Road Trip...Destination: California

We decided to make a road-trip to California to see my dad and step-mom. It had been two years since either of them had seen the kids, so we decided that if we wanted to visit them before the roads turn bad for winter then we'd better go soon! So, we took about two weeks to plan our trip, and we headed out! Here we are loading up the car to leave...excitement all over their faces! :)
It was about 9 hours to Reno where we were all relieved to get out of the car and enjoy a nice night of sleep at our hotel. We were right by the airport so the kids were enthralled with watching the airplanes take off and land. We stayed at the Hyatt...it was so nice...comfy, clean, lots of space with an added little office area with a fold out couch, not crowed at all so we had the pool/hot tub to ourselves...and a delicious breakfast in the morning...not a single slot machine or any smoking anywhere in the building...so rare for Reno!...the only down-side was that it was a little pricey...around $150 a night. On the way home, we made the mistake of booking at a Casino Resort which was about half the price...they had non-smoking rooms/floors so I thought it would be okay, but Connor is allergic to tobacco so we felt trapped in our room...the room was also much smaller...we had to walk through a HUGE smokey casino just to reach the elevators to our room, they charged a $12 fee for using their pool and there was no breakfast included...so really by the time we paid the extra charge for using the pool and found a place to take the kids to eat breakfast we might have saved $20...so not worth it...so now we know :)
Our handsome chauffeur...he drove the whole way (both there and back). I would offer to drive, but he kept saying he was fine...he likes to drive, I don't, so who was I to argue...
The nice scenic part of the drive...going north in California...absolutely beautiful!
The excitement had started to wan at this point! After the 9 hour drive to Reno the day before, it was another 7 hours to reach Eureka, California...
The night after we got to Grandpa's house, we went to a community barn dance with square-dancing...it was really fun.


Jason didn't want to dance...
Grandpa was busy showing off his latest grandchild...
So Gavin and I had a go at it...
Gavin danced with Grandma too...For a little boy who insisted that he didn't want to dance when we first got there, he sure got into it once he got started! I think he danced the whole time we were there!
Things got a little crazy out there!
Of course we visited the beach a couple of times...Grandma and Grandpa's house is within walking distance of the beach. It's always a little bit chilly, but really fun.
I love it when I catch my kids loving each other :)
Making tracks...
Ahhhh...it just wouldn't be a trip to the beach if the kids didn't get good and DIRTY!
One of the few moments Laurie had to sit down and enjoy the kids...she has to get up at 4:30 am to go to work and works 12 hour days lately so she was really busy....
My brother, Aaron, with his wife, Lyndsi...Jason and me...my sister, Sherri, with her husband, Pat.
Uncle Aaron and Aunt Lyndsi bought remote control cars for Gavin and Connor, a cute "Alfie" robot for Aidan and some clothes for Owen...so nice!
Leave it to Auntie Sherri to bring some cool stuff for the kids to play with and to actually play with them...My kids can't get enough of Auntie Sherri...
We love to have campfires when we visit my dad. Aidan was loving his time with Grandpa Ray...Aidan's middle name is Ray, so my dad kept calling Aidan "Little Ray" and he loved it.
Snuggle time by the fire...
Sherri and Pat.
The boys getting ready to make their s'mores...

Did I mention Grandma bought the jumbo size marshmallows! A little sticky, but definitely delicious...
Our whole family...I love all my boys...
Owen's first trip to the beach.
Can you just see the pure joy on this little boy's face :D
Grandma and Grandpa took the big boys for a walk at the pier.
Then we all took a boat ride.

GG and Owen.
Papa and Owen.
Having a nice family dinner.
Grandpa took the three big boys for a walk to pick blackberries on our last day there to give Jason and me some time to do laundry and pack for our trip home...
The kids had so much fun searching for those berries.



We were sad to have to say good-bye, but we were so glad we could visit for a few days.

Gavin's Soccer Game

Both Gavin and Connor played Soccer again this year...here are some pictures from one of Gavin's games. There's something really nice about the soccer season...the Fall weather is nice to sit together as a family and watch the games, and the kids absolutely love to run around and play soccer. Gavin is getting old enough now that the kids are learning different positions in soccer and learning not to just chase around behind the ball in one big group, but to spread out and anticipate where the ball might be going. I think Jason especially enjoyed watching Gavin's games now that they are getting a little more exciting with the kids playing different positions on the field.

Recent Pictures

I recently lost my camera for a couple of weeks so when I found it again I went a little overboard taking pictures to make up for lost time! I love this baby smile...having children is the most wonderful gift in all the world! All of the hardships to get them safely here and all of the trouble these little munchins can make over the years truly pales in comparison to the love and joy that I feel when I see them smile and love each other...I have never known such great joy as I now feel with my husband and children.

Found My Feet :)

Now that Owen has found his feet, it's his favorite toy to play with :) I love his chubby little feet!

Zoo Trip

We went to the Hogle Zoo with my cousin, Corinne, and her kids. We had Gavin and her son, Taylor, wear their cub scout uniforms to earn a patch. They had to learn about/read about 20 different animals while we were there and also pick up trash...Corinne brought gloves for that part :) The boys had a really fun day and looked so cute in their uniforms :)

Doctor's Visit

Here are some pictures from Owen's 4-month check-up. Here are the stats:
Weight: 17 lbs 10 oz
Height: 25 inches
He's growing like crazy...I just took him in for a doctor's visit for a cold at 5-months old and he was 19 lbs 3 oz...his car seat has a 20 lb limit...guess it's about time to start looking for another car seat! I love all of his squishy, kissable chubbies :) So far his nicknames have been Mr. Squishy (for obvious reasons) or Squeaker since his cry is high pitched when he gets really mad.
Gavin has a hard time sitting still so he had to find ways to entertain himself...I love my energetic boy :)
Aidan loves going to the doctor's...he was also being seen by the doctor that day for a sinus infection.
Connor was just smiley as usual...my little sweet heart.

FHE

We did this FHE (Family Home Evening) lesson a while ago and Connor had been begging to do it again so we finally did! I decorate each balloon with a face and write something about this "person" on the back of the balloon like: "Sally is quiet and never talks to anyone so I don't like her." Then we pop the balloon and hidden inside is the truth about "Sally" like "Sally is shy and has trouble making friends, but is really nice. She loves to read and play soccer." Then we talk about how we could reach out to someone like this and be their friend and not just make quick judgements about people. The kids love to get to be the ones to pop the balloons.
As you can see, FHEs are pretty informal around here...undies are acceptable apparel as are jammies and swim shorts! lol :) We just try to make it a simple and fun time together as a family.

Lazy Summer Days...

Tummy Time

Here's Owen getting some tummy time...it's not his favorite...he usually lasts about 10 minutes before he starts crying, but I try to have him get in some tummy time most days...


He's generally much happier to lay on his back...

Owen's Baby Blessing

Owen's Baby Blessing was the day after Gavin's Baptism, so Jason's Parents and Grandma were still in town to see the baby blessing too. Owen was blessed on July 3rd, 2011. Here he is in his little white outfit.
I love those smiles :)
Jason's parent's with Owen.
Our family...Gavin kept closing his eyes, Connor was tired, hungry and ornery and Owen was also tired and hungry, but at least we got a cute little smile out of Aidan :)
We had dinner with the extended family after the baby blessing...Aidan came up with a creative way to eat his corn...just stabbed it with his fork and went at it!
Aidan, Connor, Taylyn and Talen.
Taydem and Gavin.

Gavin's Baptism

Gavin got Baptized and Confirmed a Member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on his 8th birthday. It was a wonderful day. Gavin and a friend from Church were both baptized and shared the same meeting beforehand. I had the opportunity to "spotlight" Gavin during the meeting before the baptism meaning I just talked about Gavin and shared some things about him and talked about how much we love him. After about a minute of talking about Gavin I could hardly speak because I got so emotional talking about how great Gavin is and how blessed we are to have him in our family. Gavin could tell I was nervous talking up there and gave me a little thumbs up while I spoke which was just so cute it made it even harder for me to talk! Gavin's Grandma Debbie and Grandpa Rick were also there along with his Great-Grandma Summers and his Aunt Trudy and her kids, Taydem, Taylyn & Talen.
Here's Gavin before his baptism.

Gavin and his Grandpa Rick and Grandma Debbie.
Gavin and his Great-Grandma Summers.
Gavin with his brothers and two of his cousins...this is the best shot we could get and one of the cousins, Talen, flatly refused to be in the picture! lol
Our family.
Mr. GQ here...I didn't even tell him to pose either! lol