Mission Reunion

My mission president had a mission reunion mid-July. They've been called to serve in West Africa for the church, and it was 10 years this July that they've been home. I'm so glad that I was able to go and see them. Lee and Jane Curtis have had a profound effect on my life and I'm so grateful for them. I'm also so grateful for the time I had to serve as a missionary in Italy. My life will never be the same again!

A few random pictures. Probably our last trip to the zoo since our zoo pass expired at the end of the month.

One of my mission companions got married this week. Yeah for marriage!
Jordan's face is typical of one he makes quite often lately.

On the Farm 2

I finally got blogger to upload more pictures. Prepare yourself for a LOT of pictures of the Palmieri boys. Thanks Shelly!

On the Farm

I have a co-worker that offered to take pictures of my kids. Who can say no to that? There are A LOT of cute pictures. Unfortunately blogger won't upload any more pictures, so I'll have to do a second post. This is in Magna where my friend Shelly has horses and cattle. Thank you Shelly for the great pictures!

Salt Flats

Do you have days like this when you think your children are playing wonderfully, while you're preparing gourmet waffles and trying to be a good "homemaker" and mother, to walk into this?

While I'm glad that Jordan is now potty trained, it comes at a cost some days, like unrolling a whole roll of toilet paper, and then deciding that he needs to empty out his potty chair, but completely missing the toilet! While the other child has dumped out all 500 books and all the toys into one pile and is playing king of the mountain.

Motherhood... I remind myself in moments like this that it's ok. My life has meaning and purpose. I'm doing my best to teach them to be good kids and follow the Savior.

We went to Wendover to meet some Italian friends and got to see the famous Salt Flats. Let me tell you, the reflection on the white salt in the middle of the desert is blinding! I couldn't keep my eyes open for the camera.
I also haven't taken ANY pregnant belly pictures. The third time around you just pray that you can quickly not be big and pregnant anymore. So here's my official 33 week prego belly (8 months for those of you who count in months).


These are my little angels. They love what Aaron calls "picnic" outside. He loves to eat out in the yard. As long as he'll eat anything I'll agree to it. He's so hard to feed sometimes.
Cheesy!

Vacation at Zion's National Park

This was one awesome Jet tub in our small cabin. It ended being only a bathtub for the kids, but they loved it!
My mom rented out some cabins just outside of Zion's National Park. All of my siblings, and Jim (my step-dad)'s kids and families came. It was so much fun! My kids loved playing with all of their cousins, and I loved hanging out with my siblings.

Papa Jim plays a game with the older kids that if they can catch a dollar between their fingers then they get to keep it. He did it for all of the grand kids with 5 dollar bills so that they would have money to go spend while on vacation. Thanks Jim! Aaron was thrilled with the money.

My youngest brother, Steven, was the biggest help in the world. Paolo couldn't come because he had to work all weekend. So I went down 8 months pregnant by myself with the kids. My brother Steve was an awesome uncle and helped me out a ton. We went on a half mile hike, and the boys loved it. They could have kept going, but I was tuckered out. :)

I tried to get a picture of the boy cousins. It was a little difficult to say the least. I love Park's great face.
This one we got cousin Jackson. Aaron loved playing with Jackson.
Last night we went down and made smores with all the grandkids. My kids get a limited amount of sugar at home, and so enjoyed the chocolate and marshmallows even more.

View while making smores. Absolutely beautiful! Thanks again mom for the best family vacation! My favorite part was hanging out every evening and making/eating dinner together. I'll never forget what a wonderful family I have and how much I love all of them.

Happy 4th Birthday Aaron!

Today my oldest turned 4. Things I love about Aaron: he is very enthusiastic- about everything, he loves to play, his laugh warms my heart, he has a tender heart and when he is kind and sweet with Jordan he is the sweetest of boys, he is good at puzzles, he loves to help mom/dad cook and his fingers are constantly in the food (and then into his mouth). The list goes on. I'm just so grateful that Heavenly Father gave me this little boy who will one day grow into a man.

I hope he learns to be loving, kind, generous, responsible, diligent, and faithful.
I did not feel like doing anything special. Maybe it's being 30 weeks pregnant, maybe not. So we had a water balloon fight/pool with his little buddy Roberto. At home we made a cake and sang happy birthday after Jordan's nap. That way the sugar went down early in the day and not right before bed time.
Aaron liked his little monkey. :)

It actually took about 4 blows to blow it out. Love you Aaron!!! I'm grateful you're in my life.