Rest, Relaxation, and Relations...

One of our summer highlights was a fun visit from my big brother, Abraham, and his cute family.  Although he came to us somewhat exhausted, complete with his own ready-to-use massage table...

...he, Chels, and their kiddos were good sports about packing in the fun!

We had creative cousin time...

MANY dips in the pool... (this was our life-saver!)

(The picture above is my favorite picture of the summer. :)

We burned some energy hiking mountains... (Camel's Back has a great view and is even fun for kids.)

Afterwords we had lunch Abe-style at a fun fast-food authentic Mexican Restaurant.  It was quite tasty.

We tried to unwind watching a moving and eating ice cream.

The boys also fit in a trip to a movie and Chels and I went shopping at Charming Charlie's. 

And we wrapped it all up with the grand finale'!  We spent an entire day at Roaring Springs Water Park.  We soaked in lots of sun and had a blast.  Chels was a good sport hauling Pearl and Ruby around, but we ended on a high with Isaac, Autumn, Chels, and I going down the scary tubes and getting some serious wedgies. :)

But no trip is complete with out a girl party.  These girls got along really well.  Autumn really loves cute Ruby.

And I really love these two.  They are such great examples to me!  I am just so impressed by their faith and so proud of them just going wherever the Lord wants them to.  They are good people!  I'm so grateful they fit us into their summer plans!  We LOVE seeing them!

Quick Trip... (Ogden Temple Interview)

You know when you are in the thick of a challenge, and it's hard to see your way through?  The summer was full of a lot of question marks for us.  We knew Doug's job at the Country Club was a temporary spring-board into something else, but we didn't know what.  Doug had several interviews, and many times he was selected as a final candidate, from colleges to Landscaping companies.  Needless to say it was a bit disheartening to be turned down so many times.  I noticed a posting for the Grounds Supervisor at the Brigham City Temple.  I told Doug he ought to apply, and he made it to the final interview, but once again, was told that they gave the job to someone else; however, they strongly encouraged him to apply for Ogden Temple that would soon be hiring.  Doug figured it was just to "soften the blow" and didn't think anything of it... until about a month later when they called asking him to come to Ogden for an in-person interview.  

We were afraid to get our hopes up yet again, but felt good about at least giving it a shot.  Doug was nice to let us join him, and we made a quick family vacation of it.

We stayed at a cheap hotel and spent the morning visiting the Dinosaur Museum.

The kids were highly amazed.  Both Doug and I remembered going there as kids, so it was fun to watch them enjoy the same exciting experience.

Seth was actually a little nervous- they had speakers in the bushes making scaring dinosaur sounds, and he was pretty sure if he followed the mystery trail, he was going to have an unpleasant encounter.  :)

There were a couple times he ran for his life, and we tried hard not to crack up. :)

Another special part of the interview was that we got to meet up with my little brother Anthony and his little crew.  We had lunch and played at a park together while Doug interviewed.

The results were wonderful!  Doug had some anxieties going into the interview that were quickly resolved.  The men he interviewed with were kind, professional, and down-to-earth.  They made him a competitive offer on the spot.  What a blessing-- it was such a contrast to past experiences.  Doug said it felt so good just to know they were seeking him out and recognized the many skills and abilities he had to offer.  We discussed it and prayed about it for a couple days, and the more we did, the better it felt.  He accepted the job, and before we knew it, a move to Ogden was in the near future plans!

Summer-time and the Livin' in Easy...

This last summer is a blur, but thank goodness for pictures! 

Our's consisted of Popsicle...

Picnics...

A few last trips to the aquarium... (we definitely got our moneys worth out of that pass!)

A fun girl's night trip to the movie...

(I was lucky to make some sweet friend- we saw Maleficent.)

The fountains at The Village are fantastic!

More late nights at work...

(But such a beautiful scene to walk out to!)

Much need hair cuts. :)

And cheering for friends at their baseball game...

Lots of fun to fit in!

I'm a Big Boy Now!!!

My baby boy is growing! 

 

(And he even has the nerve to be excited about it! :)

Three-year-old Brigham is one of a kind.  

He has just enough delightful moments that make me smile...

...that he makes up for all the mischief, nonsense, and stress he creates.  I can't help but love him.  I think his love language is service.  He just likes my help-- even when he can do it himself.  I love that he will still hold my hand wherever we go.  I don't want that to ever end!  I love that wants my company. (Clearly I have created this. :)  I just love this boy!

(He wanted a "Storybot" cake like his big brother, and he specifically requested Lemon. (?))

He's a smart little guy- he picks up on things really fast.  He has always been good at verbal mimicking.  He is pretty easily content.

He's a deep little thinker.  He can handle being alone in his thoughts... 

...but loves the company of his brother and sisters.

(He REALLY liked is birthday presents from Grandparents.)

I kind of think he likes us all.  He just likes the world.

One thing he wasn't crazy about for a little while was potty training.

But he even picked that up pretty quick. (As long as I was there to hold his hand and wipe him. :)  And when he got it, and I used up my last diaper.... I heaved a deep sigh that could be felt all over the world.  Diapers are no longer a category in our budget!!!  I feel like it's time to party! :)

Speaking of PARTY... The girls finished {a very long year of} school! YAY!  The boys and I joined them for their end of the year BBQ.

And the second Autumn got home, this is what she wasted no time changing into... 

(There are no words.)

(She is actually amazing at roller skating- she picked it up really fast!)

Probably one of the things that made it a crazy school year was that I was working-- I taught art classes after school and switched off with Doug so someone would be there for the boys and girls getting home.  Then, I was blessed to work in the Boise Temple laundry for a couple months.  It was stressful trying to fit those hours in and leaving the family-- usually right around dinner time, but it was so peaceful to be in the Lord's House.  It is a special place-- even in the laundry room.  My boss was awesome and I couldn't believe all the amazing people who volunteer there.  I was so impressed.  I was also grateful for my sweet supportive husband who was quite helpful with the kids.  I usually worked nights, so he was tucking in the babies.  It was a difficult, blessed time. :)  Don't know how else to put that.

I hate it when people post nasty pictures of wounds, so I am sorry, but I just need someone to sympathize with my pain.  (This was at least a week after.)

I potato-peeled off the tip of my finger and it wouldn't stop bleeding for days-- try folding white temple clothes while dealing with that!  Someone finally shared some cauterizing stuff that helped so much, but it was rough for a little while.  Made me appreciate how much I use my little pinkie-- typing for example.  I was amazed at how quickly it healed though, and it caused me to draw the analogy of trials.  We struggle through, until we turn to the Savior and apply the atonement (the cauterizer) that helps the pain and suffering stop, and the healing to begin, and when we look back we feel so grateful for our blessings and for being stretched.

And speaking of GRATITUDE... (Trying to draw all of this chaos together. :)

...I am forever grateful I have the best dad in the entire world!

He was custom made for me.  I have no doubt I begged for him in the preexistence.  He is a special man and so good to me.  He has always made me feel certain he is proud of me and delighted in what I am doing.  Having a father's confidence is something I truly cherish eternally.

We got to meet up with Dad and his students on their way through to the Rose Parade.  It was a specially treat for us.  We love Grandpa Ben!

And on that note of gratitude, I was draw this lengthy, disjointed post to an end. All's well that ends well. :)