A few trips to the Beach

We spent a few weekends at the beach house this summer. Here are a few pictures from both trips. Believe it or not we had great weather most of the time! Trevor is in most of these pictures because I do not want to get in front of the camera this far along in my pregnancy:)

 Monster feet

 Skim boarding

 A real beach babe

 Who can resist a sunset kissing picture

 feeding the birds

Happy Birthday Russell

We celebrated Russell's 5th Birthday, yesterday at our home. He had a lego party with his friends. He had been counting down the days for months. I really enjoy seeing him so excited about something special like a birthday. Trevor went in for work early so he could be home in time to help with the party. He pretty much ran the show, which I really appreciated. 

 

 I hired two of our favorite babysitting sisters to make this Lego Ninjago cake for Russell's party. They did a fantastic job! Russell showed each guest his cake as they arrived.

 Lego time in the preschool room

 Russell insisted on party hats

 bottle spin for present opening

 Russell wanted Sushi for his birthday dinner, so we took Carol (who watched Amelia during the actual boy party), and went to MIO Sushi

We were all totally exhausted by the end of the day.

Oh Canada!

At 29 weeks pregnant I decided to take a trip to Cardston Alberta with my kids, mom, sister, and nephew. A little crazy? Yes! Worth it? Totally! We did the trip in two days, first day to Spokan, second day to Cardston with a fantastic mid way break in Cranbrook to see the Fraser and Amy Bowden cousins. We spent four days seeing as much family as possible while also enjoying the fun and beautiful sites of Cardston. We saw a great play at Grandpa's theater, went to the Heritage days Parade, spent an afternoon in Waterton, played at Grandpa's barn, reconnected with childhood best friend and cousin Ali, ate great meals, and best of all strengthened the relationship my children share with their great grandparents. The trip was short but I really felt every minute was filled with great experiences. I will try to go up every summer in August with my family because Cardston is a place I want my kids to know and love.

At our Cranbrook stop Fraser and Amy fed us a delicious grilled dinner and let our restless kids run around for a few hours before getting in the car to do the last part of the trip.

 The kids eating after the parade at Grandma Russells. This was one of my favorite rocks to play on growing up. TJ and Russell climbed more trees in Grandpa's front yard than they have climbed in their whole life.

Waterton Park

At the Cahoon homestead

Neal continuing the tradition of tractor rides with the grandkids. Same wagon Grandpa Cahoon used to pull me in when I was a little girl.

The Cardston Temple before church.

Grandma more smiley and talkative then I've seen her in a few years. She just loved all those great grandkids running around.

At the barn riding Chram

More wagon rides

Carson's Farwell in Olympia

We spent the last week of July in Olympia for Carson's farewell. All the siblings came out for it. We spent time swimming, visiting, eating, and just hanging out.  We were able to go to the temple as a family which was the best part of being together. Sunday, I sang with my sisters in church and Carson gave a great farewell talk. Lots of happy tears over the weekend.

After church pictures with Carson and Grandma

 Being pregnant, I'm glad this was just a head shot

 Dad took all the sister and Grandma to Coach for purses. I felt pretty spoiled.

 Cousins having watermelon on the porch

 A boys morning at Cabela's with Uncle Carson, Uncle Wes and Uncle Christian. My boys loved it.

 Swimming at the Valley

 Drake, Christian and Savannah

 Wes, Oliver and Beth

 Oliver riding bikes outside

Berry Picking and the zoo

 Our blueberry  bushes have been out of control this summer. We've probably picked over a 100 cups so far and the berries keep coming. Trevor is really good about harvesting his "crop."

 An evening of picking

 TJ's designed some lego binoculars

 A summer trip to the zoo with friends.

 Waiting for the bird show to start.