Cousin Spring's Birthday Party

My cute Brooklyn- she is gowing up so fast! Bridgette Cheesing it with food all over her face!

Grandpa

I wanted to do a whole post for this one photo because I cannot express how much my girls love their Grandpa. If my dad is not working out in his shop when we walk through the garage to go into the house Bridgette says, "Where's Bampa?" When we watch movies they fight over his lap and Bridgette reaches out her arms to him and says, "hold you Bampa." I love how much they enjoy spending time with him. He is notorious for letting Brooklyn sit on his lap when he is working on the computer or taking her to the hardware store with him 'just because'. He lets her 'help' him in his shop by letting her cut scrap plastic tubing left from stripping electrical wires. Thank you Dad for being such a great Father and Grandfather!

Sunday afternoon with Grandma and Grandpa Bunker

We decided to go to Grandma and Grandpa Bunker's ward to show off their grandkids. My dad took a couple of random shots of us in the yard.
Bridgette kept pulling leaves from the branches above us and showing them to me. Brooklyn's attention span obviously didn't last very long either- she successfully escaped!

Bridgette loves to go to Grandma's house because without fail she either has a treat already made on the counter or makes a new batch if she knows the grandkids are coming. All growing up I could count on coming home from school to some yummy treat- I wonder why I was chubby growing up? My mom passed on her love of baking to me, but I have my limits. I will bake once a week on Sundays and anything left Monday morning goes to work with Jason for his co-workers or to our neighbors. I don't want the temptation in the house! Can anyone tell me why something that brings so much love and joy into a home can be so bad for you? It is so unfair! I enjoy it so much I would bake every day if there were no negative consequences.

We went to a park for their cousin Jaxon's Birthday Party (Jake's son). He is the cutest little man and loves Brooke to pieces. Their cousin Spring (Stephanie's Youngest) came too- so cute! I am so glad there are so many cousins around for them to play with.

Random

Just wanted to take some random pictures of me and the girls- I love them so much! They are my Angels...

New Pond

My mom and dad have been working day and night to put a pond and waterfall in their backyard. My dad has wanted to do it for years and decided now was the time. It is so fun to relax and listen to the sound of the water, but I can't seem to keep the kids out of it when we go over there! My cousin Ashley and her daughter, Madison, came to visit and we let the kids play. It is great to see how much they enjoy it!

Bridgette loved it so much she crawled in with her clothes on!

Brooklyn and Madison found a dragonfly and thought they would come over and show it off.

Adorable girls!

A Day at The Beach!

My friend Megan and I took our kids to the 'beach' right behind my sister Soni's house. It was so much fun- the kids played in the sand and had a blast! I love to sit on the beach and enjoy the sun...there is nothing more relaxing than that. It makes me dream of going to Hawaii again soon. It got so hot the kids started fighting for the 3 foot circle of shade we had under the umbrella- too funny!

4th of July

Every year since I can remember we get together with my mom's side of the family and have a reunion at the Scera park on the 4th of July. I have had great memories there and now my kids are the next generation. It is so fun seeing all of my cousins and their little ones! The family has grown and changed so much. I am so thankful for our country and for the beliefs it was founded on and the people that have fought and died to protect our freedom. It is no doubt that this is the greatest nation on earth. I am thankful for the men who were inspired by God to write our Constitution- I hope our country can continue to hold to those values they once cherished!

Grandpa Bunker

On Father's Day this year I spent the afternoon with the Bunker clan including my Grandpa Bunker who is my only living Grandparent. He is suffering from dementia and has forgotten who everyone is. It has been hard to watch someone go from riding motorcycles and having an extremely sharp mind to losing all concept of time, people, places, etc. in a matter of a few short years. I just wanted to say thanks to my grandpa for all of the traditions that were kept alive in his home every year for me to enjoy as a child and as an adult watching my children enjoy those same traditions. He is now living in a care center so the traditions will not be the same. Thank you Grandpa for your love and support through the years- I love you!

Baby Contest Winner!

So I have never really been one for contests, but I decided to enter Bridgette in the Springville City baby contest since she won't be considered a baby soon. I entered her sister in one when she was young, so I thought it only fair. As it turns out, she won 2nd place! She won a medal, got her picture in the local newspaper, and she got to ride in the city parade. Since we were already going to be at there, Jason decided to volunteer to drive the UPS truck in the parade and let Brooklyn ride shotgun with him- she had so much fun!!!

Me and Bridgette on the float before the parade started.

The Family in the good ol' UPS truck....

The Ultimate Slacker!

I know it has been almost a year since my first and last post, but blogging has not been a very convenient thing in my life. I AM THE ULTIMATE SLACKER!!! I have since started working graveyard shifts Friday and Saturday nights, so I am hoping to start updating it on a regular basis for something to do to keep myself awake. My life is so exciting I know you are all dying to know what I have been up to.....well.....I have been managing, budgeting, constructing, cooking, cleaning, and attempting to tame two wild animals named Brooklyn and Bridgette! My job title is: CEO of the Yost home (or some would call me MOM). These posts are those of the crazy life of a mom- nothing significant seems to happen, yet why am I so worn out? I think this can be a great way to force myself to live in the moment and see the small things that are happening around me every day. I have a problem living in the future and I tend to forget about the here and now. My girls are growing up right before my eyes and I can't help but feel sad....time just passes by too quickly. If nothing else, this will be a place for me to reflect and keep a journal of the time I spend with my perfect little Angels that make life worth living. Things have come full circle and everything that has lost it's lustre has become new and exciting again as I watch my girls experience things for the first time and learn and grow. I am so blessed that my Heavenly Father has trusted me with such sweet spirits. They keep me laughing and smiling and they teach me something new every day. They like to try my patience once in awhile too! So here I go....continuing the struggle to be the best mom I can be. I am grateful to have the most amazing mom who has been a perfect example of selfless service and has taught me to nurture, cook, sew, be creative, and to do all of the things that are required of a mother. She is my mom and my best friend. And a dad who is always there whenever I need him to guide me in the right direction and have faith in me. He has taught me how to fix things, build things, and not to be afraid of doing things myself. Without him I would have never discovered many talents and hobbies I truly enjoy. He is always helping others and giving with his time and knowledge. He is a genius. I have the best family and support system I could ever ask for. I just want everyone to know how grateful I am for everything I am blessed with. I don't know what I did to deserve so much~