Saturday Sleep Out Take 1

I had a brilliant idea of pitching a tent this weekend and letting the family sleep outside.  I am assuming my husband surrendered to the idea because of the fact that it's mother day weekend.  Saturday night we pulled out the tent and put it up, blowed up air mattresses and hauled them out along with tons of blankets, sleeping bags and everybody's pillow.  We also pulled out some fun games and glow sticks. 

Dustin would have the kids go on a "mission" in order to earn a glow stick.  They would have to run around the tent 2 times, jump on the tramp and run back for example.  They thought it was the coolest thing ever!

I had fun playing with the shutter speeds on my camera.

We hung out for a few hours playing and then it was time for bed...  everybody but Alissa fell asleep and I was woke suddenly by the sound of her walking around in the tent.  I decided I didn't want to wake up to find her missing in the back yard so I was hauling her and Molly inside.  Dustin decided to follow and brought Ella.  I guess it was a fun attempt.  We had a great couple hours and then a good nights rest in our warm beds. :)

OSHA RIDES A BIKE!

It's been a long road coming, but I guess after watching Alissa ride her bike with training wheels Ella decided to give it a better shot at riding without.  She practiced all week and did pretty well, but when we went to my parents house yesterday they have a lot of drive way to practice on and away she  went.  She was ecstatic!  She didn't want to get off to go home.  She just wanted to keep riding around and around.  We were proud of her!  (especially her dad)

Now hopefully we can squeeze in some bike rides this summer.

Four Wheelin' with Friends

Some of our good friends, the Hansens invited us to go spend the early day on Saturday up by Kelly Canyon riding four wheelers.  We were excited to go.  We took our four wheeler into the shop to be looked at and found out we have a $850 problem to be fixed.  Sadly we told our friends we would not be joining them.  They offered their extra four wheeler to us so we would be able to go. 

So along with 4 other couples, The Blanchards, Hansens, Sargents & Millers we loaded up and headed to the hills.  We had such a great time!

The boys had fun catching some air on the bumps and flipping mud through the puddles. 

Mike & Farrah Hansen 

Richard & Ranae Miller 

Angie & Steve Sargent (our bishop)  It was his birthday so Angie suprised everybody with a bag full of Wingers sticky fingers and celery sticks and chocolate cake for dessert.  It was a pretty amazing picnic.   

We feel blessed to have such great friends and live in such a great neighborhood. 

By the end of the trip the girls (and boys) had some pretty dirty faces.  I rode on the back of Dustin so I would wipe my cheeks on the back of his shirt every now and again.  Mine didn't look too dirty.  It was funny to see everybody so dirty at the end.  It was a super fun day! 

Ella's Timeline

Ella had a fun project for school to make a timeline of her life.  It was weird to see how big she is getting!   Time sure flies!

She wrote:  May 25, 2005  Ella was born in Logan, Utah

Ella turns one. 2006

Ella turns two 2007

Daddy graduates and we moved to Idaho Falls, Idaho.  April 2009

Ella turns three. 2008

Ella's first trip to the dentist.  September 2008

January 2009 Ella's baby sister Alissa is born

Ella turns four.  2009

Ella turns five 2010

December 2010 Ella looses her first tooth

May 2011 Ella graduates from Kindergarten

2011 Ella turns six.

2011-2012  Ellla goes to first grade

Ella today.  May 2012

Alissa learns to ride a bike

Friday afternoon Dustin took Alissa outside and helped her learn how to ride her bike with training wheels. She wasn't really sure how to pedal yet so mostly it was a lesson on how to pedal forward and steer without driving into the grass. She was a quick learner and within 15 minutes was riding like a pro. We were so proud of her!

She is such an active little kid and so coordinated! She took a sharp turn and crashed and cried for a few minutes, but did not give up. She got back on her bike and rode some more. Such a different kid than Ella at 3... and 6. :)

It brought back memories of the time Dustin tried to help Ella. She was the same exact age as Alissa. However Ella was much more cautious and wanted to give up. He ended up duct taping her feet to the pedals to keep her from giving up. It was a disaster and did not end well. :) he he.. It's funny to look back now.

Make Up

This is a normal occurrence at our house.  Especially when Ella has friends over.  "Can we get the make up out?"  I generally say sure as long as they keep it on the tile because it is easier to clean up spills.  I got a kick out of Molly this time though and it prompted me to get out the camera.  She was cheesing it up with her HUGE grin.  She loves feeling big like her sisters.  It was hilarious!

Ella, the beautician. 

Isn't it great!  I just love these pretty girls. 

Tulip Festival

After our awesome race and a shower we headed to Thanksgiving Point to enjoy the last day of the Tulip Festival.  It was the first time my little family has ever been there and hopefully not the last.  It was beautiful!  We loved every minute of it.

Dad and Alissa looking at the fish.

The kids even got to feed them.

For a few minutes there my emotions overcame me.  I started thinking - if we get to have our own world one day.  I hope this is what it looks like and even what it feels like.   I had my sweet little family all with big smiles on their face, the sun was shining and the flowers and colors were amazing.  It was quiet and peaceful and happy.   Heavenly Father really did design a beautiful world!

This was Alissa's favorite part.  She felt like a princess inside these columns.   She was dancing around and didn't want to leave.

Oh, what another perfect day!