Kids Fun Run

We took the kids to a nearby community center/gardens which has a cool butterfly room, gardens and a replica of a trappers cabin. The kids race was fun for all the kids and then we got to check out the neat gardens and end our fun morning with soft serve ice-cream at the little cafe. We love little morning excursions like this one to check out all the fun things to do in our area.

Preston trying to attract butterflies at home. He sat here quite still for a while with all these dandelions on him. It was pretty funny to see. I sure love it when the kids are creative outside!

Race of the Season

Cordell gave up his running time this year so I could train for a race. I did my 10k within my goal, 49 minutes and had a lot of fun doing it, although I am glad to be done running 6-8 miles with a preggo belly. Good thing the race wasn't any later in the season. I had a great cheering section which made the run extra fun! Look at the cute sign the kids made. Along the border they drew little stick figures of runners. It made me happy to see them the few times that I passed.

Our New Rock Wall

With construction comes dirt...which the workers so willingly left us for the kids to play in. They couldn't have been more thrilled. They found some scrap wood pieces to use as "mud boards" to go down the mud pile. While the workers were building the wall it just happened to be raining for part of those days so mom stayed busy with laundry while the kids played outside to their hearts content. I think the dirty laundry was worth it. It is also nice to have the rock wall built so we don't have to go sliding down to our back yard. It gives it a bit more finished look. One project down, many left to go!

Portland Weekend

Cordell had a conference in Portland so we decided to make a family trip of it. He of coarse didn't get to take part in the fun other than eating dinner with us one night. The kids have forgotten what is it like to live in a city so they were thrilled to be a part of the action for a few days. We stayed on the 31st floor of the Hilton in the middle of the city so we had a great view!

I took all the kids on the train to the Portland zoo so we wouldn't have to deal with parking. Boy was that an adventure. They sure loved it. Good think I have a little city experience under my belt. I was a bit rusty, but we managed to find our way to the right places.

Eating "Elephant Ears" is always one of the highlights our our zoo experience. Ethan and Briana had sticky sugar all over, but they were happy as could be.

The kids had to climb on all the bronze statues. The funny thing about this outing is that one of the kids favorite animals at the zoo were the Pygmy Goats...as if ours at home weren't cool enough. Too funny!

Gophers in the ground. While Preston and Sylvia were enjoying this fun exhibit, Ethan was busy running off somewhere else. We managed to go on a super buys day at the end of May with all the school groups. There were tons of kids all over the place and only one of me to our 4 busy kids. With Briana strapped in the stroller, Ethan kept escaping and got officially lost at least 4 or 5 times. Luckily we were able to locate him around the areas we were at, but I was on pins and needles the whole time there wondering where he would be running off to next. He eventually had to be strapped in the stroller with Briana on my back. We had a great day overall despite our disappearing Ethan. I think crowds make him a little crazy...who can blame him?

After our fun adventures at the zoo and on the train, we got to eat dinner with dad at a fun pizza place. It was good to have another adult around, and even better that he was ours! The next day was fun filled at Ikea before heading back home. I was a bit tired after it all, but we had a great little trip not too far from home.

Hula Hoops and Water Balloons

We got these hula hoops at Easter time and the kids have had lots of time to practice and improve their skills. It's fun to watch them compete with each other.

Thanks to my brothers last year, if you are ever at our house on a hot day and we have water balloons on hand, you better watch out because you could get wet!

Scripture Reading

When we read scripture at night and it is Sylvia's turn to participate, she doesn't like to copy what we say. Instead, she makes up her own by telling a scripture story she knows. Noah's ark is a favorite of hers. Briana wanted to help her this time :)

Camping at Lemola Lake

It seems that every time we plan a camping trip we get bad weather. We had planned to do tent camping at Lemola Lake, but there was a big snow storm the day before so we upgraded to a cabin. The kids favorite part was jumping from bed to bed, riding their bikes and catching the first fish of the season. Pour little trout had to be handled by all before being let go. We had a great trip and the sun even came out for us! Ethan was too busy to get his picture taken.

FHE: Street Clean Up

As we were cleaning up the garbage along our street, we found this bird that was sitting on its eggs right next to the road! Pretty crazy.

Fun Pack Meeting

Thanks to my friend for taking these fabulous pictures. Preston has such great Cub leaders. We had this fun day of playing at their place. Complete with a lunch of hotdogs...I think our kids could never tire of these pink pureed sausages :)

I Love to Be A Mother!

What a wonderful day...Mother's Day! I got breakfast of blueberry pancakes, stacks of cards, lots of hugs and kisses, a flower head band made by my talented cub scout and a day to play outside with the little ones while the others toiled in the kitchen. I could do this more than once a year! I am so grateful for the chance to be a mother, and to have a mother that is a perfect example to me. She loved and sacrificed so much for us. When I feel like it is a struggle with four little ones, I think of her and her faith and obedience with seven of us! What a saint my mother is. I hope to be as diligent as her and raising happy children who have a strong testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

“I don't want to drive up to the pearly gates in a shiny sports car, wearing beautifully, tailored clothes, my hair expertly coiffed, and with long, perfectly manicured fingernails. I want to drive up in a station wagon that has mud on the wheels from taking kids to scout camp. I want to be there with a smudge of peanut butter on my shirt from making sandwiches for a sick neighbors children. I want to be there with a little dirt under my fingernails from helping to weed someone's garden. I want to be there with children's sticky kisses on my cheeks and the tears of a friend on my shoulder. I want the Lord to know I was really here and that I really lived.” ― Marjorie Pay Hinckley

It's Fire Pit Season