Visit From Baby Brooklyn!

Who likes going to grandma's house?!
"Me!!!" Says cute little Caleb in his big boy boots!

We especially like going when we can see cousins! Our cute little cousin Brooklyn came to visit us in Utah a couple weeks ago! We were so excited to see her! The kids just couldn't get enough of her! Little Brooky lives in California so we don't get to see her very often! She is 8 months old and every time we see her she has grown even more!

Ty, Mara, & Caleb thought it was so fun to watch her in this standing toy! They helped her find all the toys, lights, & sounds! Then they watched her on the floor do all her tricks! Brooklyn received many hugs, kisses, squeezes, tickles, and loves from her cousins!

Uncle Blake might think he is the favorite uncle--but we all know who Brooky's favorite 'aunt E' is! Here we are reuniting! We became fast friends! She talks up a storm it's fun to hear her babble!

Grandma Mimi was thrilled to have her baby girl visiting!

We had such beautiful weather we took the kiddos to not one but TWO parks to play!

Miss Mara loves going down the firepole!

And here's Caleb practicing balancing with a little help from Aunt Lorisa!

The weather was perfect! It felt like summer was on it's way!

Aren't you suppose to go up the mountain Ty?!

Ok--this picture might not look hilarious, but we were all laughing our heads off as it was being taken! Here Scott is at 25 still needing a push on the swing from his mom!!

I hope Ty never grows too old to play at the park! He's figured out ways to keep playgrounds interesting! Climbing as high as he possibly can!

Have you ever tried taking a picture of 6 different moving objects at one time?! It's not as easy as it looks! It was sure fun to have a swing for almost everyone!

Caleb just couldn't get enough swinging!

Alright, I admit--we were happy to see Brooklyn's parents (Scott & Lorisa) too!

While Scott and Lorisa were at the temple we watched baby Brooklyn and visited the sights on temple square. I couldn't help but feel the Spirit as we walked around the sacred grounds of the temple and visited the North & South visitors centers. It was a great experience for me to teach my children more about the gospel!

I wanted Ty & Mara to be able to touch the temple! I'm excited for the temple to touch their lives some day!

Everyone we walked past assumed Brooklyn was one of mine! I would claim her any day! She looks about the right age to fit into our family! I was very glad to have such good helpers! Four kids is quite a handful!

We loved seeing the beautiful flowers on temple square! Nothing says spring time like the colorful blossoms in the gardens!

Caleb wasn't quite feeling himself today. He wouldn't be sitting in a stroller--he usually is running, climbing, and being very active. But for some reason he was a little under the weather!

Who said anything about making a silly face?! Brook was so easy going! She was thrilled to go for a walk outside and see all the sights and sounds! She even took a little napper on our walk.

These 3 sweet beautiful children are sealed to me and Nate for time and all eternity! Almost 10 years ago Nate and I were in this temple being sealed together! How happy I am to know I have a forever family!

It soon began to sprinkle rain so we were able to go into the temple just to a visitor's area. The kids colored pictures and watched a movie while we waited for Scott & Lorisa. I really do love to see the temple! And I love going inside! It is so peaceful and beautiful.

After we saw all the sights on Temple Square we went across the street to the Church History Museum. I haven't been here for many years so it was fun to go back and visit. Many exhibits had changed since I was there last. The children's exhibit was spectacular. If you need something fun to do with your kids this summer I highly recommend this museum! (And it's free!)

Too cute! Look at those darling faces driving the car! It was sure fun to have a cousin to play with!

Beep! Beep! Here are two little drivers! I know it won't be long before they are actually driving! I'm pretty sure I can wait for that day to come!

The museum had a quilting exhibit. Mara is making a quilt out of magnets. They had patterns to follow or you could make your own.

Mara followed the pattern above to make her square.

Then the kids practiced sewing with a large piece of rope. They learned to weave their string in and out of holes.

They each took turns fishing on Nephi's boat!

Mara played with the wooden dolls. Kind of like paper dolls but much better!

Ty loved building the tower of babel out of life-size blocks! He made a huge tower and then knocked it down!

Even for not feeling great Caleb still had a fun time!

We all ate lunch together at Noodles & Company! Yummy food that's for sure! Ty ate not one but three bowls of spaghetti! I forget sometimes what a big kid and hefty eater he is!

Spaghetti is one of my kids' favorite meals! It looks like we need to have a little lesson on the proper way of eating spaghetti!!

Goblin Valley!

A couple of weeks ago we had a fun visit from some "GREAT" grandparents!! Nate's grandparents were on their way down to Goblin Valley & Lake Powell and stopped by our house for the night. It was sure fun to see them. It's crazy for me to think my kids actually know their great-grandparents! All my great-grandparents had died long before I was alive. Nate sure does have wonderful grandparents! I consider them to be my own! And they truly are great!

Grandma Card helped put the kids to bed by reading stories!

What a treat to have them stop by and see us! Our place is always welcome for anyone traveling down this way!

We decided since we were only a couple hours away from Goblin Valley we would take our first road trip of the season and go visit Grandma & Grandpa Card and Grandma's sister Bev and her husband Howard down there!

Surprise! Here we are! It was fun to have a day being with the grandparents and relatives! Grandma Card fixed us lunch and we all had a picnic before we went hiking.

Speaking of little goblins...here are three little goblins playing in Goblin Valley!

It looks like Caleb is crying--but actually he is counting because we played hide-and-seek in the rocks!

Ah-ha! We found you hiding in what looks like a slot canyon!

You've heard of 'Where's Waldo?' Well...where's E?

Glad we could have a play day together! We had the perfect weather, even though we thought at times it might rain and thunder on us!

Ty looks like a part of the rock structure up there!

Look! No hands! Caleb was a great hiker and only needed a few rides along the way!

We learned that this place used to be called 'Mushroom Valley' because these look like mushrooms! It's true, they do!

A perfect little seat for E!

There was even an arch in Goblin Valley!

And look what's inside!

Can you see Ty's little face?

Two friends just chillin together!

If you've never been to Goblin Valley it is well worth the drive! I love this place and can't wait to go back!

Strong man! Ty is so strong he can even hold up a huge bolder!

We really had to keep an eye on that Caleb boy! He wanted to go everywhere and do everything his big brother did!

This really was the perfect day! I just love playing with my kids! Can't wait for more fun times this summer!

It was pretty warm down there while we were hiking! I felt wonderful! The kids kept trying to find shade where ever they possibly could!
While the kids were sitting there resting another family walked past us and said just around the corner was a cave that we could climb inside!

From the outside it doesn't look like anyone could possibly get in there! But we all did! There was tons of room!

It was nice and cool in the cave perfect to rest and have a snack! This is inside looking out!

Here is Miss Princess at the top of her balcony!

We hiked and hiked and hiked through the valley of the Goblins til we couldn't hike anymore!

This was really the end of the valley! When we got to the top and over looked all you could see was a flat desert ground with a little greenery!

The mountain you see on the clear-far side is where our car was parked! That was quite the hike!

We hiked to the tallest white mountain we could find! It sure wasn't easy getting there! At times we thought we were done and we would have to turn around but our daddy found a way up!

There were even flowers in bloom of all colors!

And we hiked back to the car and turned around and saw how far we had gone! See that
mountain peak in the distance?! That is where we hiked to!

After the hike we went back to Grandma's campsight for a little snack and cold drink. Caleb found a seat in the fire pit! Glad it wasn't hot yet!

Then we went for a rock hunt around the camp site and found quite a few treasures! We all laughed at Caleb who kept picking up any and every rock he could find and gave it to Grandpa! "More rocks Grandpa" he would say!

And if I hadn't hiked enough and my legs weren't already sore I decided that I would do a 5k that night! As soon as I got home I changed my clothes and walked out the door to complete a 5k with my friend Erin. When I got home the kids were getting ready for bed and we were all exhausted from an eventful and fun day! Caleb and I snuggled on the couch for just a minute before we were both fast asleep!