Boating

Last month Nate and Malinda invited us to go boating with them. It was raining and overcast all morning so we were worried it wasn't going to happen. We ended up taking Zack and Austin to Toy Story 3 and by the time we came out the weather was great. We were pretty excited our plans weren't foiled!
We haven't been boating since I was pregnant with Zack and Austin and I didn't realize how much I missed it! Boating is one of the best things in the world to me! There is nothing like riding with the wind in your hair and the spray of water on your face, I love it! My kids were not enjoying it at all at first until I realized, duh, it's because they can't catch their breath because of the wind.
Thanks Mom that's better!
We sure like these guys! And not just because they brought us boating. :)
After not going for a few years it took me a few times to get up and I didn't even want to try with one ski, but all was great in the world once I was out there!
Knee boarding, one of my favorite things ever! Probably because it doesn't take much skill. :)
Emily was fearless!
We were going to make Aaron go last because the last time we went with them he ruined our day. He was the first one out and was wake boarding. After doing a 360 in the air, when he came down his board caught weird in the water and flipped him forward really hard. He laid stunned in the water for a bit and then got in the boat where he proceeded to stop breathing twice. We called 911 and an ambulance met us at the dock and took him to the E.R. He stopped breathing again in the E.R. so they did a CT and said he just had a really bad concussion and sent us home.
We figured since they didn't have a wake board we'd let him go this time. :)
Ben did not want to ski, but after a little bribing ($3) he decided to get out and try it and he decided it wasn't so bad after all.
Gavin's favorite place on the boat.
Malinda and Nate showing their stuff.
Abby is one of the sweetest little girls ever! I could cuddle with her all day!
Aren't her freckles so sweet! All of those beautiful girls have them.
Nate attempting to give Aaron another head injury.
It was a little chilly as the sun was going down.
I didn't think there was anyway our boys would want to or like going tubing, but I was wrong. They all loved it! (Thanks Malinda, I stole this picture off your blog) :)
Then when Zack and Austin said they wanted to go with Ben and Emily I was a bit hesitant because they seemed a bit young to go by themselves. I was proud of them and me for letting them and they thought it was the best thing ever. I only had a heart attack once when Zack let go to clap.
A perfect ending to our perfect evening!

Pittsburgh Panthers vs. Utah Utes

Since my last post was in April of '09 I thought that I should contribute a little so what better way to do so than with a Utah football game against 15th ranked Pitt. Turned out to be a nail biter but the Utes pulled out the win in OT and the kids had fun. What more can you ask for?

Austin

Zack

Gavin

Oregonians

Blake and Kristin were in Utah for a couple of weeks and we were lucky enough to make it on their schedule. We went to Firehouse Pizzeria for dinner and then they came back here and we talked and hung out for awhile. It made me realize just how much we've missed them and how grateful we are for their friendship. If I can ever convince Aaron to move to Oregon life will be good.
Austin was so cute with Ella. He was loving helping her walk.
About 1/2 sec. later Gavin tackled the unsuspecting Ella. Poor Owen and Ella had no idea what to think about our kids and the constant tackling and wrestling that goes on here. I don't know why those are the only pictures I took, but we were sure glad to see our friends!

Swim Party

Last month we invited Nate and Malinda and their kids over to my parent's for a swim party. We had a yummy barbeque before and then jumped in the pool. We discovered the week before that if we put arm floaties on Zack and Austin; and Gavin in the tube they were happy as can be and we were able to swim for the first time in years without holding a child; it has been a win for all!
Austin
Zack
I can't get enough of his sweet face!
Ben, Emily, and Elise had a blast being thrown in the air by Aaron and Nate.
Isn't she sweet! I love those kids!
Austin, I couldn't believe how fearless him and Zack were with the water wings on. They were jumping in the pool without anyone there to catch them. They had so much fun!
Zack

We had such a great time with them. Now after looking at these pictures again, I wish it was still nice and hot!

Daxton's 4th birthday

July 25th was Daxton's 4th birthday. To remember him, Michelle had us all meet at Daxton's Place for a balloon release and cupcakes. It was a very sweet way to remember him, I can't believe it's been over 2 years since he died.
Zack writing a note to Dax
Austin
Singing Happy Birthday to Dax, the candles went out one by one. It made Michelle very happy because she felt like he was there.
Michelle tied a car with all of the notes to the balloons for Dax, it was so touching to see.
I love that girl!

Dax, we miss you everyday! We love you forever and ever!

Snake River

Get ready for a long post. In the middle of July we went up to the Snake River with my extended family for our yearly fun on the river. We have been going for at least 15 years and it is one of our favorite things to do! We haven't been up there for the last 2 years though and so we were very excited to get back in to the ice cold water and it did not disappoint!

We got up there Sunday afternoon and spent the rest of the day seeing how dirty we could get, how much bug spray we could go through, and remembering how incredibly good hobo dinners really are. Unfortunately there aren't a ton of pictures because apparently getting out my camera was too much effort for me.

Monday Mandy, Cheri, Nicole, and I went for a nice little run in the morning. It was so nice to spend some time with those girls. Aaron got to go on the big raft for the first run of the day while me and the boys went and played at the river. The water was bone chilling, but watching Gavin you would have never known. He walked in it up to his thighs and acted like it was bath water and I was next to him in it to my ankles and my innards hurt it was so cold! All 3 of my boys were in absolute heaven being at the edge of the river! Throwing rocks, wading in the water, and throwing mud pies; life doesn't get any better! I had a great time watching them, other than the constant worry even though they were wearing life jackets.

Aaron was on kid duty for the second run when it was my turn to go on the big raft. Of course, they all crashed as soon as he had them so he had life easy, but that's okay because I was having a great time being pushed out of the raft by Kyle. :)
Big Kahuna just around the corner.
After the second run we got to do one of my favorite things, raft surfing! You can click on the picture to see it better.

In between the second and third run we did a little kid run where we put the raft in about 1/2 mile or so above the launch spot where it was calm and let the kids go down. They all LOVED it!
Austin, Zack, Grandma
Austin
Austin, Grandma, Zack
Gavin had a blast jumping in the middle of the raft.
Then my mom and Michelle were nice enough to watch our kids so me and Aaron could go on the 4 man with Dave and Shalee for the third run.
Gavin sun-bathing
Austin complaining that the sun is in his eyes- that kid has the most sensitive eyes of anyone I know!
Austin
All of the kids had so much fun running around playing back at the campground. One of the kids favorite things to do was to catch squirrels. The big boys (my cousins Kyle and Trevor) showed them how to prop up boxes or tupperware containers and then they would tie a stick to a rope and when a squirrel would go under it they would pull the stick and catch the squirrel. I was pretty impressed because all of the little kids were able to catch quite a few by themselves. They thought it was the coolest thing ever, but I didn't even think to get a picture of it. (No squirrels were harmed in the capturing of them.)
Tuesday us girls started the morning off with a nice walk on a trail along Palisades Dam. Then Aaron went in the big raft again while me and the boys played at the river. For the second run I went on the 4 man with Mandy, Michelle, and Shalee for the best run of the whole trip! On Big Kahuna we hit it perfect; and me, Shalee, and Mandy got dumped out of the raft by the massive waves. We got back in just in time to hit Rope perfect as well. Along with that and some great conversation we had a blast!
Then we had some more great raft surfing and let the kids go on another run.
We stayed one more night and packed up and left in the morning. Of course we were there just long enough in the morning to have our tent get rained on so we had to come home and deal with wet muddy camping things, but we had a great time and can't wait for next year!