Summer Fun

The summer is winding down and I can honestly say I am happy about that but also very sad. We have had a wonderful summer, extremely busy but lots of fun. Summer's end however brings school, which I dislike especially this year--Kenadee started 1st grade and is gone all day long (seven hours to be exact, just ask her) and Kinsey started preschool this week. I love having my girls home all day long every day; okay so there may be some days that I might need a break and feel my patience dissolving as they fight and act crazy. School stuff is for another post; this post is about our summer so I hope you are prepared for lots of pictures and different trips. I felt like I was packing, unpacking, washing laundry, and packing again all summer long and somewhere between all the suitcases and laundry baskets we laughed and played the summer away.

Salt Lake City

In June Jared had a continuing education conference in Salt Lake City, UT. I could not pass up the opportunity for me and the girls to go also as four of my 5 siblings live in Utah and my parents were able to come down from Idaho for a day. Jared sat in classes all day while the girls and I toured Salt Lake. The girls and I met up with my parents and two of my sisters and their kids and walked around Temple Square and the Conference Center. We had 10 children aged 7 and under between us and I know we were an amusing sight; it was nothing short of a traveling circus. After my parents left we all walked to the Gateway Mall and I am sure Old Navy employees and customers clapped and shouted hooray when we took our small army out of the store.

Temple Square

Kate loving on her cousin Dorothy

My sister KayDee and I took our kids to the Hoogle Zoo one day. The kids had so much fun. It was Kates first time at a zoo and she loved seeing the animals. By the end of the day we were all exhausted and ready to relax at my sister Karenina's home. I had so much fun visiting with my siblings and parents and the kids had a blast playing with their cousins.

Fourth of July

For 4th of July weekend we went camping with some of our friends. Of course I hardly took any pictures because my friend Rachel was taking them. I need to get some of the pictures from her because she has some really cute ones of the girls. Jared planned this camping trip and the location he picked was perfect. We will be going back next year. I was a little bummed when he said it would take over an hour to get there, but the drive was well worth it. We took some random road off the highway and then he took another little side road that led to the camping spot. Aspen trees lined this little road and yellow, purple, and white wild flowers grew everywhere. Then the trees thinned and before us was a meadow covered in grass and wild flowers and surrounded by Aspen trees. The spot was secluded, beautiful, and big enough for the kids to run wild. When we all stepped out of our vehicles, the first question was"how in the world did you find this place?" Jared of course found it as he was scouting out the area for a hunt. Our food was delicious, the smores were heavenly, and we all came home filthy. What more could we ask for?

On the 4th of July we went to the town parade. And can I just say LAME. It was the most pathetic parade I have ever seen. Oh well now we know and next year we will go to Ouray. The city put on a little shindig at one of the parks and it included a climbing wall. Kenadee shocked us when she said she wanted to do the climbing wall. She actually tried climbing it and we were so proud. Kenadee is usually very tentative and not daring at all, but gymnastics this summer helped her overcome that. She now does tricks on the playground and tries to climb trees.

The Small Hadlock Reunion

In July we had a Hadlock Reunion that included Jared's brothers. We had it at Kent & Kathy's (Jared's parents) property. The boys worked on a "shed" (miniature cabin) their parents are building while the girls relaxed and watched the kids. We discovered that Kenadee has a talent for baseball and that all the girls love hula hoops or hoolie hoops as Kinsey calls them. Kate was a little out of sorts this reunion and would cry if we were not holding her. I think she had the most fun when we got back to Kent and Kathy's house and she played in the water draining out of the cooler.

Idaho

The girls and I went to Idaho for the rodeo, parade, and carnival. I was a little nervous to drive 8 hours by myself with the girls even though I have done it before. This was by far the best drive I have done by myself. Kinsey did not get car sick and the girls did not fight. They watched movies, ate snacks, read books, and colored. We had a blast in Idaho; two of my little sisters came up with their kids. Kenadee and Kinsey helped feed the horses and they actually pet them. My Dad saddled Monita and he took all the grandkids for a ride, including my girls. Kenadee and Kinsey have always been so afraid of the horses, but after their rides they wanted more. The girls spent days their days playing outside, jumping on the trampoline, petting the kittens, and making lots of noise while inside. One day we all went to town and visited with my Grandma Baldwin. We really enjoyed seeing her and the girls had a good laugh because we discovered stray cows in her yard.

They loved the parade, well, really I think they loved the candy and toys that were thrown at them. Every year the hospital sponsors a free kid carnival. There were kid carnival games, popcorn, balloons, popsicles, cotton candy, barrel train rides, and some sort of carnival ride. Again they loved all the candy and toys and the games. They even got to shoot a real compound bow. No rodeo weekend is complete without a trip to Big J's fast food place for one of their kids meal that comes in a cowboy hat.

We went to the rodeo and the girls had fun watching the horses, bulls, cows, and sheep. By the end they were exhausted and we were all ready for bed.

On Saturday we were driving to Utah so we had to pack my van. I wish I would have taken a picture. It was filled to the brim with food storage, buckets, and other stuff I bought. Jared teased me, saying leave it to me to get 12 miles to the gallon on the way home. We had so much fun in Idaho but we were ready to see Jared--we always miss him when we go to Idaho without him. Before we could leave Kenadee and Kinsey wanted to ride a horse one more time. Kenadee ended up riding all by herself without grandpa holding the rope. She was beaming with pride and couldn't wait to tell her dad and other grandma and grandpa. Kinsey is still a little nervous riding but she getting better; she has the posture of a natural horse woman so we will watch her in years to come. Kate, well she is frightened of the horses and I am sure will eventually learn to love them.

Park City

We met Jared in Vernal at his parent's house. Then he and I left for Park City while his parents watched the girls for us. Jared and I were so grateful they agreed to watch them while he and I had a kidless get away. We stayed in a beautiful cabin and spent our days sight seeing, shopping, and eating out. It was FABULOUS!!! Jared and I have not had a vacation with just the two of us for a couple of years. One day we went to Park City Resort and rode an Alpine Slide, a Coaster, took a scenic chair lift ride, and I even convinced Jared to do the zip line. We rode the 4-wheeler that was at the cabin and on our ride we saw multiple moose.

The girls had so much fun at Grandma and Grandpa's house. They played outside, went to the mountain, did crafts, and played with toys. We were all a little worried about how Kate would handle it as she is quite attached to mom, but she was fine. She attached herself to Grandpa and wanted to snuggle with him. When we got back to Kent and Kathy's house, I was not sure if Kate was going to be excited to see us or if she was going to ignore us. She was in her high chair eating lunch and when she saw us she just smiled and giggled. I picked her up and she had the cheesiest grin on her face and then she would hug me and giggle. Then just sit there smiling and then every little bit she would giggle and hug me and this went on for a few minutes. I wish we would have video recorded it. It was a priceless moment that I will treasure as a mother.

Big Hadlock Reunion

After we got back from Park City, we loaded up the truck with all our camping stuff and headed up the mountain for another Hadlock family reunion; this one included all of Jared's uncles and their children. The girls had so much fun playing with all their second cousins. The uncle in charge hid over 100 plastic snakes in a sage brush field and the kids got to find them and then get treats and toys for collecting them.

Kinsey's 4th Birthday

We got home a few days before Kinsey's 4th birthday. I had to quickly put together a little birthday party for a few of her friends. She told me she wanted to decorate sugar cookies and have balloons they would all pop. Easy enough! Kinsey loved having friends over and playing with them. She wanted a pink ladybug cake and she decorated its face. I think she loved her presents and is convinced that if a shirt is too small now it is most assuredly because she is 4.

Baby Shower Cake

I made a cake for a baby shower and I was excited how it turned out. She wanted a gluten free cake so the bottom layer is a triple chocolate gluten free cake and it tasted so yummy. The top layer is lemon poppy seed with a lemon curd filling. I am glad it is over. I love to make cakes but it takes a lot of time. I told Jared that I am done doing cakes for other people for a while. My girls and Jared and will be the recipients of my time and baking.

Random Pictures

The girls love to play in the water and these are pictures of the girls playing with the water in our kiddy pool

Easter

Jared's parents came out for Easter weekend which was so fun to have them here. The girls adore their grandma and grandpa. One night Kent starting telling the girls stories of his childhood and how he broke his bones. The girls were fascinated and craved more and more stories, so Kathy told them stories about her mischevious older brother. I wish I would have stopped making dinner and wrote down the stories.

We of course did the typical coloring Easter eggs and an Easter egg hunt. We had Stake Conference Sunday morning so we wanted to wait on the baskets and Easter egg hunt until after church. Also we really wanted to focus more on the true meaning of Easter. The girls woke up Easter morning to no baskets but a note taped to the T.V., containing clues that started them on a scavenger hunt to find their baskets. Their baskets were not filled with candy or eggs, but objects representing different events during Christ's last week. Then I told the story of the Last Supper, Jesus' Atonement, His Crucifixion, His death, and glorious Resurrection. I used the objects from their baskets and pictures to teach them of the true reason we celebrate Easter. This is something we will do every year from now on as it really brought the spirit into our home.

Kenadee of course was so perplexed when the Easter bunny had not come while they were sleeping. She had so much fun with the scavenger hunt though because she was able to read the clues. She kept telling us that the Easter bunny must have done that because he knew she could read.

Jared and his dad took the girls to church early and Kathy and I put out the eggs and baskets. Of course the moment we walked in the door after church the girls were so excited. Kenadee and Kinsey started gathering eggs immediately. I showed Kate her basket and pointed out eggs. It did not take her long to figure out what she needed to do. She kept walking around looking for eggs long after the other two had stopped and were eating their candy.

So being the money conscious person that I am, I bought gifts for them after Christmas when they were 75% and their candy except the jelly beans were from Valentine's candy clearance. Kenadee got a child's video camera and she was excited, but kept telling us that it was not what she asked for. She wanted the Easter bunny to give her a watch. Once we opened it and she was able to use it, she kept telling us that the Easter bunny must have given it to her because she is the oldest and that he knew she would love it. We heard this repeated ALL day long. She is way too smart.

Kinsey was thrilled with her cooking set. She loves to help me in the kitchen so I figured she needed her own cooking stuff. So now she has her own rolling pin, spatula, whisk, and cookie sheets. Kate was happy with a wooden nail and hammer toy set. It was a fabulous weekend and I am so grateful for the Savior and for His sacrifice and His victory over death that we may all be resurrected.

Right before I took this picture Grandpa and Kate were sleeping. So sweet!

Fishing

We all went fishing this weekend. Kenadee has been begging to go for months. We have two little kid fishing rods and Jared got them all set up with hooks and bait. I was so suprised that Kenadee figured out how to cast her own pole. Kenadee had such a determination to catch a fish, I think she would have stayed at the lake all day long. However we did not catch any fish and it was really HOT so we went home after a couple of hours. Kinsey was interested in fishing for about 30 minutes and then she wanted a snack and to go home. Kate had fun for most of it as she loves to be outdoors. She was walking all over, playing with dirt and rocks and even picked up Kinsey's pole and was trying to fish. It was absolutely adorable.

Gymnastic Tot Show

Kinsey's gymnastics had a Tot Show where the kids get to show off all they have learned in their class. It was a wild west theme and the room was decorated so cute. My favorite part was that parents could follow their child around and take pictures. Kinsey can get really shy and anxious around groups of people and because of this we were worried she would clam up and not do anything. Thankfully she was so excited to show Jared and her sisters all her gymnastic stunts that any shyness was left at home. Unfortunately, some of the pictures were kind of dark, but I am a proud mama and have to show them anyways.

Random Tidbits

Kenadee got strep throat this week and when we were picking up the prescription she asked the pharmacist what it would taste like. She said "fruit punch." When I gave Kenadee her first dose, she swallowed it and then said, "that doesn't taste like fruit punch." I laughed so hard at that one. Poor thing I remember how awful amoxicillan tastes.

Kate is trying to talk more. Her vocabulary now consists of the important words: mama, dada, dog, shoe, milk, cup, snack, elk and a few others. Of course they may not be distinguishable by people outside our family. Kenadee has been teaching her to say dada work and it is so cute. It sounds more like dada wook. Kate has definately been asserting her independence lately as witnessed by random people at the grocery store or church as she screams, shakes her head no, and even occassionally spits. Yes, I now have "that" child, the-oh-my-goodness-I-am-so-embarrassed-of-your-behavior-child. On the flip side she is still so sweet and loves to hug and give kisses. She keeps us laughing and on our toes. I believe she is a little acrobat in the making; she moves the kitchen chairs, climbs on them, and stands on the table. Kate loves to copy her sisters and has almost mastered the somersault. She is a cheese ball when the camera comes out.

She does such a good job folding her arms for prayers.

She dumped all the crumbs from a bag of fish on the bathroom floor and was eating them. She was so proud of herself and I was so grossed out.

Kenadee, Kinsey, and I make a bunch of flower cake pops for Kenadee's school teacher and then we took the rest to the girls' church teachers. Kenadee said her kindergarten teacher loves patterns so she made patterned flowers for her. The girls had so much fun making the flowers and then delivering them to their teachers.