Bear Lake!

We just got back yesterday from a trip with my family to Bear Lake.  My parents and all of my siblings with their families were in attendance.  We all pitched in to stay together in a 3 bedroom condo right on the lake.  Be prepared for picture overload, but some of my favorite moments of the trip were not captured, such as our late night conversations that had most of us crying we were laughing so hard, huddled out on the deck watching the storm over the lake, and dancing with Michael Jackson on the Wii with my sisters. 

On the way up to Bear Lake, I took this pic of a moose that we were lucky enough to pass by just as we were arriving.  It was a fun beginning.

We took the kids out for their first time mini-golfing, right on the resort, and got to play with cousins Tanner and Lauren.

Chad and I tried really hard to teach them proper technique but to no avail.

But they had fun doing it anyway.

Afterwards, we went for ice cream, well, the kids and Jeff had ice cream.  Chad, Abby and I couldn't because of our weight loss challenge...grr.  Let's just say it was a hard weekend to be on a diet!

One evening we were able to let the kids play out on the huge lawn before the storm rolled in.  Actually, it stormed 2 out of our 3 nights as luck would have it, but they were beautiful to watch.

Aunt Midge even did a game of duck-duck-goose with the kids.

While the men threw the football around.  You can see we were right on the beach, and had a beautiful view of the lake everyday.

Sam was dared by his Aunts to climb the pole, which he did without any hesitation.

Tanner and Keek watching TV.

Rob was so nice and went out to throw the football with Sam.  He was also a huge help to us with Jack, and would take him out for walks around the resort, just the 2 of them.

Chad's Braves were on TV on one of the days, and he didn't move much from that chair during those hours.:)

The last full day we were there was spent on the beach and in the water.  Somehow I was able to keep enough sunscreen on Jack so that he left without a single sunburn.  I was very proud of myself.  (Me and Chad, however, are a different story...ouch!).

 Chad was nice enough to bury Sam alive at Sam's request.

Emmi thought it looked like so much fun that she wanted to be buried too.

Then Keaton wanted a turn.  Keaton is always teasing and wrestling with Jack, so we thought it was hilarious when Jack plopped down by Keek's head and started slapping his face just as soon as Keek laid down. Keek was laughing pretty good too.  You get him Jack! 

But the funnest part of the day would have been the wave-runner.  Chad and Jeff went in together and rented one right on site.  Our 2 families had 8 glorious hours and many many rides to share.  Sam and Emmi both were scared at first, but eventually liked it, although Sam only wanted to ride with me... Yes, I ride slow.:)

Keaton by far was our little daredevil, and loved doing "turns" on it with his Dad.  Then, later at the outdoor pool he was going face first down the slide and doing front flips off the side of the pool.   

Meanwhile Sam was all about digging holes on the beach, and ended up falling in one of them. 

And everyone was getting a kick out of Jack, who kept putting a bucket on his head. 

That was it in a nutshell.  I can't wait to see what happens next year!

The "Res"

Last week we finally were able to head up to the reservoir, or "beach" as the kids call it.  Sadly, it is the first time I have taken the kids swimming this year, but it looks like we will be doing a lot of swimming the rest of the summer, so don't feel too bad for them.  Gratefully, Jack doesn't get close to the water too often, especially if there are fun toys to play with in the sand.

We went with 2 other families, the Sutton's and the Ewell's, so there was plenty of friends to choose from.  Here Keaton is playing with Issac.

Lol... What a cheesy smile Sam.

Emmi and Tawny.

So far this summer...

We have been watching Sam play T-ball.  Even though he missed a few games, I think he really enjoyed it and we will definitely do it again next year.  Sam is naturally athletic, and it was fun seeing how good he is already becoming.  He was also on a team with 3 of his best buddies, which didn't hurt either.   

We went to a fundraiser carnival for our Young Women, where the kids got their faces painted, ate nachos and even got a horse ride.  It was all good fun, and for a good cause.  In case you are wondering, Emmi is a butterfly, Sam is a bunny and Keaton is a tiger.  I don't know why Sam wanted a bunny, but he honestly asked for that all on his own... what a funny kid.

A couple of days later, we took advantage of school being out and went up to spend some time with Grandma and Grandpa "B".  During those few days we went to the zoo, went out to lunch, surprised Grandma "B" at her work, saw Aunt Erin's new house, went to a great park with some old friends, and hung out with the fam.  The kids had a blast spending time with their cousins as usual.  There were too many cute pics of the kids to choose from, can you tell?:)

I love how you see my sister Abby in this one.  Isn't she cute? We couldn't get Lauren in the picture without her.

What cute boys!

Last but not least, we went up to the Lunt's annual 4th of July potluck and fireworks with the Hunsaker fam.  We haven't had to buy fireworks in years thanks to this awesome party. 

As always, fireworks with cousins make it that much more fun.  The boys and Chaston are trying in vain to set the pole on fire.

Little man was hiding under an umbrella with Chad for a part of the night due to the on and off rain. He was memorized by the fireworks though, and actually stayed awake through the whole thing. It was a long, but great night.

Let the Games Begin!

A few months ago, I wrote how my sister Abby, was doing this healthy/weight loss challenge and I was making some changes in my lifestyle as well.  (You can read about it here).  Well, another challenge, "Slimmer in 6" has started, and I am officially a participant.  The four members of my team are myself, Chad, my mom and sister Erin, and yes, we are "Team Supreme!" :)  The challenge just started on Saturday, and it runs for 6 weeks, but already I think we are feeling confident. 

Competitiveness is sadly one of my biggest traits, or trials, whatever you want to call it.  I like to chalk it up (and my fiestyness), to my red hair, and being a middle child.  But whatever the reason, believe me I will not go down without a fight.:)  I am in it to win it.

On that healthy post back in April, I wrote how just from changing a few things Chad had lost 6 pounds.  Well, when Chad weighed in for his starting weight on Saturday, he is now down 16!  I am so proud of him.  He says he has a long way to go, but I think he looks great already!  I have only lost 4, so I still have some to lose too.:(  That's okay. The woman who have done this program have lost an average of 10 pounds, so I think I can meet my goal.  As for now, wish me luck with those constant chocolate cravings...

Dance Dance Dance!

Saturday was Emmi's dance recital.  This is her first costume for the "Tiki Room" dance.

And this is her other costume for "Me and My Teddy."  (Sorry for the blurriness, I took it on my phone).  But doesn't she looks so beautiful? I think so.  Like always, I was so proud to be her mommy.

On stage during the dress rehearsal.  Yes, we had a little bow mishap, and she ended up being the only one not wearing it, which made me so angry with myself... why do these things always happen to me?

Her cute class in their studio t-shirts just before the recital started.

After the performance, we got a picture of her with her beautiful Aunt Kristin, who was one of her teachers.  And I am kicking myself for not getting one of her with her Grandma Hunsaker, the other teacher.  I guess next year.

The girls all got medals, and this cute ballerina figurine was given to her by Grandma Hunsaker and Aunt Kristin.  She loved it!

As you can guess, Jack was a handful during the recital and we were trying our best to keep him happy, but by the end he was so tired and ready for bed.  Grandpa Hunsaker was still able to get a smile though.

I know that Grandpa B and Jack's heads are cut off, but I just love everybody else in this pic.  So sorry, B.:)  My Mom, Dad, and brother Jared surprised Emmi and came down for the show, and brought her these beautiful flowers. She wouldn't stop beaming on stage when they waved at her.  This was the first time Keaton and Sam went to one of her recitals, because I had to leave them at home last year.  They got a kick out of Emmi on stage, and were full of giggles seeing her dance.

When we got home, I had to get a pic of me and Emmi before she got out of her cute dress.  I feel so blessed to have this little girl. 

Here is her "Tiki Room" dance. Enjoy!