Epic Summer of '15/Part 3

With Ethan visiting the Bangerters in Virginia, we took a trip to pick him up. We went to Busch Gardens and faced our fears on some terrifying rides. (Well, not me. I was with Owen most of the time. The scariest thing we went on the the Grover coaster.)

We visited Colonial Williamsburg, a place rich with Revolutionary War history...

And beautiful gardens...

And efficient methods of child management...

This is Randal's earnest attempt to make sure I was in one picture to prove I was there that day. 

It's - Owen + Henry. Given it was so hot and humid we were grateful Amy and Rich offered to keep Owen in exchange for one of theirs. Because we purchased an exorbitantly priced drink mug with unlimited refills of root beer, all three kids bore the discomforts of heat and loads of walking pretty well.  

Two days after returning from Virginia, we loaded back in the car and headed for the Indianapolis, Indiana temple open house. All that travel was toughest on Owen. He was a champ...mostly. The fountain helped him forget his troubles.

It is a beautiful temple full of architectural detail specific to the area.

I managed one picture with absolutely no one else in the shot. It felt great to be there with so many other members of the Church, a feeling we don't get too often around here.  

So that was our summer. This last picture is for all of you who housed us, and fed us, and entertained us during our summer travels. Thank you. We love you and can't wait to do it all again!

Epic Summer of '15/Part 2

Ethan turned 12 this summer. That means no more cakes with characters. (*Sad face* because he's growing up. *Happy face* because I didn't have to decorate one.)

He had his friends and cousins over for a party--an outdoor movie, which turned into a garage movie because of rain. Still fun. And super easy as far as party planning goes. He was excited to show his friends the original Jurassic Park, his new favorite movie. (He admitted after seeing the movie the first time he figured he wouldn't like it because it had been released waaaaaaaaaaaay back when I was a teenager so graphics technology were sure to be ancient.)

He was ordained a Deacon in the Aaronic Priesthood. Dad and Uncle Rich ordained him. And Christian welcomed him as a fellow deacon. So proud. And nervous at the responsibility of helping him know what it all means for him here on out. 

Amy and I with our handsome boys. 

Then this spunky pack.

 And the loves of my life.

We pawned Ethan off on the Bangerters for 2 weeks in Virginia and put Adelaide to work. She joined Randal for a day at Corning and learned how to make all things glass. 

Next....Round 3....

Epic Summer of '15/Part 1

Summer is nearly through. School vacation, that is. The calendar, seasonal allergies and hot, humid weather all say we still have some Summer left to live, but school begins in three days nonetheless. We packed so much in this year, we need to go back to school just to get some rest!

So here goes with Part 1--The Trek West (Or rather a relatively short, air-contitioned flight West. No disrespect to the Pioneers.)

We prepared Owen for the long flight with a sticker book...which he promptly stuck all over his face before we even began.

Our first few days were spent in Idaho at the Nelson Reunion where we reunited with some our favorite people on earth. Especially these lovely ladies! 

Ethan reveled in being "big brother" to his little cousins. (Ethan and Ezra. Adorable.)

And we did A LOT of 4-wheeling. Loved it!

Along with playing a few goofy games because that's what families do--take blackmail pictures (oh, I have more and even better ones).

We love our Nelson family so much! We're all over the place now so it was wonderful to be able to spend time together making memories under one giant, domed roof.

And see the kind of nature you can only find in the Mountain West. Amazing!

The reunion ended on Father's Day with a nod to these seven awesome fathers (the 8th and 9th, Mark and Kurt, snuck out before the picture, yet still just as awesome). We're especially partial to the one in pink!

We then joined the Rimingtons in Utah to play with our latest, adorable cousin, Oliver...and everyone else.

We hung out at the "beach".

Until we were utterly exhausted.

Thankfully, Grandma let us sleep in every morning.

Owen was equally grateful when his "cute-face" finally wore Uncle Kevin down enough to get out his favorite childhood cars to share.

It even worked on Grandma in getting his hands on Grandpa's two special cars tucked in a back-room cupboard. Oh, you've got to do better that that! This kid can sniff out a car anywhere!

We watched an exciting baseball game.

Where this goofball photobombed everywhere he could.

Ethan went to the gun range with Grandpa and earned a merit badge as well. 

We visited Grandpa's work. It was sunny and hot...

But it helps that Grandpa works on shuttles and rockets. 

Speaking of hot, look at these two sweating it out at the 4th of July parade:

Where we had the lucky opportunity to see this cute girl march. And get lots of candy.

Alicia: the one in the middle with the darling, white bow in her hair.

And see one of Owen's all-time favorite vehicles. Up close. 

Lastly, we visited the children's museum in Lehi. It was both fun and chaotic rolled into one so the only picture I could get to show for it was our "peaceful" lunch outdoors and away from the crowds. 

(PS--Mom is one brave Grandma.) 

(PPS--I think the trip aided Tammy and Conley in deciding to hold off on having any children in the too near future.) 

Now on to Part 2...

Spring Break/Easter

We spent a few days during Spring break at a little lake rental near Lake Cumberland, KY. We had a relaxing time…

fishing,

hot tubbing (whilst movie watching),

wading...

until our feet turned numb,

climbing,

sight seeing,

(During the Civil War, the Confederate army set up winter quarters here in Mill Springs, KY. 

The Union army advanced and eventually broke the Confederate's stronghold on the area. 

This battle was the first significant victory of the Union Army.)

taking photos (this is what you see all over the countryside of Kentucky),

 and spending time together.

Then we made it back home in time for Easter egg decorating and General Conference (loved).

The warmer weather is a welcome change. Each year Spring feels like an opportunity to shed the things that are weighing us down and move forward with a new energy. We are excited for all the possibilities that lay ahead as the year moves on. If anything, Spring teaches us that finding ways to grow is beautiful!

Christmas/New Year/Birthday Sandwich

December was a wonderful/busy/inspirational/stressful/relaxing/frustrating/enjoyable month depending on what day you caught me. And for someone who likes pictures, I'm terrible at taking any. Among other things, the kids were in a chorus and orchestra for the nativity festival. Randal was a bearded wise man for the live nativity even. And I have nothing to show for it. 

I did manage to photograph this:

It's a quilt I made for a gift and it signifies much of my evenings in December. It also helped me check another item off my '40 Things Before I Turn 40' list--a list I have been working on for a year now and have only crossed off 5 things. Yes, that does leave me just one more year for the other 35. (I think one of them is 'stop procrastinating', or at least it should be.) Anyway, I have made a number of quilts, but have never quilted one this size myself. Well, until now. Check.

No matter how many good intentions fell off the list this year, Christmas came anyway. And it was great! This kids even said it was one of their favorite years. 

Santa brought Ethan a bow and arrow. Grandma R. sent the pajamas he is sporting. Both are red, his favorite color. And the PJs--he did not remove himself from them the entire Christmas break. He even wore them under his jeans to go to the movie theatre because he, "wanted to be comfortable." Which, in my mind, seems entirely contradictory. But then I'm the mom who doesn't know anything about anything. 

Addie asked for one thing--Ever After High dolls--and Santa came through. Later we learned she had some other things she kept secret in order to test her theory of the validity of Santa. We told her Santa is a lot of things, but he's no mind reader. I don't know where her loyalties lie now, especially since Ethan's target was found in the back of our car Christmas Eve. Oh well. All dreams will inevitably be crushed in the Santa department at some time or another. 

The kids worked to make gifts for one another. Ethan made Owen a car box:

Addie made Owen a match game out of milk lids and sewed a little bag to keep the pieces:

Randal helped Addie make Ethan a cool clock:

And Ethan made an awesome necklace holder for Addie:

This next one makes me laugh. Ethan struggles with organization so we gave him a zip-up binder to help keep his schoolwork in order. As a gift, I worried he would be disappointed. But you would have thought we gave him a million dollars. He jumped up and down with excitement. The funny thing--we hear rather frequently around here how much he hates school. Who knew he just needed the right kind of binder?? 

And here is Owen with his loot:

He was in Christmas heaven.

Gingerbread houses were one of those traditions that fell off the list before Christmas. But the kids still wanted to make them anyway so we made it a part of our New Year's celebration.  

It may be hard to see, but Owen has more candy in his mouth than he is managing to get on the house:

And tonight we celebrated Randal's birthday. We gave him running shoes…even though one of his New Year's resolutions is to never run again. But after that delicious Mexican chocolate cake he's going to need to use them. Actually, just me. But he can run alongside for moral support. That's what spouses do.

Our break was very enjoyable and relaxing. I agree with the kids--it was one of my favorite Christmases. Now we're back to normal life and looking forward to what's in store for 2015.

According to the 35 things left on my list, it's going to be a great one! (Well, except for that 5k. Ugh. Why does everyone have to be running these days??? I felt like I was forced to include it.)