Happy Place

We decided to take a trip to the Redwoods...Anyone with a large family knows how road trips can go. But we still love them.

This was a quick trip, but an eventful one nonetheless.

We have been here before and my children have all loved it. Though, by the end of the trip, they were tired of seeing trees. Yet we came again. And as soon as we're driving under the green canopies, they're in awe. The RICH green colors, the size and majesty of the trees, the sound of the ocean and the damp, misty air...this is my happy place. And for a short time, it is theirs also. This too makes me happy.

We drove through the Avenue of Giants, stopped at almost every beach that was accessible. We stopped to see the magnificent groves of Redwoods, the beautiful and amazing Fern Canyon. We rode through the famous sand dunes, created over many years by drifting sand. We hiked down to Agate Beach and gathered driftwood while the kids tested the cool waters. We stopped all along the way for many photo opps and even walked the trunk of a fallen Redwood that hovered 10 feet above ground. We stopped for lunch at the cutest little cafe along the river...We stood in the empty charred trunks of Redwoods struck by lightning.  We even experienced a stroke of luck, somehow avoiding poison ivy, while climbing and scaling the fallen trees. We drove through the 2400 yr old Chandelier Tree...THAT was a tight squeeze. We saw and heard the sea lions that make their home close to the Umpqua Lighthouse, just north of Florence. Their caves are deep beneath the cliff. We crossed many bridges...I love bridges. We hiked sea stacks that gave us a birds' eye view of the ocean and all of the beauty along the coast.

There's a kind of gray, quiet calm at these northern beaches...but the green here is so vibrant. They are a perfect match and I love it!

These are the memories that stay...

Happy 40th & Fourth of July !!

This year for Delon's 40th, we decided to invite everyone over for a BBQ and fireworks show to celebrate his birthday and the fourth.

There were at least 25 kids running around and lots of good food. We missed those who couldn't be there, but grateful for those who came!

We spent most of our time outside visiting and sitting by the fire. After dinner, we all went out back for the fireworks. With everything being legal, we had an amazing show. I felt bad, a few of the little ones were scared and had to watch inside from the safety of the house ;)

It was also Cherie's birthday, so it was fun to have everyone there to celebrate these two people that we love!

I am grateful for Delon and everything he does for our family. I know he loves all of us and would do anything for our happiness. I'm glad he has a strong testimony of the gospel, and I hope he knows after all those who came out, how much he is loved.

It's funny that his birthday falls on the 4th of July. His personality somewhat resembles a firework...interesting, but when you add a little heat and light him up, watch out! All of his true colors show, and after he has had his time to express himself, he begins to simmer down and sometimes leaves a little "stink".  But he's always a good time :)  Happy Birthday Delon!!

 Cookie Pops...mmm

 Choc dipped strawberries

 Cousins

 Photo bomb

 Riley and Mason

 Jack and Hadli

 Hanging out around the fire

 Raegan, Xander and Sophie

 Ashlyn

 Wes and Lily...four wheeler rides

 Best friends...

 Jump zone

 Looking for his next meal ;)  

 Dinner time

 Raegan

 The kids were on and off the tramp all night

 Stetson :)

 Dessert

 Happy Birthday!!

 Birthday kids...

Waiting for the sun to go down...

Jake's Last Day

Jake has really enjoyed Kindergarten this year and has passed mine and his teachers expectations. He has made a lot of friends and has learned so much. His teacher, Miss Shelton has told me on several occasions how much she enjoys having him in her class. I will miss Jake next year...he will be in school all day. He was my buddy for the first part of the day :)

In the program this year, Jake got to do a little guitar solo...he loved it and worked the crowd like a pro. It was so much fun for me to see him in his element. I love this kid, it's little moments like this that make it all worth it!

 Grand ol' Flag

 Guitar solo

 Kindergarten diploma

 Miss Shelton

My buddy :)

Race Day

Every year the elementary schools keep track of the mile runners. Riley came in 2nd out of all the students in Lewiston. I was very proud of him...I ran track in high school and it brought back some   memories :)

All of the students from other elementary schools came to Sky View High School and participated in their championship race. Riley was in the 4x4 relay...he had never done this before, so he was a little nervous.

He ran the first leg and sprinted hard...but ran out of gas at the end. And because their fourth runner never showed up, Riley had to run twice! He did very well considering the circumstances. It's fun to watch Riley get a little taste of competition, because he kicks it into high gear...my little athlete.

  Waiting it out

 First leg

 Trying hard to keep up on the last leg...

 Homestretch

My champion....stud.

13...another teenager!

Happy Birthday Haydn!! I can't believe my oldest boy is thirteen. There are a lot of great things about Haydn and plenty I am still trying to figure out. He loves to read, play basketball...unfortunately likes video games too...and likes to work and have responsibility. I'm hoping that Haydn can make his way through the confusion of being a teenager and find great friends and know along the way how much he is loved and how amazing he is.  We love you Haydn...

 Typical photo face ...

Favorite food of all time :)

Dance Review 2013

I looked forward to this year because I knew Emilee and Gracie participated in a lot more dances than in previous years. Once again we had the privilege of having Diana and Brandon and G&G Hillesheim come to watch. The best part, is Diana's girls love to watch their cousins dance and my kids love it when they come!  They also stayed the night before. It's always nice to have that time to visit.

The day before the review was the dress rehearsal, so they spent the entire day going through their numbers. Diana and I came back and forth and watched. Later on in the evening, we met up with my parents for dinner at the Coppermill. This was a lot of fun...we basically had the restaurant to ourselves.  After we were through eating, I headed over to the theater to help the girls with their hair and make-up. As I was finishing up, I realized Gracie wasn't in her costume like the rest of the girls.....

Her costumes had been left at home and the curtain went up in 40 min!!! I had what could be compared to a mild heart attack.  I had been home 3 times that day, and I had sworn Emilee picked up Gracie's costumes with her dress bags. You have to understand, I don't forget these things. I am so anal about laying everything out and checking again and again that everything is there. I felt horrible and I could tell by looking at Gracie, that she felt like everything was falling apart...EPIC FAIL mom! Yes, I definitely deserved Mother of the Year at this point. Her first dance number was 10 minutes into the review. I got on my phone and told Delon he better head home and grab Gracie's costumes. (We live 25 minutes away). Of course I told him this was life and death...the pressure was on and he had to save the day. I can't even explain how sick I felt.

He literally pulled up out back, 1 1/2 minutes before she went on. I shoved her into her costume and gently pushed her backstage...with 30 seconds to spare. I ran up to my seat and sat down just as the lights went up.

The review was amazing and so fun to watch! Emilee did awesome and Gracie was having the time of her life...

 Backstage with G&G Hillesheim

 Typical Emilee :) Messin' around.

Great job my tiny dancers!!

Dance Pics

These are just a few of the dance pictures from the end of the year...Mary Poppins :)

 Ballerina with an attitude

 Emilee and Shea

 Gracie

This was the costume for the ballet number at the end of the program.