Week In Review

Allen took time off work from the 23rd of July until he returned yesterday - the 3rd of August. We sure enjoyed having hime home and did a variety of things while he was here. We started off by going to the pioneer day celebration on the 25th with the LeFevre's. It was a good parade with lots of floats and of course candy. The little people all seemed to enjoy it and we enjoyed being with the LeFevre's.

After the parade we went to Mesa Falls and had a picnic. It was a very HOT day! We hadn't been to Mesa Falls yet - so we walked to see the falls and when we went back to the "inn", they had a telescope set up so we could see an eagle in its nest with its babies. It was pretty cool to see.

We were able to go to Rigby Lake. I know what most of you are thinking...YIKES! However we came out pretty good and no rashes or funguses to speak of. I, however, was not quite so lucky. I was sunburned on my legs and upper arms. It hurt but not horribly. Just this last week it blistered and peeled - and it is still red and looks like it is going to blister and peel again. Blasted sun!

Anyway, the kids all enjoyed themselves and loved just floating around. They have paddle boats you can rent by the hour and so we have to get back there soon to do that before school starts.

We were also able to go to Utah for a very quick visit and meet Morgyn my new niece. She is such a cutie. I don't know what it is - I think all babies are special, but there is something amazing about babies who are in the NICU. So she is another very special little spirit who is absolutely adorable. The best news is we came home to Idaho on Friday, and she was just released last Sunday. She is now at her home enjoying her family!

I also made friends with Samantha - which isn't easy to do. She loves my children, but always just looks at me warily - like she is afraid I am going to snatch her away. Anyway, I let her help me take a picture of Barney - who she loves - and she posed him by herself and we got some great shots of him. Plus some of Samantha and my little people.

Now it is back to the grind and real life and work. *Sigh* It was sure fun having Allen home and always hard to see him go back - but I'm glad for the fun family week we had.

Family Pictures

We had some family pictures taken. It is frustrating how not everyone can look normal at the same time. Obviously, we are not always looking at the camera - or we have weird smiles on our faces. Here are a few that I liked.

It doesn't get better then this!

Seriously! I had another birthday come and go. It was awful in the fact that it was the hottest day of the year so far - ugh - but it doesn't get better then having this great bunch around to celebrate with.

Month of July

So far we've had a pretty good month. Tyler got to attend his first boy scout camp. He was away all day and they had lots of different "stations" where they did all sorts of stuff. Made swords, painted some wood thing, a bike course - all sorts of fun activities. I made him let me take his picture in his uniform. I told him if he wasn't good and didn't let me take it, I would have to follow him to camp. He quickly gave in!

The day after boy scout camp, we were trying to find our toilet paper supply. We knew we put it in a closet and when we went to get it, it wasn't there. Talk about being ticked off! Finally we found it. What the heck? I guess someone was afraid of running out. Of course nobody would own up to it!

We decided to try and feed Braden his first rice cereal. Either he doesn't like it, or it is hard for him to get the hang of it. I guess we will keep trying. Although he really is interested in food and eating!

And finally, it has been definitely warm enough to visit the water park. There seems to be more and more people there all the time so we left early to get a good spot. The kids sure do enjoy being able to play here whenever we feel like it!

Updates

I didn't mean for it to happen again, but there are 6 new updates posted. My camera needed new batteries for me to upload pictures. Finally it is done. Enjoy!

July 4th!

July 4th was great this year. Last year we went to Rigby Lake to watch the fireworks the night before the 4th and we said we weren't going to do it again. However, we found ourselves at Rigby Lake on Friday the 3rd. This year it was a lot better - we parked right by the lake, and we were able to quickly get out.

The next morning we accidentally overslept. I dropped Allen off at the parade route about 7 a.m. to find a good spot with shade. Luckily there was one spot left. Allen waited while I went back and got the little people ready. We made it back to the parade route and waited and had fun. It was so funny because only in Rexburg would we be bundled up in our coats and blankets. It was actually quite cold in the shade.

The parade went well. Tyler didn't participate in getting the candy this year - he was the keeper of the bag instead. McKenna and Kylie did a great job snatching up all the candy they could. I love McKenna's expressions - so serious and concentrating so hard! The funniest part was when a princess was walking around and she came up and gave McKenna a hug. McKenna turned around and the look on her face was priceless. A total look of someone who just got cooties! There were a lot of people around us who just started laughing. It was priceless.

Later that night, my parents came over for a bbq and fireworks. The little people could hardly wait for the fireworks. This year the girls were very afraid of the sparklers though - but eventually they got the hang of it.

Braden handled everything very well. He would look around for a little while, then get bored and fell asleep. Kind of funny.

All in all, it was a great day but the weekend went too fast!

Kylie's Bike Riding

We knew Kylie wouldn't be too far behind. On July 4th she decided she wanted her training wheels taken off. She did awesome and drove away just fine!