epic, part 1

Remember how we don't take vacations? Even when we try. We take trips.

I want to be detailed in writing about this, because there are just SO MANY DETAILS, but because my kids said several times that "this was a good day"/ "this was my favorite ___ ever" etc. So here goes:

My brother and his (now) wife Stephanie picked the wedding date of July 26, in Idaho Falls. Spencer's wheels were immediately turning and he asked me if we could take the motorhome and do an "epic roadtrip," including going to Yellowstone. Yellowstone is his happy place. I said no because, duh. But he came up with a spreadsheet and showed me how aside from paying a million dollars for gas, there weren't many other expenses. I finally conceded, and the planning began.

We left on July 23, a Wednesday, and went just as far as Reno. We were thinking of driving the whole way in one day but that would have been about 14 hours and that just wasn't going to happen at this stage of our lives. So, to Reno we went. As we drove toward Sacramento Spencer got the kids started on looking for all 50 license plates. The first one they found was Texas, and we had a list of 10 before we even got to the Nevada state line. This license plate game would get old, but it definitely kept them paying attention.

This was when we noticed the first item to break on our trip - the door and slider pretty much fell out of the ceiling of the motorhome. The RV park where we stayed was weird for a lot of reasons but we were just there briefly, we all slept ok, and we were off by 8:00 a.m.

This day, July 24th, was our long day. I do believe it was our longest. About 11 hours. By the time we reached Twin Falls we needed a break. Spencer gassed up at a Costco, the kids and I got food from the food court for dinner (yay), we saw the temple from a distance (#2, Reno was #1), saw the gorgeous Snake River and stopped for a pic, and then drove the last 3 hours to Idaho Falls.

In IF we stayed at the Snake River RV park. Random...after I made the reservations I realized that the owner is the sister of a lady in our ward here. Small world. It was fun to meet her. This place was great, and it had an awesome park, as well as laundry facilities. It was about a half mile from the hotel where my parents and other family members were staying.

On Friday morning we had a slower morning. We didn't have to be anywhere until 10 a.m. We headed north to Rexburg to see President and Sister Wightman. Spencer has been home from his mission for 13 years and they have been home for 12, but the way they talked it was like they picked up right where they left off. Spencer was close to them on the mission and it showed. We sat in their gorgeous backyard for an hour and a half while our kids ran around and played with their dog. It was wonderful and littles were happy.

We then called Adam and met him at the Rexburg temple (the Wightman's are the current temple presidents). The kids got to "touch" the temple.

We walked around campus and admired how much it is growing. We contemplated buying some property there. I liked Rexburg much more than I did last time we were there. We bought fudge...of course we did.

We headed back to IF via a crazy burger joint called Big Jud's. Sadie was asleep so I stayed with her in the motorhome while Spencer took the kids and Adam in. We got back to IF, Sadie woke up, and we went to the hotel where family had just arrived. It was swim time. Spencer was having issues with the generator so he went to a local mechanic (ended up being quite pointless, and the issues continued).

It was time for the wedding dinner at the hotel. We had great food, I saw lots of family (both sets of grandparents!), sang an embarrassing song (think "My Best Friend's Wedding"), and then called it a day.

Next...WEDDING BELLS!

4

I just need to put down some thoughts about this cute boy here.

The night before his birthday I was feeling so sad! Nostalgic, really. I have never experienced terrible two's, have sorta experienced terrible three's, but Tanner has not been included in that at all. Since the moment he turned 3 he has been such an angel. Potty training was a PIECE.OF.CAKE. He is sweet and has a heart of gold. I simply did not want the age of 3 to be over for him. I have never wanted to keep a child from growing so badly.

Spencer worked late that birthday eve so I got to put him to bed. After Tyler read to him and he laid there quietly, I walked in and felt so emotional. I climbed into bed with him and told him how much I love him and what a good boy he is. I told him I didn't want him to turn 4, and that I was going to sprinkle some magic dust on him to keep him 3 forever.  Then I asked him if I could hold him until he fell asleep and while his arms were under my face I cried silent tears. I am lucky beyond all measure, and I know he was sent to me when he was (after Macie's tragedy) to be that bright light in our family. He gave me hope and joy again.

I should back up; he wanted more than anything to go to Gilroy Gardens on his actual birthday. So we did it last Saturday. That place is pure magic I tell you. It is great.

On his birthday we woke him up at 7:15 singing "Happy Birthday" and he had the biggest smile on his face. He asked me if he could do "whatever I want" on that day and I say yes. The only odd request was that he be able to eat his breakfast in the living room.

 Emma made the cute sign and did all the decorating and wrapping.

His "pool party" was at 2:00 at Parkmont pool. He had a few friends come (and a few of the friends of the other kids) and loved the attention as well as his Star Wars cupcakes that Emma made.

That night we had brownies and those acted as the cake. He blew out the candles, and I told him I didn't like that he was 4 but that I still love him so so much.

Oh boy, this one is a keeper!

the 4th

What a fun holiday we had. I'm all about a reason for a party and good food. My parents came up here this year to celebrate with us.

On the morning of the 4th we had our ward pancake breakfast, and the food this year was better than ever! The kids got to be in the parade, but Sadie wasn't happy about it (duh).

After naps we hit Parkmont pool for a couple hours and then had a yummy dinner. (Why do I only have one picture? Wrong computer. I guess I am glad it's this picture - isn't it amazing?)

My mom got Tanner to nap after dinner (!!) so he could go to fireworks with us, and Sadie stayed home and slept while my dad happily stayed home to "baby-sit."

The fireworks were great; we were far enough away to still see everything but to avoid the traffic and the loud booms. The best part was watching the fireworks in the neighborhood right by us, and then watching the police helicopter come and bust those fun/awesome people with its spotlight and sirens.

On Saturday we had to decide between hiking/exploring the redwoods and hitting the tidepools. We decided on the tidepools and were so glad, but bummed to find out that starfish right now (at least here) have a disease so there were none to be found. After walking to the other side of the hill we happened to run into Spencer's cousin Dan and his family. Until recently they lived here but it made it way more random that they live in Provo now! It was a crazy, fun coincidence. We explored more tidepools with them before heading home.

Fun weekend!

full swing

We have enjoyed two weeks with the kids out of school and have been busy every single day!
Here is our catch-up for June...

My cute baby can finally rock the pigtails. They lasted not quite an hour but I couldn't stop staring at her adorableness.

These handsome fellas were pretty matchy matchy. (Tanner adores his older brother, and we have had many talks with Tyler about being kind, reminding him how much he is looked up to. He is trying.)

Tyler's baseball team wrapped up their season with a swim party. Spencer and Mark were co-coaches and each got to present the trophies to the boys. What a cool thing for Tyler and for Spencer.

The pool where the party was had the COOLEST baby pool. I looked into getting a membership...for about 5 seconds when I saw that it costs $1500/year. (Sadie had fun.)

We have spent a ton of time swimming at Parkmont pool. Thankfully, we have wonderful friends who invite us at least twice a week.

We went to a little lake called Cull Canyon. It is usually $5-$6 per person but we went on the free day of the month and it was so awesome! Only 20 minutes away even!

The boys both took swimming lessons. Tanner didn't make a whole lot of progress and Tyler is already a pretty strong swimmer so it was good practice.

We went to the Livermore Rodeo the last day of school. Sadie was tired and grumpy and Tanner was bored...but I wish we had stayed longer.

I had shingles for most of the month of June (I still have it but it might be getting better? slowly...)

Spencer went out of town for 4 1/2 days (Orlando) so I did my "summer toes" one night...

This caught my eye as I was walking through the kitchen... ha.

We have also gone to Great America five times already.

But we went on a date night with the Spears' and actually got to ride a few good ones (rare for the adults)...

Sadie loves the park. My last two kids haven't had nearly as much park time as the first two did.

Emma and Tyler's jobs include reading to Sadie and Tanner every day. I love this "job." And they do too.

Emma is part of a girls' sewing club this summer. I did most of this skirt but she did pick out fabric and helped with a few other parts, and it turned out stinkin cute.

We fed 21 missionaries breakfast (and our own kids) so we did cinnamon rolls and even had a couple left over. We love having the missionaries over.

And with that, here goes July. Jr Lifeguards, 4th of July, more swimming, and then our "epic road trip." It's our one full month of the year with NO SCHOOL so we have to soak up every second. Can't wait!

summer!

Finally! We have been waiting for this day since August! Emma just finished 4th grade, Tyler finished 3rd and Tanner finished joy school. :)

What a difference 9 1/2 months makes. Too bad Sadie wasn't in the above picture...because she would win for "most changed." Emma purposely wore the same shirt on the first and last day. (But we certainly don't jump for joy on the first day like we do on the last.)

For fun, here are the previous two years of jumping pictures:

2013

2012

(Emma also repeated clothes those two years...)

We have ten weeks to play! Some of our plans include the beach, Great America, swimming 1-2 times a week, reading lots of books (both kids have kindles now, and for some reason books are just better when read on one of those), going on an "epic roadtrip," a wedding, and 3 national parks! Wish me luck!