FHE

Sometimes Family Home Evening is just coloring a Strawberry Shortcake page.

Uncle Larry - 1946-2010

Elliot's Uncle Larry Gregory passed away last Friday morning. He was the Fire Chief in Farmington, Utah for 16 years. I always liked Larry because I could see right through him trying to be all crotchety, when really he was just a sweet and loving man. I'm glad we got to visit him last year and that he got to meet Stella. I'm sure they would have been great friends. We'll miss Uncle Larry and his "the doctor told me not to buy any green banana's" response when you asked him how he was doing.

The only problem I have with his obituary is that it says he grew to maturity . . . now, I didn't know him very well, but honestly have any of the Gregory siblings matured yet?

Love you Uncle Larry.

Happy #7 Birthday Anabelle!

Happy #15 Birthday Cordell!

Happy Birthday Grandma!

Evergreen Ward Camping

Almost every year, our ward goes camping near Payson. I don't remember there being problems with animals before, but this year there were javalina, elk, and coyotes. There was a javalina right behind our tent seconds after we put it up. Stella and I were a little terrified. There was a whole pack of them by the bathrooms. We were attached to Elliot the entire time.

Only a couple of families came up on Thursday night, but more showed up on Friday throughout the day and a few more early Saturday morning. I didn't bust out my camera until Saturday because I was completely enjoying being totally lazy and moving my camping chair to wherever there was shade and holding babies.

I think we had a great turn out with over 60 people and it was so fun to get to know some newer families in the ward and to just hang out with my oldies. Plus, Elliot cooks when we camp. Bonus.

I remember my Dad letting me "help" him drive. Only it was on our trips to Portland, Oregon on windy, treacherous roads and none of us wore seatbelts back then. Stella was the happiest little girl in the world when Daddy let her drive on the dirt road to the campsite.

I think we were all surprised and impressed to see Brother and Sister Knibbs showed up at the camp, walkers and and all! It was so fun to visit with them.

Beth the Babysitter . . . aka Katniss Everdeen.

Macy and Caleb (Uh, Caleb is hilarious. We played Go Fish with him and it was impossible not to take advantage of his announcement of all of the cards he possessed!)

This baby can sleep through an atomic bomb.

Stella was so excited to show us her bow skills.

Henry. There was a water hole. It turned into a mud hole.

Adam. I bought a whole vat of licorice to share and boy oh boy did those kids share it. I'm sure their parents love me now that their kids have finally pooped after 5 days.

Heidi and Macy

Beth is faster than boys. I don't think she actually won this race, but she wasn't wearing the right shoes. She's fast though.

Can't wait until next year!

All Dressed Up and No Where to Go . . .

. . . except the pooper.

She's kind of weird. Also, a multi-tasker.

Stella & Kaiah

I Made Something Cute

It's been on my list of things to do for a long time, so having friends have babies recently gave me a perfect excuse to get these carseat canopies done!

Waiting Patiently

Stella LOVES to have friends over to play. So when I told her that Allison was coming, she darted outside and waited for her brothers to walk her over. It took longer than this only child wanted to wait, but when she finally did show up, they embraced like they hadn't just seen each other the day before! We love friends!

I'm Officially A Princess

It's true. I'm officially royalty because I got a crown. I told Stella that after I got my crown, a royal trumpet would sound every time I opened my mouth. It's quiet, but you can hear it. :)

I'm sure this is exactly what you wanted to see this morning, right?

P.S. Also major evidence that I need a repeat in orthodontia. I'll start saving up for that one.

Tempe Beach Splash Park

We went to Tempe Town Lake (aka - Big Stinking Mudhole) so I could take Adam & Jenny's family pictures and we had just enough time to play at the Splash Park before picking up the babysitter. After that, the adults went to Benihana's. Yum.

She wouldn't dare! . . . wait, what am I saying . . . of course she would.

Kimbal & Cereal Milk

He was very passionate about it.

Sugar Bowl with A&J

I kept Stella home from school one day while her cousins were here (sshhh, I know, I'm a bad mother). Adam and Jenny took all of the kids to the Phoenix Zoo. I think they got rained on, but at least that kind of weather is better than 100 degrees when the animals are hiding.

Then we met for lunch at the Sugar Bowl in Scottsdale. We love it here. And so did the kids.

Stella counting her ticket loot, even though there is a machine that can do it for her.

Sleepy Lyvi.

Awake and fed Lyvi!

You should have heard this boy giggling as he ate his ice cream. He was so happy!

Brennan nonchalantly looking over the menu to order his dessert . . . "I'd like 3 scoops of mint chocolate chip please."

His parents quickly caught on and lowered the scoop level. It was hilarious! Nice try Brennan!

BBQ at Teener's

I love this laugh.

But first, swimming . . .

. . . and Mart tossing all the kids.

And Lyvi being sad that she didn't get to swim.

Kimbal finally learned that he can't escape my camera.

And Lyvi's smile returned when Mart agreed to toss her too.

Thanks for the BBQ Teener!

Nap Time Activities

Adam & Jenny and the older kids went to the AZ Science Center (thanks Stacy for the free tickets) while Alyvia took a nap and Kimbal and I made cookies.

He's a good helper.

Alyvia was happy to see Kimbal after she woke up from her nap.

Lyvi loved Uncle Elliot throwing her in the air.