Hike with Daddy

I love that we live right by BLM land. Sooo nice to just walk in open space. We've been spoiled here.
Half of Rocket City in all its finery
Emmett showing his treasure
Showing Emmett what the wind is about to do anyway
It has its own beauty

Part 3ish: Medford Oregon

We had such a fun filled time in Medford. Jet skiing, hiking, horse back riding, my mom's broken ankle....I digress.

Mom talking to the kids after most of the people left on a long hike.

Our hike - although not as long - required as much gear!
Afterwards we went for ice cream at an adorable shop in Jacksonville. I love that town!!
Three tired kids!
After swimming in Grandma's pool they warmed up in the hot tub.
One of many meals at Grandma's house. This one is my Dad's famous french toast. They are AMAZING.
Alex doing his engineering games.
Alison and John (aka Spankie and Jiggity) with Ellie Belly.
Dad and Emmett jumping. Emmett was not the happiest kid around but he was happy when he got to be around my Dad!
The kids playing with their uncle Ryan.

Part 2: Bonners Ferry

Bonners Ferry had perfect weather when we were there. There were even some scattered showers (my favorite). We of course went to Alex's grandma's Ranch. I LOVE the ranch. It's something out of a movie - just picturesque.

Emmett found a motorcycle helmet and wouldn't take it off. This kid is so serious about "boy" stuff that it just makes me laugh.
Emmett is pretty shy too sometimes, but his cousin Davey came by wearing his baseball attire and played soccer with him.
Too much of a good thing. He played and played and played :)
E & Z picking Grandma's strawberries. That is their FAVORITE thing to do at Grandma's house by far.
Again...Emmett playing baseball with cousin Travis.

Zoë washing the car. Surprisingly she loves doing it and begs us to have a "washing the car" family home evening.

Alex took the kids on a crazy long hike. It was 3 miles straight up a mountain. I wasn't there or I would have said no. Not shockingly, Emmett had a meltdown 200 yards into the trek and decided he wasn't going to walk. They made it miraculously though. Zoë was amazing and walked all the way there.On Aunt Darlene's pond trying to catch turtles.

Zoë was feeling pretty big being with all the older girls.

This was me most of the time. I have just relished the alone time with Ellie and love when I can spoil her with my undivided attention.
The kids really wanted to go fishing.

Ellie and Grandma
Going swimming
She was turning purple so they went back into Grandma's hot tub and thawed a bit.

Part 1 of the Super Trip

After almost a full month away - I thought I'd give the run down on our "Super Trip". By the end of the 25 days, we accumulated enough miles on our car to drive from Wyoming to Guatemala.

First stop...my aunt Vickie's house in Ogden!
Then to one of the most beautiful sites of my childhood (ok it still is!). I practically lived there all through my childhood, and both my parents lived there. I LOVE Malad. And we were lucky enough to arrive during Welsh days :)

Malad 2nd Ward has an amazing church!

We stopped in a beat up town along the way. It once looked like a quaint little town, but it was completely desolate. It did have a nice little park we stopped by to eat our sandwiches and head on!

This was the farm my dad lived/worked on a child.

Seaside Beach

As part of our super trip, we stopped in seaside for the day and stayed at a hotel by the beach. It was amazing! The weather was perfect - I didnt plan on the kids getting as wet as they did!! Alex pitched a tent for Ellie and I to stay in and so I could nurse her. Such a great idea! More pictures to come of the trip - these were just readily available!

Grandpa's Gift for Father's Day

The Big Secret

All growing up I didn't really enjoy kids. I didn't really want to babysit, and I couldn't really see myself being a mom. Even when I was engaged to Alex I thought I wouldn' t have kids right away and didn' t know when I'd have the desire to even start!

All that changed. I love kids! I love MY kids! I love babies! Every time I turn around they are bigger and I say, "oh this is my favorite age". I have horrible pregnancies and have made it known that Ellie is my last. Which is probably why I am just cherishing these moments. I think it's my little secret that I am just crazy over my kids and find them hilariously wonderful.