July 2014 Idaho Trip

Mara needed a picture to document all of her Build A Bears

We were able to go to the Peaks with cousins again.

Mara, Addi & Aubrey had a great time using the triple tube!

Pat's grandpa Roger A Tolman, passed away. He was 96 years old, so we made the trek to Murtaugh for the funeral. It was so great to be there together as a family. And the Tolman family is HUGE!

We caravaned with family which is always nice and stayed at a nearby hotel with Pat's siblings (& families). It was nice and there was a pool that we were able to swim in, which made it fun for the kids.

Ben, Pat & Morri at the viewing the night before.

It's always nerve racking when you travel with little ones, 

but Melody did great and slept like a champ in the portable crib.

The kids were so worried about Melody sitting on the bed, so they made a barrier for her.

This was the only time that Jaina has let me come near her with a flat iron. 

I was really surprised she let me do it.

I love the curls, even if they didn't last long, it was still fun.

These are just a few things that represent Grandpa Roger and his great life.

It was very hot so the cemetery put up a tent for the graveside services.

After the luncheon, I demanded an updated family picture.

We are only missing Jacob because he is on his mission.

This picture hung in a basement room at their house and it used to scare all the grandkids. 

So Pat HAD to have a pic with it.

During the trip, Melody was just not wanting to nurse and it was making me crazy. So this was the moment that I knew weaning was going to be in our near future. So while on the ride home, I ordered the 'magic' bottles that helped Jaina wean. So let's hope Melody does well with it too.

July 2014 4th of July & Balloonfest

July started out at the Peaks, like usual.

This is the first time Melody sat in a shopping cart, and Jaina was pretty excited about it.

Melody was trying to pull herself up, but ended up just sucking on the table.

Another brag tag: Chalk drawings

We planted corn this year, and this was only half grown!

We only got 2 strawberries this year, but our plants are sprouting a ton, 

so hopefully next year we'll actually get to harvest a lot!

On July 3rd we went to Lana's neighborhood to their annual Sidewalk of Fire.

There was face painting, food, games, music and 

Balloon animals

Since we were with all the family, I gave Grandma her birthday calendar!

After the fireworks, Jaina fell asleep in the car. As usual, it's a little rough getting her to wake 

up enough to get into the house and ready for bed. She can usually make it to the couch, 

but that night she barely made it in the door before she collapsed.

On the 4th of July we went to our annual ward breakfast where 

Xander and the cub scouts helped with the color guard.

Mara snagged this cute picture while in the car.

I just love how she's holding her blanket.

Mara got yet another My Little Pony Build-A-Bear.

This time it was Apple Jack

Carter and Alex came down and they had a Smash Bros party with Xander and Pat.

Jaina just wants to be included with everything and they were nice and let her play a few rounds.

On July 5th we got up early and met the family at the Balloon Fest in Provo.

We have been doing this as a family since I was young.  The past 3 years it's 

always been too windy for them to inflate and launch the balloons. 

But we picked a good day and were able to see them fly!

Lovely picture at 6:30 am

JD touched the 'butt'

Jaina was freaked out by the balloons but Karri thought it was funny, 

so she made her touch the balloon. Needless to say, Jaina was not amused.

Balloon Family Picture

June 2014 Swim Swim Swim

It was finally time to get Mara after a LONG 9 days without her.

We met up with Ben & Amber at Scheels in Draper.

Jaina was super happy to have her sister back.

Melody missed her too.

Yet another day at the Peaks!

It's hard to see, but Mara is in the double tube with Xander.

The Tolman clan!! 

It's so fun to be able to spend time with family during the summer.

Jaina had wanted a Build A Bear for her birthday, but we were waiting for the 

newest My Little Pony to come out. But when we got there, she 

decided she wanted a Princess Palace Pet instead.

This is Treasure!

Another brag tag: talk to a grandparent about a favorite toy that they had growing up.  

Mara talked to Mana, and her favorite toy was her Barbie doll.  Then she got it out to show Mara!  

It's so cool that she still has a few things from her childhood.

We decided to have an outing at a new pool, so we went to Payson.  It was fun to be 

at a new place and Karri came with us and brought her waterproof camera.

It makes me want one of my own!

Hanging in the lazy river!

This cute one just hung out at the edge and observed.

We went at night, right as the sun was going down, so it was super 

warm and bright.  But a really fun pool to hang out at.

Thanks for hanging with us Karri!