Mom and Kids Hit The Road!

I was extra brave and drove all the kids to Spokane for a week of cousin fun.  Alex and Tyler were headed to Nauvoo with Grannie so it was just the younger four for the week.

We spent just about every day in the water!

These girls are inseparable!

One afternoon I took the kids to see Grandpa Ken's gravestone. 

I know Grandma Ken would sure have loved all his grandkids!

Chloe was in baby heaven meeting our newest cousin, Lincoln.

Everything seemsed so easy with just a few kids tagging along.  We spoiled ourselves with going out to eat a few times.  The Noodle House was delicious!

We even splurged and went to see the movie, "How To Train A Dragon 2."

One evening I took the kids to Cabelas to do the free shooting game.  Aren't I a fun mom?!

Five Guys Burgers -- a first for the kids!

Chloe is such a picky eater.  She enjoyed all the peanuts she could eat.

One day the kids had a blast at Logan and Julia's house.  They caught an injured bird and were sure they were going to prolong his life.

Sadly, he died the next day.

Sunday we finished off our trip with a family photoshoot of Brent and Deena's beautiful family.  I was a little nervous being the camera guy as that is always Birch's job but I gotta say they turned out great!

Alysee has sure learned some amazing hair skills!  Her cousin, Malia is a great teacher and motivator.

I enjoyed a quiet morning at the Spokane Temple.

With all the hustle and bustle this summer I have to say that this felt like a true vacation.  We stayed at Grannie's empty house and so we had a nice quiet and clean place to come home to each night.  We ate out several times which was a real treat for me to not be cooking and cleaning up all the time.  It was a much needed and loved vacation!

Alysee, the Wonder Woman (Girl's Camp 2014)

While Tyler was away at scout camp, Alysee was at her first Girl's Camp.  The theme this year was Superheros.  Our ward was the Wonder Women!!

Such cute decorations!

Ward Skit Night

Alysee and Bestie Maren Jensen

Birch and I got to go up one night and boy did they pick on the men. Birch was a good sport! We enjoyed dinner with the girls, a fireside, and testimony sharing. 

Testimony meeting by firelight.

Apparently Alysee was the queen of helping everyone find their lost stuff.

Breakfast duty

The Whole 4th Ward Wonder Women Gang

Tyler, the Scouter

Tyler and Birch headed to Camp Fife for a week of scouting fun.  Birch was able to stay the first two and half days and he relished the time with Tyler and the other young men.

Thankfully the pool water was much warmer this year so Tyler didn't freeze when he took his swim test.

Horseback Riding Merit Badge

Canoeing Merit Badge

Troop 141

How lucky to spend time alone with Dad!

Tommy and Cali Come to Town...Tennis Lessons...Blueberries...4th of July

We were so lucky to have Tommy and Cali join us (and the Andersens) for a week of fun.  For part of the time the kids stayed with us while Caroline was on a Roommate Trip and Seth was in Mexico.  It was so fun to get to know Tommy and Cali better.

We hadn't picked blueberries for a couple of years so we decided it was time to go fill our freezer.  YUMMO!!!

Looks at all these cute cousin girls in their 4th of July attire!

 

Chloe

 

The rest of the week we filled in with tennis lesson and swimming at the instructor's pool.  Tommy was pretty sure he didn't need lessons as he has been playing against pros (apparently).  He did humble himself for a week of instruction.

Cali enjoyed HOURS of pool time!

 

And I mean HOURS...we were at tennis lessons for four hours with all the different kid's ages so when the kids weren't at tennis lessons they were swimming.

During the afternoons the kids filled their time with dressing up and writing plays.

4th of July evening we spent with friends swimming and dining on yummy food.  Nate is really an amazing flipper!!

Just when Birch and I were ready to head to bed the kids convinced us to drive down to see the fireworks.  I gotta say each year the kids get more excited about the fireworks and I get less.  We did pile everyone in and had a great time laying on blankets and watching the city fireworks show.

Chloe Princess Friend Birthday Celebration

The Young Women in our ward put on a dinner and auction to raise money for their Girl's Camp fees.  We were the lucky family to have won a Ballet Party for six guests (this was the whole shebang -- party invites, ballet lessons, games, cake, finger nail painting, and they even hosted the party!).

We don't really do friends parties very often so this was extra special for Chloe.  Due to our traveling we celebrated her friend birthday after her real birthday.

Could it get anymore awesome?

So cute!

Emily Holden did an amazing job putting on the party and making each of the girls feel like ballet princesses!  What a party!!

Boys Will Be Boys...creative boys

I got to say that though my boys creativity makes me a bit nervous sometimes I am impressed.

The boys made their own climbing chalk by hand grinding a container of sidewalk chalk. 

Coop learning some new knots.

Are you nervous too?