Happy 4th of July

We had a great 4th of July!! Unfortunately I forgot my camera, so the picture amount is quite small!! We left early and made it to Chads parents' house at 7:00 a.m. We helped get ready for their annual breakfast which had Chad cooking eggs and the girls chasing the kids around. The food was great, and it is always fun to help. After breakfast, and my small nap, we sat outside, and played and talked. The kids had a great time jumping on the trampoline and swinging. After lunch we got out our "redneck" slip and slide (it consisted of a big white tarp, a sprinkler and ski polls as anchors). We had a great time. Claire was very brave, and went crazy on it. I did it, but was so scared of hurting myself, I didn't put much into it. Chad was so funny to watch, and by the end Chad and his brother were attempting different tricks. After dinner we headed back to our house. We had intended to watch the city fireworks with some friends, but Claire was so tired, that she went straight to bed, so we went across the street and watched our friends shoot off a few, and then attempted to watch the fireworks from our backyard. We could see most of them, but there were just a few to many trees in the way. We had a wonderful 4th of July - Happy Birthday America!!
Chad and Grant watching the fireworks - it was cold!!!

Catch Up!!

I promise I am trying to catch up!! I have finished up May (just scroll down a bit), and there will be more to come soon. I have so much to post it might take awhile!

Slippery Slide and Friends

We were so happy to see the warm weather finally come. We are so sick of the rain, and ready to begin the lazy, crazy days of summer. The kids love the slippery slide as they call it. We decided this week to put it on the hill in our backyard. They thought it was great. I think they played on it every day, and we had plenty of friends over this week to enjoy it with. Claire is a die hard, and isn't scared of anything, but with Owen we practically have to turn the water off, and then he will slide down on his stomach. It is actually quite funny to watch. We just hope that the warm weather sticks around for awhile because we have really enjoyed playing outside.
Owen and Christian both sporting their Lightning McQueen swimsuits.
Claire has yet to learn the fine art of a running start.
Owen on the slip and slide.
Grant watching all the fun.
Claire, Christian and Ellie in the pool

It's Finally Fixed!!!

The kids have been waiting for Grandpa to fix his swing (along with us parents, it is so nice to not have to push them!!) He finally got it fixed and Claire and Owen were so happy to go for a ride in it. Now if Grandpa could just put 4 swings on it, everyone could ride all at once.


Grant absolutely loved Uncle Trevor and Aunt Shanna's dog Max. He is fascinated by him and just laughs whenever he sees him.

Thank you Grandmas!!

With the craziness of me going to Girl's Camp and the Trek, back to back we needed some help with the kids. Luckily my mom was planning on being here for a visit the first week of my duties, and Chad's mom gladly accepted to help us on the second week. The kids had so much fun with their Grandmas, and I don't think they missed me all that much (although they keep wondering if I am going to go camping again - I have assured them that mommy is not going camping for a long time!!). We can't tell you both enough, how grateful we are that you took such great care of our kids, and how much they love both of you. Thank you!! We love you! (Sorry for the lack of picture of the kids with Grandma Farmer - there just wasn't enough time!)
Claire and Grant with Grandma Clayson

Girl's Camp 2009

This year for Girl's Camp we went up to our new Stake camp - Camp Camorah. It seriously has the nicest bathrooms I have ever seen at a campsite. They were beyond beautiful, which was good because after a week of seriously roughing it on the Trek, I was ready for a few amenities. Once again we were so lucky to avoid rain all week (except for Friday morning where we packed up in a downpour, and just threw everything in waiting to get home so we could get warm!). The weather was great, and the mosquitoes were horrible (I've decided I can't get pregnant again for at least a year due to all the deet I have put on my body the last two weeks!). As always we had a great time. We had so much fun on our hike just singing and enjoying the views. We have wonderful girls in our ward, and were so lucky that all 16 of them came. I think that was the biggest camp we have had since our ward was formed!! We had a great time, and I can't wait for next year girls!! Thanks for all the memories.

Happy Birthday Mom!!

I had the pleasure of sharing my birthday with Father's Day, but it was still a wonderful day. The day before Chad watched the kids while I went on a girls trip to Utah with my mom and sisters. We went to pick Amber up from music camp at BYU, but made a few necessary shopping stops along the way. We had a great time! Thanks for the new kitchen towels and purse mom!!

Since Chad and I had to share the day we made a compromise, he gave me a nap, and I cooked dinner. It was so much fun to hear the kids all day tell me Happy Birthday, and how much they loved me. Chad kept telling them I was soooo old, but he is older than me, so there will be payback. They made me a beautiful cake, and gave me a new MP3 player that I have been looking at. Thank you also to Emma and Fam for the wonderful cake and decorations. We had a great time!!