Quick Trip to Idaho Falls

We took a quick trip to Idaho Falls the weekend of July 18th so Brian could help my grandma with her finances. My parents also happened to be there on Friday, so that was a fun surprise!

Ruth loved swinging. She could have done this all day!

I took the kids to the zoo so that we'd be out of the way of the business happenings. Ruth enjoyed watching the penguins.

The kids are standing next to a peacock, but the lighting isn't very good in this picture.

My Uncle Kirk came to the zoo, too. It's hard to get a picture of everyone looking at the camera. (But I do love how the colors of my kids' outfits coordinated that day.)

Ruth helped Great Grandma with her flowers.

Ruth had a grand time trying on Great Grandma's Americana hat.

Before we left on Saturday afternoon, we took a trip to the park. Ruth really would have rather been on the swing by herself, but she still had fun with me. :)

Brian's Service Project

Brian - being the wonderful and thoughtful grandchild that he is - decided to organize a family service project to weed a piece of his Smith Grandparent's front yard. It ended up being a much bigger project than originally anticipated, but thanks to the amazing Smith children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren who worked hard in the morning heat, a lot got done and it made a big difference in the yard!

I was so impressed by the family's turnout and just hope I have such amazing posterity when I'm in my 90s!

The "before" picture of the project we were going to tackle.

Working hard! The parents pulled weeds and the kids gathered them in a giant pile by the trailer.

Trying to keep the flowers in tact while pulling the weeds that had grown up around them.

Adam getting some bark to lay down...maybe? Or just walking around with an empty wheel barrow. :)

Laying down some weed paper.

Uncle Terry striking a pose.

The kids taking a break and having some cinnamon rolls courtesy of Aunt Del Lou.

Audrey, Sydney, and Wes taking a break.

Wes helped Brian hammer in some edging.

The kids playing in a trailer full of weeds!

Grandpa out surveying the much-improved final product.

4th of July 2014

We spent the 4th of July at our own house. I do believe this is the first time in the history of our marriage that we've done that. We're usually out of town or at least out somewhere. It was nice to have it be a low-key and relaxing evening. My cousin, Megan, and her family also joined us, which made it extra fun to celebrate!

Ruth being a big helper for Dad on a trip to Home Depot.

It's taken all of my energy to do projects with the kids this summer (something I normally love to do) but I did help them make patriotic Oreo pops for dessert. Despite their odd faces in this picture, they enjoyed it!

Our family picture on the 4th. The shirt I'm wearing is the same one I wore on the 4th of July 2008. I know that because it's a maternity shirt and I was pregnant with Sydney at the time. See here if interested.

Isaak, Lukas, and Megan.

The patriotic trifle I made for dessert.

We lit off a few fireworks in our street. This was the first year Wes actually helped light them. Sydney mostly stayed inside because she was afraid of potential of loud noises. Ruth went to bed.

Fancy fireworks!

Brian and Wes doing some fancy sparkler fire dancing.

Random Pictures from June

Here are our random pictures from June 2014.

Ruth keeps herself entertained while the kids are playing with Legos at the Library. She loves wheels. She really likes the put this little stick piece in the center of the wheel. I was super impressed that she could actually do it by herself!

More Lego creations. Sydney pretty much always makes a kitty house.

We went swimming for FHE one night. It was a bit chilly, but the kids still had fun!

Wes was in charge of dinner this night so we had quesadillas, corn, and oranges outside. It was a perfect evening.

Supporting our BYU Cougars this morning! We went about a half mile and then turned around so Brian could help make pancakes since he's on the Boise chapter alumni board.

Had some friends over this night and played the game where you try and land Cheetos on a shower cap covered with shaving cream. A great time was had by all!

Brian and Ben's turn with Brandon and Stacy being entertained by the silliness of it all.

Wes throwing a mid-air shot to Brandon's cap.

My sister made a book for my Grandma's birthday of all of the blankets she'd given us. Here are Brian and I with our wedding afghan.

Ruth and her purple blanket.

Sydney and her pink blanket.

Wes and his blue blanket.

Legos again. Ruth really loves to get involved!

This is the life for a 7-year-old. Eating pizza outside in a lounge chair.

Spending the evening with our neighbors...the horses.

A few quick Father's Day presents before we left for Yellowstone. He really is such a great dad.

Nakey baby in the bath.

Ruth taking "biteys" of watermelon.

Me and my kiddos playing outside.

Sydney randomly fell asleep during a 25-minute car ride. These are the moments I think, "Oh yeah, she is only 5."

Cousins: Madison, Lydia, and Sydney.

We did an engineering project this day. The kids could use 20 small cups, 1 foot of masking tape, and 2 pieces of construction paper to make a 1 foot tower that would hold a small stuffed animal. I was impressed with their creativity! Sydney gave up though. I did mine in about 15 seconds by making a pyramid with the cups. Maybe that was cheating...

Sydney really likes to sit down and play the piano at random. And nearly every time she does, Ruth plops down right next to her and plays along, too. Cute sisters.

The kids worked hard to finish 100 workbook pages and earned a family trip to mini golf. I even got a hole-in-one!

Stopped by an authentic Hawaiian shave ice shack owned by my brother-in-law's nephew. It was a (messy) hit!

Ruth hoarding the wheels during Legos and the Library.