Ethan is 8!!

Our crazy, wild, sweet, fun-loving Ethan turned 8 on July 4th! It's always a big party since it is a birthday and holiday all wrapped into one!!

When he woke up he (of course) wanted to open his presents right away. Some of the goodies included rip rider, skeet shooter, scriptures, legos, ds game, squinkies and more...

After opening gifts he wanted to eat Denny's for breakfast. Then we headed to the Boise parade. I think this is the last year we will go to the Boise parade - it was LAME-O.

Anywho ....after the parade we headed to the Meridain pool with our fabulous friends the Randall's and had lots of fun showcasing tricks off the diving board.

Back to our house for a bbq and birthday cake. For his "birthday cake" this year - E wanted a dutch oven cobbler made by his Dad....yummy!!! (And easy for Mom!!)

E and his buddy Cade being silly (as usual!!)

Ethan always gets fireworks for his birthday - lucky kid!!

I had to add this little beauty of Andrea and I trying out the Rip Riders. I have finally learned how to make it spin!! :)

It's great to be 8 and Ethan will be baptized on Sept 24th!!

8 things we love about ETHAN!

* He makes everyone laugh
* He has a crazy good imagination
* He can't hold still (and it's contagious!!)
* He has a strong testimony and loves primary
* He says "I love you" all the time
* He's extremely tender-hearted
* He has the biggest smile around
* He tries hard to be a very good son, brother, and friend

Utah/Idaho Staycation-ish sorta...

So the week after school got out the kiddos and I packed up and headed to Utah for a mini-vacation. Thane joined up with us after a week for one more week of fun. We aren't doing any "fancy" vacations this year but we ended up doing lots of fun stuff in Utah/Idaho including but not limited to:


* Stay at Stephen's house and play 24/7 with cousins


* Sleepover at Walker house (along with the birds, goats, sheep, baby ducks etc.)

* Outdoor (and indoor) Herriman movie night

* Make hairbows (Ashley is amazing!!)

* Utah Valley 1/2 marathon (car wreck as an added bonus!!)


* Herriman parade (lots of candy, t-shirts and prizes!!)

* Lots of swimming

* Brookie's b-day party (I'm stealing the bowling pin cookie idea)

* Lagoon (not once, not twice, but THREE times)

* Bonding with "pretty bird"

* Make water balloon sandals

* 4-wheeler rides

* Play at Grandpa and Grandma Henze's (Grandpa has the best toys)

* Golfing

* Hot springs pool and lunch w/Larsen's (I daresay the pool was almost TOO hot)

* Fishing (with cheetos and coke cups - yes it works!!)

* Many, many Coke:30's with Grandpa Beckstead

* Many, many walks with Dandee for Brylee (she loves that dog!!)

* Visit to Grandpa Rasmussen and ride his new wheeler toy (and eat rhubarb!!)

* Celebrate all the great Dad's in our life on Father's Day



I'm sure I am missing tons of stuff but we had a great time. The kids and I stayed at 5 different places and were welcome at each (at least we thought so!)

Quite honestly I was too busy having fun to bust out my camera. The few pics I did take are from my phone and don't do the great time we had justice!! But oh well :)

It was a great start to the summer!!

All dressed up..

Had to snap some pictures of my cute kiddos before church last Sunday.

What would I do without them?!?!