asked me "I wanna make a wish" so I gave him and Ryker a penny. I sat down as they walked back to it (20ft away)... They came both came back telling me they forgot to make a wish after throwing the penny in the fountain. Haha, so I gave them another. They went back.

I checked something on my phone. When Ryker came back I noticed Cy wasn't with him, so I asked him where Cy was. He didn't know. We searched that whole front area for 10 mins. I finally went to security and filled out paper work to give them info on Cy and then all the security guards around the park were notified.

I went back to the fountain hoping Cyrus would be there. That's when I called Jesse (who was at work). At this point my mind is going to all those dark places. Did someone take him? Is he ok? I'm praying. I'm a mess on the phone. Jesse suggested going to look at the truck. Maybe he left the park thinking that we left too? Jesse said that he would leave work to come and help me. I made Ryker swear to stay at the fountain while I walked to the truck with Fynn and the wagon.

We parked forever away. The walk back to the truck I was crying and praying out loud for Cy to be ok. I'm sure every person I passed was thinking I was nuts. But I didn't care in that moment. I was on the hunt to find my child.

About 3/4 of the way there, I see Cy walking towards me. I burst into a sob and ran to him. Never felt more happy to see him. Prayers of thanks were said, many tears were shed, and hugs shared. I held him so tight and was surprised to see that he wasn't crying himself. (I found out later that he was worried he was going to get in trouble).

As we walked back to the park to get Ryker, I called Jesse to let him know I FOUND HIM! Oh what a relief. I couldn't stop crying. When we made it back to Ryker, he was crying too. More hugs. Then we went and told the security that Cy was found. We walked to the truck together and once we got there I had this thought come to me "This is a teaching moment Ash, you need to pray." So we huddled together and said a prayer of Thanks to our most gracious Heavenly Father.

Lagoon Season Passes

This year Jesse talked me into buying Lagoon Season Passes for our family. So now that it's summer time we were able to put those passes to use. Even if it was only for a couple of hours. Jesse has taken the boys once or twice already, but tonight was my first time going. Which I felt grateful that Jesse had already done the routine and could show me the ropes for when I decide to brave it on my own with the 3 boys. 

 Even though it was only for a couple of hours it felt good to let go of the To-Do List and just play with my family. It was much needed for my heart!

Father's Day

Happy Father's Day to the man of the house. I don't think these 3 boys will ever fully understand how blessed they are to have Jesse as their Father. He is full of so much patience, love and kindness. We are SO BLESSED!!!! Thank you Jesse for the foundation and security you create within our family and home.

Little Red

The Little Red Bike Ride is one of my most favorite events to ride in. And this year it had much more meaning behind it. Why? Well since my best friend Harmoni is fighting her Stage 4 breast cancer and the Ride raises money for Huntsman Cancer Research it gave me all the more reason to want to ride in it. 

I wanted her slogan #HARMSTRONG written on my arms and legs to ride 100 miles in honor of her.  It's a ride that she loves doing and she isn't able to do it this year. Which just makes me heart break. Next year! Next year we will do it together. 

I recruited my cousin Timalee to ride along with me. She is the one that got me into Little Red in the first place. Which I love her for. 

 The course this year was changed due to some flooding on part of the route. Which made it so we ate lunch at mile 58 instead of 50. Which got in my head a little bit because I was ready to eat at mile 50. Plus it didn't help that due to the course change we climbed alot more by this point. I had a little bit of cramping in my legs but a fellow rider gave me some supplements to help with that. So by the time I had lunch, some water, pink salts, and ibuprofen I was good to go.

Through the painful parts of the ride I tried to enjoy the fact that I CAN feel pain and I'm able to do this. Thinking of Harmoni gives me strength to keep pushing through the tough moments. If she can fight cancer, I can fight the hills.

This was at the top of a really steep hill and we were feeling great. The weather was perfectly warm and we were loving life.

 But the last 20 miles we were fighting the WORST head wind. Which by this point in the day was a HOT head wind. It actually made me so mad. But I used that to fuel me. I can't really explain those last 20 miles, but they got really emotional for me. As I am fighting this head wind I kept repeating over and over again "I am Harmstrong." I was alone by this point because Timalee had fallen behind and I only stay in my pace and I couldn't keep going back for her(I went back at the last mile so we could finish together). But as I was alone, thinking about Harm and telling myself that I am Harmstrong I fought the urge to SOB. The feeling overcame me and I felt a deep love for Harmoni.

 Today was a good, hard, emotional and a proud day for me. Another 100 miles in the books and it was all for Harmoni.

 I had been posting on IG all day about it and right after I made my final post about the last 20 miles, I got a phone call from Harm. I had tagged her in it so she had just read it and called me. But I couldn't understand what she was saying on the other end because she was crying. And that's all it took for me to lose my sob as well. It was actually a really tender moment we shared together. I heard her tell me "I'm so proud of you" and "Thank you for being such a good friend" and "Next year I'm doing it with you". Oh my heart grew a size bigger in that moment and one more love root grew even deeper for her.

I cannot wait to do Little Red next year and I want Harm to do it with me. Even if we do a shorter distance.

Memorial Day

Jesse and I debated back an forth if we should do a garden this year and we looked at the garden today and thought "If we work together we could get it all weeded, tilled and the garden in by the end of the day!" So we got to work as a family getting the garden ready.

Little did we realize It took us all day just to weed it. Haha. But...

 ...it was worth it all. 8 full hours of hard work. Never taking a break unless to eat or go pickup plants. We got it all done except the planting. But that's ok, there is always tomorrow.

But the reason I wanted to post about is the tender moments (in between the whining) we had together as a family. Everyone put in a lot of effort today and the reward of it, was worth all of it!