Hair color

I seem to be in a pretty constant battle with my hair. Maybe battle isn't the right word but sometimes I really don't like my hair. I feel like people have signature hair that looks good on them but I can't seem to find mine. I'll like my hair for a bit and then be ready for a change.
(Maybe this goes back to my decisions post). :)

I really want a mane. I want long thick hair that curls just right and bangs that sweep across my forehead.

I want the perfect color, one that compliments my skin and looks natural.

But I know better than to wait for that to happen so in the meantime I'll just consider (gasp) coloring it again.

It has been so nice the last couple of years not having to color my hair. No appointments, no money, no roots, no fuss.

But...

Lately I really feel bland and want to add some highlights or low lights or just go all over dark again.

Any thoughts because the darkness is calling my name...

Afton

Kennecott Copper Mine and a birthday

Every year my Dad takes Tally and Holdy to the Copper Mine. This year we decided Afton might enjoy going as well.

We (me, Afton, Melis, Grandpa, Tally, and Holdy) all jumped in Melissa's car and headed out for the day.

We were amazed at the view and had fun looking around the visitor's center. The kids found interactive exhibits and enjoyed looking through the glass at the replicas of trucks and machinery. Afton didn't last long in the movie so she and I wandered around until it finished.

Grandpa bought each of the kids something special in the little store. Afton chose a horse. Tally chose a beautiful blue rock and Holdy chose a pocket knife with the letter H on the front. Anyone who knows these kids could have predicted each choice!



We left the mine, grabbed some take out and went to Copperton Park. I can't believe I didn't get a full shot of this park. It was amazing. The kids were in heaven and could have stayed all day!



We made it home around 3 and Afton and I both took naps. When Brett got home we jumped in the car and headed back to Grandpa's house for a birthday dinner.



We had a yummy dinner, delicious cupcakes and even more delicious ice cream cones! Thanks mom!

# 37

# 37

I am not one of those people who dreads my birthday or pretends it's not happening. I have worked hard to get myself here and I love today!

Good decisions are shaping my life every day and I have 37 years worth of memories! Today I have an amazing life.

Today I feel loved.
Today I spent time with my family.
Today I got phone calls from my closest friends.
Today I got presents I didn't expect and loved.
Today I had a birthday dinner at my mom's and Afton couldn't wait to blow out the candles.
Today I got flowers from my sweet honey.
Today I am older, and wiser, and more wrinkly, with more gray hair, and ok with that.
Today I am grateful for my husband, my daughter, my parents, my siblings, my friends, and all those who have been good examples and shown me how to be happy.

Today I watched Afton enjoy an ice cream cone after her cupcake.



Today I enjoyed a girls night out with friends from my neighborhood.



Today I got some sister time!



Today I am happy to be 37! Thanks to all who called, texted, gave little gifts, and made me feel special! I am one lucky girl!

More 4th

We had fun celebrating the 4th of July this year.

On Sunday, the 3rd, we went to Jud and Tiff's 4th of July party.
Before leaving we caught a few pictures in the yard.



Tiff's party is always fun. We ate yummy food, played games, and watched a great firework show.
Afton loves spending time with her cousins and happily sat with Lauren during the entire firework show. She likes to watch the fireworks but doesn't like the sound.
 
Tiff got some great shots!

On the 4th we walked over to a friends house to celebrate and somehow managed to get all of the kids in this cool picture.

We even got a couple of the grown ups!

4th of July photo shoot with Grandma

Pretty little tomboy!

My dad used to joke around and say he didn't raise any girls. He'd usually say this during an arm wrestle or after something gross, like a burp. I am more girl now than ever but even that consists of a little mascara, shaved legs, and painted toenails.

I was such a tomboy growing up. I had trucks and loved to play in the dirt. I shot guns and bows and arrows and loved to camp and ride on the motorcycle. I didn't want to curl my hair and it probably didn't help that on my dad's side of the family Melissa and I were the only girls.

We were surrounded by boy cousins and Afton's situation isn't that different. She has Tally and Holdy to keep her busy. They like to hike around, dig in the dirt, and when Tally had these guns made by Grandpa, Afton knew she wanted one too!

This is a rare sight of Afton in a skirt with a matching hair bow. She would gladly stay in her diaper all day or wear shorts and a t-shirt. For some reason she decided to wear this skirt with her (boy) t-shirt which makes these pictures even cuter!

Lindon

Afton always loves a visit to Great Grandpa Morley's farm.
At different times he might have horses, pigs or chickens and Afton loves looking into the chicken coop and walking the little trail back to the stable.

I love this generational picture. Great Grandpa Morley, Daddy Brett, baby girl Afton and Grandpa Rich.

Jud, Tiff and Harvey met us there. Afton and Harvey like to explore. They run around the yard checking out bugs and swing on the swing set!

Richard and Karen even got in on the fun!

Grandma Karen took Afton across the street to see the horses. Grandma is patient and helped Afton feed grass to the horses.

Afton loves horses.

Horse parade and Rodeo

Afton was in HEAVEN during this ALL HORSE PARADE! She stood on the side line clapping, cheering and waving. She loved it!

One of the cowboys was throwing candy and Afton got a little sucker. She couldn't have been more excited!

She even found a little friend who stood on the side line's with her!

The rodeo was a blast! Last year Afton was so worried about the baby cows falling down that we were hesitant to go again but she loved it. She clapped and cheered and had her hands in the air. She kept waiting for the next calf to come out and she really loved the barrel racing.

Memorial Day

Memorial Day was so much fun! Games and food. Talking and laughing. Playing and watching. Remembering and creating. And lots and lots of pictures!

Grandma made t-shirts for each of the grand kids. Each one had their name and a picture of something. Afton's shirt has a kitten with googly eyes and George has a helicopter. We got all of the kids to sit on a bench for a photo and somehow Grandma got them to wear funny glasses.
Brett helped some of the kids walk on stilts and Dan re-created a fun game we played when we were little using some pvc pipes and a ball! George was really good!

The kids were also able to make some fun fruit loop necklaces and put together these super fun picture puzzles. There was also plenty of time to play in the play house, eat a yummy lunch, run down the hill, look for bugs and just enjoy sitting around, alone or with a cousin.

One of the activities I brought was a scavenger hunt. Lindsay and I were on the same page with this one so we did it together. I had already made a little booklet (pictures to come) of things you would find in the yard. A potato bug, a butterfly, a ceramic turtle, a watering can, grandma, etc. As the kids found each item they had a bug sticker to put on that page. When they found everything they got a sucker!
Mom's and older cousin's were really helpful and the sucker at the end was well worth it!

 

Afton loved playing with her cousins and Drew was nice enough to let her borrow his favorite hat for a while!

My brothers and sister are some of the neatest people I know. I admire each of them and look up to them for different reasons. Tim has always been my rock. He is calm and patient and wise. He is also extremely funny! Dan is blunt, which makes him funny in a different way. He is thoughtful and aware of others needs. Melissa is kind and the person I say anything to. She tells me I look cute even when I don't believe it and she'll listen to everything I say, no matter how many times I've said it before. Matt is the oldest and wasn't able to come. We missed him and wanted him in these pictures. Matt is deep and thoughtful. He takes life seriously and has a fierce love for each of his little siblings.
It was great spending time together, watching our kids play.

Memorial Day turned into a girl's day out! We came in two's and met at Kohl's but quickly decided that Rachel needed a pedicure for her birthday. She turned 30 and we wanted to celebrate. We had fun talking and reading magazines! Too bad Rachel wasn't here to join in! We missed her!

Matt's family wasn't able to come because Zane was on his GRADUATION trip and Ivy was out of town with friends. We missed them and we're proud of Zane's accomplishment and can't wait to see them again!