Congrats to Mike and Christina!

My Mom and I flew out to Colorado to go to my cousin's Mike wedding.  It was a quick trip, but so fun!  There was welcome party the night before.  It was great to catch up with family I don't get to see as often as I would like...

I think I got the short genes in this group of cousins...

I didn't get too many pics at the actual wedding, but it was gorgeous!  It was on a ranch surrounded by the most beautiful scenery-breathtaking!

My wonderful aunt and uncle...

At the reception, there were wedding pictures of the bride and groom's parents and grandparents.  What a cute idea!  Here is my grandparents wedding picture...

And this ice sculpture is of Mount Everest- my cousin is an avid mountain climber and has summited Everest twice!

Bummed I didn't get more pictures, but trust me it was a beautiful wedding.  So many cute personalized touches to everything and such great food and company!  

Congrats Mike and Christina!  

The Great Outdoors

We opened up our school year a bit early this year-in the middle of July-with a fun camping trip to Utah. We visited Bryces Canyon...

Zions National Park...

 

 

 

and lots of fun outdoor activities at the camp site....  

lots of climbing

early morning hikes with my favorite girls

getting camp names

learning how to build a fire and fire safety

Nature crafts

laughing about this GIANT goat staring at us in our little cabin


Motorbiking with Camden

nonstop playing for the Band of Brothers

Felicity loved having another "Baby" around

Girl time!

The older boys spend a good part of the day building this fire pit thing (FORGE)

Nonstop play and getting DIRTY

 Our annual line up by age

Our Theme this year is The Great Outdoors.  We will be learning about our Heavenly Father's Creations as we use seven days of Creation to pattern our learning.  We will learn to appreciate nature, learn about the science behind how Heavenly Father created our world, and learn to be a bit more creative ourselves as we learn about some amazing creators throughout history.  I am very excited for this year and look forward to some amazing experiences with my kiddos.  

And, we can't forget saying goodbye to Sister B!  Her last hurrah with the school group before entering the mission field.  What a great example she has been to all these kids throughout the years.  She will make a great missionary!!  

End of Summer Fun

We had a busy summer!  The last few summers we were down with a new baby, and sickness, but I tried to take advantage of this summer!

We took a few trips to Utah.  Tanner went to a Mock Trial Day Camp.  He loved it and learned a lot!

While Tanner was at his camp, I took the other three on a few adventures...

Visiting the V family at their cute new house...

Visiting Temple Square...

  

I loved this Ancient American nativity scene on display at the Church Museum...

Hunter was very impressed with the mall across the street from Temple Square...

We met up with friends at the Curiosity Museum.  Here is Kristen and Natalie, but Lawni and Jessica were there too!  A super fun mini reunion!  Love my BYU girls!  

On another trip we had in UT, Ladd was able to meet up with us where we 

 visited the remodeled BYU Bean Museum.  Good thing they still have the Liger!

Also spent some time touring the rest of BYU, 

like the Studio C Shrine in the Broadcasting Building!

Got to see Lawni and her adoroable family...

Visiting St George Visitor Center...

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Lots, and lots of driving...

Back in Cali...

It was a HOT summer, and we tried to stay cool as best we could with swimming and popsicles!

Looks like Grandma Heidi has been babysitting and got out the curlers...

We spent a few days in Carlsbad.  As relaxing as a vacation with 4 kids, ages 2-15, can get!

We went to a mall nearby for dinner one night and the boys figured out how to make this coin operated merry go round work manually.  Kids were lining up to get on.  So funny!

Felicity got her moves on when the band started playing at the pool BBQ.  She loves to dance!

So did the boys.  Fortnight moves...

Fun that we could spend some of the time with cousins at Carlsbad!

Selfies and Stroller Rides...

This summer Charity got to experience her first trip to the nail salon.  Such a spoiled girl.  Thanks Grandma for a fun outing!

Lawni came down for a visit and this little cutie got lots of love.  

Felicity LOVES babies and couldn't keep her hands, or kisses, off baby Miley!

It was so HOT, even Grandma and Grandpa got in the pool to cool off!

Tanner was able to go to the Temple with cousins and aunts and uncles.  We are so blessed to live near a temple, and near family, so we can have these experiences together!

Beach Trip with College Roommates/Lifelong Friends! So fun to catch up with Carolyn and Natalie.  I love these ladies!

Their kids are pretty great too.  Our friend Conner from the ward in the pic too who happened to sit right behind us at the beach that day!

Lots of park trips with these 2...

And now with new hair cuts, summer is coming to an end and we are ready for school!