Our Annual Ivins Trip

I love when we get to visit my parents! This year on our way to their house we were able to stay the night at Adam’s mission president’s house. President and Sister Paulson are such amazing people!  Since we’ve lived in Boise, we have been able to stay with them, or visit with them many times on our way to or from Ivins.

When we got to their house they weren’t home yet, so we took the time to play around in the front yard and take pictures.

Then it was on to Ivins. We mostly do the same things each year we go. Adam took the kids to Dixie Rock again. This time Kayla went too.

Look at those strong kids!

Sydney and Addison were too cute together!

One of the favorite things for the kids was playing Just Dance with their cousins. They were so fun to watch! I loved that all the kids – big, little, boys, and girls – all got into it. That was one of the highlights of the trip for them.

And like always, the vacation seems to fly by, and it’s always too long until we get to see them again! (I wish I had a picture with Adam in it also, but I guess someone had to hold the camera). :)

A beautiful walk

Right behind our house is a lovely green belt. I absolutely love taking a walk with the whole family. The kids often collect sticks and leaves along the way.

Further down the path there is a little canal that runs alongside the walkway.

There are usually ducks swimming around, and in the spring they have their cute little ducklings with them.

I’m not sure what the kids were doing here. Maybe trying to catch fish. :) (There are no fish in the canal.)

Ah, the perfect end to a walk with the family.

My Girls

 

My Cub Scout!

Once Ben turned 8 he also started Cub Scouts! I was so not ready for this. A scheduled activity; every Wednesday; during the same time Emma had her Girls Activity Day; with a napping baby (I really hate waking up napping babies!). It ended up working out just fine thanks to a friend of mine who took our sons to scouts while I took our daughters to their activity. And Ben has loved Cub Scouts! It encompasses everything that he loves. And he’s awfully handsome in his uniform!

What a big day!

Two days after Ben turned 8, he was baptized into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

What a handsome young man!

It was so nice to have all of Adam’s family be with us that weekend! I looked at all the family pictures so many times trying to find one where everyone was actually looking at the camera and maybe smiling. That being impossible, I settled for all the adults looking good – and I found one! At least Sydney wasn’t screaming anymore; and I can always count on Spencer to make any face that I wish he wouldn’t while taking pictures. :)

Happy family!

What a wonderful day and a fun family weekend!

Many Moons Ago

Emma and Ben have let me know that I really need to update the blog! And Ben has reminded several times that there are pictures from Spencer’s birthday, but not his – even though their birthdays are only two weeks apart.  So, back in February, Ben turned 8! My kids are growing up so fast!

He asked for a lot of Legos for his birthday.

And he wanted a solar system cake just like he had last year.

Happy Birthday Ben! (7 months late.)

Spencer is 5!

In January Spencer had his birthday. He got to choose what he wanted for dinner. So we had belgian waffles topped with strawberries and whipped cream (what kid wouldn’t want dessert for dinner?) :)

He got some fun toys (notice also the Webkinz on Ben’s head).

And Mom and Dad got him his own bike! He was very excited.

Sydney really likes his bike also. I like how her little feet are trying to hang on to the bike. :)

And for the Scooby-Doo lover – a Scooby Doo cake!

And all the grandkids on Adam’s side of the family. What a cute bunch!