Rexburg Rapids July 2013

Another item on our list to do this summer, was Rexburg Rapids. After camping out, we decided that Monday would be a good day to go. It really was because since it was a Monday, it wasn't very crowded at all.

 

 

Braden

 



 

McKenna on slide

 

 

Tyler on slide

 

All four taking a moment to smile for camera

 

 

Braden in the lazy river with dad

 

Braden loving the innertube on lazy river

 

Kylie on slide

As with everything this summer, after a couple of hours at Rexburg Rapids, the dark clouds began moving in and the lightning started...so everyone out of the pool. Luckily we got there early enough that we were ready to be done, but for such a hot and dry summer, it is funny that each time we planned something, the rain always had an impact on our plans!  Either way, a great time was had by all of us!

Camp Out

It seems like anytime we planned anything with the little people, it would always rain! We wanted to do a campout with them, but it rained hard all weekend. The tent was set up before it started raining, so we had to dry it out. Since it wasn't working, Allen took a Monday morning off work and we camped out on a Sunday night. The kids were so happy and excited - Braden especially was bouncing off the walls!

 

We went out around 9 p.m. and set up all of our stuff and then played games for awhile.

 

This picture is funny because of Braden's face. He kept telling me he was so tired and he couldn't smile.

So, if you are too tired to smile, you can make yourself smile. Which is what he was trying to do here.

About three minutes after that picture was taken, I look over, and this is Braden. I guess he really was too tired to smile!

Fun memory, and I guess a new tradition.

Movie Night July 2013

We promised our children that we'd have an outdoor movie night this year. Allen found a good date and set it all up. We made invitations/flyers and handed them out to people in the neighborhood. We mentioned that we'd provide the popcorn but they were welcome to bring any treats they wanted, along with blankets and/or chairs. We began setting up around 7 pm because we weren't sure how long it would take. Allen brought home a big inflatable screen with speakers and sound stuff.  The kids were all anxious to help.

 

We made lots of popcorn and put it in bags. We began wondering if we made too much but after everyone started showing up, we realized we were fine and actually made a couple more batches.

It took awhile for it to get dark, longer than we thought. So we began around 9:20 p.m. We watched National Treasure and by the time it actually started, we probably had around 50 people over to watch. It was fun and I know the kids loved it so it was totally worth the effort!

Small Business Owners

I thought this was pretty funny and clever so I had to post this. One of the days that I was working this early summer in June, my parents took the girls and Braden to a garage sale. McKenna found 6 lazer tag guns and equipment for sale for like $5. They had a lot of fun with them and played them non-stop for a few weeks.

 

 

One day I get home from work and there were tons of kids at our house and there were tables set up all over the lawn turned on the sides, along with big boxes. I asked Allen what was going on and he told me that McKenna started her own lazer tag business. It was $.25 to play a game for 10 minutes. All the tables were obstacles and things to hide behind. I thought it was pretty clever!

 

The Big Switch - July 2013

When my brother and I were younger, we used to spend a couple of weeks with my cousins in Huntsville Utah. Then, they would come and spend a couple of weeks with us in Sandy Utah. We had so much fun and a lot of great memories of those times. So, since our children are about the same ages as my brothers, we thought it would be fun to try it and see.

 

We met in Tremonton Utah, about half way between both of us. The girls loaded up in their car, and the boys in ours and off we went.

 

 

We didn't have a chance to eat lunch so we stopped in Pocatello at McDonald's to let Braden play and grab a quick bite!

 

On our way back from Pocatello, we stopped in Rigby to see my parents and the boys decided to go to Squealers. It was decided we would leave them there, since my parents are only a few minutes away, and then my parents (aka Grandma and Grandpa) would bring them to our house when their time was up.  Unfortunately, not too long after we left them, the winds picked up and a little while after that, there was a tornado warning in effect. So my parents went over and picked them up early. Sad that they didn't get to ride the go karts until their hearts content!

 

After the tornado warning passed, and the winds calmed down, we tried to salvage the night by having a fire and making smores. What 12 year old boy doesn't like fire?? It was fun  just sitting around and talking and playing with fire.

 

 

 

On Saturday, the boys decided they would go to Rexburg Rapids. I gave them my cell phone and we got them in and told them to call when they were done. They had to be done early. A huge cloud moved in with lightning and rain. Everyone out of the pool. So we went and picked them up and since Braden was having so much fun with the slip and slide, I told them they had to go on the slip and slide at least once!

 

Nothing was working out for us. After dinner at  pizza pie cafe, we decided to go over to the BYU-Idaho center and play basketball.  I guess you can run on the track, but you can only play basketball if you have BYU-Idaho issue and an I-card. BUMMER! Luckily, they were feeling nice and let Ethan borrow some issue and play anyway.

 

 

After playing basketball and running on track, we took him to the auditorium to let him see. Wish the lights were on so he could have seen it better. Either way, it is an impressive building to see.

 

 

Of course it happened to be fast Sunday, so I didn't make a great breakfast on Sunday. Ty had duties he had to fulfill so Ethan got to tag along. I drove them because it was the other street over and off a busy highway. I couldn't help taking this picture. Future missionaries!

 

We went to church and Braden was in heaven having one of his cousins there to show off and sit by! Later in Deacon's Quorum,  Tyler was set apart as the President. It was great having Ethan there for that moment with him.

 

 The rest of Sunday was a nice and relaxing day. We watched a movie and had popcorn, had a nice dinner at Grandma and Grandpa's, and while Allen and I went to bed, the boys stayed up playing wii.

Mondy was the switchback day so in the morning we went to Craze fun Zone and did a quick few games of lazer tag before heading out to our meeting point!

Meanwhile, the girls had a lot of fun and I got a few updates from my brother Scott. Kind of the same things. He took them over to BYU's indoor track where they ran around and played.

I don't know what this is, but they were here too! They went swimming at Lehi's indoor recreation place and had fun there. They also went for pizza on Saturday night at a place called Jack's.  McKenna was in heaven because her cousin Adam is also an early riser and they would use that time to play games.

 On Sunday they went to church and had a great time and spent some time at a pioneer cemetary.

 All in all, it was a fun weekend. I wish it was longer just because I feel like Ethan didn't get a lot of fun experiences. It just happened to be one weekend where it rained and stormed a lot and there wasn't a lot to do! Either way, I know my children had such a great time and I know they are hoping to do it again soon. It was a fun experience for them!

July 4, 2013

For the 4th of July this year we went to the Rexburg Parade. It was super crowded and busy and really the parade was all businesses passing out their flyers. What memories are made of...right? We went out the morning to set up our chairs and found an ok spot. We wanted to be towards the beginning so we could get out quickly once it was all done. These are pictures of waiting for the parade to start.

 

This picture just speaks volumes of who Braden is. I have a bunch of pictures like this in a row.

McKenna and Kylie were so good at being with Braden and helping him collect some candy. He didn't want to do it by himself, and the girls really didn't want to be in the street. Grateful they were good about it.

We haven't been to the Melaleuca Idaho Falls fireworks in 12 years. We decided that we would go and check it out this year. One of Allen's employees  was very kind and had a parking spot for us and a spot to sit and watch the fireworks. Within minutes of being there, we were again reminded why we hate it so much. There were people sitting right next to us who were mildly abusive to their daughter, although it didn't help that they were already drunk and just kept putting them down while lighting up their cigarettes every few hours. Poor Ty especially could hardly breathe. But, we stuck it out. It was time for it to start and it never happened. Finally, there was an announcement made that they were searching for someone and they had to call in the search and rescue dive teams so it would be delayed at least a hour. At that point we finally left. Comparing Huntsman's to Idaho Falls, I would choose Huntsman every time! I guess all in all, it was a memorable experience.

Huntsman Springs Fireworks

One thing we've really enjoyed these last couple of years, is driving to Driggs Idaho to Huntsman Springs - to watch the firework display. It is always the Saturday before the 4th of July and we really really enjoy it. There is a huge grassy area, lots of bounce houses and vendors and this year the Beach Boys performed and then during the firework show, Lee Greenwood came out on stage and sang 'I'm Proud to be an American'. It was awesome!!

 

This year, Tyler got home from the Aaronic Priesthood Encampment around 2 in the afternoon. We left around 5 p.m., and it was HOT! Our car registered about 99 degrees. Needless to say, in that kind of heat, we forgot jackets and we only had one blanket. While driving, we reached Sugar City and the wind started picking up and it was 10 degrees cooler, just 10 minutes away. By the time we pulled into the parking for the fireworks, it was raining like crazy! Lots of dark clouds. We sat in the car for awhile and finally braved it. We felt lucky that it was cool  and it stopped raining! Beautiful night for fireworks. Just wish we had our jackets!

 

The bounce houses are free, and the little ones LOVE it! Helps work out some energy too!

We loved just hanging out and playing games and eating snacks while waiting for fireworks to start.

I probably haven't mentioned it yet, but we really enjoy this firwork show! :) Everything about it - and I think we have it down to a science. We know where to park and we are quick at getting out and getting home. Great weekend!