Summertime in New Hampshire

A lot of goings on lately!  I forgot to post this written on Tuesday.

So far, we are really enjoying summer.  We had a HOT HOT couple of weeks until this today.  

We have pouring rain today and are happy it cooled down.

My kids could draw and make art all day long it seems.  They are particularly interested in the prodigy math game right now, and have 5 "EPICS" which are little characters from the game that they love to play with.

 They are constantly making EPIC art.

Today Aaron tried frosting as his art medium. 

He made a Magmischief Cake

Oliver is really enjoying his toys lately, and has rolled over several times.

He is usually a happy guy when he wakes up

Aaron and Scott built this Leonardo Devinci Design that Mike and Baerbel gifted him for his baptism.  He loves it!

This is our kids right before church. 

Isn't Oliver handsome?

The kids like to play "cross the bridge" on the sofa

Good morning sweet boy!

With all the HOT days, we have really been enjoying the town beach.  We enjoyed having our friends, the Reynolds, up for a swim/canoe day.  They are expecting #3 any day now!  So exciting!

The kids enjoyed this "Touch a Truck" event at the library.  We are sitting here in a limousine.

The kids also enjoyed getting into a flat bed, a crane, a police car, a pacer, two motorcyles, a shuttle van, a school bus, and looking into some historic cars, a firetruck and ambulence.

Cora's favorite outfits are her dance dresses from the Vocana the girls.  

She loves to dance around in them.

Her favorite food is toast with cinnamon sugar

   

We were so excited to see our nephew Jackson get baptized last week.  It was awesome!  The whole service and baptism was streamed online, so it felt like we were right there!  

It's also his birthday today! 

Sure love you buddy - have a great day today!

Last couple of days in Utah

On our last Sunday in Utah, I took the boys on a trip through memory lane.

We visited my childhood home on Bob Lane, and Uncle Bryant at Larkin Mortuary

 On the way to temple square, I drove by my father's childhood home and showed them where Grandpa Kent grew up.

 Then, I showed them where Scott lived when we were dating, 

and our apartment for 2 years after we were married

 We had a wonderful second visit to temple square (which we already posted some notes about)

 Laura was home!  We got to visit for an hour and see her new (to me) home in the avenues.  Her kids are so talented and fun.  We had a great visit!  Nice to catch up with Laura Bonkers, my longest friend, since age 3.

We enjoyed one more family dinner with the Stapleton's at Dan and Janet's home.  

Mmmmmm

 

 

Alice in Wonderland with Minnie Mouse heels and Princess Anna with a Light Saber

On Monday, the kids had a great time together at Robby and Kyle's.

They especially loved playing on the trampoline with the sprinkler going and watching "SING"

 I miss that view of "my" mountain!

We luckily got on the morning flight the next day, and got to avoid a red eye flight.  

Delta people.  Great customer service.  

We are happy to be home now and are enjoying summer, but can't wait again for another great reunion next year!

Stapleton Reunion

The Stapleton Reunion was amazing!  

The bear lake cabin is complete!  Tim has been building it the past few years, and it is just beautiful.   We enjoyed being with everyone at the cabin and at the beach.  

Photo Credit: Allie

 The views of Bear Lake from the cabin are amazing

 The kids loft

 Papa Tim with Ollie

   Dan and Janet out-did themselves with so many delicious gourmet breakfasts, and Robbie prepared everyone lunch fixin's daily. We ate like kings on this trip!

 Dan's homemade sweet pecan bread

 So many fun toys to play with!

 Macha and Ollie

 The Utah fields by Bear Lake

 Happy Fourth of July!

Parker Reunion

We had a wonderful Parker Cabin Reunion last month.  A whole week of family time with no internet or phones, and kids who disappear to play with cousins for hours.  I look forward to it every year, but this year was particularly nice with so many people who wanted to snuggle the baby and Cora being old enough that I didn't worry about where she was.  It was really enjoyable 

This is the Upper Cabin, built by the Weldelboe's back in the 1930's.  Purchased by my grandparents in the 1970's.  The new roof looks great!  Scott helped install it last summer and said that it was pretty scary getting it on, but should last a long time now.

Everything at the cabin has "vacation" and "relaxation" written all over it.

 We enjoyed gathering around the fire evenings for smores, and had an epic sing-a-long with mom one night.  The grand kids have some stellar singing voices.

 This little hammock lures you in...... but beware that as you sit down you will be in a full squat with your bum all the way on the ground as you go to lie down!  :) 

The hot tub was a hit!  And the shade sail a must!

 Grandma and Ollie

 Uncle Adam and Ollie

 Christa and Dash

 Nancy and the glowing Yahtzee dice.  

 The grease pole is tradition.  The kids can climb the grease pole for prizes and sometimes the adults give it a try.  Scott and Adam have still got it!

 Shoot the Moon

 ....And of course the wildlife are endearing. :)

We enjoyed lots of peaceful walks.  The best hike was Alexander Basin, which had me sore for 3 days.  I joined Dad, Kent and Melissa to hike it.  It's 2.5 miles of "stairmaster" up and knee-killer on the way down, but the views are just fabulous!