1st Camping Trip

We took the kids to the Davis Mountains for their very first camping trip.
The kids playing after setting up the tent.


Roasting marshmallows. There was a burn ban so we had to make due with our little grill. It actually worked out nicely because Colton pretty just ran all over the place. If he saw a truck he'd run over there and try to open their doors. So I'm glad we didn't have to worry about fires too.


We went and watched some birds. Which Kirsten actually thought was pretty awesome.



The greatest part was when a deer came up right next to us.


Kids settling down before bed.


Besides the fact that I was up pretty much all night with a cold, restless Colton and lots of animal noises. The trip was so much fun. I forgot how much fun camping is. Kirsten even said that she wanted to go once a month. When we woke up in the morning daddy made us some pancakes for breakfast, we went on a walk, and we got ready to go.
On the way home there's a place, called Balmorhea, that we've heard a lot about and we've been wanting go check out since we moved here. So we stopped by. We had heard that it was natural spring with fish and that you could see all the way to the bottom. It was basically a big swimming pool with fish in it. Kirsten did not like swimming with the fish and the water was really cold so we didn't stay long, but I guess now we can say we've done it.

The other day while Kirsten was eating lunch she got out the teaspoons and was mixing stuff into her yogurt Rachel Ray style. I told her that she could make dinner that night and pretend like she was on a cooking show. So, she decided that she wanted to make pizza, salad, and brownies. She pretty much did it all by herself. I think we found my replacement because that was some of the best homemade pizza and brownies we have ever had.


I cut some watermelon and then was busy doing something else. When I came back Colton had pretty much eaten it all.


Play dot-to-dot with daddy.


Colton loves playing outside. I found him just hanging out in the flower pot the other day.

Locks of Love

We decided since Kirsten was in need of a haircut that we might as well go all out and donate her long hair to Locks of Love.

Before




During


After

Geoff and Alayna's Wedding

We spent last week up in Oklahoma and Nauvoo, Illinois for my brother's wedding.

The kids and I headed up early on Friday to go to the temple with Eric and Alayna. It was the first time for both of them. Eric is headed to Mexico for a mission in July which is so so exciting and crazy.


We hung out for a couple of days in Oklahoma and then went up to Nauvoo on Monday. We all stayed in a big cabin. Kirsten was super excited to sleep in this Covered wagon bed.
We were so excited that Bryce and baby Camryn came. Colton and Bryce were hilarious together. I wish I would've taken a picture of them. They are both crazy boys. There was a loft in the cabin with a bed. Anytime we couldn't find them they were up there. Bryce would push Colton down and then Colton would grab Bryce by his legs and pull him to the ground. Then they would both laugh hysterically. It was so funny even though I'm sure it will do nothing for their nursery issues (they're both the Nursery Bully).


All Kirsten could talk about was when was she going to see baby Camryn, her first girl cousin. She absolutely adored her.


Bryce and Kirsten sitting on the saddle stools.


On Tuesday we all hung out around Nauvoo.


Kirsten and Bryce were so cute together.




That night there was a dinner at the park.




I loved being able to walk around Nauvoo. And I have to admit I was a little jealous that Geoff and Alayna were able to get married in the Nauvoo Temple.
This is were I lived for 3 and a half wonderful months almost 10 years ago! I was heartbroken that the building was gone.


The next day was the big wedding day.
The happy couple.


The weather that day was fine until right after they got married when a huge storm rolled in. I tell Kirsten all the time that we are safe from lightening when we are inside so Kirsten thought we were in big trouble being outside during the storm. She said, "are we going to survive?".


Colton normally punched or head-butted Emily every time she picked him up, but this was one of his sweet moments.


Baby Camryn in her beautiful dress for the wedding.


The wedding was so beautiful. We are so happy to have Alayna in our family now. Kirsten has been excited for months to have a new aunt.
After the wedding we went to Carthage.
Looking out the window where Joseph Smith was killed.




I didn't get to go inside because Colton was being insane which was pretty much the story of our whole trip. But I'm glad Kirsten and everyone else got to go.


After Carthage we walked down Parley street to the Mississsippi river where the saints crossed when they left.



A couple days later was the reception back in Oklahoma.


I didn't get many pictures the whole week because of this crazy boy. He was absolutely insane. People would warn me of the difference between boys and girls, but man I didn't fully understand until a couple months ago when Colton turned into a real boy and a crazy head. He is all over the place and completely exhausting but the cutest, sweetest little 2 year old boy in the world (at least in my unbiased opinion).


I am so grateful for Kirsten's sweet, sweet calm personality. She is my little angel.


It's always so nice to spend time with family. And we are so happy that Geoff and Alayna are finally married after all this time. They've pretty much been "going out" and dating off and on since they were about 10. When my older brother got married it wasn't weird for me but man seeing my little brother married is kind of a weird feeling. But I'm so happy that he is and we love Uncle Geoff and Aunt Alayna very much!