Just a Smidgen of Summer

 We have had so much fun exploring our new area. When we lived in the Salt Lake City area last we never even visited the Great Salt Lake.  We decided it was time to see if you really COULD swim in the Salt Lake.  And the answer is:  Yes, sort of. 

 Jack and Drew loved exploring on the rocks and walking on the sand.  We haven't had much experience with sand that three years so they were pretty intrigued.

 When we got to the very edge of the water, someone had written Mom plus Daughter in the sand and Avonlea and I couldn't pass up this perfect photo op :)

 This little lady loves water just as much as the boys do! Just fits right in with all our water fun!

 After a while, the salt does start to burn a little. 

 Jack and Jeff liked that it looked like there were walking on water.

 One weekend we were very lucky (had some sweet connections) to get tickets to the Ogden Temple Open House.  Jeff's sister Becca and her husband Clark went with us and it was such a neat day to be in the temple.  Its funny because I didn't think about it too much because we all were able to be in the temple when Avonlea was sealed last summer but it was a special feeling to all be in the temple.

 Jack is officially a first grader!!  We are so excited for him.  I may have shed a few tears the first full week going all day but we have both settled in now and Jack is doing so well.  We are so proud of him!

We have had so much fun being close to family again!  Especially since this time there are cousins to join in the fun!  Here are all Alison's side (btw, we only have girl cousins ON BOTH SIDES! and after Jack and Drew we thought we were headed for mostly boys).  These five cuties all had matching outfits for the Fourth of July.  We had a great big family party at our house and I think ended up with 27 people!

It was a fun summer with lots of adventures!  We are settling into school, fall, and looking forward to the rest of the year.

What a year 2014 is turning out to be!

 First, I can't believe I haven't blogged for almost 6 months!  That is the longest I have ever gone.  I am hoping to get back at it now that things are starting to feel more normal.  Drew celebrated his birthday with a spider-man/superhero party.  His only request was a piñata.  So, he had a spider-man piñata at his party. 

 Since all the other kids were wearing capes, Avonlea wanted one too!!

 I took a few snapshots of Drew the Sunday after his birthday.  And these really captured his personality.  Sweet, funny, and charming.

 Jack celebrated his 7th birthday (where have those 7 years gone?!?!?!?).  He actually ended up having two birthday parties.  He had a Lego party and took friends to the Lego movie.  I think he loved every moment!!

 He is growing up so much and becoming my helper. He learning to be a "man" (as he put it when he held the door open for me). He's our thinker.  He loves to read (especially non-fiction) and has a new love for four wheeling ;)

 We took the kids to a fun Easter egg hunt.  It was the most beautiful day!!

 Drew was waiting so patiently during  the directions before the hunt began.

 What a cute daddy!  Jeff is so hands on.  He spends time with our kids every evening after work; wrestling, telling bedtime stories, taking them on four wheeler rides. 

 Avonlea loved looking at the Easter Eggs.

 We all look happy but this was actually a really hard day.  Jack and Brady became good buddies...

 and its a good thing Miss Katye and I have sunglasses on here so you can't see the tears. (Jack was our photographer since we were still trying to say goodbye long after all the other parents had left).

 Moving day was so bitter-sweet, like it always is.  Trucker Steve was so sweet to the kids and let them come in the semi and look at all our stuff being packed.

 She didn't realize she would be sitting in the car the next 27 hours...

We made some fun stops across the country.  First we went to the town Jack was born in.  We loved telling him all about his birth and sharing the special places.  It was TOTALLY worth the trip!

 

Then we stopped in Omaha and went to a water park and the Omaha Zoo (love that zoo!).  Our next stop was Cheyenne, WY and I really wish I could forgot this part of the trip.  The kids had been AMAZING the entire time.  Then poor Avonlea broke her arm at the hotel and we had an ER visit.  She ended up having surgery once we got to Utah but it was quite the story that I am sure none of us will forget.

 Goodbye to 6020 (((tearfully)))

Hello to 1332!!  It been so exciting to buy our first home.  We hope its the home we will raise our family in.  We are so happy to be in this beautiful state and closer to family.  We are so thankful!