Painting

I got the paints out for Carter yesterday. Usually it's just scribbling but this time I decided that we were going to have something to paint. So his first painting was of a motorcycle he choose green and red since we didn't have black paint. We had a toy motorcycle up for inspiration and than I built a tower and we both painted that. I think we will do it again soon.

Visiting

Well when we got to my house we didn't do much and even took fewer pictures. It was fun to have my family here. We found this lake I'm pretty sure it was part of the the Columbia river but the sign said 'lake' it was soo cold. I think Ryan is going to be the cool uncle. We set up cans and used the pellet gun to shot them. He got some dry ice to play with.. I can't remember what else but I think my brothers enjoyed their stay at our place. I gave my mom a pedicure and had some great one on one time with each member of my family I couldn't ask for more.

Water

When Landon sees water he gets a little frantic. It doesn't sound as loud in the video but in the car it was pretty loud. This was when my dad was driving through Northen California on the way to my house.

Day3

Here we are at the beach in Santa Monica on day 3. The drive to the beach was insane, bumper to bumper traffic. The girls went to a few boutiques and planned to meet Dad and the boys and our children at the beach. It was much harder than it should have been but it was fun.

Day 2

On day two we hung out at the house and dad helped Melissa work on here 'backyard'. We set up the pool and played as a big family. It was really nice. It was also Jeffrey's 16th Birthday. So Andew made vegan pound cake and we sang. We are so happy that we have such a great uncle/brother in our family!

After the party.. and all the babies were sleeping the ladies sneaked out to a sushi place.. I might be smiling but it was gross. blah.. I do not like sushi now I know. I told Melissa that when she comes again I will take her out for gross food too. :) I liked the pot stickers we ordered, the rest not so much. But it was fun. I love my sister so much I feel like hanging out with her stretches me to be a better person. I feel so lucky to have the family I have.

On to LA

My parents were going to Utah and than CA and than to my house. Since we were in Island park for the roommate reunion I just meet them up in SLC to join them. The driving bit was a little rough but worth it! We had so much fun.

The first whole day at my sister's house was taken with shopping for vegans and going for a walk, doing some yard work and than we went to Travel Town train museum.

We also stopped by the old LA zoo. It is now just an open park with old tiny cages. It was fun to walk around with my brothers and dad and my kids and nephews. Mom and Melissa found a shady spot to stop and chat. There was also a playground the kids really enjoyed.

We also tried to go on a run with Andrew everyday. (he is doing cross country!!) he is much faster than us so he ended up getting lost a few times.. it was fun trying to find him. He didn't really need finding cause he didn't stay lost forever. My sister ran with us too but she took the picture so she's not in it.. sad.

Cliff Lake

During our Roommate Reunion Ryan provided kind of a good laugh for us..

Roommate Reunion

Ryan had the best apartment in college. They all had so much fun together. They went on canoe trips, had weekly bonfires, camping trips, cave exploring, date nights, bath night...haha and of course pranks all the time and most important they had nightly roommate prayer. Not only that, but 3 of the 5 of them started dating their spouse the same semester. That means the girls are friends too! So about a year ago when it was suggested that we do a roommate reunion this summer we were all on board! On the first of July we all met up at school and had lunch together-all of us were breaking the dress code.. oops.. beards, flip flops, shorts and capris.. but no one said anything.

Then we headed up to our cabin in Island Park, shared a dinner and did birthday presents (little G man turned 4) than let the kids play. Later we put the kids to bed, set up the baby monitor and all hopped in the hot tub! I was surprised at how easy it was. The kids didn't fight and it felt like we have just always been hanging out together.

Saturday we got up and drove up to Cliff Lake in Montana. We had a blast playing near the water and canoeing/rafting. A few of the men used the rope swing. When we got back to the cabin we had dinner and then gave the men some man time out by the fire while all the ladies stayed inside, listening to children cry I mean get ready for bed. The boys came in and invited us to hot tub with them and we eventually joined them.

Sunday we attended the Island Park Ward and then enjoyed the company of the most newly wed roommate (he couldn't get the whole weekend off but was able to join us for dinner and games. We tried to occupy the kids for the afternoon with snacks and a movie..

Monday we got up cleaned up, took the equal of family pictures and went our separate ways. We plan on doing something again in the future. Ryan drove home to Washington and I went south with the boys.

all pictures came from Bethany.

Shosone Falls

Ryan and I have talked about stopping in Twin Falls to the see the falls every time we drive through Idaho. This time we finally made the stop. Luckily I had packed all our swimsuits in one bag separately :). We had so much fun. I love this little stop it cost $3 to park and see the falls and than you can also stop at the beach they made there I would say it was a bargain! Beautiful and warm. I can't wait to do it again.