Getting Ready for Vacation

We leave for vacation tomorrow and we can't be more excited. We are meeting with Blake's family in Yellowstone (technically Island Park) for a week. It takes a lot of work to get ready for vacation. First off, you have these 2 who get sick with ear infections and continue to make messes that you've already cleaned up a million times.

 We have to get the cars vacuumed. FYI, I did help after I took some pictures.

 With the 2 little boys playing in the front. Braden told me they drove ALL over the place.

 The cars cleaned. We honestly haven't cleaned my car since last fall. It needed a good wash. We almost forgot it was silver and not brown.

 After a good night of cleaning, we headed out for a bike ride.

Not pictured, cleaning our bathrooms, which were LONG LONG LONG overdue, laundry and packing. Cleaning the inside of the house. Did anyone else's mom teach you to clean before vacation? Well, mine did and clean we have all week long. The lawn is maintained and we will come home feeling exhausted and happy to see a clean place to throw all our crap. It's been worth it, we can't wait to see the family!

Year Number 6

It's that time of year again. Yes, it's our anniversary. We've made it six years and still couldn't be happier. I've truly come to realize this year that Blake is my rock. He supports me and even pushes me to be a better wife, mother and woman. I can't thank him enough. I chose my perfect partner.

We were sealed for all time and all eternity in the Portland Oregon Temple. My grandfather, Blair Evans, was able to perform this sealing.

 He's still smooching on me these days too. It's quite annoying (for everyone else)!

I look forward to another 6 years and 6 more years after that, etc. You're still stuck with me babe!

The Bell's

After Boyer Park we came home for quick naps. It was my great friend's (Camille) birthday, so I watched her 2 kids so she could enjoy a nice evening out with her husband. Especially since he was going to be at a conference all week. We had some dinner. And then ate some yummy ice cream.

(Quick story: We had lasagna. I made Braden eat it. He kept saying, I can't eat it or it will make me throw up. He was being quite the drama queen about it. Even running to the bathroom a couple of times. After eating what we deemed to be a good amount, he went outside to play. Not more than 10 minutes later he starts throwing up. Sure enough, there were eggs in the lasagna, I'm a terrible mom, and it hurt his stomach. Fortunately we didn't need to use the epi pen, but still. I am TERRIBLE!)

Dexter and Braden rode bikes pretty much the whole time.

Dexter enjoying his ice cream.

The two babies eating cones. They sat on these chairs until they were done. It was too cute.

I love this picture. I happened to catch Dexter at the right moment. He looks like Rambo. The boys were squirting water guns all night too. He is a sweet little boy, I promise!

As for the babies. They were no issue at all. They played with the older two for a little bit, but mostly stayed to themselves.

Blake was fiddling with different camera settings, but I still think this series is cute. Brody thought he was so cleaver playing in the netting.

Evelyn played in the sandbox for a good hour. We checked on her from time to time, but she was as happy as could be.

This was another favorite part of the evening. Evelyn came over and grabbed my drink. She took a couple of drinks and then let Brody take a couple of drinks.

The she took a couple more and so on for about 5 minutes. At least they got their water.

Blake declared ONCE AGAIN, that he wants a little girl next time. He's also enlisted Braden too. Braden is constantly telling me that he wants a baby sister and he wants Brody to be a big brother. My response (frankly to both of them), "Go ahead and start praying to Heavenly Father. I don't control things like that." (I'm obviously talking about the gender.) Anyways, Evelyn is a prime example of a cute and spunky little girl that we'd love to have join our family.

It was a great day with the Bell's. Camille assured me her time at Harry Potter and dinner with her husband was perfect. I was glad to hear it.

Boyer Park

Our goal was to do something every weekend in this summer. Success so far. We headed down to Boyer Park with the Bischoff's. The boys (all of them) loved playing in the water.

Braden and Isaiah loved squirting the water guns.

Brody loved digging in the sand and getting completely messy. And Rachel and I (no picture) enjoyed laying on the blankets and talking.

Isaiah's more of a daredevil, that's why he's wearing a life jacket. Brody was a little jealous and took to the water many times too. Needless to say, we had to keep a close eye on him.

He got his shirt really messy, so we took it off and sprayed him with TONS of sunscreen. His tummy has never seen the sun and you can tell.

We were there for about 2.5 hours. I think the boys would have stayed longer, but it was getting time for naps and it was SO hot. None of the adults brought their swim suits. We wished we had.

Braden was a little more risky than I thought he was. There were times he was going in all the way up to his chest.

Blake helping the boys fill up a water gun they found.

It was a great day and spending it with friends made it even better. We went over to the Bischoff's house (they're our neighbors) that evening for smore's and campfire talk. Blake and I went back after the kids were in bed for another 2 hours. We thank God everyday for such great friends.

A Bowl Full of Cereal

Brody's learned to climb onto our tall chairs.

He likes to finish off Braden's cereal.

He thinks he's sneaky and doesn't listen when we tell him to get down. At least someone finishes off Braden's leftovers.



Rumpelstiltskin

I saw signs for the play "Rumpelstiltskin" all around town. I gave them a call earlier in the week and asked if it was age appropriate for a 3 year old. They assured me it was, so I bought some tickets. Braden and I got dressed up and headed out for the play (on Friday).

Unfortunately, the play was not age appropriate for a 3 year old. It was too much talking and not a lot of entertainment for the little one. I had to make things more exciting than they really were. (ex. The evil King is throwing that poor girl in the dungeon.They are fighting about it right now! - even though they weren't.)

Needless to say, we made it through the 1st half and although he would have been quiet sitting through the 2nd, I decided we needed some ice cream and sleep. After a quick stop at Cougar Country for some yummy ice cream, we headed home and went to sleep. I will wait for a musical production before I take Braden again. He did like the whole theater aspect and that's all that I really care about.

The Turtle & Racecar Driver

Don't mind that is was like 80 degrees outside. Braden and Isaiah decided to dress up in the 2 hottest outfits we have.

 The Turtle

 And the racecare diver

 They had fun hiding and play. There was a swap of the costumes made after naps and everyone was happy.

Spencer and Chelsea

My good friend, Merilee, is away this week at Girl's Camp with her daughter. Her two younger ones were left at home, so I decided to steal them for the morning. They came to the library with us and then we came back to the house and played outside. I didn't get many pictures, but I did get this picture of Mr. Brody and Spencer enjoying their ice cream cones. My two boys just love the George's.

While we were at the library, Braden kept wanting to introduce Spencer and Chelsea to all his friends. It was too cute. I am grateful for good friends and good friends' kids.

Chipman Trail and the boys

The boys (Braden and Isaiah) have shown an interest in riding bikes this summer. Rachel and I took them down to the Chipman Trail for some longer and flatter rides. The babies were in the stroller and the moms were talking away.

 Braden was quite good. He has good rhythm. Of course he's still using training wheels, but still. He was always a little bit ahead of everyone.

The boys would ride for a little bit and then stop when they saw a bridge, sign or anything else that gave them a reason to get off their bikes.

Still, we almost made it out 1 full mile. I would say they did about a mile an a half. Regardless, it made the hour before the husbands came home for lunch go by fast.

This little boy is just too cute. He never quite looked down at the path, which made for many falls, as his bike kept going off the trail. He has a good little cut on his chin. At one point we looked back and his eyes were closed because he was worshipping. I am all for singing praises unto the Lord (same with Rachel), but not while your eyes closed and your riding a bike. We couldn't help but laugh.

Braden really loves riding. I want to give it another month, but maybe in September we will attempt taking off the training wheels. I know 3 is still a little young, but it's always worth a try. His face says it all.

We decided we are going to take them there at least once a week. Maybe even make it to 2 miles. Maybe next summer these boys will be riding on their own while we are pulling the babies in the trailers.