Our First Time to Lakeside

Alright, on to more lighthearted and fun things. This year we have done the summer reading program at the library. However, this year I feel like my kids are actually old enough to reap some significant benefits of doing the program. Anyway, on of the prizes award to the kids as the complete level one is a ticket to Lakeside Amusement Park with a discount ride pass for an adult. I haven't ever been until this year even though we had passes before. I just never really thought our kids were big enough or old enough to go, but this year we thought we would give it a shot.

So, we took Kylee and Tia to Lakeside on Thursday night. We left around 5:30 and got there about 6:30. We got ride I.D.'s for all of us and started riding. Actually the girls did most of the riding because adults can't ride the rides in Kiddie Land. That is kind of a bummer, but oh well. Anyway, the girls had a blast. They rode I think just about every ride in Kiddie Land. By far there favorite ride in Kiddie Land was the roller coaster. However, Kylee also enjoyed the Frog Hopper and Tia enjoyed the cars and motorcycle rides too. Kylee rode the roller coaster at least 10 times and Tia rode a good five times too. Kylee rode it so much there was more than once she just made it look as if she were taking a ride in the car she was so calm about it. The silly kid. We also took them into the main park, but they were too short for most of the rides. Although we did take them on the Merry-Go-Round, Ferris Wheel, this airplane ride, a boat ride, and a train ride. Kylee's favorite of those rides was the Ferris Wheel and Tia loved the train. Tia was so afraid that we were going to miss the train she started crying. We saw the train and then started running to the station, and the train passed us. Well, Gaupo and I knew it would stop at the station, but Tia was sure it was leaving her and she wouldn't get to ride. Luckily, we convinced her otherwise and got to the train and got to ride so she was okay.

Our kids had a really great time and it was super fun to take them. They rode rides until about 9:00PM when we told them we had to go home. They totally would have kept going, but it was late and we need to get home, so they had to leave, but it was a super fun. We had a great time doing something like that as a family. I really love watching my girls experience new things. Their eyes just light up and they laugh and want to go right from one place to another. They love to talk about it and they just want to soak it all in. It is pretty fun, so I am glad we got to take them. I think we might end up spoiling our kids rotten by the end of summer with letting them stay up late and see and do things they haven't done before, but hopefully they wont get too spoiled and just enjoy the time they have to see and do such cool stuff.

Tia on the bug ride. This was the first ride we did.

Kylee on the bug ride.

Tia on a train ride in Kiddie Town.

Kylee.

On a plane ride.

Tia on a boat ride.

Kylee On the same ride.

Tia on a car ride.

Me, Tia and Kylee on the Ferris Wheel

Up a little higher on it.

First time on the roller coaster.

A little later on the coaster

Me, Kylee, Tia, and Gaupo on the train.

Me and Kylee on the plane one. Kylee is controlling the direction thing.

I don't know why I can't get this video in line, but here is the girls on the roller coaster.

Sometimes We Have the Best Plans

I feel like I am so good at thinking up great things to do and how awesome they will be. What I am not so good at is rolling with things when those plans don't go as I planned. One example is when I wanted to go with a friend on a bike ride. She had to finish cleaning her house first. So, I finished up my chores and headed over to help her with hers, but then as we were getting ready to leave she had a severe case of heartburn and couldn't go. I still wanted to go, so I took her son and my girls and we went. I wasn't planning on being at that park for lunch, but we were and that worked out okay, but made the next plans rushed.

My bike riding gang. Kylee, Tia, and Jensen.

The plan was I was going to let my kids go to 'Maker Monday' at the library, so we hustle home from the park and jump in the car to go and we get there and there is no one in the room. Me being me assumes, "Oh well, we are a little late and its probably just a come and go thing. So, let's get started." I get my girls started and then a librarian comes in and says "We aren't open yet." Me:"Oh, I am so sorry." I am feeling super embarrassed because we are already gluing and cutting paper. She did allow us to take our stuff home, but I still felt bad because I was hoping to do it with everyone else. Turns out "Maker Monday" starts at 2:00 not 1:00. AUGHHHH!!

I feel like a lot of this week was like that day. Where I have great things I want to do and I do get them done, but the way the day and how it goes plays out is nothing like I planned. I can't be the only one that has days like that. Or, sometimes I have no plans and I end up doing a whole bunch of stuff and kind of sort of forget to have fun and be a Mom too. Like on Friday when I was just going to clean the counters off. Well I did that and then the table, and then my room. Which I was in an organizing purging mood, so I went though my closet and got rid of some clothes and shoes. I also managed to go through underneath the bathroom cabinet, clean the bathroom, babysit some kids, have a friend go through the stuff I was giving away, and vacuum the floor. In a lot of ways, I am like wow look at everything I did, but then I get kind of discouraged, because my husband had to figure out what we should have for dinner and make it. I didn't really spend time with my kids and it was just kind of a busy day. I console myself in the fact that I need days like that because eventually I do need to get stuff done and not play, but still I feel like I should have more balance, like today.

I feel a lot better about today. I managed to go running, feed my kids breakfast (even if it was about 9:00). I cleaned mopped the floor, played a little house, chase, and jumped on the tramp. I also managed to have surgery (minor surgery. I got a cyst removed from my neckish area). You know the play seemed to balance out the day. I would love to say it was perfectly balanced, but then tonight I got cranky with my kids. AGHHHH!!

I think we have really great plans and often times things don't turn out perfectly like we think, or we have days that are unbalanced, or times we wish we could take back words or actions. But, I don't think that make us bad parents, just normal. I think it is part of this mortal experience to have things not go just as planned. I think learning to control our actions and words is part of becoming like Christ. I think that balance is one of those things we have to learn because even Christ I am sure had to find balance in his own life between helping others and helping himself. This mortal life is full of challenges and broken plans and paradigms, but it is amazing to me how out of those broken things we become better. I mean I don't want my kids to break stuff because sometimes you can't fix it, but sometimes it happens and they learn a lot from it. I think it is like that, when our plans break, or things don't fit like they should but we keep trying and trying to do what is right we learn and things become what they are meant to be. 

To be honest I don't even know if this post makes sense, but I just felt like before I post about another great thing we did I should post about how sometimes it is not so great, but we just keep moving forward and hold to God's promise that He will make up the difference if we do the best we can, follow Him, and repent.

Palisades Trip

The last couple of years we have taken a little mini-adventurecation inside our vacation with the Merrill family. The time leading up to them can be really stressful, and we are never really sure who is going to come, but you know what I have loved doing them. I know it is kind of mean to pull Grandpa away from his farm in the summer, but it is so great to have his undivided attention. I know he worries about the farm still, but he does it a little differently when he isn't right there. I know it is a lot of work for Grandma to get everything packed up and ready to go, and it sometimes takes major convincing from her to get some of the others to come. It gets kind of crazy getting everything packed up, cleaned up, arranged and ready to go. However, when we actually get there it is AWESOME!! It is so awesome because when we go on these adventurecations we take EVERYONE out of there normal routine and place and we do it all together. The kids play really well together even at there houses or the farm, but the play is different when we are all out of our homes. However, my favorite part by far is when we do these we are a family with very few interruptions for about 24hrs. Yeah its crazy and it doesn't ever quite go as planned, but it is perfect in its own way.

Last year we went to Bear Lake and this year we went to Palisades. This trip was all organized and sponsored by Heidi and Jeff. They did a great job. They reserved a group site at Big Elk Creek. It was a site for about 115 people or so. It was a little or major over kill for us our needs but it worked out great and fulfilled all of our needs. We all set up our tents in the tent area of the campsite and picked the firepits closest to Heidi and Jeff's tent for the cooking and eating. The campsite was great becuase we could kind of spread out from each other, but it had running water and we had our own personal vault toilets. We also had plenty of parking, tent space, tables, and firepits, plus a big open meadow for us to play games in. Then only downside is it was right by Big Elk Creek and James would run for it every time you let him go.

Anyway, we left for Palisades on Thursday after lunch. It was a nice drive. Going up to the country sure is pretty. Although, I did miss some of it because I took a nap, but naps are beautiful too. Anyway, we got there and Heidi and Jeff were already there and setting up camp. We picked out our tent pad and set up there. Then we hung around and visited and helped get things setup and stuff.

The setup at what we used as the main hub. Aaron, Jeff, Tia, Melanie, James, Arlin, and Heidi.

Then we went on a little hike. Being me I would have probably pushed my kids to go farther, but we hiked until the pregnant lady (Heidi), a few kids, and Grandpa said they were done. Which is totally fine. There were no tears shed on this hike which I think is a first for me. Also the part we hike was so pretty. There were quite a few place you could see the river, and all of it was grassy green with beautiful wild flowers. It really was a nice hike. It wasn't too steep or anything, but the trail was a bit narrow and the part we hiked had quite a few sunny spots, but oh it was really pretty still.

Gaupo (the blue dot ahead), and Kylee on the trail. Tia is with Gaupo but you can't see her.

At the turn around point. Gaupo, Tia, Glen, Naomi, and Heidi.

Me, Katelyn, Melanie, Blaine, Arlin and Kylee. We were on top of a big rock to the side of path.

After we hiked for a little bit, and took a break we hiked back and the kids played in the area were a spring ran to catch the river. They had a great time dipping fingers, feeling the water rush over there hands on the little falls. They also loved how cold it was. I was super impressed by how clear it was.

Heidi, Arlin, Katelyn, Blaie, Melanie, Gaupo, Grandpa, Aaron, James, Grandma, Jeff, and Jarom.

Arlin, Tia, and Kylee a little further up the stream.

After finishing with all that we headed back to camp and played there. I taught the kids how to play stop/go aka Red light/ Green Light. We played that until the kids lost interest. Actually Arlin and Kylee loved the games I played and would have kept playing, but thing are only so interesting when there are only two that want to play and we have to keep track of 4-6 others. However, after some game playing and more visiting it was time for dinner. We built a fire and had hot dogs, polish dogs, and somores. It was so tasty. I think I post about this almost every time I talk about fire roasted hot dogs, but they really are so good and somores. I mean the whole thing is just summer in meal. Plus there was watermelon, chips, and pineapple, so it was so good. Then I got Jeff to help me and we played Johnny, Johnny Butcher Boy with the kids. They were  a little young for that one, but I thought it was still fun and Jeff was such a sport to play with me/us. Then we just visited and the kids played there own games. While sitting there, Grandpa spotted a bald eagle sitting in a tree. Jeff had brought his binoculars, so we looked at it through those. Then Aaron had his spotting scope out which hooks to his phone (which is super cool), so he had it on there and we could see it really cool. It was quite a bird to behold. Then it still wasn't getting dark and it was like 9:00/9:30, and the kids were getting really tired, so we decided it was time to go to bed.

Saturday dawned not too early. About 6:30 which for sleeping outside I think is really impressive. The night wasn't too bad. Tia had a bit of a time falling asleep, and some how ended up under her sleeping bag. Kylee said she slept good. Apparently I slept alright because Gaupo said in the middle of the night Tia was on top of me and he had to move her back. (Gaupo says we are not sleeping in our little tent anymore.) Gaupo said he slept alright, but at the end of the day he was really tired. He went to bed at like 8:00ish. Anyway, Gaupo got up and got the fire going. The girls and I got ready in our tent and then we went out. Pretty much everyone was up by about 7:00,  so breakfast and hot chocolate were being made about that time. We had breakfast burritos. So bacon, eggs, and cheese on a tortilla. It was a really easy and simple and filling. Then we had to take down camp. While that was all getting done and we were kind of waiting around we played Spud. Alrin and Kylee really like that game. Even Tia enjoyed it a bit. It took Gaupo and I awhile to get our tent put up, because we needed to wait for the dew to dry, but finally did and we got it put away. Once we were all packed up we drove just around the bend to Little Elk Creek.

There we met up with a Brother from Heidi and Jeff's ward who brought some wood kayaks that he made. Heidi and Jeff had bought this trip at an auction their young women held for a fundraiser. Anyway, we met him there and he let us kayak on Little Elk Creek. Oh man it was so pretty and his kayaks were so awesome too. They handled really nice. Me and one of my girls could actually fit in one pretty easily and the girls also like sitting together in the two person kayak. So we just floated and paddled around for a couple of hours until lunch. We had sandwiches, chips, cookies, and watermelon for lunch. Then we went out and kayaked again. I did talk to the brother about how he made his kayaks and he says he read a book on it and then did it. He builds them on a form and glues all the many, many pieces together one at a time. It is quite the process and he says on average it takes about 300 hours. He chuckled and said "It's a good winter project." This brother has such a great personality and was such a joy to be around. Anyway, we paddled more on the creek until about 2:00 when Gaupo was ready to leave. So, we came to shore and ended up letting the girls play in the water for another 15-30 minutes and then we left. I slept a lot of the way, but it was nice.

Kylee and Tia playing in the two person kayak.

Me, and Kylee and Tia out in the two person kayak.

Naomi, Arlin, Tia, and Kylee playing in the water.

Kylee and Arlin with squirters.

The crew at lunch. Aubrey, Grandma, Arlin, Grandpa, Tia, The Brother, Naomi, Kylee, Aaron, and Melanie.

Then we stopped at Grandpa-Great's on the way home to visit him and my mom. We were dirty, and a little travel worn, but they gladly welcomed our visit. It was great to visit with them. It was really hard to say good-bye for the final time, but I am really glad Gaupo let us stop for about 30-45 minutes. Then we headed home and got a few things unpacked and had dinner. Then Gaupo got ready for bed and I played a little disc golf with Gary, Melanie, and Aaron. Then I put the kiddos down and played 5 Crowns for a little while before we all headed to bed.

It was so great to go spend sometime in the outdoors and to do it with family. My girls totally enjoyed camping and getting dirty. It was defiantly time well spent I think. I should probably get some other opinions, so if we do plan an adveturecation for next year we know if people really like it or not. As you can see all part of our vacation were great. We learned a lot, played a lot, enjoyed family and each other. Our kids loved the freedom of the country. They loved playing with their cousins and attention from Grandma. I am so glad we made the trip and did what we did. It was a little crazy, but so fun and good memories and bonds were made.

Visiting the Merrill Family

In the last post, I think we ended at us going down to Logan to visit Gaupo's Grandma. Well once we were back in Swanlake we were there for awhile. Definitely, not as long as anyone would have like, but still we got a great visit and vacation there. Here are some pics from the Logan visit.

Grandpa, Kylee, James, and Aunt Sarah.

Josh, Gaupo, and McKay.

Melanie, Aaron, Granmda, Blaine

Aunt Jill, Grandma Hammond, James, and Tia.

Tia and Blaine eating snack in the 'kitchen.'

I love visiting Swanlake because there is so much that we love there. We love the family we visit and we love the place we visit. One of the kids and I's favorite  things to do is go on four-wheeler rides. I love going on rides with Gaupo, but I also like feeling like a cool aunt/mom when I take the kids out for a spin. One day they will get too old to be pleased with just going up to the pond and back, and I will either have to have Gaupo take over or learn more trails. Anyway, the kids (Kylee, Tia, Blaine, and sometimes James) would take many a trip on the four-wheeler up to the pond and back. One of my favorite runs was when Guapo had the girls and I just had Blaine and we went up to the pond and the fish were jumping and he asked if he could watch the fish. I was more than happy to accommodate that request because I sometimes like to just sit and enjoy too. Plus, the fish really were jumping and it was pretty fun to watch. However, I loved having just that small quiet moment with Blaine all to myself it was awesome. This year along with four-wheeling we got the chance to use a Rzer too. Aaron and Melanie recently got one and so that was fun because it was a little easier to haul all of the people that wanted rides. But, to be honest I love the feeling of four-wheelers. So, the Rzer was nice and I think Gaupo enjoyed it, but I am still a four-wheeler fan. Although, we might not want to tell Aaron that or he might not let me use it. (jk) Anyway, we did a lot of rides and the kids also loved playing on the Rzer and four-wheelers, so they took plenty of their own imagination rides. Although, I am not sure I want to be on those because they sure bail on and off the four-wheelers a lot, so they sound a little crazy. I love little kids imaginations.

Tia in the Rzer on Gaupo's lap. Scott and Aubrey on the four-wheeler.

Another thing we love doing up at Merrill Ranch is fishing. The Merrill's have a stocked pond and we went out on Wednesday morning about 7:30ish and it was great fishing. We caught 4 fish, but luckily the little 4-incher I caught jumped off the hook. Kylee caught her first fish and she was so proud. I was helping Tia and so I couldn't get a picture. I told Gaupo to, but for whatever reason he didn't get one either, so we can't document, but she did catch it all on her own. She did everything from casting and waiting to reeling it it. Although, she didn't haul it up the bank and take the hook out, but she watched all of that part. Once again, it was so nice to sit up there on the bank of that pond and fish in the midst of God's beautiful creations. It was so peaceful and it was just us up there. I loved having Tia sit with me for a few minutes and visit with her. I loved standing by Kylee and helping her have the patience to wait for the fish. I love watching Gaupo doing things with his girls and I like watching him fish too. It was just a great morning. The girls really enjoyed the fact that Grandpa came up near the end of the trip with the tractor, and they got to sit on it while he loaded the wood and then they pressed the horn button, and they got a little ride. They LOVED it!! Gaupo also took Kylee and Tia fishing again on Saturday morning. I would have gone, but I needed to get things ready to leave. This time they caught three, but only two made it all the way to shore. Grandma filleted them for us and we took them home. I cooked them up and they were really good. 

Kylee fishing. This one was on the fourth.

We also spent a lot of time with cows on this visit. Kylee learned that she really liked the calves sucking on her hands, and Tia loved watching the cows get milked and just watching the big cows. Often times I would take the four kids over too the cows and they would all watch the big cows for a bit and then Kylee would go to the calves while the rest of us went to the barn to watch milking. Sometimes we would then wander up to the manager where the kids loved to see the cows faces. They also enjoyed throwing hay at them and saying 'eat, eat.' Tia, Blaine and Kylee also enjoyed running near the manger area which of course spooked the cows and they thought it was pretty funny to watch them run. I don't know these kids and there cows they sure love them, so we spend lots of time out there.

Tia also loved these cats. She carried them like babies. The cats didn't much enjoy it, but she sure did.

The 4th of July in Swanlake is another thing we all, but especially Gaupo, look forward to. It starts with a scout breakfast and flag raising at the church house. We all go to that and get a great breakfast of pancakes, egg, sausage (which most times comes from Monte Henderson's pigs),dutch oven potatoes, and juice. It is so good. Plus, the kids have a great time playing on the swings and stuff that are right there after it is all done. Then we head back home. This year Grandma really wanted to go up to the pond, so we packed up everything to make burgers and dutch oven potatoes and took it up there. Then when we got up there we got out the paddle boats which was kind of an adventure at least for me because I HATE snakes and mice and there happened to be both living underneath the boats. Luckily for me everyone else was more that willing to take care of all of those critters while I stayed back and waited. We got the boats out on the pond. Melanie and I took the kiddo's out first and the Gaupo took out the other one and met us and then of course all the kids wanted in his boat. Melanie and I paddled around with James until he was getting ready to bail on us and then we went back in. While we were up on shore Jeff and Heidi got there and the food got ready. So, we had more dutch oven potatoes and then Hamburgers. Then it was pretty hot, so we just chatted in the shade we could find. We did let Kylee go fishing a bit and let Tia go in a boat again while we visited. Then we decided that we had had enough heat and went down to the house. The kids all got snacks and by this time it was like 2:30ish. My plan was to let Kylee and Tia just stay up because Jeff and Heidi weren't going to be there long. So, I was letting them play and they decided to climb up into a chair and watch TV for minute and well before the minute was over they had both passed out in the chair. I left them there and they woke up a little before Heidi and Jeff left, but not much. Oh well, that is how it goes sometimes. Once Heidi and Jeff left we just kind of did our normal thing of playing outside and watching cows. Then dinner and games and talking and bed. That is pretty much the Fourth in Swanlake and it is enjoyed by everyone. Plus its great to see family and enjoy just being together.

Us out on the pond.

Melanie, Me, and Blaine on the boats.

Tia, Kylee, Blaine, and Gaupo on the boat.

Aubrey, Gary, Grandpa, and Gaupo chatting on the porch of the 'cabin.'

Tia, and Kylee crashed after a fun, but early morning.

Finally the newest addition to the endless fun was Gary bought a Frisbee Golf cage. So, we played Frisbee golf up at the pond and at the house. We figured out a pretty good little course around the house and had fun playing that on a few of the evenings.We all had a good  time competing in that. Especially Aaron who was really glad to more of a physical challenge than mental. However, it worked out well because he could compete there and they was all chill and stuff for when we came in and played games. However, it was really fun to have something to play with Gary and to get out of the house and enjoy. I think it is definitely worth Gary's investment because I know of at least three times we played and a couple of those times we played more than one round, and everyone had fun and enjoyed it, so it was really great.

Now, before you think I am not going to blog about our Palisades adventure I am, but that is going to be a post all of its own coming up next. 

Brady Reunion

One day I need to learn to just set time aside to post on vacation because so much happens it is quite a daunting task to try and post about it all when I get home. However, we are going to attempt to do it anyway.

We were so luckily to go on a wonderful vacation to Idaho for about 10 days. We left on Thrusday at noon. Luckily the free lunch that day happened to be sandwiches, so we just went and got those, so I didn't even have to make lunch. It was great. Anyway, we left for Idaho about 1:00pm and just drove and drove and drove. We made a couple bathroom stops, but we didn't stop for dinner. I packed egg salad sandwiches and just plain egg salad for Aunt Kitt. So, we just drove which is great because we ended up getting there about 9:30 which is pretty good time. The girls did a pretty good job traveling. They got to watch Moana on the way. This is Kylee's new favorite movie and she know quite a lot of the songs even though she has only seen it twice. Once we arrived at Grandpa-Great's house we just enjoyed. We let the girls stay up for a little bit and chat and hang with everyone, but I did send Gaupo and them to bed after not too long. Once they were in bed, we (meaning Oma, Papa, Klaire, Grandpa-Great, Kitt, Kara, and Seth) all chatted for awhile and then decided we should probably get some sleep too.

Luckily Friday morning didn't dawn until about 6:30 or 7:00, but it was going to be a big day, so this was a little too early still. Anyway, I got up with the kids and we played for awhile and then we had breakfast.

Kylee reading to Grandpa-Great and Tia.

Then we pitched our tent and put all our stuff either in there or in the car and dinked around for a little bit and then it was time for Reunion to begin. We drove up to Lava Hot Springs to swim. We were the first family there, but it was great. I helped Gaupo at first with the girls and the little kid slides, but then the lines to the big slides were short and he said he could handle it, so I went. I went with Klaire, Kitt, and Seth. It was so great. I haven't gone on waterslides in awhile. I kind of forgot how big of a wedgy you can get, but man they are still so fun. So, I spent from about 11:30 to 1:30 going between slides, and the platform to checking on and helping with my kids. The girls loved both the little kid area inside and the kid slides outside. However, because the night before was crazy and they only got a little sleep by lunchtime (1:30), Kylee was kind of a grouch and Tia was falling asleep while being held in the water. Luckily Aunt Karen got there with lunch and so we got them some food and then bless Gaupo's heart he took them home and let me stay and play. So, I did more slides, the diving boards, and the platform one more time. Man that platform is so scary. I really don't get a huge thrill from doing it, so I don't know exactly why I do, but there is something about it that makes you want to do it just once (and obviously sometimes twice).

 At around 4:00 we left to head back to Virginia and play minute-to-win-it games. Those are always really fun because almost anyone can do them and it is kind of surprising who is really good at it. Like who would have known that Grandpa was a master pencil bouncer, and the Josh could really work the chopsticks.

Elisse, Kara, Klaire, and Uncle Mark stacking dice.

Kylee with a Kleenex box with 8 ping-pong ball she had to shake out.

Then it was food time again. We had a weiner roast. It is kind of a Brady Family tradition. They use to have it at the Hugh Brady reunions on the first night, but for me the tradition more forms from it seem like whenever the family gathered we had a weiner roast, so to me that is what happens when the Brady family gathers. I do wish we could do it at the pit at Grandpa's, but you it would just be too much and it really is okay to do it at the church. After the roast, it was talent show time. Our family is so talented. It is true that most of us just cop-out a little and let our kids perform, but you know most of the kids love it, so it works. Kylee and Tia showed off their biking skills. They did a great job and they loved it. Kylee especially loves the talent show portion of it. I can tell because whenever she thinks she has learned a really cool trick she say, "Maybe I could do it for the talent show next year." Its awesome. After the show it was kind of late, but we decided to play one round of "Forever Wed." Which is were couple are asked questions about each other and they try to put down the same answer based on whether it is what the husband would say or the wife. Jason and I rocked it. We were ahead, but we lost when we didn't wager double and David and Gaylynn did and so they won by one point. It was a really fun game. After that it was late, so everyone who hadn't left yet left and went to Grandpa's to camp and/or play night games. Like I mentioned before Gaupo is awesome and he willing stayed with our kids, so that I could go play night games with my cousins who also have awesome spouses who let them come and also the awesome second cousins who are now the ones who play night games. We played kick-the-can, and Mission. It was so fun, but we finally had to call it at Midnight, so we could be ready for Saturday.

Saturday was a packed day as well. It started at 8:00 with a great pancake and more breakfast. Then we got that cleaned up and headed to Arimo park where we played softball and let the kids play on the playground. I played with the kids for the majority or it because if there is one part of the reunion that Gaupo really likes it is the softball game. So, I let him enjoy that kid free. However, towards the end my cousin Lisa volunteered to watch Kylee and Tia while I played for a bit, so I took her up on it and play and it was super fun. I got to bat a couple of times and luckily nothing really came my way in outfield, so it was awesome.

Chris, Gaupo, Spencer, and Robert playing softball.

After softball we play genealogy jeopardy, and then had lunch. Then Gaupo took the girls back to the house for nap while we had a pie eating contest, and another round of Forever Wed. This time Josh and Nicola won and they also won in double or nothing. Let me tell you, those Jensen's know each other when they need to. Then we played the Amazing Race. So, this was a race where we split into teams and got in cars and drove all over Marsh Valley and did and or answered things. We visited Grandma and Grandpa Studley where we answered trivia questions. Then we went to Grandpa's and had to roast mallows to perfection. Then we went to the cemetery and found the family headstones and the counted all of them in the cemetery. Then we went to Flags West and got milkshakes, and then we finished by stopping at Great-Grandma and Granpa Brady's and getting a tour of their home from the current homeowner, Kathy. I love that Kathy has that house. She loves it and all the history and everything is just so great for her. I really love how much she loves the house. After the amazing race we had an action using Brady bucks we earned at reunion and then we cleaned the church and were done. It was a crazy couple of days, but you know it was awesome. I love getting together with all my cousins. I love seeing there families grow and hearing what they are up to. I love being silly and playing. I love it all.

Emma and Tia enjoying the cows after reunion.

Anyway, reunion did come to end and we all said good-bye. Although on Sunday, my cousin Mike blessed his baby in Inkom, so we went to that with all his family plus Oma, Papa, Kitt, Klaire, and Grandpa-Great. Then we really did say good-bye and headed to SwanLake to surprise Grandma and Grandpa Merrill by coming sooner than they thought (not by much, but a little.) It was so great we got the reaction we wanted which was happiness and surprise on both their faces, so it was totally worth it. So, we stayed for church there and then we rushed to the house and got some lunch and then went to Logan to visit Grandma Hammond. We visited with her and everyone else that was there for a couple of hours and then headed home and dinner. Then we got the kids to bed played some games, chatted and then headed to bed too. It was a crazy wonderful weekend.

7/11/2017

So normally 7/11 is not that much different than any other day of the week, but this morning that all changed with a text. This morning I got a text from my friend asking if we were going to Cow Appreciation Day at Chic-a-fila. I said well what is it. She said you dress up like a cow and then you can get free food. So, I decided hey why not. After my presidency meeting, the girls and I got all spruced up to look like some pretty crazy cows. Kylee was green, Tia pink, and I was black and white sort of. We made head bands with ears and little horn, painted our faces, and add paper spots to our clothes. We headed out and picked up our friends and went to Chic-a-fila. It was packed. Luckily for us we did not have to wait outside, but we were close. Anyway, the kids were troopers and Chic-a-flia moved things along quickly so it worked out great. I got the Chic-a-fila sandwich and the girls got kids meals all for free it was pretty great. So, we enjoyed lunch and then the girls played. Actually, Kylee liked her fries and Tia was okay with applesauce, but neither liked the chicken and they were so-so on the lemonade. Good thing it was free. Anyway, after letting them enjoy the play place a little we headed home.

Kylee and Tia mooing for the camera.

The three cows.

Then it was pretty normal until after we sent Gaupo back to work and I remembered that it is 7/11, so free slurpee day. So, we went and got a free small Slurpee at 7/11 and then went to a park and played. I was sure the girls would get board after a little bit, but not they weren't even ready when we had to go, so that was awesome.

Slurpee at the park.

So, this year that is what we did on 7/11. 

Our Arizona Vacation (Better Late Than Never)

I bet you thought, I would be done posting about Arizona after two posts, but no. We did way too many things, and I was suppose to post about stuff while I was there but didn't so you get it all in one big gulp.

So the majority of days in Arizona consisted of similar activities. I would try to wake up early (about 5:00ish) I would read my scriptures and then try to be really quiet, so the girls didn't wake up. However, I only had to be quiet a few days because my kids were up at about 5:30 every day. Luckily, Oma could walk and I could run even though the girls were awake because Papa was around and they were more than happy to follow him around, play in the sandbox, play with skippy, or play around in the house. I will tell you one thing, Tia loves Skippy and the chickens. She would ask Papa every day to take her out to the chickens, and she would go outside countless times a day to just pet Skippy. Anyway, I would come back from my run and play with the girls. Sometimes we read books, sometimes we played in the sandbox it just kind of depended on the day. Then we would go inside and have scriptures and prayers with Oma and Papa before Papa left for work. Then Oma and I would try to get the girls outside one more time before it got to hot. Then it was breakfast. Then we would play and play and play. Sometimes we would swim. Sometimes take a shower. Just kind of did whatever we wanted to. Then lunch and naps. Then we would swim again. A couple of times after swimming Oma let us take a bubble bath in her Jacuzzi tub and it was so great.Then come help with dinner and then books and bed. It was so great. I so loved just hanging out it was so great.

With that schedule in mind we still managed to do a lot of little and big extra things too. One really big thing we did was go to the Tuscon Temple open house and Tuscon Zoo. We left early on a Monday morning with a sack lunch and headed to Tuscon. Oma and Papa treated us to the zoo. I had forgotten how great that zoo is. We met up with my cousin Michayle and her girls. It was a really fun trip. The animals are, so close that it isn't hard to spot them unless it has gotten too hot and they are inside there houses. We got to see almost every animal except the Jaguar. We played for awhile at their elephant kingdom. We probably spent a good 2  hours walking around the zoo and it was the perfect amount time to see everything. At the end of the zoo trip, the girls got so spoiled and got to ride on the carousel. They have wanted to do this since they noticed the one at the Denver zoo, so they were thrilled. After the ride, we went to a near by park and had a picnic lunch.

Kylee and Tia looking at the Giraffes.

Kylee playing the instruments that were near the elephants. 

Cypress, Gilliene, Tia, Ginny, and Kylee at the Zoo.

Kylee and Tia loved this egg and insisted on this picture.

Kylee a little unsure in this picture, but loved it. 

 A little blury but here is Oma, Kylee, Tia, and I on the carousel.

Kylee, Papa, and Tia by the elephants.

Then it was off to the real reason we headed to Tuscon which was the temple open house. The girls were so excited to go inside a temple again. This tour was a little more guided than the Ft. Collins one, but it also had a a TON of people going through it. It was a beautiful temple and then it was so great to see it. You can't tell by the pictures, but the girls really did have a great time. Once we finished our tour, we started our trek home although we did make a quick stop at McDonald's for ice cream, and boy was that a nice treat after such a warm day. Oma and Papa were real troopers to put up with us in the heat and in the car, but I am so glad they did because I love taking my girls to the temple, and it was super fun to go to the zoo.

Papa and Kylee on the bus to the temple.

Tia and Oma on the bus to the temple.

Kylee, Me, and Tia at the temple.

Papa, Oma, Kylee, Tia, and I .

Tia and Kylee after the tour.

Another great thing I get to do when I go home is go to the temple. Oma and Papa live about 10 minutes from the Gila Valley Temple and it is so great to go. My first Friday home; Oma, Papa, and I went to the 4:00pm session while my cousins watched the girls. It was a fairly big session, but not too big and it was so great to just go to the temple. There is always such peace in the temple and really just lifted me to be able to go. Plus, I always love seeing my family in the celestial room. The second Friday I was there we went to the temple again. This time we did some sealings. The sealings were did were some of my Grandma's relatives from Germany and we sealed a whole family together. Then  another couple was there too, and we helped seal some people too. After doing that Oma, Papa, Papa Ross (he joined us for sealings), and I went out for lunch at one of my favorite Mexican food places Casa. However, I just hadn't gotten enough of the temple that day and wanted to go back. So, my mom dropped me off at the temple to do initiatories and then went home to relive the babysitter. It was so great to go back. I loved hearing the initiatory blessings again, and then I loved going and sitting in the Celestial room. However, when I left I felt a lot more satisfied, so I am glad I went back.

Me at the temple.

So, it is now (7/11) and things are getting foggy in my memory, but I saw some more pictures and wanted to document two more things we did. One was on both Saturday's I was home we did firepit things. The first Saturday we did a weiner roast. It is always so good to have a fire roasted hotdog. Also Oma made brownies to put on instead of chocolate and it was so good. Plus it is always a treat to enjoy extra time with Papa Ross. He came on both Saturday's and I think he had a good time. Anyway, the second Saturday we did dutch oven. My dad really likes dutch oven food or at least I think he does, so I wanted to make him some because he never gets it. Well, I can't do it on my own, so luckily my dad was willing to help me out. It turned out so good. My mom grilled chicken and we made dutch oven potatoes, peach cobbler, and my dad made homemade ice cream. It was quite a feast.

Getting the fire started for hotdogs.

Me, Oma, Papa, and Papa Ross chillin in the backyard.

Kylee and Tia playing after the hotdog roast.

Finally, one last great thing was that we got to see Lindsay, Betty Jane, Allen, and Roxy. It was so fun to watch those kids together. Tia and Allen actually played with each other which is a first. They swam together and did that way after the other two were done, they played in the sandbox together, and they watched Papa together it was awesome! Kylee and Betty Jane also had a good time together. They did the normal things like play house and stuff like that. I just really love watching my kids play with their cousins. Tia and Kylee but especially Tia was thrilled to death to have Roxy around too. She loved to hold her and help her. Poor Roxy, but luckily for me Roxy handled it well. We really only had a about 36 hours together, so the kids had to play fast and they were just getting really good at it when we had to part ways, so we definitely need to get together for a longer span of time next time. I am so glad Lindsay survived the horrific adventure of their car catching on fire and still bringing Aunt Kitt to surprise my dad and bringing the kids over to play. I think it was such a great thing.

Alllen, Tia, Betty, and Kylee in the sandbox.

Tia loving on Roxy.

Four cousins sitting on a bench.

Allen, Tia, Kylee, and Betty eating dutch oven food.

Kylee, Betty, Allen, Roxy, and Tia at breakfast.

Allen, Rox, Betty, Kylee, and Tia under the sign they made for Papa.