Pioneer Day Family Celebration

So the 24th of July is a big state holiday in UT. Having not lived here for quite a few years it was fun to celebrate again. We had family get together down at my parents...only half the family could come but I'm not sure where the other half would have fit anyway. We had fun. We spent most of the day at Palisades State Park which has a reservoir and a "beach" where we all had some fun swimming and sunning. The kids all had a blast as you can imagine and caught little minnows, swam out to the dock, and floated on boogie boards and other such toys. After coming back, showering, and playing some games, we gorged ourselves on delicious food and homemade ice cream. We topped the night off by telling pioneer stories by the chimanea and then set off a few fireworks. I was beat after chasing Wesley around the whole day. Here are a few pics.

Emma, Aby, and Reili pose while eating the homemade ice cream.

Nathan, Amberly and Matthew swing on the porch swing.

Wesley's cute ice cream mustache.

Another cute shot of Wesley.

Crazy Cousins Sleepover

Last weekend my sister Lenore and I decided to host a cousin's sleepover at my parents condo in Bountiful. We decided to stay there Thursday night as well and have some fun together Friday before the other cousins got there. The weekend turned out to be fun for the girls, but more stressful for us than we thought (normal right?). Our first fiasco was that the air conditioner wasn't working. It wasn't too bad at night (after around midnight especially) so since we had all our stuff there we decided to stay.

Friday we decided to take our kids swimming at the Bountiful Rec Center which has a really nice pool for kids. We had a great time and it wasn't until we were leaving that I realized I couldn't find my keys (for those of you who know me this comes as no surprise....but it doesn't help that I have been traveling all over the place this summer either). It turned out that they were no where to be found, so I had to call on Sister in Law to get another's number (because of course my cell phone was in the car with all the numbers I needed). Then we waited about 1/2 an hour until she could pick us up. We got back to the condo in time for Emma and Rachel to be dropped off. Lenore stayed with the kids while I went with my sister in law to her house to call a locksmith. The locksmith had a heck of a time opening my van...he couldn't get the magic stick to work through the window and ended up having to call to get some key code to make a key and open it (good news...now I have an extra key that even turns on the motor). Luckily my keys ended up being in the back of the van (where I couldn't see them without moving some grocery bags.

I got back in time to help get our picnic stuff together and head to a nearby park for a picnic dinner and playtime. We thought if we stayed at the park long enough the kids would all be worn out enough to get some sleep that night. Just as we finished dinner and the girls had started playing, Aby (Lenore's oldest) fell off one of the playground toys and broke her arm (you could tell it was broken just above the wrist because the bones were no longer aligned). So what started out to be a fun night together ended up being me at the condo with 5 of the girl cousins and Wesley for the night and Lenore at the emergency room most of the night getting Aby's arm set (she had to wait four hours before they could set it because she had just eaten so they couldn't put her out). Well that is the long story. So the girls got to have a lot more movies and play time at the condo than anticipated...but they all had fun and were together so that is all that matters.

The girls cuddle up for a movie before bed. From right to left: Amberly, Reili, Emma, Olivia, and Rachel.

After getting matching hairdos, a morning pose: Olivia, Emma, Rachel, Amberly, Reili, Aby (with splint), and Lainey.

Hogle Zoo Fun

Ten days ago (yes it has been a while since I've been able to post), we had a fun trip to Hogle Zoo with my brother Dave's family (minus Dave because he was at work). Diane is 7 months pregnant and what a trouper to tromp through the Zoo on a hot day. We had a ton of fun together...even though it was hot.

Here is a picture of the whole gang: Diane, Wesley, Amberly, Rachel, Peter, James and Reili

Look Mom, it's a baby giraffe (it was so cute). Raarrrrrrr! says Peter.

The kids waited all day to ride the train. I think it may have been their favorite part.

Memory Keepers

My friend was doing this game on her blog and it was just so fun I thought I would try it on mine.   Here are the directions:

1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together.  It doesn't matter if you know me a little or a lot, anything you remember!

2.  Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you.  It's actually pretty funny to see the responses.  If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you.  If you don't want to play on your blog, or if you don't have a blog, I'll leave my memory of you in my comments.

Mission Companions Reunite

Sunday morning I took the kids and met my mission companion, Kerri (Cook) Young, and her family at temple square.  We walked with our kids around temple square and then went to the Church Museum of History and Art to let the kids play in the children's section.  It had been 8 years since we had seen each other (at my wedding) and we had a lot of fun reminiscing about memories of our mission.  Our children really loved playing with each other and got along so well.  Reili started crying when I told her we had to leave.  We had a good time together and hope that it won't be 8 years before we see them again.  Thanks for the great time Kerri!

Can you tell my kids didn't want their pictures taken?  From Left to right: Amberly, Reili, Wesley, Liam, Me, Kerri, Kaia, and Seraya

Emma's Birthday Party

Last Saturday Reili and Amberly were invited to cousin Emma's sixth birthday party.  She had a ballet dancing party where they went to her dance school and learned some ballet and danced around.  They all had tons of fun dressing up and dancing.

A real dancer teaches Reili and Emma the moves.

Amberly poses in her costume.

Emma and Reili tondue.

Up the Canyon

The last night we were in Manti last week we decided to go up Manti canyon for a picnic.  I forgot how beautiful it is to be up in the mountains.  The air was crisp and clean (and cooler).  You always want to be able to breath more deeply there.  And it was so serene (well theoretically it would be if you didn't have 3 kids and have to chase a one year old).  It was nice to be back in the mountains again.

Our picnic before we ate.  Reili and Amberly with Grandma and Grandpa Van Leeuwen.

Wesley ready for his picnic (this chair has come in really handy on this trip).

On the Farm

My parent's neighbors (the Mickelsons) were Turkey farmers and now have passed the farm onto their children. They were nice enough to invite us out to the farm yesterday to see all the animals and then have a hot dog roast. The kids absolutely loved it. In fact, at one point Reili told me she wanted to be a farmer when she grew up. More power to her is what I say. I'll stick with my city ways.

Our first stop was to see the grown up Turkeys. Reili isn't in the picture because she had already run back into the car complaining of the smell (I'm not sure about the being a farmer idea). These turkeys are about 12 weeks old if I remember right. Almost ready for the table.

Next we got to see some very muddy pigs. However, I learned that pigs are actually quite clean and intelligent...they only choose one spot in the pen as the "bathroom" spot.

Reili's favorite stop was the baby Turkeys. They were only two weeks old and she still keeps telling me over and over that she wants to go back and see them. It was here that she decided she wanted to be a farmer. She loves to be able to hold animals.

Amberly even held a baby turkey or two and thought they were so cute.

Wesley wanted to get down the entire time we were visiting the baby turkey's, but he didn't have the special plastic coverings on his feet. He liked to grab them around their neck. They normally have to keep the turkeys at 90 degrees, but yesterday it was about 96 degrees in there and holding Wesley the whole time was quite a chore. I was really sweating.

Reili's next favorite stop was riding horses. They had a couple of old, well trained horses that the kids could ride. I even was able to ride it. Amberly (usually our fearless one) did not want to ride. We have found before that she isn't that interested in riding horses.

Wesley had a turn on their miniature horse, Wiley, and enjoyed it.

Reili and Amberly had a chance to feed some baby goats, unfortunately it happened so fast I was unable to get any pictures. Here is Reili trying to pet some goats though.

Amberly fed the Llama that we learned guards the goats against predators.

Reili even got to get on a cow. I doubt she'll have many other chances to do that in life.

Ow, Ow, Ow!

It is always a fun stage when a baby begins to mimic everything. This is a video of Wesley mimicking my Dad yesterday. It was so cute I had to film it for Tom. We miss you honey!

An Impromptu Visit

Elaine (my best friend from growing up) and her cute little family ended up coming down to Manti yesterday and staying for the night. They brought everything with them to make crepes (as is their Sunday night tradition) and we topped them with nutella, berries, and/or ice cream. YUM! This morning we took all the kids for a little hike up the hills in back of the temple. The only sad thing about the visit is it was so short. Elaine had to be back to Salt Lake to go to work this afternoon. It was a fun time.

Jaime (Elaine's husband) played surrogate Dad to our kids while he was here. He gave the girls shoulder rides, comforted them when they were crying and played with them. They all really miss their Daddy.

Grandpa gave Wesley a ride in the wheelbarrow the other day. Wes loved it.

Fun Filled Fourth!

Happy Independence Day...a couple days late! We had a fun filled day on the fourth of July. We went with Lenore and Steve and their girls to the Riverton Fun Days that they have every year to celebrate Independence Day. They have a carnival at the park there in Riverton with all the rides and other entertainment and food. Reili and Amberly had a blast with their cousins on the rides...Wesley even got to ride the carousel for the first time. It was fun to see them having such a good time. Then we all went home and went swimming in Lenore's back yard. After a yummy steak dinner we drove down to Manti where we will stay for the week. I put Wesley in bed and then walked with the girls down to Main Street where we sat on a blanket and had a perfect view of the fireworks that night. The girls were bored and crazy waiting for them to start (at 10 p.m.), but finally enjoyed them and thought they were too short, even though they lasted 20 minutes. I can say I was definitely ready to fall into bed that night.

I love playing at the park. Daddy, I miss you!

O.K. Mom, I guess I'll pose for a picture... if I must.

Aby and Reili play at the park while waiting for the rides to open.

Olivia and Amberly...there's nothing better than a flying saucer.

I can't wait til this ride starts (Reili and Aby).

Wait...maybe this caterpillar is better than a flying saucer.

This horse is pretty fun.

Lainey, Amberly, Olivia, and Wesley eat Cotton Candy.

Mmmm...suweeeeeet!

Wesley's First Haircut

Another momentous occasion this week was Wesley's first haircut. His hair was getting too long and looking rather ratty every time he woke up from his nap. Although I have cut Tom's hair for years now, I mulled over cutting Wesley's for at least a week before I took up the clippers and with much trepidation cut his hair. I tried to distract him with honey nut cheerios, but that only got us through half the haircut. It turned out better than I thought though and I'm glad I did it. He is such a handsome little guy. See for yourself:

After the first few snips. Okay this isn't that bad.

Mmm...cheerios. What haircut?

Mom... come on already!

Arrrgh...are you done yet?

Later that day...I thought it was appropriate that he climbed into this container...seeing as how it is labeled and all (it is his favorite thing to do lately with any and every such container, laundry basket, etc). He is some serious eye candy. Definitely girl stuff!

A visit from Christy

Tuesday night we met Christy and Pam (her mom) Norris (friends from Birmingham) at Temple Square. Christy was here in UT moving from her apartment at BYU before she leaves for a mission in a couple months. I met her when I was a councilor in the YW Presidency in Birmingham 1st Ward and she was just barely a Laurel (16) at the time. I can't believe she is already old enough to serve a mission, but I am so excited for her. We ended up going over to the Museum of Church History and Art where they now have a nice children's area where the kids can do interactive things. They loved it. It was so great to see the Norrises again. They are such a great family who I really admire.

They had a nativity scene set up where the kids could dress up as shepherds. Reili and Amberly really had fun dressing up and strangling the sheep puppets. Wesley had a blast climbing in and out of the set.

In this picture it looks like Reili is strangling her sheep while Amberly may be picking her sheep's nose. Wesley is just cuter than ever.

Family Night at Joe's

A lot of these entries are mainly for Tom. I probably wouldn't post about practically every activity if he were around, but I really want him to see what the kids are doing and how they are growing...especially Wesley since he is changing so quickly.

Monday we went to my brother Joe's for family night. We had a delicious dinner of Navajo tacos (I will be lucky if I don't gain 10 pounds this summer...even with all the running I do). Joe gave a lesson where we had to go around the house and find an object to trace and then afterwards everyone had to guess what the object was from our tracing. After that we had to try to draw a picture as closely as we could in size and scale to what we had traced without tracing it. He tied that in to the pattern God has for families using Elder Holland's talk from the Worldwide Training Session this last February and how it is best to use the original pattern rather than a copy of a copy etc. It was a great lesson. During the lesson my nephew Clayton drew characatures of my kids and gave them to me as part of the "talent" presentation that they have every week at family night at their house. They are totally awesome and I plan to hang them somewhere in my house.

Afterwards all the kids went out and jumped on the trampoline. Here is a video of Wesley with everyone on the tramp: