This and That

 We were back from our trip for only 2 days before Ben left for a mission.  So we settled back into reality and life with Ben on the road.  We have done a few fun activities with Rhone to fill the time and it's a good thing we have kind friends who help fill our time.  There was a carnival on base that we went to.  It was a little tricky with 2 kiddos, but I managed.  When Ben was back home on crew rest we spent a rainy morning at a local bounce house place.  Rhone has been dying to go to the beach, so one evening we went to one of our little local beaches.  We didn't last long, but it made Rhone happy.

A spring chick made entirely of fruit

Rhone with a carnival prize

Shooting hoops at the

Sylvie with her shrinking Kangaroo

My adorable kids

Mom and Sylvie at the beach

Making a sandcastle

Jumping of the sandy ledge at the beach

Sliding Fun

Our little dare devil

Rhone and his friends building with Styrofoam and golf tee's at the Bob the builder story time

land that we LOVE

Oh how I love spending time in Idaho with family.  But let me tell ya, it's a lot of work to get ready for trip with a 3 week old.  Miss Sylvie did an excellent job on her first flight and since Rhone is a pretty experienced traveler everything went quite well.  Oh except that security was SUPER long at the Philly airport, so after Rhone's potty break I was running through the airport with him in my arms to catch up to Ben and make the plane.  

The first few days at home were busy getting ready for Sylvie's blessing and spending time the Ben's family.  After everything was over, we had a chance to just settle in and relax.  Rhone got to ride around all day in a tractor with Papa and go fishing.  Ben went on the hunt for some great deals on used snowmobiles and put a new scope on his gun.  Sylvie got held and spoiled by everyone.  And I got to sleep in and spend a day shopping with my mom.  It was an amazing trip for all of us, but I am thrilled that we are done with cross country flights for the next few years.  It was pretty darn tough to come back home and then send Ben off to the middle East 2 days later.   

The 5 hour flight from Philly to SLC

Sylvie's 1st flight at 3 weeks old

Sylvie meeting her Great Gramps and 2nd cousins

Rhone and Sylvie with Great Grandma and Grandpa Rose

Rhone with a fish on his line!  I used to fish at this place when I was little too.  I don't know if Rhone had more fun or if the grown ups did watching him.

He liked catching them, but he was not interested in touching them.  We did take our fish home and smoke it.  And he ate quite a bit.

Fishing all by himself.

Sylvie and Nana came fishing too

When Rhone would wake up early, we could just send him upstairs to play with Nana, while Ben and I slept.  Here he is helping make breakfast

Since there wasn't any snow, Ben tried out he snowmobile on the meadow grass.

Even Nana and Papa took a spin

Pretending to be gunsmiths

Sylvie turned 1 month old!

The cousins

We took Ace out for a little training session.  Rhone hiked all over by himself.  My dad asked him if he needed a ride across a gully and through some tall grass.  Rhone said, "I don't think so, my legs work pretty good."

The gang

This is the only picture of Nana and Papa with the kiddos.

snow slush with sprinkles

Papa and his little worker

Bert riding dusty. He sure loves Ed and Aunt Mary

Sylvie loves her Papa

A mini reunion

 We were lucky enough to squeeze in a mini reunion with Ben's family while we were home.  It was so much fun to catch up with everyone.  I can't believe how quickly the family is growing and changing.  We are so grateful that everyone made the effort and spent the time and money traveling to be there!  We had a fun day soaking in Lava Hot springs, enjoying the park and an Easter Egg hunt with the cousins.  We were sad to say good bye to everyone after the blessing.

Sylvie is actually floating in the water (Ben  is just holding her with 1 hand)

 

Grandad with the Grandkids

Most of the egg hunters.  McKinley wasn't up for a photo

What a silly roasting stick

Snuggling with Grandmommy

Spending time with Aunt Livi

We are only missing 3 people from the family photo, which is pretty impressive

The originals

The grandkids

*A special thanks to Tami for taking the pictures!!

Easter in Idaho

 We celebrated Easter a few more times while at home.  Rhone was pretty impressed with round after round of candy.  Olin and Brock came down the Friday before Easter, so we got to dye eggs, and hunt for baskets again.  My mom and I found cascarones (confetti filled eggs) on a whim and bought a dozen for each little boy.  They sure loved throwing them against the house (honestly it did look like fun).  We attempted to make "risen rolls" and talked about the resurrection of Jesus Christ with pictures.  Mostly the little boys were just interested in the marshmallows :)  Saturday we headed to the town egg hunt.  Rhone was much more excited about playing at the park than finding eggs.  Sunday morning I had some small baskets for Rhone and Sylvie before we headed to church. Whew I told you we celebrated a lot (and there is still more Easter coming in the G family reunion.)  Sylvie's blessing pictures are on Ben's computer (some where in the middle East so those pictures will have to come later).

MMM chocolate...it was actually a rainbow trout instead of a bunny

Throwing their cascarones (see the little red egg up high)

A festive mess

Making "risen rolls".  The marshmallow melts leaving the pastry hallow like the tomb.

Town Easter Egg hunt.

My cute kids on Easter morning.  We sure do love them!

Sweet Miss Sylvie all dressed up for her blessing

Giving  kisses

Family photo on our special day