Family Vacation

Scott and I want to do fun things with just our little family. A complicated family vacation is a bit overwhelming right now. So, we planned a "staycation" and made a day trip of seeing local sights. The kids were wiped out at the end of the day and seemed to have a great time. We went to a restaurant for breakfast. The babies and I slept on the way to our next destination. We went to a children's museum. Richard and Audrey had a great time! They would have played longer if we would have let them.

We ate lunch at a restaurant. We then went to the zoo. We didn't really try to get Marie and Peter to see anything, because we were trying to help Richard and Audrey see the animals. True to my experience at zoos, a lot of the animals were sleeping. Others were MIA. Oh, well. I had to carry Audrey at the end. I think all the walking during the week just wore her out!

I think we had a great day! I'm glad we were able to do something as a family. Maybe when the kids are bigger when can do something a little farther away that lasts longer than a day.

Fun with my brother

My brother is on sabbatical and so he and his family stuck around for a while after the rest of my family went home. We had fun spending extra time with them.

We first went bowling. Richard loves bowling. We put all the kids on a bumper lane. Richard did pretty well. I was the high score on the non-bumper lane. I actually scored two strikes in a row! It all went downhill from there, but I was OK with my final score. Audrey just hung around. My Mom came to watch Marie and Peter and keep them entertained so I could have a good time.

The next day, we went to a nearby cave. Scott's never been. I've told Richard about it, and he's been excited to go. We've talked about going as a family anyway, and so the fact that my brother's family wanted to go just made us set a date to actually do it. Richard was a trooper and hiked the whole way. Audrey had to be carried up about 3/4 of the way, carried through the cave, and carried down about 1/2 of the way. Thanks to my brother for his help for part of the carrying. It's been a long time since I've seen the cave, and it was just as cool as I remember. I lost a lens in my sunglasses, which I'm irritated about. I forgot they were on my hat and I had to crouch to go under a formation in the cave. They fell off. I didn't realize a lens had fallen out because it was dark. Oh, well. My mom was an angel and watched Marie and Peter at the bottom for over three hours so we could go. You are amazing!

The next day, we went to some slides that go down a mountain. Scott couldn't come, because he had to take the day off for the hike and couldn't take more work off. Audrey looked at the slides and said she didn't want to go. Richard had a great time and wanted to go multiple times. Alas, I didn't want to spend the money to go multiple times. We'll just have to go back sometime when Scott can go! Again, my mom came to help me with the kids. She had the added bonus of seeing my brother and his family, but I know part of her motivation was to help me so I could be a part of things.

Father's Day

Happy Father's Day Scott! You are a wonderful father. Thanks for your willingness to take on all four kids by yourself so I can work once a week. Not many fathers are willing to do that. Thanks for working hard to support the family. Thanks for making the time to spend with me and the kids. Thanks for your strong testimony of the Savior and for making Him part of our home.

Happy Father's Day Dad! You have been a great example of how to raise children. Thanks for being the kids' doctor and for the free formula. Thanks for letting Mom come help me so much. Thanks for your example of Christlike love and service.

Family Reunion

We had an awesome reunion with my family. I love getting together with my family! I love that we are all friends and can have so much fun together. We went to my parents cabin. Thanks Mom and Dad for putting it together. Thanks to all my siblings for their help with my kids.
Pictures of Marie and Peter to indicate they were there. They can now put themselves in a sitting position and so therefore sit a lot more.
My sister-in-law is a dancer and taught all the kids a dance. Audrey would only do it if my nieces were helping her. Thanks girls!
Richard shooting the bow and arrow with my dad.
Marie and Peter getting into mischief.
Audrey on the swing.
We had wild weather! It rain, hailed, rained, was sunny, hailed, rained, etc. And that was only in one hour! We had to spend one full day inside. The kids were crazy with energy and it was a loud day. I must say I was glad when the kids could go outside and let loose.
The kids decorated brownie bears. Well, I mostly did the decorations under Audrey's instructions. They had fun.
Can you say candy sprinkles?!
A couple of my nephews missed their cub scout day camp. My parents planned some activities so they could still pass things off. One is carving soap. Richard got in on the action and made a tooth. What fun!
The grandkids "acted" (meaning they stood there while the story was told) of the Three Little Pigs. We did it a few times so all the kids could take a turn. Richard is the wolf right here.

We went on a hike to a nearby closed coal mine. Richard and Audrey both had a great time and got really dirty. We were glad we did that in the morning because it rained most of the remainder of the day.
Cute babies!
My dad also organized a treasure hunt. The kids got new, shiny pennies as the treasure. Richard is at the age where pennies are still awesome. He finally is old enough to find clues and understand what is going on. Audrey got bored and needed help. However, she likes to be where the kids are.

We also played games, talked, played Rook, had tons of homemade ice cream and desserts, had a puppet show, watched movies, went on walks, and just had a great time.

I love my family! We are so close and I am so glad my parents make the effort to get us together every year. I am looking forward to next year!

And they're off...

Marie and Peter now crawl. Peter started trying to climb the stairs today. He's also found the pots in the cupboard and thinks they're great fun. Oh, the excitement!

Scott's Birthday

We celebrated Scott's birthday today! He first went to a course to be an NRA certified shotgun instructor. He's pretty excited about it.

Then, we had members of my family that live in the area over for cake. I must say I was pretty excited about how the "cake" (a peanut butter pie) turned out.

We had presents after everyone left. I gave Scott a Guitar Hero game and a couple of guitars. He's been very excited about that (since he picked it out) and has been waiting to play it until today.

Scott and I were able to go out to dinner without the kids thanks to some wonderful friends who called to volunteer to watch them. We had a nice time just meandering a book store and the mall afterwards.

Happy Birthday!

Age appropriate

I dug out the toys for the babies that are supposedly "6 +" months. So, why is it that my 2 1/2 and 4 1/2 year old are so greatly fascinated? They like these toys so much more now than they did as babies. Hmmm....