Idaho Falls...

Since Mike's Grandpa passed away this past year, his Grandma has been begging for us to come visit (aka come collect items she know longer wanted.) I talk to her often and she is so lonely it breaks my heart. We FINALLY had a free weekend and decided to make a quick trip to Idaho Falls to visit her. The hotel we stayed at was beautiful. It was right across from the temple, and the falls. It was so relaxing to go sit on the balcony and enjoy the view. Kade tried feeding the ducks from the balcony. Let's just say, he needs to improve his throwing arm.

Grandma Joyce had a BIG pile of stuff just waiting for us to take home. It was stuff she was ready to get rid of since her sweetheart had passed away. This stuff included socks, underwear, coats, shirts, pajamas, shoe shine, hankies, wallet, hundreds of golf balls, golf clubs, golf tees, golf cart, golf rain gear, and also a bike for Kade. Over the 2 days we were there she found so many knick knacks for the kids. I'm sure they all came from 1) happy meals 2) cereal boxes or 3) they were collected, and saved from the road on her evening strolls. She started feeling really bad for me because she didn't have anything to give me. Really, truly, I was OK with that, but she insisted. I ended up with a bra.

I'm not sure how large she thought our car was, but their was NO way we were taking it all home. We sifted through what she had to give us, and took only what would absolutely fit. I think it was a good step in her healing, and she was so happy to know that Mike wouldn't have to buy a coat for at least 10 more years. She couldn't bear to give the stuff to DI and she just knew Frank would be happy that his Grandson was wearing his old clothing instead of some stranger. Boy does he look handsome in his new wardrobe:)

We took Grandma and Grandpa to Bear world a few years ago, and they just loved it. So, while we were there we thought we would take Grandma back. Here is a picture to prove that we were there the summer of 2006

Grandma couldn't get over Bear World. She loved it! She just couldn't believe that such a place existed. She had no clue that they had this place so close to her home. The good new is, she didn't remember any of it, so it was all new and exciting. 

Summer 2010

The kids trying to spot the white elk.

Some of the animals we saw while driving through the park

After driving through the park the kids loved going to the petting zoo.

After we left Bear World we went up to St. Anthony to visit Grandma's sisters. The kids thought it was cool to see the house that Grandma grew up in and meet some of her family. We then went back to Grandma's for a little rest, we were worried we were wearing her out. She was going strong though and ready for more fun. We took her to dinner to celebrate her birthday, she chose to go to Sizzler. We then went back to our hotel and she watched the kids swim for awhile. She kept telling us over and over how much fun she was having. She just loved being around the kids. She was especially taken with Kade (who isn't?) She just kept going on and on about him.

We had a great time with Grandma. It's so sad to see her getting old and senile. She is starting to get dementia and continually repeats herself. It took a little while for the kids to catch on to it, but by the end of the trip, they would just smile and answer her question, yet again. I'm so glad that we took this trip and are able to build some memories with her while she is around. The kids just loved and adored her. Brayden just kept saying, "She is so sweet and nice. She just keeps giving us stuff."

Love you Grandma

Days of 47 Parade...

Their are a few things that Mike really dislikes, one of them is parades. This causes a little conflict because I LOVE going, not to all parades, but to the Days of '47 Parade. For so many years we would go downtown and sleepover night and get a good spot for the parade. Once we had kids, that ended. It became way too much work. The first year we had Brayden we tried staying over night and he screamed all night long. We have not been to the Days of '47 Parade since. Since the 24th of July fell on a Saturday this I year, I hoped this would be my year. It's just way too hard to try and do it without him.

All the cards fell in my favor this year, and it worked out perfectly!!! My mom's neighbor was going up the day before to secure a spot in the SHADE (key point.) We went up the morning of the parade and got a perfect parking spot (2nd key point.) We had great seat with plenty of room, we weren't hot, and we didn't have to deal with any traffic (3rd key point.) I think it was so successful I just might be able to get him back next year. I had to take a picture to prove that he was actually there, and he was smiling.

Kaylee with her friends from Grandma's house. You can tell who slept over night, and who didn't.

The boys throwing "POPS" before the parade began.

Getting ready for the parade. Kade was so intrigued when the motorcycles starting riding up and down the road.

It's always fun to see a member of the First Presidency. It was so cool to see President Uchtdorf, and we could actually hear him talking to us.

Brayden trying to overcome his fear of clowns. I don't think it worked, I think he had a nightmare that night.

We had such a fun time seeing all the pretty floats, and just taking in the atmosphere of being downtown. All day the kids couldn't stop talking about it. Kade kept saying, "Remember that one time, we went downtown and saw that parade? That was cool. I lubed all of it." Can't wait to go again next year. Maybe if I start early, I could talk him into sleeping over???

COUSINS!!!!

The kids love and adore their cousins, but unfortunately they don't get to see them very often. Zac and Kasen live in St. George and Josh and Avery live in Billings, Montana. So it was a real treat to have all our cousins in town over the 24th of July. The kids played, swam, had sleepovers, and caught up on lost time together.

One of the days that Josh and Avery were in town we had a swim day at Grandpa Warners. We also had are new next door neighbors, who have become dear friends, join us for the day.

Kade and Evan

Picture of the girls about protecting each other from these scary creatures. Don't they look harmful?

I couldn't post pictures of the pool without posting a picture of Titus and Lexi. They were involved in as much swimming as the kids were. The kids love hanging onto Titus' collar and going for a "ride."

Avery, Kaylee, and Katrina

Josh and Brayden

Cute baby Eden

When all the family was here (except Mike who was in Denver for business) we all went to Cowabunga Bay for the day.

Top left: Brayden and Josh. Bottom left: Zac and Kade. Middle: Avery and Kaylee. Right: Kasen

Kade

Natalia and Kaylee (Natalia is like an adopted cousin from Brazil.)

Kade taking Wes down when he least expected it.

Brayden and Josh

Brayden and Josh enjoying the World's BIGGEST SPLASH!!!!

Enjoying some downtime in the shade. Brayden, Grandma Sonia, Avery, Kaylee, Juliana's Mom (oops can't remember her name...how rude) Juliana

I hope to add more pictures as soon as I trade pics. We finished the weekend with yummy food, and fireworks. It was great having the cousins around, even if it was for a short time.

Short story I want to remember about Kade. I was asking the kids a couple weeks ago about their dream vacations. I asked them if they could go anywhere in the world, and see anything they wanted (Money being no option) where would it be? I then gave them some examples like: Disney cruise to see Mickey Mouse, or Africa to go on an African safari, or England to see a professional soccer game. Kade didn't have to think for long before he replied, "Ummmm, I would go to St. George to see cousins." I tell ya, this kid is not hard to please at all! I love that boy.

YW Girl's Camp

To say I was excited for girls camp this year was a severe understatement. But I guess that's what I signed up for when I accepted my calling. Who would have known? I was very anxious the week before as I prepared to go, as I anticipated the sleepless, cold, dirty days ahead. But, everyone promised it would be a fabulous experience so I went with a good attitude. I went prepared with ear plugs, a warm sleeping bag, and sleeping pills.

Our first day at camp we spent preparing our camp site and surprisingly we got to relax a lot. The girls were very helpful in trying to figure out how to pitch the tents. Luckily though, we had a few men their to help our inadequacies.

We all had matching pajama pants. The girls were a riot the first night as they did a fashion show to show off their new pants. I loved getting to know the girls better, and see their personalities come right out.

When we spent time around camp the girls colored, made bracelets, hair braids, gave Sis. Schmidt massages (hmmm... still trying to figure out how she kept getting them,) talking, playing games, and getting to know each other better. The girls were awesome at reaching out to each other and making new friends.

I loved each night sitting around the camp fire. I am a sucker for a nicely toasted marshmallow. Each night the girls would sit and sing, and one by one trickle off to their tents to go to bed. It was fun listening to them in their tents just giggling and having a good time.

One of the best activities while we were up there was a visit from the former Miss Utah. In preparation we got to make our own beauty queen. Her dress had to be made by a few random things they gave us like toilet paper, string, duct tape, and pipe cleaner. And we could also use anything we could find in nature. It was amazing to see Krista transform into our very own Copper Creek beauty queen. It was amazing seeing the creations the girls came up with, just using nature! We had some workshops we got to attend with Miss Utah and they were so incredible. She was so humble and motivating and uplifting. I know the girls learned so much from her. It was great hearing her experience from attending Miss USA as a Mormon girl. She told of different experiences of how she was blessed and protected by being true to who she was and holding true to her standards. It was an incredible day. We ended the night by having a ward dinner and testimony meeting.

Since it was stake camp we only had to cook as a ward one night, it was heavenly. We made breakfast for dinner, so yummy. We made crepes, french toast, and sausage. It was great having the bishopric up for testimony meeting. The girls are so amazing and I am always blown away by how strong they are. I am continually growing and learning from them. This is truly the reason I am in young women's.

After coming back from the fireside with Miss USA this is how we found our leader's tent. Totally empty. To tell you the truth, by this last night, I was seriously giving myself pep talks, "you can do it, only one more night."  I was dirty, the camp ran out of water, so we were using out houses instead of the flushing toilets. I REALLY wanted to wash my hair, and I had had a headache the entire time I was up their. This truly about did me in. I turned to Brother Johnson and just asked if he would take me home with him that night (he thought I was joking, but secretly, I wasn't.) Nobody messes with my sleeping stuff. That is my security.

We quickly found our pillows. Yes. They were up in a tree, with all the spiders, and bugs, and wildlife. That didn't make me feel much better. Especially knowing I had to cuddle with it later that night. It took us about an hour to find our sleeping bags and blankets. They were shoved in a corner, on the floor of the trailer. My blanket on the very bottom. I just smiled, and said, "Oh you Laurels are so darn funny:)" Breathe, One more night, One more night. And I did make it, and only with a few spider bites on my neck.

The experience ended up being great, despite the little things that drove me crazy while I was there. I got to know some of the girls better, which was my ultimate goal. I learned that we have some amazing young women, and leaders within our ward. Testimony meeting was so powerful and I'm glad I didn't miss it. It was great having the peace and solitude of being up in the mountains and taking the time to appreciate all the wonderful things we've been given. Overall it was a great experience.

 Front row: Shaylee Torgerson, Heidi Harrington, Hunter Daniels, Katie Chadwick, Krista Parker, Sam Chadwick, Alex Higgs,

Middle Row: Olivia Bradstreet, Kirstie Fehr, Tammy Parker, Shannon Parker, Kayla Mitchell, Fran Arangua, Madi Taylor, Katie Taylor, Laura Walker, Karen Harrington, (behind laura) Marrissa Clement, Kennedi Kikel

Back Row:Keri Chadwick, Steph Schmidt, Brittney Hibbard, Kayla Mullins, Stacy Conley, Karen Standage, Mary Mullins

Fourth of July Circle Party...

For the Fourth of July, everybody in our circle decided to get together for a BBQ. It was a ton of fun to hang out together, eat yummy food, and watch a firework show. Kaylee was especially intrigued with the "illegal" fireworks she may or may not have seen go up in the sky. The night before she came to me very quietly and said, "Mom, I have a very bad feeling that some people might be doing illegal fireworks. I'm not sure what we should do about it." She didn't have a problem watching them though.

Here is Kade and his best buddy Evan.

The Diva's. Kaylee and Katrina

Kade was trying to do karate on the smoke bombs. He is obsessed with karate since seeing Karate Kid.

The ladies in pink, waiting for the firework show. Kylie, Katrina, Kaylee, and Grandma Sonia

Kaylee looks a little like Junie B when she tries on Grandma Sonia's glasses.

You can see the difference in personalities. Brayden is digging the fireworks. Kaylee lasted about 10 seconds before it was too much for her and she set it down on the ground. She couldn't handle the smoke blowing in her face. She said, "Mom do you think I'm WAY beautiful cause the smoke is always coming to me."

And the show begins...

You can tell these two muggy faces had a good day. They had dirt and grime in every crevice of their body.

Fourth of July Twenty Ten...

It's been a tradition for many years to go down south to the Stadium of Fire to watch the fireworks for the Fourth of July. We don't buy tickets to go inside, we just camp out on the lawn and eat yummy food, play games, and wait for the fireworks to begin. We haven't been for a few years, so it was great to go back this year and resume the tradition. We thought we were pretty hilarious with our U of U blanket on the BYU campus.

The kids spent a lot of time roller blading up and down the sidewalk as they waited for the fireworks to begin.

Pictured below: Kaylee, Kade, Natalia

When they would get tired playing, they would sit down, only for a second, for a treat...or two.

Kade, Natalia, Brayden, Kaylee

Mike, just patiently waiting

The kids couldn't wait until dark to start the sparklers

Kade was loving it.

Kaylee decided quickly she would rather sit on Grandma Sonia's lap and watch the kids.

We enjoyed the night and watched some awesome fireworks. After watching for a little, the fireworks stopped. Mike has this "phobia" of being in large crowds. So thinking they were over we quickly gathered our stuff and hopped in the car. After driving down the road a little ways, the fireworks started again. We watched from the car for a little while, then decided to pull over to finish watching them. I'm glad we quickly got out of there though, Mike's mom sat in traffic until 2 AM.