Fun on the Water

The kids had a great time trying all sorts of new things. Anna wasn't quite as sure as Mary, but I was impressed that she was willing to do something so risky. I am sure that she would be quite a different person if Mary were not her older sister paving the way.
Mary was up for trying it all. This is her first time skiing and she got up on her second go at it. We couldn't get her to try anything outside of the wake, but I was impressed.

Moss had a great time on the wake board. I am not really sure if this was his first or second time, but you always pay the next day for fun on the board. Somehow you just never use those muscles for anything else. But as you can see he had a good time and really caught on quick. (It's not as easy as it looks.)While there are many things I love about the lake, I love the clear deep water. I love jumping out of the boat and just swimming around away from the beach and sand.

Grandma Charlotte was a great sport and I think she might have even enjoyed herself despite the heat and sand. The Sea Doos are so fun for everyone. The kids loved getting to drive and jumping the waves, although we avoided that for Charlotte's sake. It can make you a little nauseous when you are not the one driving. Jake just couldn't understand why anyone wouldn't want to go wild and fast.

Here is Aunt Steph with Anna and Abbi. Just one of the kids, and always ready for some fun! Needless to say the kids are not far away when Steph tries to do anything.

One thing Lake Powell is known for is its great cliffs for jumping. I guess they have made it illegal to jump off the really high cliffs, but we still made the most of it. Mary was very willing to jump, and made us a little nervous at how uninhibited she was.

All I can say is Home Sweet Home when I see pictures of the Lake. There is just something about the place you grow up. Maybe it's because I haven't really been back much since going to college, but it is heavenly to me.

Family Reunion, Part 1- Lake Powell

Well, we started our reunion on the beaches of Lake Powell. Granted it was Lone Rock, which is a beach we totally avoided as locals, but it was the only place for such a big group. Of course the kids didn't care. They had sand and water for three days. We had to drag them out of the water and into the car when it was finally time to leave.

The best part about being at the beach for vacation is that there is nothing to do but relax. We all enjoyed sitting in the shade and making an occasional swim out to the buoy for some exercise. We always made sure to be picked up by the sea doo for a ride back.

Grandpa and GrandmaThe cousins were thrilled to camp out together on the beach. They had such a great time. Don't they look so well rested?While camping is somewhat less enjoyable than a hotel, there is nothing like waking up at the beach. It was so peaceful and beautiful, and of course the kids could swim before breakfast. It was especially beautiful after going to bed amidst a sandstorm and the hours of rain.

Mary's Baptism

Mary was finally Baptized on August 3rd while we were out in Utah for our family reunion. She has been waiting for this day and was so excited to have all her family there. It was a very special day and we were very thankful for everyone making the effort to be there. Even her Grandma Charlotte flew out all the way from North Carolina to be there. She was sad that she couldn't have her church family there as well, but today she was quite honored to be recognized in front of everyone as the newest member of our ward.

Mary and Anna made their first public perfermance at the baptism singing "I Feel my Savior's Love". They were so cute and focused (They never took their eyes off the paper). I was actually a little worried because they hadn't had very many chances to practice, but it was so sweet to hear them sing together.

Mary's cousin Sarah, who is 10, gave the talk on the Holy Ghost. Lets just say Mary adores her. She did an amazing job. She even put together a blanket for Mary to remind her of the Holy Ghost's role as the comforter. Mary was thrilled to say the least. She sleeps with it every night. Thanks Sarah!

Christopher, another cousin, was very brave and played his violin accompanied by Grandma Carolyn on the piano . He played the primary song Baptism. Thanks Christopher!


This is the whole clan. It was astonishing how well the kids posed for the camera. It was a small miracle. Looking at the picture it doesn't seem like nearly as many kids as when they are all running around. We had such a great time together.

More fun at the luau

This is Brooke with her litte friend Megan. They are finally friends after a year of Brooke torturing and chasing Megan. There are only 2 weeks between their ages, but Brooke has about 10 pounds on Megan.

Everyone got the chance to make their own hula skirt, but Jake decided it was for girls only.

Here is Jacob doing the money dive to get his treasured prize, a water squirting frog!

The Luau

Our most recent group activity this summer was a Luau. The ladies who put this together did a fabulous job. The kids had a great time. The games were awesome, and the food delicious.

Brooke riding the decorations

Jacob doing his best at the hula hoop

Anna with her prize sunglasses she got from the money dive in the balloons.

Father-son date

So we have started a tradition to have dates with the kids. We try to go each Thursday evening with one of them. Moss and I also take turns going. It has been a lot of fun, and they aren't very fancy or expensive dates, but usually include a treat:). The kids of course love it. This is Jake on his fishing date with Moss. He was ecstatic to bring this little fish home to us all. Unfortunately we never did get to clean and cook it, but luckily he hasn't asked about it since.

More Hair

Brooke, despite being only two, loves to have her hair done as well. She will ask me for hairties when the girls have had their hair done. I think she really likes it because then she has access to my sink, from which she is forbidden. She really is quite patient and and is already aware of the adoration that comes with looking cute. She was glad to pose for these photos. The down side is that she associates her little piggies with her pacifier and going to sleep. At night if she doesn't have her little "bang ponytail" in she insists on having it so she can twirl it as she falls asleep.

Hair the Old Fashioned Way

We had a great time watching Peter pan and tying up the girls hair in rags (or sheets). My mom used to do this to us on occasion when I was very young. When I mentioned the idea to Mary she exclaimed, "That's how Laura Ingalls did her hair in Little House in the Big Woods." Ever since we started viewing the hair blogs, the girls are all into having their hair done up in new and various ways. Unfortunately the camera batteries died before I could get an after shot. But if you are wondering, the curls were very tight. We ended up putting their hair up in a ponytail that looked like a bun with the curls being so tight. The girls loved it, and received many appreciated compliments at church.

The Big News

Well, after a big scare early wednesday morning, I went in to the hospital convinced I had miscarried. Everyone was very helpful and optimistic. I was kind of put off that they weren't just accepting the information I had given them and the fact that my pregnancy was over. After going through the whole routine with me, they began to look for the heartbeat. They didn't find it right away, and I was even more sure of my personal diagnosis. Then right at the end they found it, and I was completely shocked. How could anyone lose so much blood and not miscarry? Well off to the ultrasound I went to see how the baby and placenta were doing. I was now actually more concerned for the condition of the little person inside me. I had no idea what the effects of the blood loss would be for his/her development.

As the ultrasound got underway the lady asked me, "Have you ever had a scan before?". I told her no, and she said, "Well, I have some very interesting news for you!" And there they were. Two little beings just floating around. So after several hours of believing I was not going to be having a baby, we are now going to have two. We are super excited, and very nervous. I was already worried about being able to care for 5 small children!

I have been diagnosed with subchorionic hemorrhage which caused the bleeding. I was hoping that maybe it would be over now, but of course it is not that simple. I will have to be monitored throughout the pregnancy for the development of a hematoma which could potentially cause placental abruption. So there is the story, or at least the beginning of it...

The LONG awaited Balloon Ride

One of the main attractions for going to the local carnival was the chance to ride in a hot air balloon. Due to a little confusion we had to wait several hours for the balloon. Unfortunately our kids are so used to stimulation that I don't think they appreciated the opportunity fully. Once back on the ground there were no oohs or ahhhs, just "Can I go to the bounce house again?" Nonetheless, we had a good time and we will probably never do it again.

The Carnival