Trip to Idaho Falls 2015

The week before school started, the kids and I took a trip to Eastern Idaho and met up with my sister, Angie, and her kids. We had a great time with Grandma Swensen and Uncle Kirk doing most of our favorite Idaho Falls things!

A favorite past time in our family is the Idaho Falls sand hills. Claire first experience was a raging success. She loved it!

My kiddos and me on the sand hill.

Cousins!

Super cute picture of Aunt Angie and Claire.

Ruth LaRue stealing some of Great Grandma's water.

We went to the Museum of Idaho (a first for us!) and they had a special pirates exhibit.

Group shot attempt!

Yummy ice cream at Reed's Dairy.

The petting zoo at Reed's Dairy.

We fed the ducks on the greenbelt.

Ruth and me with the real Idaho Falls.

Claire and me with the Idaho Falls temple where both sets of her grandparents were married.

We went to Grandpa Swensen's grave.

Lanie really wanted a picture with Claire.

And then so did everyone else. Babies are so popular!

We went on the carousel in Rexburg.

Claire was a huge fan of the splash park and didn't seem to mind getting soaked. Ruth sat at the bottom of this slide most of the time. Except for when she decided to get totally naked for some reason! At that point, we were all done at the splash park!

Madison was so nice to help babysit Claire for a bit!

Of course we had to go to Big Jud's!

That's a big burger!

When we weren't out and about playing, the kids spent a lot of time playing cards at home. I learned to play Kings on Corners and other card games at my grandparents' house.

Ruth literally fell asleep reading. She was a trooper through all of our adventures!

tHANKSgiving 2014

We had a pre-Thanksgiving feast on the Sunday before the actual day at my sister's house. Then we went to eastern Idaho for the actual Thanksgiving holiday. We spent the holiday with Brian's Hanks side of the family.

The pies that Brian and I made for our Sunday feast: coconut cream and banoffe.

Gia, Jemm, Ruth, and Ruby.

Brian and Claire watching football.

Ruth started getting very tired on the car ride to Idaho Falls and put her stuffed cat on her head.

It was our first time staying in a hotel with all four of our kids! It went pretty well!

On Thanksgiving morning, we were able to stop by the cemetery to put flowers on my Grandpa Swensen's grave.

While in Idaho Falls, we were stopped on the road by a heard of cows. I found it rather entertaining.

Grandpa Hanks holding Ruth during Thanksgiving dinner.

Brian and all of his cousins that were able to attend.

Our family picture. I'm not sure what Wes was doing with his pose.

We went swimming at the hotel.

The adults went to a movie. Brian had me take this picture to show Wes. I think he secretly just needed a hug.

Cute cousins! Soren, Ruth, and Owen were all born within 11 months of each other.

Before we all left, we went to a trampoline place.

Ruth had a ton of fun!

The kids had a great time playing!

Wes, Sydney and Audrey playing in the foam pit.

James Wesley Smith's Funeral

Brian's grandpa, James Wesley Smith passed away on December 18th. He was 93. The funeral was December 29th, so after Christmas, we had Brian's whole family at our house for two days and a night for the funeral. It was great to see everyone, just unfavorable circumstances.

Brian, Kevin, and Craig were playing a game their mom and dad brought. Brotherly fun and competition!

Since Brian's grandpa was in the Air Force, he had a military funeral.

Ruth ate some combs while everyone watched the flag folding.

Grandma Smith standing watching the flag folding.

I think this is such a sweet picture of Brian helping Ruth put a rose on her great grandpa's grave.

Brian's cousins and uncle saluting grandpa.

Our Hanks family picture.

Our attempt at getting the whole Dell and Colleen Hanks family in a picture. It was the first time we'd all been together in a looooong time!

Brian and "praying hands" Claire.

Pumpkin Patch 2014

We went to the pumpkin patch on October 13th. Our October weather was amazing...beautiful and warm! We went with our friends, the Miners.

Ruth was an instant fan of pumpkins. Unfortunately she wasn't quite strong enough to lift them by herself.

Wes and Ben going down the slide.

Sydney going down the slide.

Little Claire along for the ride.

Ruth loved collecting corn in the corn maze.

Lily, Ruth, Ben, and Wes. I'm not sure how Wes ended up as Dorothy.

My four kiddos.

My family.

Brian and Claire.

Lily and Sydney on the tire horse swing.