rainy days = splash boots

we love rainy days for many reasons

 but most of all for splashing

 this was Vivian's first time splashing 

and she instantly loved it

 it seems it's a Kelly favorite past time around our house

 the puddles were so big this day the splashing was awesome

so awesome it took 3 days for the kids boots to dry out

it was wonderful!

come back soon rain

farm country

we were lucky to spend an afternoon at the 

Thanksgiving Point Farm Country with some great friends

the kids loved it!

 meet Clancy

Miles loved Clancy

they were pals

 meet a scared Vivi

she didn't even sit on the cute pony long enough to get it's name

 but Vivi sure enjoyed feeding the little goats

and they in returned liked her (or the scraps of grain she found on the ground)

we had a blast and

we will for sure be back!

mustaches

ever wonder what it would be like to have a mustache?

 it's hilarious

don't we look great?

 looks almost natural right?

 Vivian loved her's so much she wouldn't take it off for hours

 Mark's is awesome

kissing with them is even more awesome

(but don't grow one Mark...not yet anyway)

beach time

Hawaii sounded great this summer

the beach sounds great period

but it wasn't in the cards for us this year

so we made due with what we had

meet Jensen Grove in Blackfoot Idaho

it's a large pond (for lack of a better term) with water diverted from the Snake River

crazy I know, but they really hauled in sand there and it's like a beach in Idaho

the kids loved it and they really thought it was the beach

the kids love dirt, sand, and water 

 so it was perfect for us to enjoy a hot day at the beach

Needless to say we will be back

accessorize

Vivian loves necklaces!!!

can you tell?

she always has a minimum of 2 of these on her when we visit Idaho

my mom kept all these from her trip to Louisiana

I thought she was just being silly

Vivi sure is glad she kept them!

Thanks mom.

surrounded

 Miles was kind enough to supply Vivian with a few cooking essentials as she took a little dip

meanwhile I think Miles was getting in tune with his rapping skills from another religion

summer fun

 the kids enjoyed jumping on the trampoline with the sprinkler under it

 they both got a kick out of it when I turned on the water

nothing is better on a hot day

besides popsicles to follow, which we did of course

farmers

 one evening we went out to visit some family and check out the farm

Grandpa took us for a tractor ride in Uncle Dallas' tractor

 Miles loved it, and so did Grandpa

 Miles even wore his tractor hat

 Vivian fell asleep

my dad called the tractor "the big babysitter"

 thank you Uncle Dallas

we enjoyed not only your tractors but also your company

 thank you Tammy (aka, the cat lady) for all the kitty fun

I had no idea that she loved cats so much

she currently has 11 total right now

(it's a good thing you are married Tammy, or people might think things)

 aren't they a cute couple?

this picture cracks me up!

(I hope you don't hate me for posting this.)

while there we enjoyed this handsome man's company

needless to say it was a wonderful evening!
(thanks for the lemon crunch yogurt too, it was delicious!)

garden fresh

 Vivian is in love with the garden at my parent's house

 she was in it every day

 looking for the peas

she LOVES them

but really who doesn't?

oh how I long for a garden of our own!

fresh & clean

oh Idaho how we miss you already

 we love the wide open spaces you allow us to freely explore

 the pure and clean water we love to drink

and play in

we will be back soon!

pioneer day 2012

The kids and I spent pioneer day in Idaho with my parents.

We had a blast.

My parent's ward puts on a great pioneer day celebration at a cute little pioneer park by the river.

 Miles got a bear.

Doesn't he look so cute?!

 We all streched to look as western as we could with what we had.

Miles looked the best!
(Those are my little brother Kurtis' old chaps.)

We ate watermelon, scones, and corn on the cob. 

 The kids loved it.

We rode a horse.

(A tire swing one and little carriages pulled by small horses. Sorry no picture of that one.)

 We roped some critters.

Miles is quite the ropper.

 Raced in a stick pony race at the rodeo.

 Vivian didn't race, she did the dirt crawl/swim.

 Not sure why, but she loved it and kept doing it for almost 5 minutes straight.

Needless to say she was a dirty mess at the end of the night.

We watched the horse tricks with Papa.

Vivian is absolutely in love with him!

Enjoyed a great Idaho evening. 

Miles tried to catch a chicken.

He almost did too.

As he said "I was super duper close to one. Maybe next time." 

All in all it was a wonderful night!

We missed you  Mark.

Next year let's do it as a family!