Outdoors with Dad

Ben was only able to spend a few days with us in Idaho. So we tried to cram a few fun activities in before he left. We did two of our favorite things- shooting traps and a 4-wheeler ride. This canyon is just a few miles from my parents house. The trail is hardly ever ridden. It's such a nice slow paced ride. While Ben was home we also finished getting things set up for a shop. It is finally up. We are excited to have a place to park the GTO along with a few other things we have in Idaho. Plus I am sure we will find more things to put in it. Speaking of the GTO we took a few family pictures on our property with it too.

Ben was the best shooter of the day.


Nana and Olin with the hayfield behind them.

Isn't this view amazing?!

Father's Day

Father's Day was pretty low key this year. Before we headed out west Ben opened a few gifts. Rhone loved the remote control motor cycles that he gave Ben. They drive them until their little batteries die. On actual Father's Day we were in Idaho. My mom's family celebrated with us. Unfortunately I had caught Ben's stomach flu, so I didn't do much to make the day special for Ben. We sure do love our Dads and are so grateful for all their love and support.

Rhone and Ben driving the motorcycles

Ben getting to open his main present.

It's a set of tools for the shop in Idaho. We let him open it a few days early so he could use them on the GTO.

Rhone helping Papa open his present.

Rhone and Ben on Father's Day morning.

My mom's family were camping Father's Day weekend. Rhone went and visited everyone while I stayed home sick. He loved all the attention and jumping on the air mattress with his cousins.

What a great Dad! He even lets Rhone help cut his hair.

Wedding Day!

The wedding day was one busy day and we were just guests. Brandalyn and Paul looked amazing and so happy. The day started off bright and early with the race to check out of the hotel and get to the temple. Reilly was kind enough to watch all the kiddos so everyone could attend the ceremony. After we waited (as good as kids wait) for the bride and groom to make their big entrance. Then we headed off to the luncheon. We let Rhone nap in the car while we stopped in a few stores we rarely visit (IKEA and REI). Then we headed to the zoo. It was fun, but hot. Then we rounded up all the tired kiddos grabbed dinner and headed off the the beautiful reception. We thought the excitement was over, but on the way to Idaho the stomach flu hit Ben, so with a few emergency stops we finally ended the wedding day in Idaho. Whew what a fun and long day.

Our little family at the temple.

Ben with his Dad. I love that we got one of him smiling.


This picture doesn't show it, but Rhone really adores his older cousin Liesel.

These little boys were done waiting quietly when we pulled out the trucks.

A crowd of kids sure is fun. I like how Rhone isn't sure about the lion drinking fountain.

The cousins at the zoo.

We never could have posed this, but I love how they are all checking out the chicken and her chicks.

Rhone has been into maps lately, and insisted on having one of the zoo.

Brandalyn with Kara and me.

Ben with his oldest sister Terri who was a beautiful mother of the bride.

Ben with his mom and 2 of his sisters. The view of Salt Lake City was beautiful.

Paul and Brandalyn cutting their cake.

Utah Time

We had a little family reunion with Ben's family while we were out for his niece's wedding. It has been years since so many of us were together. It was so much fun catching up and watching all the kids play together. The dynamics sure have changed over the years. Thanks for letting us invade your house Liz. Hopefully it doesn't take so long for us to meet up again. These pictures are from the reunion. Wedding day pictures are coming soon.

These 4 kids spent so much time jumping that I had to include a picture.

Roasting marshmallows with dad.

Making a fruit pizza was such a fun project with so many kids. It was fun to image what it would be like to have 6, but thank goodness it was just pretend :)

The cousins all getting ready for bed.
Last minute we decided to have a little party with the bride and groom. We had a fun time playing games.

Grandad with the grandkids at the hotel pool the night before the wedding.

strawberries and fun

We almost missed strawberry season, but Rhone and I managed to make it out and pick a few. When we paid for our strawberries we also bought some yummy ice cream. The weather was perfect for spending time outside. It was such a delightful afternoon with my little guy. We came home and made 2 batches of fresh strawberry jam. Yum.

With Ben on the road, Rhone and I have been keeping busy. We loaded up all our gear and headed to the beach. We ended up staying until late in the afternoon. So we skipped the nap and got dinner on the board walk and even rode some rides. Whew it was a lot of work for single mom, but we had a great time together. Some of our friends were even able to meet us at the beach for a little bit.

Ben made captain. Can you believe we have been doing this military gig for 4 years now? Seems crazy to me. Only 8 more to go :) We are so grateful that he works hard for us! Congrats, Ben!

As soon as Rhone noticed the soil was sandy he took his shoes off so he could, "feel with my toes mom". What a beach boy.

Look mom, a big one.

A Captain sarsaparilla that Rhone and I made for Ben.

I made these little bags to hold Rhone's snacks and small toys that I carry in my bag. It was my 1st time sewing zippers and I was pretty proud of myself. You can find the tutorial here.

Just Rhone and mom at the beach.

It was so fun to have friends there for a little while. Although it did significantly increase the sand throwing :)


Play group at the pool was so fun!

Most of the kiddo's. What a rowdy crowd.