Splash Park

Jamie and I took the cousins for a day at the Splash Park in Rexburg. I so wish Idaho Falls had something similar, the kids really had a wonderful time! I love sitting and chatting with Jamie and the cousins love playing together. I am thankful for a close knit family, with an amazing sister-in-law and lots of cousins for my kids to spend time with! I hope the kids will always be close! I thought I'd post a few pics from our day! It was definitely a day of fun in the sun!

Grace was too nervous to try the water slide herself, she wanted Kendrik to take her - what a great cousin to take her with him! He is the sweetest most helpful boy ever!

Kendrik and Grace made it! She immediately wanted to go again! Only with Kendrik of course!

Savannah and Ashlyn

Go Audrey!

Audrey slidin'!

Audrey, Grace and Mckade playing in the fountains.

Savannah and Ashlyn - they were trying to step on all the water spouts at the same time - it was cute! They were unsuccessful, but they gave it their all!

Audrey, Grace and McKade

Kendrik at the end of a long day at the splash park - what a handsome guy!

Jonas experiencing cotton candy for the first time! Sticky!

You can't exactly tell from this picture but it was a HIT! He loved it! In the end he was a sticky mess to show for it! Yummy!

Ghost Towns

On July 10th we took a mini road trip to two old ghost towns, Virginia City and Nevada City, Montana. We went with my parents and our friends Jenn and Robb from Arizona. It was a fun day, the kids really enjoyed seeing all the sights! We stopped in the tiny town of Ennis, Montana for lunch at this ramshackle diner, but the food was REALLY good! I love this kind of stuff, long pretty drives and exploring new sights! We had a terrific day! Here are a few snapshots from the day! Jenn and Robb and the girls walking down to the Madison River. We seriously love Jenn and Robb so much and it was wonderful to spend time with them, and my kids love them just as much as I do!

Larren and Jonas by the Madison River.

Audrey and Grace eating at the little diner in Ennis!


Grace in Virginia City.

Jonas traveling in style in Virginia City.


Grandma and Grace looking at one of the exhibits in Virginia City.

Grace chillin' in front of one of the many quaint shops!

Jenn and Robb and Savannah sitting on the boardwalk in Virginia City.


Grace drooling over candy in the window, we did not go in the store! Shockingly! We opted for ice cream cones instead! But it does look yummy huh Grace!

Inside this building in Nevada City was lots of old musical instruments that played by themselves. You could put quarters or nickels in to make them go, there were player pianos, and whole band type things and old fashioned carnival type games and automatic fortune tellers and palm readers. They had some really neat things in there and many of them still worked!

This was the neatest musical instrument contraption I have ever seen. It ran on compressed air and it was an entire band. It still worked and you go put a quarter in it and it would play a fair/carnivaly type song - so LOUDLY! It was awesome, we kept putting quarters in, it was fascinating. It had horns, piano keys, drums everything! We had never seen anything like it - it was way fun! It was in a

The girls standing on an old rail car in Nevada City. It is so funny to me that in nearly every photo Audrey strikes a pose! She is such a doll! We had such a fun day, the girls like me love seeing new places!

4th of July

I love the 4th of July! It is one of my favorite holidays! I love America and I love celebrating and reflecting on all the freedoms we enjoy! I feel so blessed to live in this country and be able to raise my family here! OK enough sappiness!

It was a hot and gorgeous day and we stuck to the usual plan! Parade, BBQ, lots of hanging out and talking and the fireworks! Loved every minute of it!

Our friends from Arizona the Wirth's have made it a tradition of spending the 4th with us the last several years and we didn't think they would make it this year. Jenn and Emilee however, surprised with a visit and what a surprise it was! We were all so excited to have them with us for the holiday!

The Parade

Savannah, Jonas Grace and Audrey in their 4th of July outfits waiting for the parade to start! It was a beautiful day sunny and warm - just as it should be! Jonas was just three weeks old last 4th of July - this 4th he really loved watching the parade go by! It was so fun to watch him experience his first 4th!

The parade is starting! Here comes the flag and everyone is anxiously awaiting the start of the parade!

Brent! Flash back to Brent's appearance at Jonas' birthday and just look at him now! We always give him such a hard time about his shaggy look and in my opinion with good reason because I do love the short and shaved look so much better!!

Savannah, Grace and Audrey watching the parade! What cute little patriotic girls!

Savannah Ashlyn and Audrey parade watching!

Jonas and our friend from Arizona Emilee Wirth.

Cute little Ashlyn!

Daddy and Grace at the fireworks! Grace was so nervous about the fireworks and yet just look at that look of wonderment on her face! She absolutely loved it!

Grace's face shows pure delight - I love watching my children experiencing joy!

Jonas watching his first firework show while sitting on grandma's lap - he loved every minute of it!

Ronie and Emily watching the fireworks! Ronie loved his first fireworks show too!

Our friend from Arizona Jenn Wirth and Audrey enjoying the fireworks!

The fireworks show in Idaho Falls is amazing! This does not even come close to doing it justice! It is so much fun to watch and somehow gets better year after year!

Jonas' Cowboy 1st Birthday Party

It was so different to plan a boy birthday party this year! We had so much fun with it though! Larren and I and the girls were planning to give Jonas a rocking horse for his birthday so that sort of lent itself to the theme! We decided to do a cowboy party! Really a party for a one-year-old is more for the guests than the birthday boy so we made it so fun for all the cousins! Emily and I cut out a vest for each of them from brown shopping bags complete with fringe and a sheriff's badge! I ordered all of them a cowboy hat and a red bandanna to complete their ensemble! And just for entertainment value I threw in handcuffs for each of them - which of course were a huge hit!

We played three games, rope the rocking horse, snakebite and barrel racing! Larren borrowed a real roping rope from his boss and all the kids took turns trying to rope the rocking horse they were awesome! For snakebite Larren bought a 8 foot section of rope and he made a head and a rattler out of cardboard and filled the rattler with beans. Then all the kids lined up and grandma and Larren wriggled the rope and the kids jumped back and forth trying not to get "bit" if the snake touched you - you were out! Then we had a barrel racing tournament and the kids raced around three overturned garbage cans with a horse swimming ring around their waist. We had a poster board stapled on the fence where we tracked every one's times! It was so fun!

After the games we ate! I served hot dogs, baked beans and chips off pie tins and drank root beer! An authentic chuck wagon spread! It was delicious and so much fun! We finished off our night with presents and cake and ice cream! Jonas got to repeat the cake-eating he was more than happy to oblige! He ended up twice as messy! It was a beautiful night and it is always wonderful to spend time with family! Happy birthday Jonas! We love you!

The Line up

Look at this wild west crew! The kids all looked the part! It was so fun! Leave it to my Audrey to strike a pose whenever a camera is present! What a cutie! From the left: Kendrik, Audrey, Ashlyn, Chandler, Savannah, Grace and Kaylee! What a group! We call all of them "the cousins" and they are so much fun - the center of all of our world!

Here is Jonas all decked out in his cowboy apparel! Love you my little cowboy!

Just love this photo and love this little girl!

Roping

Savannah trying to rope herself a horse!

You can do it Grace! Try again!

Chandler let's see what you've got!

Nailed it! Way to go Chandler! Look at that determined face! Love that about him!

Kaylee got herself a horse too! She was too cute!

Kendrik knew what he was doing! The only one who did and of course he roped him in one try!

McKade opted for a ride instead of roping him - but he looks like he got bucked off!

Barrel Racing

Here are the kids getting all the particulars on the barrel racing rules and regulations!

Kaylee evidently had to carry her horse around the arena - go Kaylee!

Of course the birthday boy had to have a little race! He laughed and shrieked the whole way!

Go Kyler! What awesome big brothers Kendrik and Chandler are - way to go boys!

Ronie having his turn for a horsey ride! Run fast mommy!

Even Grandma had to get in on the action!

Jonas opening grandma and grandpa's present - it was a tractor and trailer - he loves it!

It's hammer time! Emily and Ronie gave him this hammer which makes lots of noise and has become a favorite for Jonas to make lots of racket with! Just wait Emily, Ronie's birthday is right around the corner - we will get you back!

Ride 'em Cowboy! Jonas loved his new rocking horse!

I just love this little Cowboy! Serioulsly he is the cutest cowboy ever!!

Here is the cowboy birthday cake! Thanks bakery ladies it was yum-o!

Yummy cake!

Random Party Snapshots

Uncle Brent and Audrey

Lisa, Mike and baby Lydia hanging out watching the festivities!

My favorite part of any family gatherings, chatting!! Laura and Jamie deep in conversation! Kyler however, looks a little bored of all the talking!

What a beautiful girl! Ashlyn! Her birthday is just 10 days after Jonas'!

Grandpa was on chuck wagon duty! The hot dogs were delish!!

Chow time!

We had such a fun birthday celebration! Coming in August another birthday to plan Audrey will be six! and between now and then two cousins will celebrate birthdays! Ahslyn and Kyler! We love birthdays around here!