Independence day...

We spent fourth of July in Idaho - it's becoming a tradition. I may not get to see my side of the family on major holidays like Thanksgiving or Christmas, but we've got the fourth of July with them and I love it more and more each year.

My love for color coordinated clothing, bbq and fireworks runs deep and I love celebrating our country's independence. It's a feel good day.

My extended family gathered in Rexburg this year and we enjoyed the small town, yet lengthy parade that the town put on. They threw out buckets of candy and otter pops and some kind and loving dentist threw toothbrushes. Surprisingly, the toothbrush was a hit with my kids. We had lofty plans for an afternoon in the park (which we observed was way too crowded for our comfort) which turned into an afternoon at the house where kids could take naps and we could play spikeball.












We also had lofty plans to go to Idaho Falls to see one of the largest firework shows...but it was really windy and would possibly be cancelled. It too would be crowded and we would all be stuck in traffic driving back late with tired kids. We saved ourselves the headache and instead went to the local firework stand and bought a large box of things we could light on fire!

We sat on the driveway, bundled in sweatshirts and blankets and watched our own little show. Never in a million years could we wear a sweatshirt on Independence day in Arizona! It was perhaps a little too chilly for my liking, but then again I believe my blood has thinned since moving here!

Summer Vacation...Leg 1...Utah

We spent a month this summer living out of suitcases, spending a lot of time in the car visiting family and friends. Little kids in the car for that long isn't ideal and we made it work with a couple creative solutions with different modes of transportation.

Our first leg was spent in Utah. In the past, Utah has been a pitstop on the way to Idaho. Lunch, gas and some time stretching our legs, an overnight stay if we were lucky. This year, we made a week of it. Steve has two sisters there and my brother just so happen to move there the day we got there. We stayed with Steve's sister where we laid low for the majority of the time with sick kiddos. No fun at all. But the older kids were able to play with their cousins which is fun even if you don't leave the house much.

Our third day there, Hallie had a collision at the splash pad with another girl which resulted in her tooth breaking...again. In case you're counting, this has happened more times than I would like to count. Every time we go to the dentist they tell us the same thing - its a large chunk, she'll probably have a problem with it until she's old enough to get veneers and cover the tooth all together. Awesome. Luckily my sister-in-law knew a kind and loving dentist who got Hallie in quickly and saved the day.


We spent our days playing with cousins and we were up late into the night after the kids were in bed at my brother's new house helping them move in. (sadly not a single picture with them) We were running on fumes for many days!

By the last night we were there, the two youngest were starting to feel a little better and we ventured out to Temple square in downtown SLC. Which just so happens to be the area that both Julie and I got engaged. Although Steve and I were also married there so we love to go visit and bore our kids with our anything-but-average love story! :)

We visited the free church museum which had great exhibits for kids to enjoy. We toured the old tabernacle and the conference center. And rode the elevator to top of the Joseph Smith building for the ultimate view. With an evening like that how can you not top it off with a walk to City Creek mall for some Chick-fil-a. It's a toss up as to whether the nuggets or the elevator were the highlight!

Later that night we were getting the kids ready for bed and packing up a few things to leave the next morning and Hunter came into the room. "I really liked tonight." We asked a few questions including what his favorite part was, "All of it. I really just liked everything we did tonight. Thanks." That summed up our last night. There wasn't crying. There wasn't fighting. The weather was mild and we were with family we love. It was peaceful.

Memorial Day...part 2...

A few more pictures from our Memorial Day with family:




We jumped from the tennis courts, to the volleyball pit, to the pool and back again. And again. Steve's family is what many would call an "active" family. There is always a game and competition to be had!






We were able to enjoy a dinner sans kids (except Briggs) with these great people.

Sunday, we were introduced to a group game played through phones or ipads - similar to Apples-to-Apples. People grouped into 8 teams to answer questions and you tried to create answers that the other groups would want to vote for. We played a couple rounds and there was plenty of laughing and it kept young and old entertained.

Sunday night we enjoyed a fireside devotional by the fire. And if there's a fire - it would only make sense to have marshmallows, chocolate and graham crackers.


I'm pretty sure Hunter ate 6 smores and then was upset I wouldn't let him go for 7,8 and 9! Silly kid. Cannon realized he could grab smore supplies for other people and simply take one bite out of each item. His older cousins thought this was so funny, they kept asking him to help them get supplies. Pretty sure he ate 6 smores and not one was ever toasted.

We had a great weekend. It's always fun to spend time with family. One Bennett-ism that I have to share: When we first got to the cabin, we started unloading the car and Bennett rushed in to check out the place. He saw Steve's brother who we were sharing the place with and Bennett ran up to him and said, "I'm so excited we get to live together now." I'm sure Bennett was disappointed to learn it was a short term gig. Who wouldn't want to live with cousins full-time?!

Memorial Day Weekend...part 1...

We had our annual memorial day weekend in the mountains with Steve's family and it didn't disappoint. I think in all our years, this years weather was by far the best. Some years it's been chilly and rainy - this year the weather was ideal. Warm enough to be outside in shorts but not too warm we couldn't play tennis, volleyball, spikeball and swim.

Hallie and Hunter were with their cousins non-stop. They jumped from cabin to cabin keeping themselves busy. I'd get a periodic texts from family stating that my kids were headed to the pool or the game center with so-and-so. They'd usually find their way back to us when they were hungry - and even then they went hungry a few times because cousins are way better than food.




Bennett and Cannon played with cousins, but required constant supervision. They think they are older than they are and sometimes had a hard time understanding why they couldn't run off on their own.






Briggs was a commodity and was passed around for everyone to enjoy a snuggle. He never seems to tire of someone holding him and there were many loving arms vying for his cuddle. He even slept well for us while we were there which is always something that makes me nervous with traveling. More than anything I hate disrupting kids sleep schedules. (And he usually left his mark on anyone that would hold him. Notice Scott's shoulder!?)




Its a good thing they love their cousin time!