ERIK'S FAMILY VISIT

We had a great surprise visit from my brother Erik and his family this weekend. To read details...visit his blog! He does a much better job writing than I do. Here are some pics from the trip...

We love you guys! Whose up next for a visit???

MESA FALLS

We took a nice drive up to Mesa Falls yesterday with the family. It has been such a long time since I have been there. I almost forgot how beautiful it is. The kids thought it was beautiful, but were more interested in running around. It was hard to keep them contained long enough to enjoy it ourselves! As a side note, this is where Aces and I had our first date 9 years ago.

The Upper Falls

A view down river
Chunkabear, Pal, Mei, and Aces
Me and Mei
The Lower Falls
My Three Kiddos
After we saw the falls, we went to another area down the mountain and took a hike down in to the river. We discovered a beautiful place to play in the water.

Pal found a spot in the water near the shore with about 4-6 snakes swimming around. Aces caught one to show the kids.
Mei and the snake
I saw that Aces had a big leach on his leg and after watching him cut it off, decided it was time to get our shoes back on and hike out. Mei is feeling a bit under the weather and refused to walk in or out. Of course she refused her Daddy's help, so I packed her out on my back. I was grateful for the refuge of the car when we finally got to the top. I am now currently in the market for one of those hiking backpacks that you tuck the little ones into! It was a great day. We can't wait till the next adventure.

PASSING TIME

Thanks to my wonderful sister-in-law Jody for showing me how to make her cute hair bows. I have had way too much fun wasting way too much time making way too many hair bows for Mei! I still need to make a trip to a real craft store to find cute flowers. Walmart just doesn't suffice in that department. I have a lot of kinks to work out, but it's been fun. Here are some of my creations...

THE ZOO

I took the kids to the Idaho Falls Zoo a week or so ago. It's not a very big zoo, but the kids and I had a blast. They really enjoyed brushing the goats, watching the penguins get fed, and the monkeys. The lions and tiger were as lazy as ever. I think they were in the same spot they were in last year when we visited. Good times however.

SEE YA LATER, ALLIGATORS!

We had a great farewell visit with my family this past weekend. It was so much fun to have the whole group together...I think there are 28 of us now. And what a group! We had a family picture taken Saturday...can't wait to see that. However, Mei was a little terror! There were too many things she wanted to run and see at the park. We also had FHE Sat. night, and a big get together after church Sunday. I ate more cookies/peanut butter bars than any one person should ever be allowed to consume. I think I gained 10 pounds. YUCK! On Monday, I took my boys and 2 of my nephews (Hayden and Carter) to the Hill Air Force Base Air Museum. We had a blast. I wish I had had more time to stay down and visit and to help get things in order, but you know how it goes.

I love you Mom and Dad. You two are the most wonderful parents anyone could ever hope for. I appreciate the example you are setting for our family and for your love and dedication to the Lord. Thank you for your love and help to me and my family in everything. You are a guiding light to us. Thanks for letting us borrow your car while you're gone. That rocks! And thank you for the sweet blessings we will be reaping in while you are gone!!! We need those!!! WE LOVE YOU! As the hymn says...God be with you till we meet again....XOXOXOXOXOXOXO

Hayden and Mei on a walk at the park.
Mei in Grandma's garden.

Mei getting into mischief. Mei playing with Grandpa.

The airplane museum with the boys.
The three Astronauts training for space flight.
Pal and Chunkabear in training.
EJECT! EJECT!
The boys playing with their new airplanes.
Uncle Mark, Dad, and Uncle Larry
Mom and...don't remember! She and her husband are going to Sweden too!
Me and Grandma Fillmore.

YOU MIGHT BE A REDNECK IF...

your summer just isn't a summer without a DEMOLITION DERBY!!!

We had a great time at the county demo derby on Saturday. There were a lot of great cars and a LOT of hard hits. I wonder how long these crazy drivers have sore necks and backs after an event like this.

We got there really early so we could save some seats for some of the other officers wives and their families. (The event was put on by the Sherrif's office in connection with Search and Rescue.) Here's a couple of pics of us waiting around.

The boys got to go out and run for money in the mud between one of the matches. I couldn't believe how much water they sprayed on the dirt right before these little ones went out there! Neither boy got any money, but I think they had a lot of fun. Chunkabear got scared because he didn't know what to do when it was all over and couldn't find Pal who had already made it back to our seats.

Now for some SERIOUS REDNECK FUN, join us at the St. Anthony demo derby. "Wow" is all I have to say about that one.

4th OF JULY

We had so much fun this 4th of July. We started the day off braving the crowds at the parade in Rexburg. We found our regular seats in front of the sherrif's office with lots of friends and plenty of shade. The kids had a great time collecting candy, cheering on floats, and waving their flags...but mostly just the candy collecting. Mei was enthralled with the great dane puppy someone had.

Pal sharing with Mei

Pal and Chunkabear watching the old-time tractors go by
Chunkabear hoping one of them will throw more un-needed candy
Our stake's float
Some of the girls in my ward/stake on the float


After the parade, we headed over to Porter Park where the kids rode the carousel and ran through the splash park. This was Mei's first experience here. She loved every minute of it! Pal really enjoyed helping her climb the stairs to get to the slides. He was a great big brother. Chunkabear was rarely seen as he moves too quickly to get from one place to another! Not to mention I had to watch Mei like a hawk for fear the "millions" of other kids were going to plow her over or that she would drown in the few inches of water at the end of the slides. The park usually has lots of vendors and entertainment, but not this year. It was a bit disappointing. We cut the day short at the park so I could get home and take a nap before heading to work that evening.
Mei running through the water hiding her face from those stray splashes

Having fun!
Pal and Mei at the end of a slide....anxious Mom near by
Chunkabear and Mei...again, anxious Mom nearby
Pal and Mei coming down the slide
Chunkabear on the carousel
Pal expressing some fun-loving independence on the carousel
Mei screaming "AGAIN! AGAIN!" when the ride was over and I tried to get her off.

While I was at work, Aces did some simple fireworks with the kids at home. (I don't think braving the crowds by himself to go to the fireworks would have been very successful, so this was a great solution.) I wish I could have been there to see their faces...especially Mei's as this was her first real experience with them. It looks like they had a great time. I'm grateful we didn't have any burns.

The great purchase
Kids waiting in anticipation
A few sparklers before dark
The "light sabers"
More sparkler fun

There may not have been burns, but we did, however, have some bumps. Aces called me at work and told me that he thought Chunkabear broke his nose. I guess he was doing some pretty "sweet tricks" on the trampoline when he nose dived into the bar...literally. Ouch! Since there isn't much to be done with a broken nose, he kept him home, dosed him with some motrin, and put ice on it. I'll probably have him looked at when the swelling goes down later this week.

Just after the accident (I love the ketchup and mustard all over his face!)
Two days after the accident...what a pretty bruise!
But he is still happy and says it doesn't really hurt. What a trooper!

Hope you all had just as much fun on the 4th this year!