I smile because we are family...

...I laugh because there is nothing you can do about it!

Since my parents and sister Kirsten, and my sister Lisa and her familiy were here for Tyler and Quintin's graduations, we took some time to take some family pictures. It's been a little while...4 years for my family. Our awesome niece Pene was so gracious to come and take them for us. We were missing my brothers and their families and were sad that they weren't able to make it. They plan on taking more pictures when they all get together this Summer for my grandma's 90th birthday.

 My Parents and Sisters

(L-R: Julie, Dad, Mom, Lisa, Me and Kirsten in front)

 With our Spouses

(L-R: Bob & Julie, Dad & Mom, Chris & I, Jordan & Lisa, and Kirsten)

All the Grandkids

(L-R: Back Row-Zachary, Lauren, Tyler & Brynnly; Middle Row-McKenna, Grandpa, Grandma, Quintin & Brooklynn; Front Row-Adelaide, Braxton, Ivy, Sinjin, LaRue & Matilda)

 The Whole Gang

 Our Family - May 2016

 Lauren - 16 years old

The one of the left was taken in April 2016. She hates it, but I love it!

 Brooklynn - 10 years old

McKenna - 13 years old & LaRue - 12 years old

(We didn't get one of just McKenna)

And, we didn't take any of Tyler because we had just taken his Senior Pictures. But just so he doesn't feel left out...here is the official yearbook picture.

Spring Break 2014!

Happy 4th of July!

We made our annual pilgrimage to Malad, Idaho for the 4th of July. We love going, every year. We had such a nice, relaxing visit this time. My sister Julie and her younger children came up and spent the night which was lots of fun.

 

We started the day out with the parade, then the kids headed into town for the shoot-out while the adults shopped for last minute items for lunch. Then we all headed up to the ranch for the family Salmon bake and tons of great food. People started to slowly leave and the last of us cleaned up in a huge hurry as a thunderstorm moved in quickly and it started to pour.

 

About this time we were starting to get worried as Tyler and Darl had not come back with the 4-wheelers. Grandpa jumped into the truck and headed out to look for them while we finished last minute clean-up. When we were loaded up, Chris and I headed up to look for them as well. We met them coming down the road at the mouth of the canyon. Darl's 4-wheeler had broken down pretty far away and they needed gas and a tow rope to get it out. I took the kids home while Chris, his dad and some of the adult grandkids went back to retrieve the other 4-wheeler. Chris said they were really far away (there is a point where vehicles can't go any further and they were at least a mile or so past that) and it was stuck down a ravine. While they were pulling it out, Tyler was driving and the other 4-wheeler hit a rock snapping Tyler's 4-wheeler back and flipping it over backwards. Luckily he was able to jump off and scramble out of the way with some minor scratches and bruises. We were so blessed that everyone made it out ok. Needless to say the boys had a little "chat" with Grandpa about limits!

Later that evening we watched the great fireworks show that Malad puts on. The kids set off their fireworks while we waited. I am always so impressed at the great show considering how tiny the town is. Way better than our fireworks here where we live in a big city.

The rest of the vacation we relaxed, watched movies, swam, and ate! It was such a nice weekend with family. I was terrible though and hardly took any pictures!

Families are a lot like fudge...

... mostly sweet with a few nuts!

The other day, this picture popped up on our digital frame.

Someone suggested that we re-enact the picture since it has been a long time (2008) and everyone has grown so much. So we did!

Summer Fun

Well, things are always more fun when mom and dad aren't around. The kids got to go to Utah Lake with their older cousins Latu & Pene as well as some of their younger cousins. They had a blast running around, swimming, playing in the sand and most importantly, bathing in mud. They thought that was the best thing since sliced bread. Luckily and surprisingly, they cleaned up pretty darn good. However, I'm glad they were all washed up before I saw them. I'm glad they got to spend some time with their cousins doing things I never would have let them do. I know, I'm lame. Thanks Pene & Latu!

 Lauren and Darl doing their "Peeta" impersonations

Giddy Up Cowboy

It's been a long time since we have been to a rodeo. I think the last time was when Brooklynn was about six months old.

 

 Fun trip down memory lane...

Anyway, we decided to head up to Malad for the Oneida County Rodeo before school started. I forgot how much I really enjoy rodeos. It was a beautiful evening and everyone had a great time. I do believe we need to start going more often. 

 McKenna

 Brooklynn

 Brynlie & McKenna...these two got to spend two weeks with Grandpa last year and had fun hanging out again.

The bull riding. I didn't get any good pictures because Tyler decided we needed video of the main event. 

I have to say one of the best parts of the rodeo is watching the Mutton' Bustin' with the little kids on the sheep. It is so much fun to watch those little kids. When Tyler was about 4 or 5 years old we entered him. I had to go dig up the video when we got home.

Please keep in mind that this was almost 10 years ago and technology has come a LONG way since then. We were sitting pretty far away so the film is pretty grainy. But, you get the idea. He scored a 70...not too bad for a city slicker!

It was a really fun evening and I am already looking forward to next year!

4th of July Spectacular!

Our 4th was awesome, again, as usual. We just love spending the 4th in Malad with Grandpa Gleed (Chris' dad). It is everything a small town should be. This year, Grandpa Gleed was the Grand Marshall of the parade! It was an exciting honor and he asked McKenna and Brooklynn if they would ride in the parade with him and throw candy! They were SOOOO excited. Luckily Aunt Julie (Lolohea) was the driver so we could rest easy knowing she'd keep those two in line. We had over 80 family members and friends come to Malad for the parade to see Grandpa.

 

 

 

 

 

Afterwards we all headed up to the ranch for our very own Salmon Bake. Since the Scouts in Darl's ward weren't doing it anymore, and he was the one who had originally started it, we couldn't let the tradition die. So we started our very own. We had tons of yummy food, great weather and lots of wonderful company. We had such a nice time visiting and playing.

 

We had a water fight going on...these two are conspiring.

Lauren and little Sila up on the water tower

Afterwards we headed back house in town and relaxed. The kids played, ran in the sprinklers and set off fireworks. Later that evening we headed over to watch the town fireworks and light of some more of our own. It was such a fun time. I am really glad that my sister Julie and her kids were able to come up and hang out with us too.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The whole time I just kept thinking about Jenna (Chris' mom) who LOVED the 4th of July. It was her birthday so it was always an extra special holiday. I couldn't help but think of how happy she must have been to see so many of her family and loved ones gathered together to celebrate. We sure miss her. I just know she must have been beaming from ear-to-ear smiling down on us all. Happy 4th of July!