Portland

We went to Portland last week for Jake's brother's wedding on the 25th. My mom watched and spoiled our kids for us while we were gone for a few days. Danny and Cassie got married in the Portland temple, what a beautiful temple. One of my roommates while I was at Ricks College, Krystal, was able to meet me for a little while at the temple. It was so good to see her and catch up. We were also able to squeeze in a little bit of sight-seeing while we were there. Seaside, OR is a little over a hour drive from Portland so we decided to drive out there early on Saturday morning before the wedding. I had never been to or seen the ocean before so I was so excited. I felt like a little kid! It was very foggy and cold but I loved it.

Danny and Cassie coming out of the temple

What a cute couple!!

Pictures after the wedding

What a stud!!

Jake, Gary, & cousins(Scott and Brad)

Group hug!

Krystal and I

At the park dinner with Bobbi and her family

In front of Multnomah falls just outside of Portland

The 2nd tallest year-round waterfall in the nation

At the beach

The ocean does exist!!

Jake and Tyler's outing

Jake took Tyler fishing/hiking with him last week just for an overnighter. They went to Big Piney campground and then hiked up to a lake there. Tyler was able to catch a fish all by himself for the first time. I think Tyler is "hooked" just like Jake!!!

Yellowstone National Park

Yesterday we decided to go to Yellowstone. We met my sister, Stefanie, in Jackson Hole and then we all headed north to Yellowstone. I was excited to go again but thought that the kids wouldn't like it or appreciate going because most of the time we would be driving. Jake had promised the kids that they would see lots of wild animals along the way and for a while I was having doubts that they would see anything. On the drive we kept telling the kids to keep looking for animals and about 30 minutes into the drive Tyler said, "I don't like looking, I like seeing." Thankfully a little bit after Tyler's comment we came upon a few elk and we all were able to SEE them and get a few good pictures. We also saw Old Faithful, along with other little geysers and hot springs that we stopped to look at along the drive. Then on the way back we came across a coyote on the side of the road. From a distance we also saw deer, antelope, and buffalo. We were hoping to see a bear, maybe we will have better luck next summer. On the drive home we asked the kids if they liked Yellowstone and they gave it thumbs up. Kennady was a little disappointed because she thought that there should have been swings and slides at a park. We forgot to tell her that Yellowstone wasn't your typical city park.

Brooke and her bike

As of yesterday Brooke is officially done with training wheels.  She has been practicing for a while and has finally learned how to ride her bike. In no time at all she will be ready to join Jake and Tyler when they go on bike rides . She is so excited.

  

4th of July

We had a fun this year in Idaho for the 4th of July.  First we spent the day going to two parades, one in the morning at Rexburg and one in the afternoon at Menan.  My sister, Angie, was in both of them dancing with the Troyettes.  It was fun to watch her.  It is a good thing that both of the parades were light on throwing out candy.  After the parades we starting cooking for our barbeque.  It was worth all of the work. YUMMY!!  After dinner we played water balloon volleyball in the backyard until it was time to go to the fireworks.  

Since our 4th of July was jam packed we decided to let off our own fireworks the night before. We splurged this year and got a big pack of fireworks.  I'm not sure who enjoyed them more, the kids watching them or the guys lighting them. 

Angie dancing in the middle

Waiting for the Rexburg parade to start

Max and Kenna waiting for the Menan parade to start

Fun Fireworks

Val and I waiting for the fun to begin

Kenna with her sparkler

I asked them to pose and this is what I got!

Blake and Jarred lighting the fireworks

Say "Cheese"!