TREK

My kids were dreading trek.  Walking for days, dressed like pioneers, organized in families with people you didn't choose, without phones, or air conditioning, or tv...yeah, I can kinda see why they weren't too excited.  But when I picked them up, I was shocked to hear that they had a great time!  They had almost only positive things to say and made friends and memories that I think will be with them for a lifetime.  So grateful to be a member of a church that does things like this for their youth and for the leaders that make it happen.  Priceless experience.

JORDAN

 

KYA

Franklin Falls

Last year just after school got out, I took my kids on a hike to Wallace Falls....but I intended to take them to Franklin Falls.  Well, it took a whole year, but we finally got there--and it was amazing (besides the fact that my GPS took me to a random spot on the freeway and said I had arrived at my destination--haha)!!

Summer has learned from her siblings that posing for a picture is the worst thing EVER.  The older kids, know when to stop...she doesn't.

 Summer's hiking speed is S L O W, so I let the other kids walk ahead and Summer and I took a decade to walk the 1.5 miles BUT she walked almost the entire way.

 Franklin Falls was one of the few water falls I've been to where you can go right up to the bottom of the falls and even swim in you want to.  

It was so beautiful.

I didn't want to take off my shoes since I didn't bring a towel to dry them off before putting them back on, but I wish I could have put my feet in that crystal clear water.

Now we need to go back...with a towel and Mike:)

Kya Turns FOURTEEN

Kya has had her birthday at the lake for the past 2 years...this year was the only difference was that she had boys there too!!  A beautiful day at Waverly Beach Park, then home for cake and trampoline and a fire.  

Purple Ombre cake turned out cute!

We love you Kya, and hope you had a happy birthday.

Charm Dance Recital--Take 2

She just keeps getting better every year...so much fun to watch all her hard work pay off!!

This was the first year cousins were able to come watch Jordan dance!  It was so nice having them there...

3 Years Old

I had big plans for a 3-year-old photo shoot...in the big field at the park across the street, wearing her Easter dress and holding a number 3 balloon.  But in true 3-year-old fashion, Summer didn't cooperate.  I finally bribed her to take a few pictures to show Grandma her shirt (since she absolutely loves this shirt).  Still an absolute beauty though.

This picture, to me, is so Summer.  She always has to have a bunch of special "things" near by.  She plays with toys so much more than any of my other kids.  She loves arts and crafts and playing pretend.

Since we were still unpacking the house on her birthday this year, we didn't have a big party.  She wanted to help decoration the cake.  She actually helped make the entire thing and was in heaven doing it.  She LOVES cooking or baking with Mama.

Mike let her put in her own candles (which is why they are on the side), and she was very excited to blow them out and joined us to sing Happy Birthday.

Her present was delivered late, so I let her pick some toys out at the store.  She had them snuggle with her and Ollie.

Here she is a week later with her actual present--pure bliss jumping on the trampoline.

Can't believe my little baby is THREE!!  Love her and so happy she joined our family!!!

We Bought a House

Officially Homeowners 

4/28/2017

The kids didn't get to see the house until after we had already committed to buying it...thankfully they liked it--despite what it looks like in this picture.  

I think I drove by the house everyday just looking at the progress of the fence, the grass, the stain, the mailbox etc.

The side lot before any grass or soil

The landscaped yard...look how green!

Laying the soil

 After the hydro seed

One thing I really didn't like about the house was the wood entryway.  I just thought it didn't match.  we picked out a dark stain that made it look much better.

Some grass is growing on the side lot!!  

Mike reviewing our purchase agreement--eek!

Yikes

We weren't planning on getting her a car....but when a friend from the ward called to see if we wanted her Corolla she was getting rid of, we thought it was too good a deal to pass up.

We weren't expecting her to pass her test...but apparently she did--first try.

We definitely weren't expecting her to crash her car...but she did...three days after getting her licences.  

Don't even ask.