Braces For Hallie

When the dentist said it was time to see the orthodontist all of us were a little uncertain what to expect. We went for the consult and came away with a date to have them put on. Hallie wanted to make sure we waited until after Nate's wedding so that is what we did. She should be in them for 18 months possibly 15 months depending on how good she is at wearing her bands...so we shall see.

Kinner's Softball

Nic let us know about a softball tournament for Kinners so the kids and I decided to jump in the car and head for Spanish Fork for the day to support her and spend time with the other cousins. 

Nic was the coach so I got to be in charge of Gray. 

In between games we grabbed lunch at the drive thru and then headed to the splash pad to cool off. Nic and I have never shied away from taking our kids out and about but that doesn't mean it doesn't look like a circus. 

Kinners team ended up winning and having to play in a 3rd later game so we decided to stay. So once again we ventured out to find dinner with the kids. Costco pizza for the win while Nic grabbed a few other things she needed I sat with the kids so we didn't have to drag them thru the store. We were quite the site.

Such a fun spontaneous day! I love the days we have the opportunity to spend time with family and make those lasting memories.

Happy Birthday America

 4th of July is so fun in Huntsville. The town has been working hard to turn it back into a a small town community celebration rather than a destination holiday for many in Utah. I hate all the people but it's getting better. This year since we had just been with my family we invited Andy and Ari to spend it with us.

Since we aren't early morning breakfast people our morning usually starts with the parade. We have found a great spot that doesn't require us to be there to early.

Chris and Krissy also joined us for the parade and lunch

The committee did a great job with the parade. Each float had a part of U.S. history and the patriotic music was a great touch.

A year ago to the day Hallie sat in a similar position as we met Tripp for the first time after his extended time in the NICU

When we got back to the house we set up our water party and got lunch going. It was a great set up for the day

Matt cooked the burgers and I think we all ate our weight in snow cones

Maddi joined us after the parade and for the rest of the day. We love when she comes around and it's always nice to have another adult around.

When they needed a break from the water they built forts with their beach towels

That night while we watched the fireworks around the valley we did smores. The kids love smores on our gas fire pit and I love not having to smell like fire.

June Randomness

 More beautiful bike day playing in the water

Cool mornings wrapped up in blankies reading on the deck

I took Hallie to see Dr Tanner a couple times and she got to sit in the massage chair....she thinks we really need one of them.

Plenty of days with friends over at all hours of the day

And some piano practicing. It can be a challenge to get the girls to settle in and practice but usually once they sit down they play for much longer than they need to. I really would love for all the kids to play the piano to the point they could play accompany someone and play for fun

The kids have all gotten into games and are now at the age they really can play by themselves

Liam has even had some friends over

Gunnison Weekend-Grayson's Blessing, Side by Side Riding, and Water Fun

 After a quick night sleep we were up bright and early to head to Gunnison for Grayson's baby blessing. Matt had taken most the suitcases out the night before so we had less to pack the morning of. We grabbed breakfast at the hotel and got on the road. I was about 90 minutes to Nic's. All the kids fell asleep pretty quickly once we were on the road so it was a quiet and quick drive to Gunnison. Maddi text me on the way and said she didn't think she was coming. She was having a hard time that Nate was now officially married and struggling with her anxiety. After talking it thru she decided to come. I think all the time we just need to be seen and heard to work through our feelings. We got there about 10 minutes before sacrament started. We stayed for both sacrament and relief society. It's been awhile since I've gone to relief society since I'm in nursery all the time now so that was nice. After we headed back to Nic's to get unloaded and have some lunch. Kyle's family had stayed the night before so we waited to move all our stuff in until later that night. After we ate we played outside to pass the time.

Monday morning we were up and going to get our side by sides at a decent time. Nic made breakfast and we packed lunch and got loaded up. Kim and Ez stayed at a local hotel and met us at the rental shop. We rode from the rental site into the hills and found the trails. The kids all love when we go side by siding. Liam actually calls it side be siding. The kids get the chance to ride around and ride with different cousins. Its more fun to ride the less traveled trails because they aren't as dusty.

About half way thru our journey we stopped at Nic's trailer to have lunch and hangout. Nic's family comes her often and wanted to show the kids their fort. 

The boys let the kids take turns shooting at cans

Emy was pretty proud of herself for getting Gray to sleep

We also stopped at a little fishing spot that Kyle loves and played in the water briefly because it was freezing!

One of the things I love about doing this is at some point most of the kids fall asleep. I used Matt's quarter zip to hold his head up

My favorite driver to be a co pilot for

The kids fight over who gets to sit in the front with Matt and I so we rotate

My favorite group to ride with...love all of them

We came home that night dusty and exhausted. After we showered we ordered pizza and watched movies. The next morning we hung around the house. Everyone was tired. I guess thats one bad thing about going from one even to the next. We were planning on going to the reservoir but we decided to play water games at Nic's instead.

After a couple hours everyone started melting and we decided it was time to head home. Matt loaded the car while I got all the kids bathed and changed. It was such a fun week but totally exhausting. We were supposed to stay another night but everyone had had it. We are so grateful that we were able to spend so much time together...until next time.