Denver Trip August 2024

Karen and I met up for Wicked this summer in Denver. She brought Loran, and I took Grace, Anne and James. We enjoyed the show.

It was so hot outside while we waited for the show. 

HyunJu was so tired on the way home. She had a long day!

James really wanted to see this museum. Meow Wolf. It was certainly an experience.

It was interactive and so big! I kept getting lost in it!

Grace didn't like getting lost in it either! She hung out with me most of the time.

Overall, I'm glad we went. Minus the speeding ticket. 

We ordered a mango snow bowl and Snowl. It was so delicious! 

James was so excited to try this South Korean treat.

 

The Next Day

The kids spent a good portion of the morning vegging to SpongeBob....

it was a relatively quiet morning.

Then we had lots of sno-cones.

We played in the water...

Relaxed in the shade....

 and Packaged some Hygiene Kits

Last winter the girls and I made some baby crib quilts to donate to the Humanitarian Center.

They were delivered with the Hygiene Kits on Wednesday.

Vacation- Day 3 Sunday

James was thrilled to wear his Sunday bowtie.

All of the boys had matching 4th of July bowties.

Grace, Baby Katelyn, and the other girls had 4th of July hair bows.

Claire was happy to be hanging out with everyone.

Grandpa Butler and Grandma were ready for church.

We wore our party dresses to Tim's house for a BBQ with Grandma Peggy and Grandpa Dave.

We took some family photos.

We drove to Paris, Idaho for the evening activities and played outside with our family.

Rohan, James, Grace, Anton, and Zachery on the front porch.

Edwin helped set up the tents where we spent the evening.

What a Sunday.

7 Vacation Days- Day 2

Day 2

Drive Across Wyoming

Stop in Hoback for some beautiful pictures, mountains, and a river.

Arrive in Idaho for Dinner a scooter rides with Uncle Daniel 

We were glad to be out of the car and off visiting with family.

7 Days of Vacation-Day 1

Day 1

Drive through Iowa...

Nebraska

And into Wyoming

The best hotel room ever! 

Bunkbeds, Star Wars and a door that closes!

This and That

James taught the FHE Lesson on the Good Samaritan.  We had a great night in costume.

A few friends graduated from high school so we gave them pillows and homemade pillowcases.

Then we learned a few more were graduating so we made them pillowcases too.

James has been showing more and more of his personality and is beginning to show interest in specific things.

It was time to make him a pillowcase and he wanted "Bob, lain lain" (aka Thomas the Train).

Then we spent the evening around the campfire pit.

James loves to pose for the camera and his sister are more than happy to take his picture!

Edwin had some time off so we went to the splash pad.

Grace was a bit cold.

James had a good time. 

Annie only sat still long enough for this one photo.

Edwin was a good dad and got wet this time with the kids. 

He instructed me not to wear a swim suit because I would be taking pictures. 

We also went to Nauvoo while Edwin was on vacation.  We had a great time, but no photos this trip.

Once Edwin started back to work I began summer daycare at the house.  With seven kids in the house during the day things are a bit crazy and blogging isn't a top priority.  However, I have the families' permission to post pics of their kids so I'll start that soon I hope.  We've done several things already and I expect  we will continue to have a great summer and do many more creative and fun activities.

Happy Father's Day.

Something Besides Laundry

We've been ill.  At 2 am while hugging the stainless steel bowl and crying for a drink of water Grace said, "I am not having fun."  Tears in my eyes and bowl in my own lap I replied, "I know sweetie.  No one is having fun."  Within four hours of the first tummy ache complaint, all five of us had the stomach bug.  That was 10 days ago.  We are still recovering. Ironically I am happy to report we have progressed to washing the bedding every couple of days instead of every couple of hours. Laundry is usually a job find enjoyable, but I have come to loathe it lately! 

In the midst of this icky mess, we have had many friends help in various ways.  Meals, groceries, child care, early morning phone calls for help, blessings or errands have all been received well.  We are surviving and I think we are ready to get busy with living life again.  Needless to say I haven't taken many pictures lately but I do have a few things we did prior to our stomach mishaps.

WE HAD VISITORS!!!

They arrived. They ate.  They pulled out the fishing gear!

James tested the poles to make sure they were in tip-top shape.

Edwin, Grandpa, and Richard wanted to go fishing.  They went to the fishing store TWICE before bedtime.  They were out the door first thing in the morning.  Although they planned to do the fishing, they didn't plan on swimming. However, when the canoe tipped the fisherman became the bait!

The girls and James met the boys for lunch.  Edwin successfully paddled us around the lake without tipping us over.

James stayed on the shore and ate the chips, sandwiches, dirt and rocks. He didn't like the canoe for very long.

The kids enjoyed a brief nap on the way home.  Anne is "keeping the sun out".

One day of fishing isn't enough for this grandpa.  Edwin and Grandpa went fishing the next day while Richard was scouting out the law school here.  They caught a few catfish and a white bass.  We all ate well that night, a little too well.

The next day we took another trip.

You can't come visit us without a drive to Nauvoo.  The kids and Grandma and I went to the Family Living Center to ride the sheep and bake bread while Edwin, Grandpa and Richard and Jess attended the temple.

We enjoyed a carriage ride in the countryside in the afternoon.

We also made it Carthage.

I love this shot of Grandpa.  He scouted a building project and couldn't  resist touching the lumber and reading the building specifications.  Here is a man who is passionate about his job.

Aunt Jessica

This is one of the women my daughters admire, and a woman I am happy to have as a role model for my girls.  We love you Jess!  Good luck with your new bundle!