First we will start at the end of June when we said goodbye to our dear friends the Hammers. We miss them so much already!
We got together for one last dinner with them before they left and here are all the kids...great smiles don't you think?Next blogworthy event, was the July 4th Holiday weekend. On July 3rd we had a ward pancake breakfast and then came back home for a parade around our neighborhood with our decorated bikes
Note to self: letting a two year old ride a scooter in a parade is not such a great idea. By the end Kevin's back was about broken...
After the parade, someone in the neighborhood hosted a big lunch. It was a great chance to meet some neighbors and have some fun.July 4th was a big day. As always we celebrated Kevin's birthday. We had some friends over for cake and ice cream and then did some fireworks. Sadly the day turned tragic when one of our friends was struck in the eye with a firework and rushed to the hospital. She has lost sight in that eye and sustained serious damage. It has been a tremendous trial for her and her family and our hearts have been aching with this tragedy ever since. Any extra prayers on her behalf are much appreciated. I believe in miracles and continue to pray for one every day.
The birthday boy and his cake and enthusiastic crowd.
The birthday boy and his cake and enthusiastic crowd.
And then on to our big trip to CANADA. The kids and I had a wonderful three weeks up North. We spent two weeks staying at Grandmas in Calgary, Alberta and one week out in Fairmont, British Columbia enjoying our family reunion that I hadn't been to in 5 whole years! I didn't take great pictures- they don't do the trip justice. It was really wonderful for the kids to play with their cousins and I always love to be back home. Even after more than three weeks they didn't want to go home. The only problem with the trip was leaving our daddy behind. We missed him so much and felt so bad for leaving him all alone. Here are some of the activities we did... that I can remember:
-hiking at Big Hill Springs
-Picnic and marshmallow roasting at Edworthy Park
-Chuck E. Cheese
-Bowling
-Eating out
-the Zoo
-Calaway Park- Twice!
-Swimming at the wave pool
- lots of trips to Grandmas parks
At the Reunion: mini golf, go carts, lots and lots of swimming, perler beads (the kids became oddly obsessed with these beads), talent show, river rafting, games at the lake, toy store shopping, and lots of playing with 2nd cousins
We kept busy and had a great time and here are a few of the pictures I took...
A photo op at the Zoo.
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Wading in the Bow River. Brrrrr that water was cold!.jpg)
The little bumper cars were hilarious. They were all filled with two year olds like Brielle who couldn't quite grasp the concept of steering and pushing the gas but they all were loving it. It was Hilarious to watch.
The girls and Grandma. Both grandma and Julie helped me so much riding the rides with my kids when my prego belly prevented me from doing so.
"The boys" (Brayden loves his cousins SOOOOOO much!) They just got off the log ride where as you can tell... you get a little wet!
My beautiful girls!
And here is a swimming picture from the reunion. Brielle really became quite independent at the pool in her lifejacket. It made my job pretty easy!
This is the waterslide at the pool that all the kids loved. Brielle went on it multiple times all by herself. The rule was you could only go one at a time so even though Brielle was small she wasnt allowed to go unless she went alone- which she did and loved it.
Here's the kids on a grandpa train.
At the reunion the kids did the cutest talent show number which I have been trying to upload. Unfortunately the picture quality is terrible. You can still check out the talent at this link
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jyBRiSvYE5s
And heres the rehearsal if you are interested (pretty much the same thing but I thought the family involved might want to see it
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EsMrZfsnoBc
"The boys" (Brayden loves his cousins SOOOOOO much!) They just got off the log ride where as you can tell... you get a little wet!
My beautiful girls!
And here is a swimming picture from the reunion. Brielle really became quite independent at the pool in her lifejacket. It made my job pretty easy!
This is the waterslide at the pool that all the kids loved. Brielle went on it multiple times all by herself. The rule was you could only go one at a time so even though Brielle was small she wasnt allowed to go unless she went alone- which she did and loved it.
Here's the kids on a grandpa train.At the reunion the kids did the cutest talent show number which I have been trying to upload. Unfortunately the picture quality is terrible. You can still check out the talent at this link
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jyBRiSvYE5s
And heres the rehearsal if you are interested (pretty much the same thing but I thought the family involved might want to see it
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EsMrZfsnoBc
My grandma is getting older and so it was really good for my kids to get to see/ meet her. Brielle warmed up to her right away.
And back in Calgary after the reunion, our last day activity was bowling with these silly cutie pies!
And this is my sister Julie in her new house. They got possession of it the day after I left but luckily she got permission to take me through before I had to go. It is a beautiful home and I am sure they will be very happy there. Can't wait to visit when they live there!
Now one last big event to end this big post... We got back from Canada at like 11:30 Sunday night and then Tuesday morning was the big day...BACK TO SCHOOL!!!
Look at these big kids. I can't believe Makenna is in first grade- she's so grown up! And I have a third grader too which makes me feel pretty grown up myself! The kids were happy to go back to school. So far they like their classes and teachers and things are going great. We are back to routine and that makes me very happy!
Unfortunately, the only unhappy camper in this back to school thing is Brielle who wants to go to school too SO BADLY!!!!
Okay it turns out I lied, I have one more event to blog before I conclude this catch up post. We had a great visit last weekend from Kevin's parents. They came in to town because Kevin was being ordained as a High Priest for his new calling in our church. We had a great visit with them.
And this is my sister Julie in her new house. They got possession of it the day after I left but luckily she got permission to take me through before I had to go. It is a beautiful home and I am sure they will be very happy there. Can't wait to visit when they live there!Now one last big event to end this big post... We got back from Canada at like 11:30 Sunday night and then Tuesday morning was the big day...BACK TO SCHOOL!!!
Look at these big kids. I can't believe Makenna is in first grade- she's so grown up! And I have a third grader too which makes me feel pretty grown up myself! The kids were happy to go back to school. So far they like their classes and teachers and things are going great. We are back to routine and that makes me very happy!
Unfortunately, the only unhappy camper in this back to school thing is Brielle who wants to go to school too SO BADLY!!!!Okay it turns out I lied, I have one more event to blog before I conclude this catch up post. We had a great visit last weekend from Kevin's parents. They came in to town because Kevin was being ordained as a High Priest for his new calling in our church. We had a great visit with them.
