Visit From the Chapman's

We've had the Chapman's with us for the past 4 days and 4 nights. It's been fun. We've tried to keep them entertained and happy. They arrived Friday night just in time for dinner.

It's a tradition in our family that we go out to eat for dinner on our birthday's. So, since Josh's is on Sunday this year, and we don't go out to eat on Sunday, we celebrated on Saturday night. The Chapman's had no choice but to tag along Ü which they seemed to do gladly.

On Sunday they came with us to church. I was a bit nervous, but all went well. They were so good. I couldn't believe how easily Callista went to our cute little sunbeam class. Mikaela went with Josh and Isaac went to his own class - only because I couldn't find Zac. Turned out that the girls in his class were just fine with that. They all thought he was "super cute!"

That night we celebrated Josh's b-day with a big family and friends dinner for Josh & Grandpa Q. Grandpa's b-day is on Monday - Aug. 1

Monday we went to the Sweet's Candy Factory and went on a tour there. The tour was actually pretty lame. You can't get close enough to see the candy being made, but the candy was delicious Ü

I cannot believe Callista smiled so BIG for this picture - She HATED that hat! Hated it!!

Smiley, smiley and apparently a little hyper too :D

Monday night Isaac was invited to play night games with Zac. This time at J's house instead of at the park. Hopefully that way there will be no night fight this time Ü (success!)

Tuesday we went to the Rec Center. We've never been able to go yet so we felt lucky that we got in. It was a blast. Outside of a few “nearly drowning” incidents, the kids had fun and so did we.

The Chapman's

The Boys

Brother and Sister

She did it!

Hayden finally made it across these fun lily pads ~ crawling on his hands and knees lol :D

This water feature is so cool :D

The Big 12!

Josh turns 12 today. We tried to make him feel special. He had his favorite breakfast, dippy eggs.

He had a special day at church. He received the priesthood and also had his last day in primary. Then he came home to family and friends for a birthday dinner. We had a full house due to the torrential down pour outside. Wow what a busy day!

He got lots of fun presents too - thanks everybody

Zelda Spirit Tracks DS Game

The Big Cell Phone

Pokemon Ranger Guardian Signs

Two fun DVD Movies

And. . . . . the Potato Gun!

So fun!

Thanks everyone for making Josh's day special. 

Josh, I can hardly believe you're twelve. I want you to know that while you were being blessed with the priesthood and being set apart to the office of a deacon, I could feel the spirit in the room. I could feel that your dad loves you so much. I could also feel Heavenly Father's love for you. I asked you if you could feel the spirit during your blessing. You said yes you could. You bore your testimony today in church and I loved it.

You have a strong fun personality. You like to feel happy and have fun. You like to be silly and goofy. You often make me laugh - even when I really shouldn't be laughing. I love that about you. You are tender-hearted and very caring of others. You are going to be in middle school this year and you are very anxious. I pray that you will find good friends who let you continue to be yourself. You make me smile. You teach me how to love. I'm very grateful you are a part of our family. I can't imagine it without you.

Hike to Lake Stella! Beautiful!

The hike to Stella Lake was beautiful. Stella Lake was even more beautiful.

Here we are. . . . all ready to go.

I  thought this tree was totally awesome

My sweet Hayden wanted his picture taken here :)

We're almost there - it looks so pretty

Almost the whole gang ~  missing two

Super Cool Dudes ;)

Lake Stella is beautiful - don't you think?

Skipping rocks. . . I really tried to - but only got it to skip once. 

I'll keep trying - it's on my bucket list to learn how to skip a rock. 

Tree Seats

What a beautiful hike - glad we made it ;)

What fun family fun :)

Memories from Hayden's 9th Birthday

This year Hayden got to celebrate his birthday while camping with family and friends.

He got lots of fun presents. Thanks everybody.

Everyone on our tour sang Happy Birthday to him in the Lehman Caves, a first for our Park Ranger/Tour Guide. A first for him too ;)

He had cobbler and roasted marshmallows for his birthday dessert - so Yum-O!!

And this hat. . . . I got this hat to make him feel special while we were up camping. Thought he could wear it when he had breakfast lunch and dinner. But. . . .he wore it all morning long. It was so cute :) He loved it and it made me smile :)

We couldn't forget the glow sticks - seems like everyone really liked those :)

Great Basin National Park & Lehman Caves

We just got back from a trip to Lehman Caves at Great Basin National Park. What a neat place to visit. We had great weather and beautiful scenery to enjoy. Mot to mention the fun memories we made with family and friends.

The Lehman Caves were amazing!!!

Here's a few of my favorite memories from the caves. You really should plan a trip there. Put this one on your list of family fun things to do.

Here was Josh's turn to crawl through the crawl space. 

Our Park Ranger Kelly said that you use to have to crawl through spaces 

this small to get all the way through the cave. 

Yikes!

This was right after our group sang Happy Birthday to Hayden

Park Ranger Kelly

Carey admiring an amazing formation in the cave - WOW!

The "Music Room" - they use to bang on the formations here and make "music"

Cave Bacon - looks yummy ;)

Amazing, really!

Josh really liked this spot. I think this was the swamp area. 

Lot's of water in here this year.

Parachute shields - pretty amazing!

This looks like it's coming to splatter all over Zac

I barely caught Jeffrey in this picture ;)

Zac and Ashlee thrilled to let me take their picture in the cavern room

This is our exit tunnel - I thought it was awesome in here too. 

Our Park Ranger, Kelly gave us an extra little experience of what it might sound like 

to be in an earthquake while you were in this cave. 

He had us all on stand on the left side of the tunnel, 

turned out the lights and kicked the door hard. 

It made the loudest and echoey sound I think I've ever heard. 

That would be super scary.

Caught Carey in this one ;)

Lehman Caves were awesome and something that I'm really glad we got to experience. Neat-O!