Happy Birthday Jeremy!!

Jeremy and Jesse

On Saturday, July 12th was my husband's 30th birthday. I don't think it bothered him too much that he was celebrating 30 years. Maybe it's because his twin is right there with him or the fact that a lot of our close friends happen to be in their thirties and he knows that he has a lot of fun years ahead. It turned out to be a great day! Addison and I woke up early and made him breakfast, then at 1:30 we went to see the new "Indiana Jones" movie with Jesse and Jeni, killed some time at Best Buy where I attempted stardome at playing the Rock Band demo but miserably failed, went to dinner at Red Robin and then went to my parent's house for a little backyard party with some close friends and family where we ate homemade ice cream, fruit pizza and monster cookies and then ended the evening with roasting marshmellows. It was a very busy, but fun day! I feel so blessed to be married to Jeremy and I look forward to spending many more birthdays and milestones together!

The Franklin Family

Our Wedding Day!

Bryan, Jeremy and Jesse at Disneyland

New Daddy!

Family picture at the corn maze

Daddy and his little princess!

Fast Asleep!!

Normally Addison falls asleep while I read books to her in the evening. On Tuesday night however she remained awake and when I left the room she asked if she could look through some books. I gave her three books to look at and told her goodnight. As Jeremy and I prepared to go to bed about an hour later I went in to check on her and make sure she was asleep. This is what I found: And yes, she was dead asleep!! Too cute!

Celebrating the 4th

Our 4th of July was wonderful!! We first ventured out to Melba with my in-laws and watched the parade. The kids enjoyed getting the candy and sometimes took big risks in front of large tractors and trucks because there was candy there. They made a haul!! Then we went and ate lovely carnival food for lunch, (hand-dipped) corn dogs, (homemade) french fries and (home-squeezed) lemonade. There is something special about carnival food in the summertime, especially during the 4th. Then we went home for some much needed air conditioning and a little nap time. In the evening we went over to my parents for a barbeque with some friends and family. We ate outside and the weather was beautiful. The boys enjoyed a competitive game of croquet and boche ball and the ladies talked and watched the kiddos run around, splash in the small pool and cover themselves and the cupcakes with frosting. The day ended how all Independence days should end - with sparklers and fireworks. It was a great time lay back and celebrate our country's birthday.

Running for candy at the parade!

They made a haul!


Cupcakes + Frosting = fun! fun!

Friendly game of croquet


Sparklers!!

Last day of swim lessons!

Fun! Fun! Fun!

She did it!!

Swim Buddies!!

Down the Slide!!

FOR GOD AND COUNTRY!!!!

Every year I drag my husband(against his wishes) to the God and Country Rally at the Idaho Center. Last night we went with my brother and sister-in-law, their kids and a bunch of people from our church. It never ceases to amaze me why I love going to this event. It's packed full of crowds and crowds of people, it's really HOT!, you're not home until midnight and it's not very comfortable sitting on the hard ground for 3 hours making sure that your child is within eyesight. However, each year I HAVE to go!! I think maybe it's the fact that, especially now more than ever we need God in our country and anything that is going to link, promote and celebrate those two concepts I have to be a part of. Whether it's the bagpipes and drums while the flag is being marched in, the prayers of thankfulness and freedom that come from the platform said by our mayor and prominent pastors in the area, the feeling I get when I see our American Flag being flown through the sky tied to the back of a skydiver while a men's group sings "The Star Spangled Banner", the musicians that get on stage and entertain us as well as the kids into fits of dances and laughter, the appreciation for our past and present military, the feeling of a family community, and of course the AMAZING firewords display at the finale. Who wouldn't want to be a part of that? Especially as we prepare to celebrate our nation's birthday. I feel so blessed to be part of a community that can come together once a year and celebrate that God is in fact still part of our country and always will be as long as we come together and have events like this. If you weren't a part of it - plan on it for next year!! You won't want to miss out!