Labor Day Weekend in Jackson

At the last minute and two weeks after our two weekends in Utah, we decided to hit the road again and join my parents at thier house/my sisters house in Driggs, ID (which is just outside of Jackson Hole). Actually my parents were nice enough to take the girls the day before we could leave so that Jonathan and I could get a break from driving with kids. Aahh the drive was so quiet and easy! It was great!
Jackson is really one of the most beautiful places ever! We had such a fun and relaxing time. We went on lots of bike rides, walks, played lots of games, and just had a great time. We will be spending Christmas there with my family and I am so excited!

We went to Grand Targhee and went on a little hike but it was extremely cold and we were not quite prepared for that. We did take a few fun family pictures and it was so worth being cold to see the view!
We were supposed to make funny faces but I wish Jonathan and I didnt because the girls look cute!The Tetons!

We walked through Jackson and went through a few of the shops

Trying to get into the cowboy spirit but the girls weren't feeling it!

In downtown Jackson they put on a little show with cowboys- when I was younger I remember it being really cool with guys falling off balconys but this was pretty lame and Lydia did not like the guns! I think Abigale liked it though!

I think we started a new tradition. We bought Cinnamon bread from Great Harvest and made french toast the next morning. It was amazing!! I had some for breakfast and lunch! Abigale was a great helper for Papa

This dog was the next door neighbors and Abigale was obsessed with it. I was obsessed with how big it was!

After we left Jackson we had to make a stop on the way home at the Eastern Idaho State Fair. My parents love going to the fair and especially love going with grandkids because it is an excuse to buy lots of yummy food! The girls loved the rides and the animals. Lydia did not want to leave and kept asking for more horses. It was such a great weekend!

Two Trips to Utah in One Week

I know that it sounds crazy to drive 20 hours in 9 days but it was so worth it. The first weekend I was in Utah was for a much needed girls shopping trip. The drive flew by when I had great friends to talk to and no kids to worry about! We then spent most of our time in Tai Pan and IKEA. I think we were in IKEA for like 6 hours and still had to go back the next day! It was great to just walk around and take our time (maybe a little too much time). We also did a lot of shopping, eating, and talking, and no girls trip is complete without manicures, pedicures, and facials! It was so much fun and cant wait to do it again!

We barely took any pictures (too busy spending money) but these ones crack me up. We bought so much stuff at IKEA between the four of us that we had to completely empty the van and repack everything. We did a great job and fit everything perfectly- with room to spare for more shopping.

I promise I did help but had to take some pictures firstThe only group pictures we took all weekend and at some random yogurt giveaway at the mall. This is was right before we started the drive home.

The next weekend we headed back to Utah because my old roommate Kate was coming to town. We lived together for two years (? it seems like longer) at BYU until I got married and she went on a mission. She now lives in Washington D.C. so I jumped at the chance to see her even if we only got to see eachother for a few hours. She is the best and I loved seeing her! We also got to see our other roommate Annmarie and finally meet her adorable little guy Jake. Annmarie and I had been trying to get together for years so it was nice to finally catch up. Our lunch was a little crazy with my two overly tired girls but it was still so fun to get together.

Bad picture of me but the only one we got

Abigale took control of my camera

Like I said- overly tired!

Abigale took this cute picture of Jake The rest of the time was spent playing with Jonathan's family. We love spending time with them and the girls still ask for Grandpa and Grandma Tanner.

Abigale and Lydia had so much fun jumping on the tramp with Grandpa. He would demonstrate a move on the tramp and then Abigale would copy with Lydia cheering them on. It was pretty entertaining for everyone

Well, these guys were more entertained with their phones

We spent a day at the dinosaur museum at Thanksgiving Point with Grandma Tanner. It was a lot of fun but maybe the girls were a little young and a little too into princesses to really enjoy all the dinosaurs. Abigale still had fun though

It was a crazy week but a lot of fun and dont worry our travels were not over. We headed to Jackson the next weekend!

Today was a great day and I am pretty exhausted but I still wanted to make sure I updated the blog while I am on a roll :) We enjoyed the last day of 90 degree weather today by spending time with friends at the park but it was so hot that we decided to be spontaneous and head to a beach off the Payette river. We headed to her house and borrowed swimming suits and packed up snacks and had a blast! It was soft white sand and the water was perfect for the kids to run around in and get sandy and wet. Great way to end the summer . . . now bring on the fall!

Back to the update-

After spending a few days in Pocatello we headed back to Boise and just in time for my wonderful husband to get free tickets to the Tim McGraw/ Lady Antebellum concert. We invited some friends and had a great time. I will admit I didnt know very many of the songs but the concert was still a ton of fun. The highlight was watching a woman jump on stage and then jump on Tim McGraw's back but the best part was when security jumped up and tossed her back in the audience. Tim McGraw was pretty upset at the security guards and told them to calm down. It was very entertaining! Lady A was amazing! Sorry the pics are pretty dark We didnt get very much rain this summer so when we had a big storm the girls decided they wanted to really enjoy it. Lydia enjoyed it a little too much. There was a ton of water pouring out of the rain gutter and Lydia loved to just stand under it and get soaked. Me and my girls hanging out at home. I love them!!

Abigale loves taking pictures with my camera and this is one of Lydia she captured

Playing with friends. It is fun to watch Lydia and her friends because every time they get together she understands a little more about how to play with others.

And We're Back . . . . with some catching up to do!

Well we had our computer completely wiped clean a few weeks ago so that has been my excuse for not blogging but it is finally time to document the rest of the summer before the fall turns winter. Hopefully there will be quite a few blogs in the next few days and then I will be caught up.

In the end of July my sister and her family were in Pocatello for a few days so the girls and I decided to make a quick trip out of it so we could spend some more time before they headed back to Singapore. Like always my girls loved every minute of being with their cousins. We miss them so much and will hopefully see them at Christmas?
My mom has some fun dress up clothes so the kids were busy with that. Luckily, she had a pirate outfit in the midst of the princesses and fairys for Ben!

I love Ben's pirate face! Precious!

Having fun in the swimming pool. The water was pretty cold but they slowly got more brave and were jumping in by the end of the day.

All of the kids were in bed but somehow Papa lured them all out one by one as they watched some Bugs Bunny on his computer. They were all laughing pretty hard even William!

We headed down to my elementary school so the kids could run around but it was pretty hot so we didnt stay long. It's funny how even though my school now has some new playground toys they still had they old scary looking ones and they brought back a lot of memories!

I love this picture of Lydia. She looks so old to me! We had such a great time!

Our Summer So Far. . .

The end of May to the begining of July was a little bit crazy for us but mostly a lot of fun. We started by going to Utah to spend time with Jonathan's family but mostly to be there for his sister's wedding. We spent Memorial weekend in Park City at the cabin (one of our favorite places ever) and then spent the rest of the week having fun and getting ready for the wedding.
Playing Candy Land at the Cabin:
Lydia feeding the dog:

I think she likes it there:

When we got back from the cabin, Abigale helped Grandma wash the dog and she got a bit of a bath as well in the process:

The girls loved playing the piano but I am glad it is not in my house! Luckily, this piano has a volume:

The wedding was beautiful! It was such a beautiful day and Laurie looked gorgeous! Abigale and Lydia loved being little princesses!

After Utah we spent a few days at home and got some things done around the house.

Pruning the plum tree: Picnics in the backyard:

We went with our dear friends to the Meridian Dairy Parade. They give out free chocolate milk at the beginning but just a little advice- dont forget you put the milk in the back of your stroller and leave it in your car in 90 degree weather for a week! It will explode everywhere! YUCK! Luckily my husband is an expert at cleaning cars and got the rotten smell out!

Abigale and Maeley:

Lydia and Carson enjoyed the parade from a little further back but we still snuck them some candy:

My sister, Kristen, from Singapore, bought a house outside of Jackson so they are here (not in Boise but at least in the United States) for the summer and my nieces and nephew came to Boise for a week. We had a great time and Abigale loved being with her cousins.
At a water park:

We then went to Jackson to stay with my sister for my nieces baptism and for the 4th of July. We had a lot of fun going on walks, bike rides, swimming, eating, playing games, talking, and just being together. I dont have any pictures but my niece got baptized in the Teton River. It was such a beautiful, peaceful, and spiritual setting. I am so glad I was able to be there!
Fun with cousins:

Abigale and her cousin Ben are a month apart and even though they have only seen each other one other time- they became instant buddies! They were so cute together and just had a blast hanging out! We miss him already!

We have had a great summer so far and cant wait to see what the rest of it holds!