4 kids and an 8 month old

I got the kids pictures taken yesterday. By the time we were done I was sweating like I had just worked out. Getting all of them to look at the camera, smile, sit still, not cry, all at the same time was a lot of work. This was the best we could get.


Kate's 8 month pictures. She was pretty scared of the guy taking the photos, but warmed up to him a little bit in the end. Enough that she smiled for a couple of shots.

Up, Up, and Away!

This is what I turned around and saw yesterday. My little Kate STANDING in my family room. She was using the little basket to push up from and was standing up. She stood one time for about 30 seconds. I couldn't believe it and tried to grab a picture of it. She was so proud of herself. Not to mention the fact that her siblings were cheering her on as she did it. It was pretty cute. Guess she's not going to be a baby for much longer. Makes me sad.

Rigby Lake

My sister and I took the kids to Rigby Lake. They had a lot of fun, but mostly enjoyed getting warm in the sand. (Talk about sand in your shorts!) They also caught a little minnow which we put in the fish tank, but it died later that night. Poor thing.

Little Squirts

If you are around us for any amount of time you will undoubtedly see Carter naked. It is the trial of our lives to keep this kid in clothes. My poor neighbors! If he isn't a squirt I don't know what one is.


Kate has discovered the treasures in the laundry room, (the dog dishes). If she sees the door open at all she makes a mad dash to get in there and dump the dog food and water all over the floor. She also loves garbage cans. she is definately a little squirt, but just look at that darling little face. Who could EVER be mad at her?!

Swimming for Owen's birthday!

This was Kate's first time swimming in a pool. She wasn't very fond of it. I guess like mother like daughter. Despite the fact that she wasn't a water lover, she still was good the entire day.


Grandma and Papa enjoying some shade.

Owen and Carter, these two boys sure love the water!


Here's Jarom with the kids and Aunt Kaylin floating the Lazy River. Uncle Benjamin was too busy swimming underneath people and goosing them (only people he knew), so I never got a picture of him.

Little cousin Owen truned one this week. So we went swmimming at Ross Park in Pocatello to celebrate. Here's Owen with mom and dad, Becky and Kevin.

Wishing she was bigger!

Man, kate wants to go out and play with the kids. I just thought this was so cute of her. Don't mind all the popsicle smeared on the door. I can't keep up everything!

Fun with a backpack

Carter loves to get in Alyssa's backpack and have her haul him around. It's so funny. Usually she just pulls him around in it, but once in a while she'll walk with him.

Back to the 4th

While we were at Elena's parents on July 4th Alyssa spent most of the day in the back yard launching rockets. Here is one of her successful launches.



On Sunday the 2nd we went to Jarom's parents home for dinner and fireworks. I know that I have previously covered our fourth of July activities, but I just figured out how to post vidoes on the blog and you can't miss this video of Payson (Melissa and Blake's son) boogie'n with the fireworks.

Carter the golfer

This was Carter's first try at golfing. Jarom bought him a right handed driver, but as you will see, Carter apparently golfs left handed. :) Since this time Jarom has bought Carter a left handed driver and he does much better with it. Alyssa and Halle inherited the right handed driver and Alyssa loves it. Halle isn't so crazy about golf.

Friday the 7th

We enjoyed the day eating lunch at Sonic and then played on the Bonzai Falls at my house. No pictures of this. But then we went to Grammy's for Bisquits and Gravy. Mmmmm....mmmmm.
I got this cute shot of Larissa and her girls right before bed. It has been a fun week to be with them.

Thursday the 6th

Picnic on the beach. Everything was sandy! What a nightmare! Cute shot of Madelynn. She's a little card! She's 4 going on 18, she'll keep you laughing.
Dorky picture of Kate, but you can see how filthy she was. She just had a ball eating sand and cheetos!
Brylee in her darling swimsuit!

We had a blast swimming at Egin Lake in the St. Anthony sand dunes! From right to left: Aurianna, Carter, Liberty, Madelynn, Halle, and Alyssa. Kayson wouldn't let us take his picture.

Wednesday the 5th

I don't have pictures from this day, but we had a nice visit with Larissa's girls at my house. Larissa went to Mimi and got her hair done. She came back a blond. I sure wish I would have gotten a before picture!

Tuesday the 4th of July

The fourth started out with the Idaho Falls parade. Jarom's not a fan, but humors me and comes along. The kids had a ball and enjoyed all of the candy. They also had fun seeing Mimi and Bryon who drove the I.F. cheerleaders truck this year. After the parade was more bbq-ing at my folks' and then off to the fireworks with Jarom's family. It was a fun, but very long day, and we were all tired when it was over.

My cousin Tonya and her family (still on the 3rd)

Tonya, Bill, Callie, and Colton. We have had a fun week with Callie and Tonya, but we also got to see Colton and Bill on Monday. It was nice to visit with them for a short while.

Monday the 3rd

After leaving Jackson, we stopped briefly in Victor, ID and visited Jarom's mom at her Chokecherry Pickins' booth. Then we headed back to I.F. for a bbq at my parents house with a lot of family from my dad's side.


On the 3rd we enjoyed a lunch in Jackson Hole, WY followed by a crazy hail storm. We had to hide under the tree and the kids thought it was pretty funny.

Sunday at Grandma and Papa's

Here's Melissa and Jamis enjoying a sparkler. Missy just announced she is expecting their 4th in November. We're all praying for a girl, but we'll love a boy too.


We have had a very full Fourth of July weekend. It started with dutch oven dinner, a baseball game, and fireworks at Manwarings on Sunday night.

A tired baby

Little Kate has been getting four teeth. So far, two have broken through. It makes her a pretty crabby little girl. She hasn't been sleeping well and she was so pooped the other day that she just fell asleep in the middle of the floor. She didn't even cry or anything, just laid down and zonked.

Grampy and Carter

Maybe this is why Carter is crying when we leave Grampy's house. He's being bribed with motorcycle rides! Carter is the only person that can fit on this tiny thing with Grampy. It's going to be a sad day when he gets to big.


Lately Carter has had a real thing for Grampy. He cries whenever we leave. Here's Grampy using his tricky talent of "look how fun this will be" to get some work done.

Now there's a load!

Here's Aunt Mimi giving everyone (except Kayson and the babies) a ride on the four-wheeler. Anytime she's at Mom and Dad's, it's pretty much expected that she'll get the four-wheeler out. The kids LOVE it! She has even taught Alyssa how to drive.