Trip to California...

I took all 5 kids out to California by myself to get the girls to Girl's Camp there with their friends, Bradley on a Scout Bike trek with his friends, and to see my girlfriends! Here are a few photos of our fun:

Sydney was dying to see her friend, Natalie:
McKenzie and Sydney with some friends heading out to Camp Ritchie:

Water fun in El Dorado Hills:

We had a sick boy on the way and our plans of where we were staying changed to a hotel. But after a couple days, we dared get around everyone again. Palmbergs invited us to come swim one day, but I forgot to take a pic of Ryan and Nathan...But I got one of Addy having so much fun with Natalie in their pool.
We went to our neighbors, Leona and Herb 3 times to visit them. SO good to see them. I think they thought they'd never see us again- ever! But they were so glad to see us that they bought 5 desserts for us to choose from when we came over to visit.
Lake fun with the ladies and their kiddos. So fun to see my friends again! I did get a picture of all of us ladies in the lake, but I am keeping my promise that I won't post us in our swimsuits!



Finally we got to spend time with our dear friends, the Reeds (they had been sick too!)
Huge Hamburgers at the Squeeze Inn:

Water park fun with Naomi and Katie and Karen:


Bradley stopped to see his best bud, Dylan. Voices lower and boys taller, they still had fun talking. It was strange to the kids to go back after a year, but they loved it!
Nathan was dying to see his best bud, Evan and got to play over for a couple hours:

The girls finally are at girls' Camp together and love Camp Ritchie...the traditions, the beauty, and the fun camp leaders. There was snow on the way...

So glad to see all of you. Thanks Karen and Karyn for letting us stay with you! I didn't get enough pictures for sure, but the memories remain in our hearts!

8th grade graduation...

Here are a few pictures I'm finally getting to of Bradley's 8th Grade graduation. Fun to have him graduate from the same Middle School like I did. He played in the band and got grade awards from being on the honor roll each quarter.The principal is retiring. Love Mr. Anderson- he was my 5th grade teacher. So glad my kids got to know him.
Bradley with Grandparents. He looks happy!
The 2 cousins in the middle school:
Congrats Bradley! He works hard on his own for his grades. Never forgets to turn something in- very independent!

my precocious 3 year old...

Here are a few clips I put together quick of her little personality. I'm thinking she'll dance and sing and do musical theater, what do you think?

Pageant 2011

We did the same parts this year in the Pageant, although we could only do the first week because we went to California the second week. Nathan with cousins- little Nephites...Nathan's favorite pose for the scene:
My sister and I:
Lots of practicing...many hours...
Addy loved being in costume and played her part well:
These 3 (Syd in the middle) were being crazy and dramatic while walking down the hill to do our part:

Our family did the Harvest scene and the Christ in America scene. Bradley was a Lamanite warrior and got killed every night, and Syd and Kenzie were angels at the end.

The whole gang. My brother, Mike and Sister Corinne and their families:
The boy cousins as Lamanites (pretty White Lamanites at that!)
Kenzie:
It was a lot of work for just 1 week. Maybe next year we'll be around for both weeks. What a great experience for our family! Fun tradition!

Sunbathing

Don't you remember doing this as a kid? Heck- I remember sleeping on the carpet in the sunshine as a teenager. Felt SO good!

Miss Independent

I guess when Mom's busy Little Addy can get her own cup for a drink. I caught her climbing...

CA friends in Utah!

We were SO excited to be able to have a couple friends come visit in June from California. First the Marriott's and then Ragans! It was so fun and our kids loved seeing old friends!

At the Ice cream /penny candy store (that was really 3 cent store):
I took the boys over to see the creations this guy in town makes with pop bottles and shells and anything else he finds to create things. They thought it was pretty cool!

Playing dress-ups:
At the city pool:
Visiting the temple:

Thanks for coming to see us!

Nathan Randoms...

Nathan worked so hard on his derby car, only to have it bubble up on the paint job just hours before. Not to worry, Supermom to the rescue...Dad wasn't home, so Mom went and bought more paint, sanded it all down to the wood herself, and helped Nathan spray paint his car over again...got done JUST barely in time. WHEW!Mrs. Frischknecht (my AUNT) was Nathan's teacher this year. This is at the May Festival. We both LOVED having her as a teacher. Gotta remember to put her up for an award somewhere. She's AMAZING!
Nathan was a hoot in the May Festival. He really performed well and people asked me after, "Oh- is this one your son? Boy- he's a good dancer. Cracked me up!" Here he is doing the sprinkler move:
I about died when I realized he was dancing with a partner! They even did the tango, which I cracked up on. They told them to make a serious face during the tango, and it was funny!
Nathan's Birthday cake...Turning 9.
LOVE this kid!

Branding cows...

Bradley and the other boy cousins worked hard all day to brand and innoculate the calves. It was a good experience but when I went out to take a picture and see if they were done, I couldn't stand the smell. I guess I still have some "city girl" in me.