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!

23 weeks...

He's not sure what to do now that all his entertainers have left for school. Now it's just boring ol' mom and a somewhat interested Cannon. However, he is sleeping a little bit better now that the house is quiet. I tried taking the swaddle away completely and it resulted in days of no rest for both of us. So he's swaddled again, one arm in and one arm out. It's just enough for him to be able to pull the pacifier out and not be able to put it back in!

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.

First day of school...part 2...

A few more pictures from our first day of school - with our annual visitors. Having cousins over might be the highlight of the day for the kids!