The Princess Protection Program

Here's my first contribution to the "family" blog. Since Kristin suggested I contribute, here you go. Remember babe, "for better or worse."

Last night during FHE we played the Disney Scene It game. We didn't really play the game, we just watched random scenes on the DVD. During one of the bits, Alex proposed the name of the Disney flick was: "The Princess Protection Program."

I thought it was pretty funny and didn't want to forget it. Alex -- you're a funny fellow. We're so glad you're in our family. It's also been nice to see you stepping up lately as the big brother: playing with the young 'uns and letting them crawl on you, etc. You're the man, my little Jedi!

Love, Dad.

Home from Alaska

When me & Kristin got back from our trip to Alaska, something happened I didn't expect. I wanted to write it down so I don't forget about it. We (at least I) wasn't sure I missed the kids all that much. Some alone time for mom & dad was just what we needed. It really was a lot of fun. But when we pulled up into the driveway the kids ran out to meet us. It was kind of weird seeing them. They seemed bigger than when we left, and I almost didn't recognize them. Alex hugged me and I almost outright cried because my heart jumped to see him. I heard Halie, but what she was saying hadn't registered for a minute. She said, "Hi, Daddy," in the cutest softest, most hopeful voice I'd ever heard. That really almost got me started. It was so cute! When I picked her up (I do this with all the kids) I asked her who I loved and she said "Hay Bare." Didn't want to forget that. I remember Hannah jumped into my arms, and Josh was a little trepidatious but smiled big when I picked him up. We sure have a great family, and I love all you guys. Love, Dad.

Hannah Banana turns 5

Hooray, we made it to 5! A few years ago, I could constantly be heard saying, "If I can just keep her alive til she's 5, we're gonna be ok". The reason for this being of course, that Hannah is an absolutely exhausting child! Exhausting because she is busy, busy, busy, and into everything, and needs constant entertainment. However this is also a wonderful thing, because she is so smart, so talented, so creative, so artistic, so energetic, and so beautiful, that she just blows me away!

My friends are always asking me how I have so much energy to take my kids everywhere. The truth be told, I keep us all going, going, going, because of Hannah. The rest of us are just totally benefitting from her busy personality. I'm happy to report that Hannah at 5, is the most delightful and entertaining child I have ever known. Still busy, still drama, drama, drama, still into everything, but now she is able to regulate herself, and keep it coming in moderation, so I can actually keep up. We are becoming great shopping buddies, and we have long chats about her future dreams, while painting our toenails. I love it! I've always said that boys are easier than girls, but the girls are so much fun, and I am absolutely loving mine.

My sassy birthday girl


Bruce stopped by the party for a few rounds of Hullabaloo


We made ribbon flip flops, and did some fancy pedicures


Had a super fun treasure hunt, where the kids had to do something funny, like cluck like a chicken, or blow Hannah five kisses, or hop on one foot to the next clue.



We had lots of yummy party food, and decorated cupcakes


And then we all watched the birthday girl open her fun presents.



Hannah, I love you so much! Thank you for coming into my life, for breaking me out of my shell, for challenging me everyday, for bringing so many new people into my life, for showing me the fun side of life, and for just being the AMAZING you, that you are. I find myself watching you all the time, and am in constant awe that you are my daughter. I feel so blessed to have you in my life. I just hope I can always keep up. :) I am so excited to see all the wonderful things you will bring to this world, and to all those you come in contact with. You have a very special, unique, and dynamic spirit, and are capable of such great things.

Happy Birthday my darling girl. I love you like the stars!

Let the SUMMER FUN begin

School is out, and so for our first day of summer fun, we headed to This is the Place park, and we had a fabulous time!!

Bear got some help from a good lookin cowboy


Hannah was awesome at the potato sack races




As usual, Alex just needed a few sticks and a little water, and he was happy




Josh loved all the train rides


And I LOVED, spending the day with my kids. So happy to have them all home for the summer.

Hannah & Emma

Last week Hannah & Emma had their dance recital. They were so cute, and sooo much better than last year. This is their second semester with Dance Crew, they love it, and we loved watching them!


BEST FRIENDS

Roadtrip IDAHO

It's Friday morning of the Memorial Day weekend, Bruce has the day off, and we have no plans at 8am. By 9:30am we are on the road, with no plans except to head towards Idaho, and stop wherever, and whenever we want.

First stop: Lava Hot Springs, and they don't call them HOT for nothing.


The pools were between 104' and 112'. A little too hot for the kids to truly enjoy, but they still had fun soaking their feet, and splashing around in them.


And the popsicles were devine!


That night we found a nice hotel in Pocatello, and swam the night away.


Day 2: We loaded up the van and headed in the direction of Rexburg. We were happily driving along, when we saw a sign that said Potato Museum next exit. So, since we were in the land of the POTATO, we had to stop.


We saw the World's largest Pringle

An entire wall of Potato mashers

some old Potato farming equipment

And a fun old train with bunnies running around under it.

The next thing we came across was a sign that the traveling TITANIC exhibit was at the Museum of Idaho, so we decided to go there. It was a really cool exhibit, with photos, movies, artifacts from the sunken ship, and lots of interesting stories of the people who were on the boat. As you enter they give each person a card with the name and other info, of a person who was on the Titanic. At the end of the exhibit there is a wall that tells you wether your person lived or died. We had 4 of our 6 people die. They also had a huge piece of an "Iceberg" at the end, that the kids could feel, so they could see how cold it was. The kids were really into it, and we all had a great time. Unfortunately the museum didn't allow photos, so this is as good as it gets.


Our next stop was in Rexburg to hit Bear World.


Where we saw lots of these


And a ton of these

So many, so, that at one time our car was surrounded by bears, with one pushing on our bumper, which totally freaked out Alex.


The baby bears were ADORABLE


Especially these ones.

Then we walked through the petting zoo, and fed all of these


While Halie, chased around some of these



And then we rode on some of these, which the kids loved!


And then we found a hotel in Rexburg, & swam the night away.

The next morning we loaded up and headed to Yellowstone. We had a great time walking along all the trails, enjoying the scenery, seeing the animals, and taking in the hot springs.


Bear kept stopping at every sign, to point out the letters and tell us what they were.


This is the happy bunch waiting for Old Faithful, which is not as faithful as it used to be.


And this is them 20 minutes later, still waiting, and get soaking wet in the rain.


But when she finally blew, it was worth the wait.


After a fun day, we headed back to Rexburg, found a hotel, and swam and swam and swam. The next morning we headed over to take a walk around the Rexburg Temple. It was beautiful, and we were able to have some spiritual time with our kids. I love, that my kids love to go see the Temples.


And then we headed home, after a most EXCELLENT adventure through Idaho. We had a blast, but we were all feeling just like Bear in this picture. Totally Exhausted!


YAY VACATION!!!