Idaho Vacation Part 2:

Ha ha Adam, I snapped a picture when you weren't looking! You just can't can't hide from my lens :)

So this is actually part 2 of our vacation, but the post was so long, I decided to cut it short. You can view part 1 next week. There were a few really hot days while in Idaho visiting Grandma and Grandpa Weber, so Kelly and his brother got out the pool. They only filled it about a foot deep, but that didn't stop the fun. Travis was not a fan of the FREEZING water, so Grandma was nice enough to snuggle him, and get him dry.

Poor Hailey was stuck in the middle of Daddy and Uncle Adam's water fight.

Hailey went to Grandpa for protection

This is her "the water is really cold" face. Is she enjoying herself in this photo? You be the judge. (I caught you again Adam)

Joining in the fight

And uncle Wayne was Travis's buddy on this vacation. Travis kept Uncle Wayne pretty busy entertaining him, but I think he didn't mind...too much

Hogle Zoo:
We swung up to Utah to Visit my brother Mike and his Wife Alicia. We intended to See my brother Mark and his wife Shauna too, but they were very sick (I hope you are all feeling better). Somehow however, we only ended up with one photo of Alicia, and none of Mike...How did that happen? I am very photo happy.

Any resemblance?

Me, Travis and Alicia in the ground hog holes.

I love these pictures of my little ones!

This was my number one memory of the Hogle Zoo from my childhood. I don't know why, but I guess these lion drinking fountains must have been very fun for me to use, and you know what...Travis really liked them too.

But he loved the Gorilla. The gorilla wasn't interested in the kids though. Travis was so cute, and he made a monkey noise every time he saw one.

Travis was obviously forced to pose for this picture if you couldn't tell, and Hailey would have nothing to do with it. Thanks Kelly for being a good sport.

Hailey was obsessed with finding an Elephant at the Zoo, and when we finally found him she was so excited. Not the best photo of the occasion, but I wish you could have seen her initial smile when she first saw him, because it was priceless.

Another crummy photo, but Travis loved the giraffes and wanted to look at them forever it seemed. They are rather odd looking creatures when you think about it.

Temple Square:

I haven't been to Temple square in years, and it was really fun to go as a mother. I finally get to take my children to see all of the great things my parents took me to as a child. But this time, I got to be the teacher, and it was a lot of fun. I love the Christus, and Hailey was really impressed by it. It was amazing how reverent the kids were while in it's presence.

I think this is one of my most memorable moments from the trip. Hailey was so excited to finally get to touch a Temple. She couldn't wait to get next to it, and when she finally did, she reluctantly stretched out her arm, and slowly and gently touched the Temple. She was beaming, and looked at us like she had been waiting her whole life to do that. And yes, she told us all about Marrying her cousin Ben on the way there, song and all :)

Ah the Temple doors. I have been told my whole life about how my great, great, great (I don't know how many greats?) Grandpa carved the doors on the Salt Lake Temple. My Mother always made us get pictures with the doors on our many trips through Utah. So here's for tradition.

It was a wonderful Vacation, and we really enjoyed seeing all of the family that we were able to. I have to tell you Grandma and Grandpa Weber, Hailey cried when she woke up in the car, and told us to turn around for at least an hour! She wanted to go back to your house so bad, and we had to work very hard at bribing her to stop throwing a fit. It took a very long time! We look forward to the next visit.

Travis's 1 year photos--Our little cowboy!

Sorry these are blurry and not so sharp. We have no scanner, so I try to take pictures of pictures...I haven't quite mastered the art as of yet. I will post more of his pictures later.

Isn't he a cutie!

Longing for Fall

Is it just me, or is this weather reminiscent of Fall or what? I love Fall for so many reasons, and I tend to get a little giddy and impatient when I get a nice cool day like today. Fall is great because:

*The weather is cool, so I don't melt in my non-air conditioned house.

*I get to wear sweatshirts and sweaters, which ultimately means I get to hide my body, and bask in the sheer comfort and warmth of baggy clothes.

*I get to pull out my cute coats and jackets, as well as scarves and hats.

*Fuzzy socks and warm slippers are a must, and I love to wear those.

*Is there anything prettier than the array of colors we get to enjoy in the falling leaves, because I can't think of a thing.

* I love to bundle up my kiddos and go for walks in the cool fall breeze, and enjoy the scenery.

*I get to decorate my house with all of my wonderfully adorable Fall decorations, and enjoy them for a few months.

* Halloween and Thanksgiving come in the Fall, and any holiday involving candy or piles of food is a good thing :)

*After getting bored of my children's summer wardrobe, I get to pull out their new Fall/Winter clothes and enjoy seeing them in those (I love babies in sweaters!)

*School starts, so my nieces are not around to annoy me on craft day (I threw that one in for you Lisa)

*I don't have to shave my legs as often, because I get to wear long pants, skirts and boots.

*And finally, I get to pull out my oh so loved down comforter and snuggle in it at bedtime.

ONLY 44 DAYS LEFT TIL' FALL!!!

Right concept...But no!

You always think it's going to be someone else, not your kid! But alas it's true...We had to sit down and have the "you can't marry your cousin" talk with Hailey today. The poor girl has had eyes for her cousin Benjamin practically since she was born. We are so happy that she is singing songs about going to the Temple someday, and feel so proud that what we have been teaching her is soaking in. But the part she added about her cousin marrying her there, well we had to have a long talk about that one. After a while she agreed that it would not work, then asked if she could marry Danny or Kyle (also cousins) there someday? I guess "the talk" will just have to wait a few years huh. Isn't she a cutie, we just lover that girl :)

Summer Happenings

Here is a quick look at how we have been spending and enjoying our summer. The kids love to play outside, especially since we got our new swing set.

Travis, like all boys, loves to dig, play and eat dirt whenever possible.

Hailey is obsessed with the hose, and loves to help water...well anything that she thinks should get wet.

Travis got his first Tonka truck from Grandma and Grandpa Bevans, and has been loving driving and hauling himself around in it.

On the 4Th of July we went to Monmouth and celebrated with the family at my brother Todd's house. We had a BBQ, walked in the kids parade, watched the real parade, then ended by watching a fabulous firework display at a park. The kids had a blast, and the weather was a little hot, but beautiful. We talked cousin Sophia into pushing the stroller...for a little while anyway.

Notice the lovely decorations.

Hailey and her cousin Johanna were so cute waving to all of the parade floats.

Travis sat back and enjoyed the parade from his shaded stroller, while we all died from the heat.

The kids all cooled off in the pool and sprinklers while we waited for it to get dark.

Travis was such a little scaredy cat, and HATED the fireworks. He cried every time he heard a boom.

We were so tired by the end of the day, but it was all worth it when we finally got to sit and enjoy the fireworks.

Last month Kelly's parents and brother Adam came to visit us for about a week and a half. The visit went by so fast, but the kids enjoyed every minute of it. We also appreciated the help with the house.

They were also able to be here to celebrate Hailey and Travis's birthdays a little early, and boy did they love their gifts.

Hailey getting loves from Grandma.

Travis and Hailey wanted to be outdoors at all times while Grandma and Grandpa were here. Travis was really into watching the men work on the house. They were ripping off all of the siding and replacing it with plywood. It was a big job, but it went a lot faster with all the help...thanks guys!

YUCK!!! We ran into some unexpected nasty things along the way, including snakes and ant eggs and colonies in the insulation.

We also found that the windows had never even been so much as tacked in, so they almost fell out, oops. Luckily we got new windows last week, hooray!

And last, back when we were camping Memorial Day weekend, Kelly took our jeep into the sand dunes and crashed into a little 3 ft. dune. This was just enough pressure to release the air bag on him. Luckily it makes a great hat when you cut it out...

And duct tape fixes everything!

My baby is 1 !!!

Happy Birthday baby boy! My baby is already 1 year old, where the heck does the time go?

And the cake...not quite as elaborate as Hailey's, but still pretty darn cute if I do say so myself.

Kelly is out of town today, and I sure wish I had him here to help with the birthday photos. Hailey tried her best to help me out- what a great big sister.

Travis loved his cake, and couldn't wait to get his hands on it.

I sure love this boy!