Summer Fun

We are in the 3rd week of summer vacation and it definitely hasn't felt like summer. We have had a lot of rain, wind and cooler temperatures. But the kids have been enjoying their break so far. They have been sleeping in, watching TV ( a bit too much for my liking), playing Wii, playing outside, golfing, playing with buddies and having sleepovers. Baseball isn't quite over yet, so they do spend some of their summer time at practice and games. Brayden has also started football. (more to come on that)

Brayden buried in the sand
He is playing dead here.

CHEESE!!

We hope to get our pool up this weekend, if the weather holds out. So watch for more summer fun pictures. We LOVE Summer!!!

Idaho Falls Tourney

The first weekend in June, Brayden's team played in their first tournament ever. They did great and actually took 2nd place. I drove up with Ellie and Brayden myself because Bryce had to stay home for a wedding he had to go to on Saturday. Tyler also played in SLC on Saturday. I think it was tough on both Bryce and Brayden, him not being there. Brayden seems to play better when his dad is around.

The weather was crappy for most of the weekend. Wind, rain, cold, YUCK!! Bryce's parents drove from Boise and Bryce's brother Jim and his family were there too. It was nice to have some family with us with Bryce not being there.

Seth and Brayden (cousins)

Sorry about the blurry picture.

Ellie sitting by her buddies, Brielle and Jayden.

Weber Warriors

Running for HOME

Brayden played catcher a lot during the tournament. He is really good!!

He also pitched quite a bit too.

He never looks real happy when he is playing ball. He takes it a bit too serious.
I think he is having fun, but I wish he would let his face show it. :)

New Bike for sale

This post is long overdue. On the last day of school, Tyler's name was drawn during the awards assembly for a new bike. The students entered the drawing each week if they read 100+ minutes at home. Tyler did a ton of reading this year and so this bike was well deserved.

He got into the Percy Jackson series during the year and also Harry Potter. He is reading the 5th Harry Potter right now. I am so proud of his hard work.

However, he already has a nice mountain bike, so he is going to sell this new bike and use the $ this summer doing some fun activities with his friends. If anyone is interested in a new bike he is asking $50 for it. Let me know.

Memorial Day Tournament

This weekend our boys played in a baseball tournament in Utah County. Brayden's team didn't go to the tournament but he was asked to play for a team from Lone Peak, Utah. At first he was not very excited to play on a team whom he didn't know, but he actually had a good time. The kids were fun and the coaches were very nice. I only got to see one of his games because I was with Tyler's team for most of the weekend.

Brayden actually had to miss the last day of school because his ball games started at 10am on Friday. Bryce went down with him and took Ellie also. So after school was out I hurried home and Tyler and I rode down with another teammate of Tyler's.

Brayden got a few hits and got to play several positions. He played catcher, 3rd base, out field, and even pitched a bit. They won 3 out of the 4 games. Way to go!!

Tyler's team won 2 out of 4 games, but the most exciting thing is they beat Team Rock!! Tyler used to play for Team Rock 2 years ago and they are a very good team. They basically intimidate Shock and our boys just have no confidence when it comes to playing them. Tyler started out pitching against them and he did awesome. He had a few strike outs and only one walk in 4 innings. He did okay at the bat too. He walked, had 2 base hits, and 1 strike out. All of our players performed at their best and we ended up winning 8-5. It was so awesome for the boys, the coaches, and the parents. Way to go, SHOCK!!

Alaska Trip

Bryce and Tyler returned from Alaska about a week ago. Bryce was there doing garage doors and wanted Tyler to go with him. I wasn't too excited about Tyler missing 10 days of school but Bryce went in and talked to his teacher and got all of his core testing scheduled before his trip. Tyler was very excited to go. Tyler's uncle Ryan also went. He is an avid fisherman and also very handy and could help Bryce with the garage doors.

The plan was to get to Alaska and bang the doors out in 3-4 days, and then go fishing the other 6-7 days. Well, plans didn't go as hoped for. The weather was awful. Rain, wind, cold and the job wasn't too great either. There was no roof on the building that they were doing doors on, so they basically got soaked and froze as they worked.

They stayed in a trailer on the jobsite, so Tyler basically sat inside the trailer and played DS, watched videos, and read "Harry Potter" most of the day for about 5 days while his dad and uncle got the job done.

To make matters worse, the fishing was awful too. It was a bit too early in the season for salmon and halibut and they didn't catch any. :( I was really looking forward to some yummy fish. Tyler did catch this cool starfish though!!

The mighty fisherman Ryan posing for a photo after his monstrous catch.

He did catch some rock fish which they actually cooked up later in the trailer.

Tyler driving the boat for the halibut fishing, but no luck on catching any.

They finally got the job done and did end up seeing some beautiful Alaskan wildlife.

This is a black bear (from a distance luckily). Bryce was a bit nervous about the bears and so he bought some $40 bear spray from Smith & Edwards before he left for Tyler to carry. He didn't have to use it, thank goodness.

There is a moose hiding in the trees.

They saw a ton of bald eagles too. So cool!!

This is the one and only picture of
Bryce and Tyler. They needed a woman there to take the photos, I guess.

Yes, my son is peeing off of the bridge. Boys will be boys!!
He begged his dad and he finally gave in.

Tyler on top of a HUGE snow bank (15-20 ft.) that goes right down the middle of the road.

Overall, they had a good time. It was a bummer that the weather and fishing didn't cooperate, but Tyler and his dad had some great bonding time together. I am sure that Tyler will remember this trip his whole life.

They did end up coming home about 3 days early and surprising me. It was very nice to see them and I think Tyler even missed me. ;)

Happy Easter

Easter Sunday was nice and relaxing. It was nice to have Bryce all to ourselves with no church meetings. We slept in, enjoyed a yummy breakfast together, went Easter egg hunting, watched Conference, and colored Easter eggs. The kids got plenty of candy, a new outfit, and a DVD. The boys each got a new game and Ellie got a My Little Pony family convertible.

After conference we went to my aunt Janet's for dinner. It was yummy! She barbecued hamburgers and hot dogs. We had layered jello (about 15 layers), mac salad, chinese chicken salad, chips and dips and chocolate eclair cake for dessert. I am sure I need to run about 10 miles today. :(

Look at all my eggs

Brayden showing off his new outfit from the Easter Bunny.

Ellie with her new dress. She loves dressing up!!

Tyler and Bryce playing battleship. Tyler got that from the Easter bunny.

Coloring Easter eggs!!

Ellie used a whisk for her eggs and it turned out perfect. Only one spill.

The finished products. They did great.

Easter Weekend

Saturday we decided to head to SLC for the day. We went to the Gateway to see how the Discovery Children's Museum was. Tyler had brought home a pass from school for the whole family to get in free, so we figured with baseball starting soon on Saturdays, we better go soon.

Well, lets just say Bryce wasn't real excited about going to the museum and as you can see in one of the pictures he didn't really enjoy it. However, Brayden and Ellie had a good time. And sometimes you have to do things for your kids. Let's just say we are glad we got in free!! (The treehouse museum in Ogden is better.)

They had a Life Flight helicopter up on the top floor. The boys enjoyed this, but Ellie wasn't so sure. I think she thought it was going to take off on her.

Bryce enjoying the museum. NOT!!


After the museum, we went to Barnes & Noble and Famous Footwear. Then we headed off to lunch/dinner. We were all starving. We went to Benihana's in dowtown SLC and had a great time. The best part was that my meal was FREE because I had a certificate for my birthday this month. We saved $30. I love to save money!!

I love this picture!!

Me, Brayden and Ellie


Ellie enjoying her chicken. The food was fantastic!!

Tyler and Bryce