Say Cheese!

For my birthday this year I got a new camera.  I have had fun trying to learn different things.  The kids have enjoyed posing for pictures.  Some more than others.  Enjoy.

 Abigail loves her scarf.  She thought it would be a great idea to walk to the pond and do a photo shoot with her scarf.  It was so fun to sit and take pictures of her as she was deciding what poses would be best.  She loves to get her picture taken.  By the end, she was hot and tired and not so happy to walk home even though it is only three blocks.  You would never know that by how happy she looks in all the pictures.

Our Utah Trip

 This year on the way to Utah we stopped at the Grand Canyon for a day.  It was hot, but beautiful.  We went on one hike that was three miles.  Abigail walked the whole time.  We were very proud of her. 

When we got to Utah Ryan had soccer camp so we went up to Provo.  Jeff couldn't stay long so we decided to hike up to Timpanogos Cave before he had to leave.  Abigail was not as excited about hiking a second time and Jeff had to carry her some.  Everyone enjoyed the cave, but no one really wanted to hike again so we didn't get to do our annual hike to Stewart Falls.

Hiking up to Mt. Timpanogos

Ryan enjoyed soccer camp, but was tired by the end everyday.  This was his first time on the outside fields.  He was awarded the MVP ball after the first day.

Ryan at Soccer camp

Abigail with her doll Ashlyn in the motel

 While we were in Beaver we did our annual trip up to Tusher Lake to canoe.  The kids always enjoy doing this and it is always nice and cool up there.  Emily drove us up most of the way so she could get some mountain driving experience.  She did really well.

Abigail loves to pose

Everyone posing at Tusher Lake

 We were able to go ride horses down with Grandpa on Sunday.  Abigail and Ryan got to ride by themselves this year and they really enjoyed it.  I think I enjoy riding horses more than any of them, but I am glad they get to go experience it.  Justin really likes riding horses.

We took Emily, Tyson, and Justin back up to Provo for their soccer camp and EFY.  Justin got to do the overnight one for his first time.  He really enjoyed it.  Tyson had fun, but liked the one that did not have ten year old's at it better.  Tyson made the All-star team which was very exciting because each coach only picked one for the entire camp.

Tyson at soccer camp

Justin at soccer camp

Emily did EFY with one of Luke and Lindsey's friends, her name was Lexi.  She had a lot of fun and really enjoyed the new dorms they stayed in.  It was a great trip, but it was a lot of driving getting everyone to everything.  I ended up having to drive home without Jeff because Tyson had a soccer tournament in Dallas before Emily was done with EFY so Tyson flew to Dallas and Jeff drove there to pick him up and the rest of us drove home.  We were all happy to be home and ready for a vacation!!!

Easter

We had a wonderful Easter this year.  The weather was beautiful.  Ryan and Abigail had an Easter Egg hunt at our house with some of their friends from school.  It was a busy time, and my house wasn't as clean as I wanted it, nor was the back yard, but the kids all loved it.  I need to learn to welcome children into our home more even when it isn't clean.  I was so busy with the kids I didn't get any pictures, but they had a great time decorating eggs, playing games, and hunting for eggs.

Easter day the kids woke up and found a not from the "Easter Bunny" telling them which rooms their basket was hidden in.  Everyone got ready for church quickly so we could get some pictures before Emily left, she had to be at the church at 8:15.

We went over to Grandpa and Annabell's after church and had a wonderful dinner.  We love to visit with them.