Happy Birthday Noah!

One year old today!
We started out the day by opening presents from Grandma Rhonda. (Big Thanks to Rhonda & Linda who were so generous to Noah & Luke)


Luke didn't really like the fact that Noah was getting the gifts.


Noah just wanted the paper to himself, gifts were an added bonus.


After naps we went to the zoo. Pete, Heidi and Olivia joined us for a romp around Tautphaus Park. Luke and Livvy could equal parts in the fun.


We met a friendly Lama.


The tiger growled at Luke. (It kind of scared him and he kind of loved it)


We fed the goats and sheep.


Then we came home for some birthday cake. We don't indulge our boys with free reign to desserts very often as you can see.


Apparently the fork wasn't working for Luke.


After the chocolate frosting was just about everywhere we decided the easiest clean up would be a bath.


Then the perfect end to a perfect birthday. (In Noah's opinion)

Happy Birthday Little Man! We Love You!

Summer Nights

A summer is not a summer without going to a baseball game.

The great American pastime right? We took the boys with some friends to the the Idaho Falls Chuckars game the other night. I must say baseball games were a lot more relaxing without rugrats running around.


But I wouldn't trade the relaxing, sunflower seed eating, baseball games of past for this...


Who can blame me?

Beach Bums

We went to Bear Lake this past weekend for a family reunion. The boys loved the beach! They were happy as clams crawling around and playing in the dirt and water.



Little boy heaven! I didn't get many more pictures, but we had a great time hanging out with family, jet-skiing, riding motorcycles, camping and of course eating delicious food. When my Mom and her sisters get together you know there is going to be good food and a lot of it! I might have gained 5 lbs but it was worth every bite!

North Carolinians Ahoy!

Ryan is in the stake young mens presidency and they have been planning this Pioneer Trek for the youth in the stake for months now. The trek was to take place the last 3 days of July. The kids started at our church house and headed up in to the hills and dry farms of Rexburg for their route. Ryan was scouting out the route on his 4 wheeler when he thought that his tire has a leak, he stopped to check it out and while getting off to look at the wheels he noticed this in the trail right ahead of him.

Can you see the big fat rattlesnake? Here in Idaho we like to do treks right... real danger and all! After all this planning he woke up the day before in intense pain. We took him to the hospital where they informed him he had a kidney stone! They say kidney stones are worse than labor and it was kind of like watching my husband go though labor for a day and a half. Being the trooper that he was he finally passed the kidney stone and was up on the trial with the kids 3 hours later. (He was the motor support on his 4 wheeler no walking 23 miles for him) I think he got the prize for being the toughest trekker out there! He was able to take this picture of the group going around a bend.

It is almost enough to make me want to go on a trek!

Well that weekend we had another surprise visitor (or two)... these ones a lot better than a kidney stone. Ryan's Aunt Linda, cousin Lisa and her family were out here on vacation from North Carolina. We don't get to see these cousins much and are going to see Linda less now that she moved from California to North Carolina. It was so much fun to hang out with them. We tried to show them a good time but they ended up showing us just as good of a time. Here is the gang on our 4 wheeling trail...

Luke got to ride with Ryan on the motorcycle because of the group size. He was in heaven.

We stopped at a bridge to get a better look at the river. (Ryan and Aunt Linda)


Then we decided maybe we should go feel the water. Next thing we know everyone had jumped into the river with Aunt Linda kicking off the party. After our little dip in the river we headed to Heise for pizza. Here is Linda, Chase and Noah going back to the road.

We didn't let the fun stop there. Then next day we floated the Warm River. Always a good time. It was a little chilly after we got out but we made it out just in time. You can see most of the group here.

It was a blast having these guys come visit. We sure wish they lived closer and/or came to visit more often!

Th-th-that's all folks!

I will sign off my week long spree of blogging with our attempt at family pictures at Bear World...


If I just cut at paste I should be able to come up with one where we are all looking at the camera!

Good bye to JulyHello to August and all the fun it will bring!

The Germans are coming...

Ok, so they already came and boy was it fun! We loved visiting the Thayers in Germany and we so excited they took the time to come and see us in Idaho. The first night they got here Pete & Heidi offered to watch all 6 kids plus Livvy while Liz, James, Ryan & I went on a double date. It was really nice to get out and not worry about kids running around, throwing food, growling at their brothers... you know the drill.

Luke's Growling Face

Noah's innocent "I didn't do anything" face

We had a quiet dinner and came home to a dark and quiet house. What a treat. They were great babysitters! (Pete ended up having to take a final and so Heidi's mom pitched in!)

The next day we decided to go all out and take them all the way to Bear World. (Across the highway). I think the kids had fun... you be the judge.

Will showing us his granola bar

Simon & Noah chillin' in the stroller

The petting zoo might have been the highlight. There are not many things cuter than a 1 day old fawn. So little and sweet. Sorry no picture! But they had plenty of other animals for the kids to get a hold of.

Luke the fattest goat ever

Benson and the baby goat

After Bear World we hit the splash park. This is always a treat for the kids whether they like to swim or just drink the water.


We then rushed home to ... you guessed it 4 wheel to Heise for Pizza.


Again Heidi pitched in and drove the babies in the car so we could all fit. The bumpy dirt road worked it's magic and put all the kids to sleep.

Anna, in a fun & pizza induced coma

After pizza we came home and made ice cream then collapsed into bed.

Friday we took it easy in the morning and met Ryan for lunch at the park before the Thayers headed out of town. We will hopefully see them a couple more times before they head to London.

Benson Bonanza

There was one weekend this year when most of the "out-of-towners"(Those who live more than 8 hr drive away from Orem) would be in town. Emily and Angie were on their way out of town. Liz just coming into town. The rest of us decided we would take the opportunity to make it a family reunion.

First of all I am going to make a disclaimer, that it was WAY to hot in Utah. I was sweating most of the time and some how letting my kids run around with just a diaper on made me feel cooled. Please excuse all the nakedness.


We did a lot of...
Hanging out on the Front Lawn...

Noah & Andy

Walks to the Park...
Noah & J. Will
Russell, Deb, Andy, Madison and Angie

Feeding ducks...


Playing in Fountains...

Luke & Madison

Eating Watermelon...


Swimming in one form or another...

Madison & Noah

Wagon rides with Angie...

Bridal Veil Falls Trail: Angie, Madison and Luke

Madison, Luke & Noah

Remember last year?


1 year later...

All the Grandkids

Benson & Simon are kind of hidden but it was the best I got.

3 of the Fab 5

Russell, J. Will and Andy

It was so much fun to see everyone and get all the babies together and start forming those cousin bonds. Just ask Noah and Olivia!