visitors and vacations

We have been busy around here these last few months as summer usually is. Justin's Grandparents came to visit with Bonnie from Idaho Falls which was very fun. We played and visited, took them to the ocean and did a little shopping....they were worn out I think by the time they left. ;) We are so thankful that they made the trip though it really means a lot that they came all this way and the kids just LOVED having the company.

Can't you tell? ;) This little boy is not used to attention at all!!! HA

Watching them make caramel corn...yum!

It was a beautiful day at the beach.

Haylee showing off her findings.Love you guys, we are so happy you came to visit us and hopefully it won't be too long before we see you again! :)

The next stop is North Idaho to Grandma Ellersicks house. We try and get up there at least once a year and sometimes twice when we're lucky. The weather was beautiful the 1st half of the trip and our days were spent being lazy, swimming, eating lots of good food and definitely lots of laughing. The kids all did great and they are getting old enough to just go and play together without adults being there at all times so that is nice.

We do have some new news though with our niece Miley, she has been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes about a month ago. She is such a trooper though and takes her shots and pokes like a pro, we are so proud of her. She will be such a good example to others with this disease, she already acts so grown up and responsible about it. The kids would all gather around to give their support during shot time.

Grandma stayed out at the house with us the whole time this year and she was doing very well. Gavin would give her lots of kisses and loves and stop to wave at her every time he passed. :)

Some of the family that lives around the area came a couple of the days to swim and play. Life can't really get any better than this when you have this......as your backyard.

the view of the house from the dock.

taking a little snooze was Elle, she is one of the two new cousins of the year.

the other is sweet Bryn

These two babies were hilarious to watch, Gavin would keep trying to come in for kisses and right when he would get close......

she would bail. So he would catch up to her and smack her over the head.....should we be worried? Can't you see Wendy in her? ;)

Jen and her little explorer Jack.

These two are attached at the hip.....or is it boob????? ;) he he he

Uncle Steve came out and took us all for a spin in the very FAST boat, the kids were loving it (as soon as they got off).

Lake dipped popsicle's anyone?

Peyton sporting the curly brown mohawk......

Gavin with the straight blond one.

Grace and Grandpa were working on her diving skills all week and she had to try the tube diving, (only a kid could pull this pose off)...."Hannah did you want your picture taken from behind while you dive through the tube?".....yikes!

waiting patiently for their ice cream.

This boy was all about the ice cream.......

see?

We celebrated "little P's" 1st birthday and Wendy did another fabulous job on the cake....first time with fondunt too. :) She was not too sure about the sparkler candle.......
but very sure about the cake!

mmmmmmmm

who me?

We took quite a few canoe rides and that is something that we really enjoy and would not mind having some day.

Who knew foam could be so enjoyable????

Gavin got his first big boy haircut.


We took Granny with us over to get some ice cream at the little resort store.



This is something we started a few years ago and want to keep it going as long as we can with all the kiddos, this year we had added two more to the line. :)



Wendy and her girls


One of the cooler days of the week we headed into Spokane to Riverfront Park and spent the day riding rides, going to an Imax movie and playing on the big slide. We had a ball and those kids rode with the best of 'em, we were shocked at the ones they wanted to go on.

18 of us out to lunch. :)

okay now that we're full....let's SPIN!



He really wants a ride.
See, now he's happy.

We had a bonfire one night.These kids played and played hard!
s'more face
He loves dirt and rocks


Telling Granny "good bye" :(
This little boy was WORN OUT! He was so excited to be home though and just went 100 miles an hour around the house from toy to toy. :)

It's been nice to be home although our weather is cool and rainy so that has been a little frustrating. Grace went home with Grandma and Grandpa and is spending a week in Boise then flying home all by herself to us....yikes! I am trying not to be too nervous and just excited to have her home, I am missing her like crazy. So Haylee and I are getting some school shopping done and having some nice one on one time which has been very nice. She is feeling nervous for school and doesn't really want to talk about it, hopefully after her first day she will feel better.

She and Gavin have been playing so well together and not having Grace to get in the middle it's been good for them.

Being goofy in the dressing room. :)

AND.....my apron that I won came in the mail yesterday, just in time for spaghetti last night. :) It is so cute, and reversible too. Fun, fun!