Week 5 - PG/SLC

This is our last week on Vacation.  Dad was released from Bishop on Sunday and I was glad we were there.  All the siblings were, except for Jordan.  I think that meant a lot to Dad.  We just hung out in PG for the week.  On Wednesday night Mom invited my local cousins to come for a BBQ.  It was so fun to see Mindy and Sarah and their families.  We have never really spent time together in years and years, so it was fun to catch up.  And, the chicken was fantastic!    It was fun to see the kids play together.  Something about being family just makes it easy to play and be instant friends.

Grandma did a little bit of sewing for the boys, making them new jammie pants.  What would we do without our amazing grandma?

Thursday morning I got up early and got my stuff together and headed to SLC for the TLN Summer Sales Convention.  I was basically in charge of all the registration and such for over 85 agents, plus 15 carriers, so it was a big deal.  I had been working on it a lot, and the convention went wonderful.  The boys stayed to play at Grandma's and I appreciate so much that they are able to do that.  We do the convention at the Grand America in downtown Salt Lake, and it is the most amazing hotel I have every been in. 

I enjoyed a wonderful bubble bath in the garden tub while reading "The Mockingjay", sleeping in a king bed all to myself, and eating amazing foods.  Friday night there was a crazy incident where a man wearing military gear was seen walking out of the parking garage, told some people he was in training, and then started shooting at a police officer.  The cop shot back and killed the man.  They blocked off the roads for the night and did a full blown investigation, all while they left the body of the man on the grass of the hotel.  They didn't cover it or anything, but put yellow tape around him and then had cops guard him with their big guns.  He was behind some bushes, so they probably assumed that nobody could see him, but we could from our hotel rooms.  You can read more on the story from www.ksl.com. I took closer pictures, but Dave is mortified, so I won't post them.  You can see the shooter laying near the bushes being guarded by cops.

Saturday morning I had to present at the convention, and then I met Mom and the boys and Cami in the lobby and we zoomed home.  We left SLC about noon, and pulled into Kennewick 10 hours later.  The boys traveled so great.  There were no complaints from anyone.  Cami drove with me to help with the monkeys, and then she will stay with us until Wednesday then fly home.

Our Daddy was so happy to see us!  And we were happy to see him.  We had the best vacation, but are so glad to be home now.  It was nice to sleep in our own beds and go to our own ward on Sunday too.

Week 4 - Pleasant Grove

We got the pool out again but this time put it under the slide at the fort. The boys put the hose down the slide and they would fly down the slide into the pool then jump on the tramp.

Braden liked to just play in the pool or sit at the top in the fort and play with the hose.

On Wednesday we met my friends Tiffany and Brooke and their kiddles at the Highland City Splash Park. We had such a good time playing in the sunshine and even a little rain. It is so fun to get together and to enjoy each other and our kids. We brought a picnic too. It was a really fun day.

Friday night we decided to throw a surprise birthday party for Auntie.  She was in China on her birthday and didn't feel celebrated by her family, so we celebrated her.  I blindfolded her when she got home from work and took her downstairs where Cami and the kids had decorated and showed surprise.  She opened presents and blew out candles on cupcakes. 

Braden liked to rearrange the candles once they were blown out

Then grandpa made homemade frozen yogurt, and Tanner was so excited when it was ready!

Saturday we went to the ward party at PG pool.  It was so much fun.  There wasn't very many of us there so we went up and down the slide a hundred times.  Everyone loved it.

Then Grandpa and Auntie jumped off the diving board.  Manda and I did it later, but there are no pics.

And, we just floated around having a nice time.

This whole week we had Avery here with us.  Uncle J and Aunt Dawn and Madolyn went on a cruise with Dawn's family, and Avery wasn't invited.  By the end of Monday night I had pretty much decided that I would not be having any more children, as 4 would do me in.  But by the end of the week we had figured out how to get along with each other, and it all ended up being okay. 

Brady just loves Avery and wants to love her and step on her and pat her on the head, and she of course, wants NOTHING to do with him.  Colty and Tanner loved her so much and kept saying, "Oh, we wish we had a baby sister." 

Amanda and Cami also decided that I am old fashioned and out of style (basically ugly) so they convinced me to cut my hair in a stylish way (see above), and I went shopping with Mom to get some new clothes. 

Tonight when Uncle J and Aunt Dawn got back they stopped here for dinner. This is a picture of the cute Peterson cousins.

Brothers

We sure love these brothers in our family!

Braden

Everyone tells me that Braden looks just like my brother did when he was little. With his white hair and big brown eyes and beautiful tan complexion, he is a handsome little boy. Tanner and Colty say all the time, "Braden is so cute." He adds such a fun dynamic to our little family. He is very independent and is so sure that he is as big as his brothers and can do anything they can. He is very smart and does sign language for more, drink, and please, and is starting to talk. His new work is Grandpa, which he yelled throughout church today. He also says no and mama and every once in a while will say Nanner (Tanner). I was actually really surprised at the pictures we took of him because he was quite grumpy the whole night - it is such a pain to hold still!

Colton

Colton is so handsome. He has the best personality and keeps us laughing. He is a drama-king and emphasizes just the right words so that his point comes across clear. And his facial expressions are the best. He is so helpful and is always trying to help Braden, (even when Braden doesn't want the help). He is a good sport to play at Tanner's command most days, doing whatever Tanner says. He will miss Tanner when he goes to kindergarten, but it will be so fun for Braden and I to have him to ourselves. Colty told us the other day that he wants us to call him Colty, not Colton. He is such a determined and stubborn boy, and does things his own way, much to the chagrin of his parents.

Tanner

Tanner is such a good boy. He is growing up so fast and is so excited to start Kindergarten at the end of the month. I am excited for him too, but nervous that my little boy is going to be going to school. He is so smart and will learn so fast. I was worried that he would be so shy and not talk to anyone, but he is getting so brave and talks all day to anyone who will listen. Tanner is my big helper and is a good minder and is thoughtful and happy. He loves his best friend Colty and they play all day so well together. Tanner is such a good boy and is the first to tell if someone is being a troublemaker. It is nice to know that my kid is not the one causing problems (generally). He is getting all grown up and getting so big.