King's Beach in Northshore Tahoe!

The Carter side of the family went up to Judy's house in Tahoe for a quick Saturday FHE. Shane had to work, so I piled the kids in the car and headed up to Tahoe to join his siblings and their families. Grandma Judy lives just a few minutes from King's Beach, and we spent the day in the sun and water. The kids loved playing on Grandma Judy's waverunner. Mitchell and Megan didn't know what to think about the moving water and sand. Once they got used to it... the LOVED it! It was a fun day relaxing with cousins and hanging out!

Megan really didn't know what to think of the sand!

Maddy and Madison building their own lake!

Baby Kennedy enjoying the beach with her mom, Kendra.

Megan made a new friend at the beach... and helped herself to his beach toys! Thank you to the very nice stranger, who let her play all day with their stuff!

Girl's camp

Me and my assistant, Erin Johnson @ Girls Camp!!!

My sister, Monique... the Head Cook! :)

I love Girl's Camp!!! It is such a fun adventure. The past 4 years I have served as the Stake Camp Assistant Director. This year, I was called to serve as the Stake Camp Director. We had about 115 girls. We also found out that this will probably be our last year at Fulda Flats. This was very sad news to many of us. I have been going to this camp since I was a girl. I have such fond memories of my youth as a girl, and now as an adult, having had the opportunity to go as a leader for many years. I will miss the beauty of Emigrant Gap... but I am looking forward to another great adventure at another camp! :) This year the theme was S.O.S... Fulda Flats. We were on a cruise!!! :) The S.O.S. stood for Seek our Savior. We had a great time!

Playing outdoors

One of my favorite things about summer is being outside, swimming and enjoying a yummy S'more afterwards! A couple weeks ago my brother, Mike and his wife, Brooke came over with their two kids, Maryn and Blake and we swam and then roasted marshmallows to make a yummy treat! The kids loved it!!!

Blake enjoying his S'more!

Mitchell thought it was the greatest treat!

Perfectly roasted marshmallows!!

Maddy loved the pink marshmallows the best!

The choices...

Mike and Mitchell hanging out!

Summer Fun!

In June, my sister, Monique and I went to see Wicked! It was fabulous!! I loved it... and was so excited to finally get to see it. My hubby bought me two tickets for Mother's Day. Monique and I went in to San Francisco on the Bart. Super fun Day!

It seems like it was me... just yesterday!!!

Wasn't it just yesterday... that I was leaving 8th grade, promoting to Highschool? On Wednesday we attended the promotion ceremony for our oldest, Justin. He now stands 3 or 4 inches taller than me, and when I hear his voice in the other room... I have to remind myself that it's just my son... not some strange man. How does this happen?

Congratulations Justin! What an amazing young man you are! Thank you for reminding me what being a parent means. I continue to be impressed with the person you are becoming... although it seems like it was just yesterday that you were a chubby little 2 year old, with an amazing ability to memorize everything... and make me laugh everyday!

Justin with my parents... Pompy and Mams

Isn't he handsome!! :)

Thanks Aunt Stacy for joining us!! You rock!

Disneyland in May!

We took a quick trip to my favorite place.... Disneyland!!! It was a fast weekend, but we had a great time!! Mitchell and Megan were SO excited to go.... they were asking me everyday... a couple times a day if it was Disneyland yet. So... in an effort to help, I created a count down chain. They had so much fun removing a link and counting down the days to go.

Here's Megan counting the days left.....

Finally the day arrived! We loaded the kids up and started the drive on a Thursday after school. Megan and Mitchell were not very happy when we arrived at a hotel at 10 oclock at night, and they were told that we weren't really going to Disneyland until tomorrow! Mitchell was quite upset... but thought it was going to be fun to sleep in a bedroom with 3 of his other siblings. The morning of... we all put on our Bright Orange Tshirts and headed for Disneyland! I did pick orange on purpose... and it totally worked! I didn't lose a single child the whole trip!!!

After entering the park... we were lucky to find Mickey waiting to give Megan and Mitchell a big hug!!

Dad and Megan on splash mountain!!! She LOVED it!!!

All five smiling with our favorite character... Mickey!!

And below... our crazy nuts! :)

While the big kids went on Soaring with Dad... we hung out with Lightning McQueen and Mater. We didn't realize the kids were going to be less than a 1/2 an inch to small to ride quite a few rides... what a bummer! Luckily we didn't realize they were too short and we got on Splash Mountain, because it truly was Megan's favorite!

In Bugs Land

My brother Marc and his wife Stacy and their cute Montana, joined us for the day on Saturday! My mom and Dad were also there at the same time, and it was fun seeing them for a few hours on both days! Just looking at the pictures makes me want to go back!!! I love Disneyland!

Pledging to change

Maryn and Meg... best buddies!

I do try to avoid being up on my soapbox... BUT... I feel this is worthy of a post! Those of you that know me have probably heard me once or twice cringe and grimace at the use of the word "retard" in an offensive manner. So here it is... an opportunity to be made aware! Why don't we stop and think before we speak? Wouldn't our world be a little nicer, if we thought about how our words and actions would affect others before we decide to speak?



My Megan has truly taught me to be aware of others around me. She may not be able to speak as clear as your 6 year old... but she can sure try! As parents, we also have an opportunity to teach our children about the harmful affects of our words. Sometimes we are not even aware of the things our kids say... so, ask them what they know... you may be surprised. I don't think "kids are just mean" I think they just haven't been educated! Be a part of the moving force... click on the pledge button on the right and sign your name... pledge to change... or just to make others aware.