Backyard BBQ!

On Monday we had a BBQ at the Hoyal's house with the family. It is so fun watching the kids play in her backyard, the same backyard that Ladd played in when he was their age! Heidi has the perfect kid backyard: pool, horse, trampoline, great BBQ area, and my boys' favorite, lots of DIRT! I got a few pictures of the cousins enjoying themselves at a very cold Memorial Day celebration.

Hunter's favorite part of any gathering is always cake.

More cake!

Maci really enjoyed the cake too!

Happy, Happy Regan!

Our sweet little Brayden

The big girls making up cheers on the trampoline.

Doesn't he look so innocent with his Kool-Aid mustache?

The adults trying to stay warm by the fire while kids run wild through the backyard...

7 Years Ago...

Seven years ago my dreams came true! I was married to the man I love for all time and eternity! It was a beautiful day and I will always remember it. I am so grateful to Ladd. He is such a wonderful husband and father. He calms me in my times of stress and can always make me laugh. We have fun together but have also accomplished a lot together in these past seven years. I loved him so much on our wedding day and love him even more now!

Happy Anniversary Laddy!

Happy 60th Birthday!

Tonight we celebrated my Dad's 60th Birthday! Monica and I planned a party with family and friends to celebrate my dad. We had a great time and it was so much fun seeing people I have not seen for a long time. It was extra special because my sister and her finance' drove down from Vegas and also my dad's brother, David, came in from Albequrque. It was so nice to get all these people together to show how much we respect and appreciate my Dad. I have always loved and looked up to my dad. I remember when I was little, if I was ever scared my dad would make me feel safe and protected. I knew that when I was holding his hand nothing could go wrong! I am glad Monica and I had the opportunity to plan this gathering to show our love for him!

Cake Time!
Tanner is always nearby to help blow out candles.

The best part of the party for Hunter was the cake! As soon as he saw it, it was the only thing he could think about!

Presents!
Everyone enjoyed watching Dad open his presents. Tanner and Patrick were very helpful in helping this 60 year old rip open the packages!


My Dad's long time friend Doug and his daughter, Tiffany. She used to be my favorite babysitter! Now she has a cute little boy (Max) of her own!

Uncle David, and Aunt Marcy and Uncle Bob

A few poses with the "Birthday Boy"

Happy Birthday Dad! We love you!

I was so nervous all week about this party but it turned out to be really fun. I especially enjoyed spending time with my sister this weekend to get everything ready for it. I would have been a mental case without her! Notice her adorable haircut. I can't get over it! I am realizing I missed getting pictures of a lot of our guests, sorry! My plate was pretty full tonight and I was not able to capture everyone but I am very grateful for everyone who came, many whom drove quit a distance! Thanks for a fun evening!

Congrats to Ladd!

On Sunday, Ladd received his Juris Doctor Degree from The University of LaVerne College of Law. I am so proud of him. It was a fun, though very HOT, graduation ceremony. Of the 78 graduates, Ladd was the only one to do something, other than walk reverently, when they called his name to get "hooded". He did an arm pump that added some excitement to the ceremony.


Graduating from law school is no easy task. Ladd has worked so hard these past three years. I was glad it was him, and not me, going to class everyday! I am going to take a moment to brag and list the accomplishments that were next to his name in the program: Dean's list, CALI Awards for Constitutional Law and Criminal Procedure, Founding Member and Treasure for the Society of Legal Studies and Business, Candidate for JD/MBA Joint Program, member of the J. Reuben Clark Law Society and all this on top of being a wonderful father and husband!



Ladd's devoted fans who came to support him even in the heat: My dad, his mom, his dad,cousin Randy, Aunt Shirley, and my mom.

Ranger, Tyler and Ladd-The LDS trio

We love you Ladd and are so proud of you!

50 States in 50 Days!

My cousin, Mike Haugen, has been challenged by Coleman to reach the highest point in all 50 states in 50 days. He and his crew will be blogging daily and there will be an educational component called The Coleman 50 States in 50 Days Challenge. If you are interested in this project, there is a place on the website to receive email updates as he progress' in his adventure. The website is www.coleman.com/50states . The adventure begins on May 30.
Last spring, he climbed Mt. Everest and blogged his adventure. We had fun following his trek and learned a lot along the way...

Mom's Rock!

To all of you wonderful mother's out there...

Happy Mother's Day!

We hope you all had a wonderful day. Ladd took care of the boys yesterday morning so I could sleep in, what more could I ask for? I am so grateful for my wonderful husband who appreciates and understands what I do as a mother. (He does this all year long, not just the second Sunday of May!)

I don't need a special day to think about how wonderful my mom is, I realize that everyday! I am continually learning so much from my mom and would be lost without her! My mom is so caring and selfless, fun and just a joy to be around. I can easily say my mom is one of my best friends. She is also a terrific grandma! I love you, mom!


I am extra blessed because not only do I have the best mom, I also have the best mother-in-law! Heidi is such a sweetheart, she always puts her family above herself and wants to help in whatever way she can. All of her grandkids love her so much because she makes each one feel special. She also did an excellent job raising her kids, especially her middle child! I love you, Heidi!

Happy 5th Birthday Tanner!

Today, my baby turns 5! It seems like just yesterday, I was at the hospital looking at my darling little newborn! He came into this world quickly and has not slowed down yet! He was born three weeks early, at 4 pounds 7 ounces. He was our little "peanut". Now, he is our big kid! We are very proud of him and feel very blessed to have such a sweet boy in our family!

Three Months Old

One Year Old

Eighteen Months

Tanner's Third Birthday

Playing in dirt at age 4

Happy Birthday Tanner, We love you!

Birthday Celebration!

We celebrated Tanner's birthday today with some family. Cake and ice cream after church. It was very low key but still super fun for the birthday boy! Here are the pictures from our little celebration:

My mom has started the tradition of making the most adorable cakes for the boys birthdays. The cake is always the hit of the party!

Tanner with Grandma Cook and Grandma Hoyal while opening presents.

Hunter was pretty excited about all these new toys too!

Tanner, sitting with Grandpa Cook and Daddy, excited about all his new trucks!

Cake Time! Tanner's cousin Jace can always be found near the cake at a party!

May all of Tanner's birthday wishes come true!

Busy Days of May

Whoa! May is finally here. This will be one crazy month for us. Check it out:

Hoyal May Calendar:
Sunday 4: Celebrate Tanner's B-Day with some family at my house
Wednesday 7: Tanner turns 5! Happy Birthday to my baby!
Friday 9: Ladd's final law school final!
Saturday 10: Ladd officially goes into hiding to start studying for the Bar
Sunday 11: Happy Mother's Day!
Sunday 18: Ladd graduates! Dinner with family at my house afterwards!
Monday 19: First vacation with just me and the kids! We will spend a few days at the Hoyal's timeshare in Newport.
Saturday 24: Party at my house for my dad's 60th Birthday!
Sunday 25: Happy Birthday Dad! Happy Anniversary to Ladd and me!
Saturday 31: Leave for Utah for my second vacation with just me and the kids!

Wow, I am already tired and it is only May 1st...