Nothing Better Than Family - Day 2

After breakfast we were gathered at the pavilion and played some games.

There were 3 dogs on the premises that were all very friendly and the kids had a blast playing fetch and petting them.

We spent most of the morning on or in the water.

I suppose the flooding does have a few good points to it, we had extra waterways to explore. 

 Riding to the lake and back to the cabins.

 Dean came up with these great swords and shields for fights.

 I attacked him with a squirt gun...

 And he attacked me with a splash.

 Let's just say I got soaked, but then again, so did he when I was done.

 Grandpa decided to show the kids what it would feel like if they were in a storm on the water. 

No one fell in but there was a little worry they would.

Our family can never get enough of card games.

Who's winning?

We spent the afternoon in a more relaxed way after our exciting morning.

Nothing Better Than Family - Day 1

So for the first time since Ryan and I got married.  The entire family got together.

We love Family Reunions and my parents picked the perfect place, The Cabins of Horseshoe Hills Ranch, owned by some long time family friends, The Zacharys.

It was a whirlwind trip and definitely a lot of fun in a the craziness.

They had a two-story tree house that we all found very impressive.

I mean who didn't want a place like this to play when they were a kid.  

Always fun when you don't have to walk but can ride around.

All the grandkids together

 These 2 are missing teeth twins. 

I remember a picture like this when I was just about his age.

 Yes, we had an egg hunt for fun stuff even though it was not Easter, 

the kids loved to hunt for anything and everything. 

Relaxing after running around. 

 Feeding the 6 donkeys was very fun and riding back on the 4-wheeler was even better.

I just love Katherine's face.

What a swing - Diana was so excited to go even higher, 

but Elaine couldn't reach any higher, could she?

 We spent a lot of time on these swings talking and playing and kids getting us wet.

 We also had a spot for target practice with the BB Gun.

 The perfect gathering spot.

Little Sister's Graduation

I had the wonderful joy and slight scare by realizing that my adorable baby sister graduated a few days ago.  Can't believe it.  Wish I could have been there and wish I hadn't handed down the tradition of getting the flu right before graduation.

Congrats Doll!

That's my Girl!

A few random things

Here are a few random fun pictures from the last few months.

Ryan thought it was very funny I was asleep and he was awake.

Since the weather has started getting nicer, Ryan and I have started taking lovely walks around our complex.

For spring break we went and painted our own giant mugs.

We also have been playing alot with Ryan's parents cat Ice.

He is so cute with those big blue eyes.

 And he is very long.

It is all about the little joys in life.

Final bedroom Look

I know I love posting my home decorations, but this I feel is the pinnacle of my luxury in our little apartment, I sprang for a headboard.  Comfy and Beautiful.

A Quick Trip Home

I feel like I haven't blogged in forever and they I realized it has been several months.  But don't feel bad for us, we have had a few fun things occur in our lives other than just the usual school and work. 

One of those fun things was a fairly impromptu long weekend in Louisiana to visit my family.  It had been at least a year since I had seen any of these amazing folks and I was thrilled to be with them even for a short time.

We had lots of fun...

On the deck

 My wedding was my father's excuse to build this wonderful deck by the way.

 Nothing better than a loving family around a fire pit.

There was quite the game of fanning the smoke so it would follow someone else.

Hence the flailing limbs. 

  My mom makes the best breakfasts ever, 

which is probably why it is pretty much my favorite food.

 I had the fun of handing down the tradition of BYU gear to Ethan, but neither he nor Jared were very happy about taking a picture to commemorate such an occasion.

 It was Valentine's Day weekend and we had a Heart Hunt for candy.

 Really love seeing kids running around the yard.

 Checking the score!

 Trevor entertained us often with his wonderful instruments of guitar and voice.

Music is such a wonderful part of our family fun.

 My sister is pretty handy with a camera and did me the greatest favor of taking a few pictures of Ryan and I as I haven't had any really good ones since the wedding and as you can see

his facial hair has increased tremendously since then.  In fact he hasn't shaved 

since the morning of our wedding.  My very one mountain man!

 She did take one where you can actually see how much taller he is than me.

 The kids couldn't get enough of hunting for the hearts and then sharing them.

 The men got in some practice with the ax on our old picnic bench.

 Everyone loves Grandma.

And Aunt Melanie is always good for a tackling hug. 

 It was so pretty we played apples to apples with the kiddos outside.

 Everyone had a partner

 We got some very interesting combinations.

 I tried to video chat with my other sister and her girls and this is what happened.

I am not sure who wanted the most attention.

 Then it was craft time.

 It was Valentine's Day weekend but it was also the weekend before Mardi Gras. 

Which meant I couldn't leave without some amazing King Cake.

 Cake on a fork.

 We took a trip to the pool and had so much fun.

 A few years ago I taught Ethan the proper way to splash and I have to say he was an enthusiastic student and still keeps in great practice, as you can see.

 Always have to make sure people know the photographer was there too.

One of my favorite traditions is bedtime stories.

Best cuddle time ever.

It was a short trip but well worth the time and effort.

Family is forever.