Family Fun in Utah

To finish out our really long road trip we went down to Utah to do some boating. My legs need some serious sun! I tried surfing for the first time but never was good enough to let go of the rope.

 Getting some snuggles from cousin Kennedy.

 Snack time on the boat.

 Luke let go of the rope but only stayed up a few seconds before he crashed.

 Above: Brett, Kennedy, Eric 

Below: Brett, Kennedy, and Eric is gone

 Jax kept saying "yeehaw!" I think he likes the tube.

 This is Luke flying.

After boating we had a BBQ then headed home. It was a great two weeks but we are really happy to be home! 

Family Fun in Washington

After Idaho we headed to Oregon for Luke's cousin's missionary farewell. Then we went to Washington to visit his cousin Chris's homestead. Chris and his wife Lindsay with their two kids moved from Idaho to Washington and are living in a camper while they clear their land to build a house and some cabins. They have a goat, chickens, ducks, and a goose. Calvin and Luke were helping out with some chores around the homestead while Mattie, Lindsay, and I were wrangling kiddos. Here they are clearing out some trees to make room for some beehives.

Here is our tent located near the garden and chicken coop.

 Jax was loving all the rocks in the driveway. He also had a great time chasing the cats and chickens.

 Chris and Lindsey's cute kiddos Emma and Liam.

 

 

 The ducks would circle our tent every morning around 5:30 and quack this cute little boy awake. Needless to say we did not get much sleep. There was also a mean rooster Henry that I was assured only tried to attack men with church shoes on. I must have looked pretty scary going into the trailer one day because he tried to chase me down. After that I swear he was always giving me the evil eye.

 Next we went with Mattie and Calvin to the coast. It was Jax's first trip to the ocean!

 It was pretty cold so we left Jax bundled up. 

 Of course the first thing he did was eat the sand. 

 Jax loved splashing around in the water so much he decided to fall on his face swim :)

Jax thought baby Merrick was pretty great. I'm not sure that Merrick felt the same way. He sure was a cutie.

After camping for three days the condo we were staying at was like heaven. I love sleeping in beds and taking showers daily! They also had free bikes they let you take out so while Jax was sleeping Luke and I took advantage of the babysitters and went out to explore. 

Apparently it was the world's longest beach. Who knew, right?

 More fun in the sand. Calvin and Luke tried surfing. 

I tried to build a sandcastle and Jaxon thought it was the greatest thing to tear it down. 

Fun vacation with Calvin, Mattie, and Merrick. 

Family Fun in Idaho

 Luke had two weeks off of work to play. We started our long trek with a trip to Idaho. Luke's brother Zach and his family moved down from Alaska and we met in Idaho to play for a few days. It was so hot so everybody decided we had to play in water. Meridian has a splash pad and the boys had a great time getting wet.

 We finally got to meet our new niece Hayden. She is super cute!

 I love these two cute boys, especially James' cheese face.

These two boys are as different as can be. James is a mellow teddy bear and Jax is a little wild man. They had a mostly fun time playing together. We are happy Zach and Jayme moved closer so these guys can be great friends.

 Cindy wanted to take a picture while we were all together so we set up the tripod. It turned out really great. We had a fun time together!

Luke rode with his dad to help Zach and Jayme move to Colorado so Jax and I went to hang out with my parents for a few days. My aunt won us this sweet tractor and Jax could ride it all day long. 

 Jax also had his first experience with sparklers. He wasn't sure he liked them at all. 

 Jax loves the kitties but they do NOT love him. He would meow at them maniacally and chase them all over the place, including under the deck.