Rexburg

All of Kenedy's roommates were going to be gone for the weekend and Kenedy was having a bit of a hard time because of boys and roommates and she asked if Alison would be able to bring Avy and Rylee up for a visit. Alison could visit Trista and Sara and Avy and Rylee could hang out with and keep Kenedy company. Alison couldn't do it that weekend and it wouldn't work for Kenedy the next weekend so I said I would take them. I had to teach Sunday School and initially didn't think I should go but Kefford said he would teach for me and that freed up my weekend. I didn't want to go and be the lone adult so I called Emily and asked if she wanted to meet us in Rexburg for the weekend. She was able to work it out and Friday morning we all left our homes and met up in Rexburg. It turned out that Kenedy had 2 roommates who didn't go anywhere but it was fun to be in Rexburg with my girls and Emily anyway.

When we got there we walked over to campus to walk around and browse in the University Store.

It was fun watching Kenedy, Avynlea and Rylee hanging out with each other and talking. I love watching my kids become more then siblings, it's fun to see them being friends and wanting to hang out with each other. 

Later that evening we went over to Alyssa's complex to use the Hot Tub and they also have an everlasting fire pit which we used for s'mores. 

The next day we all wanted to go to the Temple, Emily and I to do Initiatories and the girls to do Baptisms. Emily and I woke up before everyone else so we decided to go to the Temple while they were still sleeping to get our stuff done and then we could go with them while they did Baptisms. 

I couldn't believe how long the wait was to do Initiatories! Emily and I waited a little over an hour before we were able to get in, it was crazy! 

When we got back home the girls were awake and so we had them get ready and we took them to the Temple for Baptisms. Once we got there it was such a long wait that the Temple Worker suggested we make a reservation and come back so we don't have to wait as long. We said ok, made the appointment for 1:00 and left. Kenedy and Alyssa were going to a Bridal Shower for Anna and were not able to go back with us which was a bummer but the other three were excited to go.

It is always nice being in the Temple with my girls and I love that Emily and Isabelle were there with us.

After our long day of Temple outings we hung around the apartment for a while and then we went to the park and the girls rode the carousel which was fun for them. We went to the store and got buns, hotdogs, and watermelon and went back to the everlasting fire for a hot dog cookout and of course more s'mores.

On Sunday we went to church with Alyssa in her ward because it was the earliest time and we wanted to leave right after. It was a good meeting but I was pretty shocked with how small the ward was. There was not a lot of people there which was surprising.

After sacrament meeting we went back to Kenedy's so we could change and then we headed back to Meridian. It was a nice weekend in Rexburg visiting Kenedy and Alyssa and I am so glad that Emily and Isabelle were able to come up with us as well.

4th of July

Tuesday the 2nd Joshua and his family left for Utah and on the 3rd I drove Mom and Heather to the airport. It is always a sad day when family leaves to go home but I knew I would be seeing them again soon so it was ok.

On the 4th of July we went and had breakfast with some friends at the Shoemaker's home. We were supposed to go to the Given's but Katie went into labor during the night and had a 4th of July baby. I missed seeing her but her kids were able to be at the breakfast which was fun. The other families that were there were the Speakma's, the Lindley's and the Heslop's. It was a good crowd and we had a good time. 

After we got back Kefford took Ryker and Avynlea to ride around on their dirt bikes. Avynlea had fun getting more practice on riding the bike and being more comfortable on it. I was grateful that she did not come home with any injuries other then some bruises here and there.

For dinner we went down the street to a block party BBQ that our neighbors were throwing in their backyard. I got to visit with the Olson's and the Green's which was nice and eating yummy food at the same time was a big win.

After a little bit we said our goodbyes and headed around the corner to watch a fireworks show with our ward neighbors. They had a lot of fun fireworks to light off and I sat with Lindsey Williams whom I haven't seen in a while. It was nice to visit with her.

Happy 4th of July!

It's July!

On Monday July 1st we went out to Nyssa for the annual Peterson 4th of July barbecue and fireworks. Since Joshua and his family were in town as well as Mom and Heather they came with us. Kefford went earlier with my kids and that left me, Mom and Heather to ride with the Lutes' in their mini van rental. I was stuck in the back with Joshua and Heather and we had fun talking and laughing back there. It was a pretty fun night of visiting with family. Kefford took Joshua and Amos to go see some real life tractors and I heard that he was pretty intimidated by them. He wasn't too thrilled with the noise when they were turned on and I think they were a lot bigger then he thought. Joshua ended up taking Mom and his family home a little early to put the boys to bed so they didn't get to see the fireworks. Heather stayed with us and they did the fireworks in the field by the sheds and it started to get pretty windy and dusty by the time they were done with the fireworks. After it was over I trekked across the field to where Bailey was so I could give him a hug and wish him well on his mission, he left on the 3rd. He will be such a great missionary and I am excited to hear all about his adventures.

Our favorite Bishop Danny Ricks accepted a teaching position at BYUI, sad for us but really happy for Kenedy who was excited to be around one of her favorite people again. She went to visit him in his office one day and Danny sent us a picture of the selfie they took. 

I usually end up finding random pictures of Avynlea on my phone and in this one I think she just needed an after swimming snack.

Mom and I got to go to the Temple to do initiatories, I love going to the Temple and I love even more going with family. We had a good time and afterwards a random guy saw us taking a selfie and offered to take a picture for us. I think we look pretty cute.

While shoe shopping with the girls Avynlea took the try on stockings and put one over her face. She looked really funny and not as cute as she normally is. She is too funny and keeps me laughing with her antics.

Avynlea and her bestie Sadie and Ninja Avynlea

Amos and Fredrick Come to Town

We got to FaceTime with Kenedy for a couple of hours Saturday morning which was fun. Rylee took a screenshot while she was taking a turn chatting with her. It is always fun chatting with our favorite College kid!

We went to Nyssa this morning to go to the Owyhee ward and listen to Bailey give his Mission farewell talk. He did a really great job and I am excited to see him serve his mission, he is going to do such a great job. 

After we got home we took some Sunday naps and then waited for Joshua and Mallory to arrive with Amos and Fredrick. They are on their way down to Utah and we are lucky to have them stop by for a couple of days. We got out all ofRyker's cars and Amos was in his happy place playing with his favorite toys. Fredrick was just cute crawling around and exploring. At one point Kefford came him a nice footrest to sit on. We love when the Lutes family comes to town!

Beehive Party

Makayla's Mom invited all the neighborhood Beehives to go with them to the Temple Thursday morning. Rylee went with them and had a good time. I was glad when her Mom sent a picture of the girls in front of the Temple after they did the Baptisms. 

Allie Hansen, Claire Elder, Kinsey Bjorn, Tayci Olsen, Makayla Pace, Brynn Givens, Addie Lewis and Rylee

There is a new Rocket Car Wash over by our house and for their Grand Opening they were doing free car washes all day on Friday. We had to go to Wal-Mart to get stuff for Rylee's party and after that we took the Expedition through the car wash. Kefford always washes our cars and so I never go through a car wash. It was actually quite fun, I liked the flashing color and the sound of the wash was pretty soothing.

I liked it so much that when I took the Escape to get the Pizza for Rylee's party we took it through the free car wash as well. Such fun!

Rylee is not a party planner, she is not the most eager to go to parties and definitely does not like to throw her own party. So I was quite surprised when I found out she wanted to put together a party for the Beehives her age in order to pass off a Personal Progress requirement. She was very thorough in her planning and had multiple planning lists. That morning I took her to Wal-Mart so she could get food and she took a separate shopping cart from mine and went on her own to shop. It was pretty cute.

As it got closer to the party she started getting everything set up and I liked watching her attention to detail

She had 7 out of the 9 she invited that were able to come. Cousin Allie had been staying the night at our house for a couple of days so she was out there and Avynlea was out there off and on as well.

The night started with food and games and everyone seemed to be having a good time. I loved how well the girls got along. There was no drama and no issues. The girls were patient and fun, I loved it! Well, I loved what I could see of it. At one point towards the beginning of the party Rylee came in and closed the blinds in the living room because she did not want us staring at them. I told her she had to keep the kitchen ones open because I had to be able to chaperone a little bit.

Addie Lewis, Allie Hansen, Tayci Olsen, Kenzie Bjorn, Brynn Givens, Makayla Pace, Rylee and Clair Elder

Once it was dark enough Kefford put a movie on the projector and the girls settled in to watch "Monte Carlo". Unfortunately it does not get dark until late and about 45 minutes into the movie we had to turn it off and take them home. They were bummed to have to leave but I told them maybe we could have everyone back in a couple of weeks to finish the movie.

Rylee did a really good job at this party, I was impressed with her stepping outside of her comfort zone and how well she executed her ideas. She is a pretty great kid!

Hair Night!

Avynlea really likes the palm pattern that has been popular recently in a lot of items and while we were at Target she made a gathering of a bunch of Palm printed stuff and posed for a cute picture.

The Beehives asked if I would come to Mutual Wednesday night and teach them how to do hair. I was pretty excited because I love the Beehives and I thought it would be a lot of fun to give them some tips about Hair and try to teach them some cute hairdos.

I taught them a messy bun, a Hair Bow, How to easy hair wrap your ponytail and answered all their hair related questions. They were the cutest! They clapped for me a lot and were so excited with everything I taught them. I loved how super complementary they were of each other and that they would rave on and on about how well each other was doing. It was a lot of fun. 

Claire Elder came with damp hair and in her head she couldn't do anything while all the other girls were doing such great hairstyles. I told her that it takes a lot pf practice and that really the other girls were not doing that great of a job but she couldn't get out of her head and decided to go home. I felt bad and later sent this text to her Mom:

"If Claire wants to come over sometime I would love to do one on one hair tutorials with her. I hope she is feeling better and let her know I love her."

to which she replied:

"Thanks Elizabeth! I might have to join. We are hair challenged over here, she is feeling better though"

Makayla was struggling with being able to do anything with her hair and I asked her if she wanted to try doing a braid in my hair. She gladly accepted and after I showed her how to weave the braid she took my hair and braided like a pro. She was so proud of herself for doing her first braid ever and the girls were so excited for her and kept telling her how amazing she did. It was fun to see her level of confidence go up.

At the end of the night I told the girls they had ten seconds to do their most wack-a-do hairstyle and then we were going to take a picture. They are such a fun group of girls and Iam so happy I got to hang with them for the night.

Back Row: Aubrey Pinon, Allie Hansen, Addie Lewis, Halsey Murray and Brynn Givens

Front Row: Tayci Olsen, Rylee, Makayla Pace and Kenzie Bjorn

Cherry Picking!

Ryker has been out at the farm working off and on since school got out. Mikell was out there recently with her kids and she sent me a couple pictures of Ryker being really sweet with his little Cousins. I really love that my kids have the opportunity to be around all of their little Cousins so often. They have learned so many skills in dealing with kids and it is going to only serve them well in life. I love that they are patient and kind with them and they genuinely enjoy being around them. It is pretty cute to watch.

Ryker and James                                      Ryker and Kelly

My friend Kim sent me a text asking if we wanted to go Cherry picking with her family. We didn't have anything going on so those of us who were home made plans to go, Mom, Heather, Avynlea and I. Rylee was in Emmett with Ryker for a couple of days.

She took us to a U-pick place in Emmett that I haven't been to before, which is not to hard to have happen, there are a lot of U-pick cherry places in Emmett. This one was really nice in that the tree branches were lower to the ground so we did not need ladders to reach the cherries. Even the kids had an easy time picking cherries.

I did not want a lot of cherries because they don't get eaten as fast and when I have tried to freeze them in the past they end up never getting eaten so I only picked one bucket for myself.

Heather wanted to take some Cherries home with her so she picked a bucket for herself and then Mom just picked cherries for both of our buckets.

Avynlea helped Kate get some cherries for her bucket, I spent some time helping Kate put cherries in her bucket but when I saw her walk away and dump them out I stopped helping her. I saw her do that a couple of times and figured she just didn't want cherries in her cute pink bucket.

Good times with cute friends. If we posted a cherry picking picture to our Facebook page and tagged this cherry stand in it they said they would give us a quarter off the per pound price. I was more then fine with that and posted the group picture of the kids we took with all of their cherries. Kim had a lot of happy helpers and ended up getting 80 pounds of cherries! I got about 8 and Heather got about the same. Kim freezes hers and uses them in smoothies throughout the year and she also takes some around the neighborhood to give to neighbors so she likes to have a lot on hand.

???, Allie, Avynlea, Kate, Sophie, Makenna Lindley, Henry and William