The Black Family

Las Vegas!

2012-01-21T22:04:00.000-08:00

To celebrate out upcoming 10th wedding anniversary Kyle and I went to Las Vegas. It was so great to get away for a few days.

The view from out MGM Grand hotel room

New York New York

The M&M building. Crazy that it is four floors all dedicated to the little candy. The kids would have love it!

We loved walking in each hotel and seeing what they had. We are both such people watchers so we just walked around and looked at everything.

We went to an all you can eat buffet at the Bellagio. (I had to find one with sea food....notice my big plate of crab legs!
All the Hotels were decked out for the Chinese new year and the buffet had a bunch of fun chinese things to try. Kyle passed on the seaweed and sushi but he did try the quail. It wasn't so good! I love trying different things. We had to pig out to get our moneys worth!

Kyle and I both love the show "Pawn Stars" on the history channel. So we had to go check it out. There was about a five minutte wait to get in. They had a lot of cool stuff...way to expensive for us! It was fun to see.

Our Hotel

At the Venitian.

The best part of the trip was going to see Celine Dion (I love her!! I always blast her cd while cleaning....me and Celine have mopped my floor a ton together!) I loved that she incorporated a bit about her and her family into the performance. We got so see family videos and early pictures of her as a kid singing. She was funny...and her voice is so awesome to listen to. I loved every minute of the concert!

Our last activity was to go to the Ethel M chocolate factory. It was yummy!

I can't believe its been 10 years all ready! So fun to celebrate!

Hayley turns 9!

2012-01-16T15:00:00.000-08:00

Hayley celebrated her 9th Birthday recently! She wanted grasshopper pie instead of cake. I wish I would have gotten a few more pictures!

Salt Lake City

2012-01-16T14:51:00.000-08:00

We took trax to S.L.C with the kids cousins. The kids loved riding the train.

We went to the church's museum. They have a fun childrens area.

The kids thought the angel Moroni was really cool. It is just a little bit bigger then what they have on the temples.

It was a beutiful day and fun to get out together.

Christmas 2011

2011-12-29T21:25:00.000-08:00

Christmas is such a happy time of year. I love all the excitment of my children and the happy smiles. The girls could hardly contain there excitment.

We had our traditional Christmas ham Dinner (thank you costco for the pre cooked and pre sliced ham...delicious!)

I love our Christmas Eve Program. We read the scriptures...sing Christmas hymns and enjoy treats.

Such pretty girls...they left really cute notes and cookies for Santa. They BELIEVE!

I could not get over how these two kids were bouncing off the walls when we tucked them into bed. Hayley was up till midnight!

Christmas morning.

Hayley made this adorable sock snowman (I love it!) It is SO fun to get thinks the kids make. Brinley was thrilled to give me a magnet her church teacher helped her with featuring a picture of her, and Brooklyn had picked out a mom keychain with her own money from the schools Santa shop.

Claire got this pony...She loves to say "horsie, horsie, horsie" She loved it, she drug it all around the house and constantly pet it.

Brinley with her new tea set.

It's a white Christmas...with an elephant or two!

2011-12-29T21:11:00.000-08:00

We had our annual white elephant gift exchange witht the Black's.
Lots of funny gifts.
These look a like shows were a blast from Christmas past.

Last years model of all the crazy gifts....way to go Hosanna!

Mom was the lucky model this year.

Christmas with the Blacks

2011-12-29T20:50:00.000-08:00

The Allred cousins came over for a kids Christmas party. They decorated cookies and had a scavenger hunt from Santa's elves.

We were making cinnamon rolls and Claire kept reaching her little fingers over and taking little bits of dough to eat. All the while she would say "no, no, no" It was so cute.

Dinner with the Blacks on December 23rd.

Jen and Kevin had a "how the grinch stole christmas" program. It was so cute. I loved singing Christmas songs together.

Classic Fun Center

2011-12-19T08:41:00.000-08:00

We went to Classic fun center to celebrate my cute niece Megan's 4th Birthday! We had a fun time with the Allreds. The kids really love this place. We skated, jumped on the jump houses, climbed around on "the jungle" and my favortie was lasor tag. Claire loved the trike.

Emily Allred and Brinley

Brooklyn and Megan

Enjoying some birthday cake

Brinley's 4th birthday

2011-12-02T09:07:00.000-08:00

Brinley turned 4!

The happy brithday girl!

All the sisters were very happy and excited for her.

Brinley couldn't wait for a little taste of her cake.

A day in the life of Claire

2011-12-01T16:20:00.000-08:00

Claire has been a handful lately! She has taken off her diaper 5 or 6 times a day these past few days. I am going to tape it onto her!!! She leaves "surprises" around the house. Its driving me crazy!

In one day she did some serious diaper messes, painted her face with Hayleys nail polish, and spilled an entire new bag of cereal all over the kitchen. Shes crazy!

Happy Thanksgiving!

2011-12-01T16:13:00.000-08:00

Hayley had a part in her 3rd grade Thanksgiving play. She did a great job and was very happy about it.

Thanksgiving day was great! We had the Blacks over for the turkey bird, everyone helped with the food and we had a fun time playing games. These two girls, Brinley and Megan are the best of friends. They talk about each other constantly. Love them!

Chillin with Uncle Keven.

Mike just turned one!

Grandma and Natey dew!

Jen and Kevin

Grandma and Grandpa

The kids love playing with there cousins.

Halloween

2011-12-01T16:01:00.000-08:00

Helping out at Brooklyns halloween school party.

The gang ready to go trick or treating.

Carving pumpkins.

Washington

2011-11-06T20:18:00.000-08:00

A few weeks ago over the UEA break we drove to Washington to visit my sister Amye and her family. We had a great time. We went to a lot of fun places and one of them was called Northwest trek. It is a wild life preserve.

We saw the "predator" animals in "cages"

Washington is so pretty. I love all the trees.

Waitng for the tram ride.

My nephew Braydon.

They had a tram that would drive you through the natural habitat of the animals.

We all loved being able to see so much wildlife, up so close.

This otter was so fun. He would swim up to us and look at us through the glass. I loved it!

All tuckered out after a long day.

Not sleepy a bit!

Some of the animals we got to see.
We had such a fun time visiting the Kays!

2011-11-06T20:07:00.000-08:00

I forgot the name of this place in Seatle. We had a great time at this butterfly habitat. Butterflys were everywhere and a few landed on us. We all LOVED it. They were so pretty.

It was fun to hear Claire yell with delight.

Brooklyn had this butterfly crawl right up her and she was flipping out. It was really funny.

Brinley was trying her hardest to make them land on her or touch them (your not suppoce to) She loved it!

They had a lot of cool things to see and do. They had a small tide pool where the kids could touch the starfishes and things.

Claire loves ducks...what kid doesn't!

Amye and I in front of the space needle.

Our family. It was true Washington weather...total overcast and drizzly.

Afterwards a quick bite out to eat.

2011-09-27T11:22:00.000-07:00

Isn't She Classy!!! Check out those heels....never mind the finger up the nose! ha ha !!!!

Every morning wehn Haylay and Brooklyn get their shoes and backpacks on to leave for school, Claire runs and gets her shoes. She starts waving goodbye and trying to get out the front door. She REALLY wants to run after them and would if I would let her. Her day will come!

Labor Day weekend

2011-09-27T11:15:00.000-07:00

We took the same vacation on Labor day this year as we did last year. We first spent a night camping near Dear Creak and then headed to Midway Utah for there Swiss days celebration. They have lots of vendors, food, crafts, parade and entertainment. There is a rec center near Kamas that we really like. We had fun playing raquet ball and swimming. We then went up to the Uinta mountains and found a really pretty place to stay and picnic. There was a small pond with hundreds of tiny frogs that the kids loved catching, we finneshed up the long weekend with some hiking. I love the mountains.

Lagoon

2011-09-27T10:59:00.000-07:00

Before school started we had a company work [arty at lagoon. The kids absolutely LOVE lagoon. It was a lot funner with Hayley and Brooklyn being able to ride every ride. I only got these few shots before my camara died.

Andy and Katie's Wedding

2011-09-20T17:58:00.000-07:00

Here are some pictures form Andy and Katies wedding. We are so happy for them!

Julie got to fly home from Switzerland, and Amye and Jared from Washington. It was so fun to spend time with family.

Life long friends

2011-09-20T17:24:00.000-07:00

Elizabeth Jodi Jenny

About a month ago I got together with some friends from childhood (GO P2!) Jenny Hill Peterson and Elizabeth Germany Elder (Lareen Yang Launrgrath came a few weeks earlier but we didnt break out the camara) We had so much fun catching up. Between the three of us ladies we had 11 children 10 of them being girls! CRAZY!!! I wish we could get together like this all the time! True friends like these are so wonderful to have. love you guys!

St George Vacation Home

2011-09-20T17:17:00.000-07:00

Crystal and Ryan invited us to go up to a vacation home in St. George this last weekend. Mom Black came up with us as well. We all had such a fun time. the best part was the pool.

All the cousins and kids loved being in the water and showing off all their jumps and swim moves. They were little fishes this weekend!

The home had the Wi connect. We had a lot of fun with the dance game. Some mad skills going on.

Having a yummy breakfast. This table fit us all so nicely

First Day at Harvest Elementary

2011-08-25T14:24:00.000-07:00

The kids had there first day of school on Tuesday. They were so excited!!

Brooklyn at her desk and below with her teacher Mrs. Daley.

Hayley at her desk. i can't believe she is in third grade! Wow time flies!

Some afterschool fun with our neighbors!

Black Family Photo Shoot

2011-08-10T16:05:00.000-07:00

In a world of turmoil and uncertainty, it is more important than ever to make our families the center of our lives and the top of our priorities. Families lie at the center of our Heavenly Father's plan.

L tom. Perry-

Mom and Dad

We all got together for some family photos this Sunday.

The whole gang

Kyle, Jodi, Hayley, Brooklyn, Brinley, and Claire

Lance, Hosanna, Norah, and the half pint in the oven. (can't wait to meet her!)

Kevin, Jen and Nathan

Crystal, Ryan, Emily, Megan and Mike

Dan, Amber and Jesse

Lisa, Blaire and Gavin

Ryan

All the girls...

Almost all the boys (we sure missed you Ryan!) Can you believe all those baby boys!!!

I had to joke with Kyle and tell him I was sorry I couldn't give him one!

Grandma and Grandpa with their eleven grandkids and growing!!!

Thanks Mom and Dad for organizing and having us all over. We sure love and appreciate you!

Camping with the black family

2011-08-08T16:01:00.000-07:00

We took our yearly camp out with the Blacks. we went up Provo Canyon. We had a great time! (we missed Lance, Hosanna, Norah and Ryan...but everyone else was able to come for part of the time) I didnt break out the camara untill the second day and missed pics of the rest of the gang.
Baby boys everywhere now...wow things have really changed after 7 granddaughters we added 4 grandsons! Hosanna has broken the trend and just found out she is having a girl!

Kevin and Jen brought there joiner and shared...we all had fun taking it for a spin...especially the kiddos!

A beutiful view of Utah Valley.

When we arrived to our campsite there was really loud negative music playing. My girls were on a small hike with their Grandma and decided to pray about it. When they walked back into the camp a ranger came up and we were able to talk to him. The ranger went to the party (busted a few underage drinkers) and quieted them down. It was a true example of the power of prayer and faith. I am so thankful for my little girls who have been great examples of prayer to me. Grandma said that Brooklyn told her they should say a prayer of thanks and Brooklyn led the way to a quiet place to kneel and offer her prayer. Unfortunately later that night between 12-3 another party started up. The kids and I were able to sleep through it in the motorhome, but Jen and Kevin went home and came back in the morning. I don't think we will camp there again as it seems to popular for parties.

Family Trip

2011-07-27T15:38:00.000-07:00

I tried to upload a video of Brooklyn talking about her new pet "Harold". (I couldn't get it to work) Brooklyn actually caught a chipmunk by baiting it with bread and then tossing the bug net over it. She was thrilled and I couldn't believe it! All the kids love to catch anything that moves.

About a month ago Kyle took some time off work and we went for a longer camping trip. we would stay a night in one place and then drive a bit further and try a different place each night. I really liked doing that. Above we are fishing at Vernon Resivoir. (I think thats its name) We actually had some luck...they were bighting and jumping like crazy so it was a lot of fun.

We went on some really good four wheeling trips. Longer ones that we packed lunches in and got to see a lot of pretty places.

We also spent a night in Manti and went to the Manti temple pagent. Hayley was the only kid who stayed awake for the whole thing since it is so late. There were some really cool costumes...Claire didn't know what to think.

We spent the day at one of our favorite places to stay, Palisade State park. The girls caught minnows with their bug nets and waded in the water. This is the same place we stayed a couple years ago and Brooklyn told me "the fishies are eating my piggies" she was very distressed!

We also were near Gunnison Utah and stoped and played at there city park. They had some cool World war 2 guns.

Near gunnison is the best four wheeling trails I have ever been on. This trail ended at a beautiful lake and had a waterfall along the way. The whole trail was really wooded and shady. I would love to go back and explore the other trails they had there.

Taking a little break.

Hobble Creek Canyon Camping Trip

2011-07-25T22:19:00.000-07:00

This was one of the prettiest "paid" camping spots we have been too. We had fun walking along the river and exploring the trail.

Every so often in the trail they had things to stop and read about and look at.

The indian tee pee was really intreging to the girls.

She gives the cutest smiles. I love them!

One of the girls favorite activity is to watch a movie up in there bunk just before going to bed.

Brooklyn spotted about five birds nest on this trip. She always has her eye out for them. We love to bird watch.

Brooklyn especially fell in love with fishing on this trip...and that is all I heard about from her.

Camping up Payson Canyon

2011-07-17T20:45:00.000-07:00

This weekend we went up payson canyon. We enjoyed hiking and being together

There were pretty wildflowers, the girls had fun making flower arrangments.

On the trail

Yep...he is super dad in my opinion...he is carying both girls during this part of the hike.

This is my favorite picture. Claire is in the pack in front of Kyle. Daddy and his girls.

We celebrated Jens birthday while camping.

This waterfall is called the Grotto. Its a really short hike..and beutiful at the end.

LOVE this girl!

I had fun taking pictures of everything. We live in such a beutiful world.

(click on the picture to make it bigger)

Camping at Cascade Springs

2011-07-02T16:26:00.000-07:00

We had a fun family camp out this weekend. We took the girls to Cascade Springs located up American Fork Canyon. It is really pretty.

They love to explore.

Brinley especially loved running on the boardwalks.

What a happy girl!

Goodbye Megan!

2011-07-02T16:20:00.000-07:00

On Wednesday we took my little sister Megan to the MTC. She will be serving in the Lisbon Portugal Mission for 18 months.

On her way to the MTC she stoped at the home of Paul Prince. He was the missionary who taught my Dad the gospel. Megen recently helped in a reunion between them both.

In the car on the way to the MTC

Saying goodbyes at the temple grounds.

Goodbye Megan! We love you and will miss you!

Hayleys Patriotic School Program

2011-05-17T09:42:00.000-07:00

Hayley had a school patriotic program. She was very excited to show the family the songs she had been learning at school. She did a great job!

camping

2011-05-02T20:38:00.000-07:00

We took a family camping trip to a place Kyle went to as a kid that they called "Africa" So that's what we call it now too. It is near Alberta Utah. We enjoyed the getaway and being together as a family.

The girls ready to go hiking.

Hayleys 1st set of wheels.

Waking up in the morning.

"Africa" has a really cool tunnel to hike to.

Europe

2011-04-15T13:08:00.000-07:00

I got the chance to go and visit my sister Julie who lives in Switzerland with my other sister Amye. it was an amazing trip! We spent time in Switzerland, France, Italy, and Germany. I loved Rome. We got to see the coluseum and so many ruins. Lots of things that I had only ever seen in books or the movies. The best was spending time with my sisters and Julie's family. Her blog is a much better journal of our travels-http://bliksteen.blogspot.com/

Colmar France

Rome Italy

The Vatican

Neuschwanstein castle in Germany

Europe

2011-04-15T12:59:00.000-07:00

(If you click on the collage it makes the pictures bigger to see)

In Germany one of my favortie sites was the Neuschwanstein castle built by crazy King Ludwig who mysteriously was found dead in the lake with his psychologist after only having lived in the castle for about 120 days. 6 weeks later they started doing tours of the caslte.

The hofbrau house in Germany was really neat. Our waitor did not like that we did not order beer in the most famous beer hall in the world...oh well the music and atmosphere was a ot of fun.

I was so intrigued by the Vatican. I had no idea that the apostle Peter was buried there. The Sistine chapel and Michelangelo's pi-eta and paintings were amazingly gorgeous.

We went to Munich Germany and saw the Dachau concentration camp. Really sobering...devastating. An important part of history never to be forgotten. I saw where the train let the prisoners off and entered in though the gate they did which says "WORK MAKES YOU FREE" Pictured above are the living quarters, roll call yard, crematorium, gas chamber and guard tower.

2011-03-26T20:03:00.000-07:00

1st camping trip of the year

2011-03-20T13:44:00.000-07:00

The kids and us have been so excited for it to warm up a bit and start camping again. We took our first trip of the year to five mile pass (a great place to ride 4 wheeleres with tons of trails) Aunt Jen came with us and we spent most of our time in the motorhome playing games. Kyle and I enjoyed exploring all the trails.

Aunt Jen gave Brinley some make up. Thanks to Brinley Boo, I am sporting the blue eye shadow. (on a side note we now have blue carpet in our family room. I tried cleaning it for over an hour last night....I am hoping a purchase of a carpet cleaner will help...I would not be smiling in this picture if I new the future of the dreaded blue eye shadow)

Claire did a great job, she stayed in the motorhome the whole time. She slept in the shower turned into a play pen thanks to Kyles handy work. Her favorite past time was climbing in and out of the step in the picture .

2011-03-20T13:22:00.000-07:00

Everybody loves a Sunday nap!

2011-03-18T09:52:00.000-07:00

Hayley had a presidents report in her second grade class. She was asked to do hers on James Buchanan. She did a great job and enjoyed herself. Parents were invited to attend and Brinley was her helper.

Brinley Decided to tape her mouth shut.

The girls made a trap to trap the leprechaun. Unfortunately he got away...but did leave behind some gold coins. Brinley enjoyed covering Hayley in stickers.

My good little eater!

2011-03-18T09:26:00.000-07:00

Yum! Yum! So the doctor wants to see Claire gain at least a pound a month. After all she is one...I should be putting the six month clothes away right? We are off to a good start! To say she loves carnation instant breakfast is an understatement!!

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss!

2011-03-06T10:12:00.000-08:00

Last week the kids celebrated the birthday of Dr. Seuss at school. We decided to do a little bit of celebrating at home as well.

Hayley enjoying some green eggs and ham.

Some words of wisdom from Dr. Seuss

You have brains in your head.

You have feet in your shoes.

You can steer yourself

any direction you choose.

Your on your own. And you know what you know.

And YOU are the guy who'll decide where to go.

You'll look up and down streets. Look 'em over with care.

About some you will say, "I don't choose to go there."

With your head full of brains and your shoes full of feet,

you're too smart to go down any not-so-good street.

Thanks Dr. Seuss for hours upon hours of reading pleasure with my little ones!

2011-02-20T10:20:00.000-08:00

Guess who turned one?

The Birthday girl....Claire Marilyn!

We Love our Claire abella. She is so sweet and fun to be with. She was enjoying a little snack of...markers in the above picture. This kid puts EVERYTHING in her mouth. The year has flown by with lots of first for Claire bear. She loves to crawl everywhere and explore. Shes definately a Daddy's girl and lights up when he comes home.

Happy 1st Birthday Claire! We love you!

To the naughty step!

2011-02-09T16:24:00.000-08:00

I'm sure you can guess why my little angel is sitting on the naughty step.

Of course we wouldnt want checkers to feel left out.

Family fun!

2011-02-07T19:41:00.000-08:00

Everyone is SO happy!

We love our cat checkers....she is so mellow and such a good sport!

Brooklyn pushed Claire all around one morning in this.

She gives the cheesiest smiles!

Hayleys friend birthday party

2011-01-09T10:16:00.000-08:00

Happy 8th Birthday Hayley!

Hayley invited a few of her friends over to help her celebrate!

AS a family we made pinatas. The kids had a great time wacking away at the fish!

Playing a little foosball.

Hayleys Baptism

2011-01-09T10:12:00.000-08:00

Yesterday Hayley was baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. It was a wonderful day. She is such a sweet and special girl. We are so happy for her and her decision to follow Christ. We love you Hayley!

"Snow"

2011-01-02T20:10:00.000-08:00

I helped at Brooklyns Kindergarten class party a few weeks back. The activity I was in charge of was to let the kids play in shaving cream on a table pretending it was snow. Brooklyn LOVED it. When she got home she wanted the whole family to play in the "snow" too.
Brinley liked it for a little while but really surprised me....she kept wanting to clean her hands.
Hayley and Brooklyn really got into it.

And I thought shaving cream was for shaving....nope!

What little artists I have!

Yummy!

2011-01-02T20:07:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year from our family to yours!

2011-01-02T19:46:00.000-08:00

Black Family Christmas Party

2011-01-02T19:35:00.000-08:00

Every year we get together and have a Christmas party with the Black Family. We always exchange white elephant gifts. It is a lot of fun to be together!

Aunt Jen with Michael

Norah...too cute!

Grandma with some of the grandkids

A Christmas Show

2011-01-02T19:20:00.000-08:00

Hayley, Brooklyn, Brinley, and Claire put on a christmas show for mom and dad. It was too cute. Brooklyn made her own rudolf the red nosed reindeer costume....and she pulled Santa (AKA Claire) in the sled (A big brown blanket)

There were two Christmas Angels (Hayley and Brinley who danced to music they put on)

They even decorated the stage...it was so cute. I remember putting on plays for my parents and now it is so fun to watch my kids do tyhe same thing!

Merry Christmas

2011-01-02T19:14:00.000-08:00

Our Christmas Eve ham dinner, followed by our Christmas eve program about Christ has always been a family favorite tradition.
This year the girls decided to make dinner formal and get in there Christmas dresses.

Christmas is such a fun time of year. The girls were so EXCITED, they could hardly wait! Claire was just happy that we were all sitting on the floor with her Christmas morning...very easily pleased!

Hayley still loves Hannah Montana (She has never even seen the show!). But she was thrilled with her pajamas and lip glosses.

Me and Santa got a great deal on KSL for a ton of littlest petshop toys. Hayley, Brooklyn and Brinley played all Christmas morning. As a mom I love to see my kids playing nicely together.

Brinley turns three...a look through the years

2010-12-04T20:15:00.000-08:00

Our Brinley turned three recently . The years have flown. Brinley is such a joy and treasure to our family. She is full of life and happiness. Brinley loves to play with her sister, help mommy, play polly pockets and go bye bye. She can be found daily wearing a princess dress. Shes quirky and funny..always making us smile.

Love the bottem lip...oh so sad.

What a happy baby girl. (We have a look a like now...Brinley and Claires baby pictures are hard to tell apart!)

Brinley Through the years

2010-12-04T19:42:00.002-08:00

2010-12-04T19:38:00.000-08:00

Brinleys 3rd birthday

2010-12-04T19:03:00.000-08:00

Our Brinley boo turned three! She was so happy for her birthday to come....she talked about it for weeks.

We celebrated her birthday at Grandmas browns house. She was thrilled with her polly pockets.

Her Uncle Danny was happpy about the cake!

Bowling with Danny

2010-12-04T18:39:00.000-08:00

One of my brother Danny's favorite things to do is go bowling. Mom, Jen, the girls and I all took Danny bowling.

We all had a fun time!

Fully Invested!

2010-11-21T15:02:00.000-08:00

Hayley and Brooklyn joined a girl scout troop this month. They are VERY happy about it. The parents were invited to there investiture, a program where they become "fully invested" in the girl scouts program.

Here they are doing the friendship circle

There craft, fall place mats. I am sure doing crafts will be one of their favorite things. They are excited about earning badges, making friends, serving and learning new things. I am excited for them too!

Brooklyn receiving her brownie pin, upside down. She could turn it around after she did a good deed. She made a game for the family all to play to find puppets she had made for each family members. That was her good deed! Very creative!

Hayley in the candle lighting ceremony.

Happy Halloween

2010-11-09T08:49:00.000-08:00

We spent Halloween with the Kays. THe kids loved going to their cousins school carnival. Such a great bunch of kids!

Then we trunk or treated at the ward building on Saturday.

Both girls wanted to be witches this year.

Could Brinley have been anything but a princess...I think not!

Our little lady bug...I could just eat her up!

Visiting the Kays

2010-11-09T08:38:00.000-08:00

We went to Washington two weeks ago to visit my sister and her family. We had such a fun time. The pictures that follow are at the childrens hands on museum. We all had a great time there...loads of fun stuff to do! Wish we had one here!

Arn't they cute! I love watching them play together. Dinner anyone?

Lets build something together! (thank you Home Depot)

This was one of the coolest things...you could make all sorts of impressions with your body and then push them back in.

Our Prima donnas...Ashlyn is a riot, she loves to perform!

Topping the scales out...my tiny little thing!

Brooklyn turns 6

2010-09-24T14:47:00.000-07:00

So I wanted to do a trough the years type thing with pictures...only I am really challenged when it comes to blogging! So these pictures ended up not being in order. But happy sixth birthday Brooklyn!
Brooklyn LOVES to bake...she is always asking to make something with me.

A little bit of craziness!

After this trip in the water she told me "mom I couldn't sleep because of how much the fishies bit my toes"

Our Beutiful six year old. We couldnt be happier to be her parents.

2010-09-24T14:42:00.000-07:00

My bug finder

She loved to wear this tiger outfit. She has always had a love of animals.

I love this picture...she is always on the hunt for some bug.

Brooklyn loves the outdoors.

2010-09-24T14:40:00.000-07:00

A red head- We were so thrilled!

Brooklyn has always gotten down and DIRTY!

Her excitement for life has brought us so much joy!

After she was a pumpkin for Halloween she finally letted me start calling her pumpkin!

Making Pinatas

2010-09-24T14:24:00.000-07:00

For a Sunday activity we decided to make a pinata for Brooklyns birthday party. brooklyn made an elephant, Hayley a fish and me and Jen a unicorn. It was a lot of fun, and the girls were so excited about it!

A fish in the works.

2010-09-24T14:21:00.000-07:00

The Unicorn, pretty sparkling paint and all.

Somebody was REALLY happy about it!

We blew the balloons up, then added cardboard or more ballons with tape to make the shape we wanted and then covered it with newspaper strips that had been dipped in a water and flour mixture (three coats) and then paint away.

Got Snot?

2010-09-14T16:46:00.000-07:00

The Uintas

2010-09-14T16:31:00.000-07:00

Ruth Lake.

Happy Hikers!

We hiked to Ruth Lake and we told Brinley it was her lake since her name is Brinley Ruth. She was so happy about it.

Smores...yummy!

We spent memorial day hiking in the Uintas. There are over 400 lakes there. Its a huge place to explore. We went on a couple hikes. Hiking is my favorite family activity. The weather was perfect.

Brinley cracks me up in this picture. I love the glasses!

I loved how Claire peeks out of her carrier. Shes as happy as can be!

Prettygirl, pretty place...love it all!

Kamas Rec Center

2010-09-14T16:22:00.000-07:00

We took a family vacation. On our way to the Uintas we stoped in Kamas and went swimming at there rec center. It was so fun. Hayley and Brooklyn loved that they could go down the slide all by themselves. It was Claires first time in the water and she did great. It was a lot of fun. I love to swim!

Yum, Yum, Yummy!

2010-09-14T16:06:00.000-07:00

Claires trying the whole "solid" thing and loving it...this girl can eat.

Eeeeeeeeeey yah!

2010-09-01T19:34:00.000-07:00

We let the girls each choose an activity they would like to do. Hayley has talked about doing karate for a long time. She loves it! She has a new found confidence and has assured me reapetedly that she could protect me from the bad guys.

Brooklyn has been a good sport to let Hayley try a few thing out on her. It makes me laugh to watch them. Hayley loves her "karate costume" as she calls it.

Brooklyn chose soccer. She had a game tonight and did great. She played in the goal for half the time and loved it. She was especially proud of how many 'saves' she had.

Love this girl!

Brooklyns 1st day of kindergarden

2010-09-01T19:26:00.000-07:00

Brooklyn was so EXCITED to start school today!

Brooklyn goes to school from 12:45 to 3:30. In the ideal world Claire and Brinley take naps from 1-3. Then I have a great break!

The line to go into the classroom. Mrs. Riggs wouldn't let the parents go in...I thought that was strange!

Brooklyn and Mrs Riggs. Brooklyn likes that she has red hair too!

2010-08-31T14:11:00.000-07:00

My girls have a routine of chores and homework they are suppoce to do every morning. They like to make games out of it. I guess it is there way of "whistling while you work" I often find "towers" on the countertop after they have finneshed unloading the dishwasher. They make me smile!

My wonderful grandmother Ruth Wood. We went to Idaho and saw my cousin be sealed (I didn't take a single picture!) But we had a great time, and loved staying with grandma

Making Bread

2010-08-31T14:06:00.000-07:00

Brinley LOVES to help me! Mostley she just loves to sit on the counter and eat the ingredients. She was eating flour by the spoonful! I can understand sugar, but not flour!

My girls absolutely love to help me bake. Brooklyn especially is always asking to make something. Kyle loves when I make bread and I have always used a bread maker my sister gave me (thanks Amye). Today we used our kitchen aid and made the loaves ourselves. They turned out so yummy. Its an amish recipe my neighbor gave me. My other neighbor makes them each week for the Sacrament
bread. It was fairly easy, and I will for sure do it again!

Heres the recipe:
2 cups hot water
2/3 cup sugar
1 1/2 tablespoons yeast
1/4 vegtable oil
1 1/2 teaspoon salt
6 cups flour

(in my kitchen aid w/ the bread hook) combine and mix water, sugar, and yeast. let sit 3 min. Then mix in the vegtable oil and the salt. Add and mix one cup of flour at a time. (The dough ball will pull away from the sides when you have put enough flour in) Preheat oven for only 1 min at 350 and then turn it off. Place dough ball in a lightly oiled bowl, and spread a little oil on top of it and cover with a towel. Let it rise in the oven for 1 hour. Punch it down the middle with a greased fist and fold it over a few times, split it into two loaves and place in a lightley oiled bread pans. Let rise for 30 min. Bake at 35 for 30 min. Remove from the oven and butter the top. Enjoy!

Hayleys 1st day of 2nd grade

2010-08-25T08:38:00.000-07:00

This year it was REALLY hard to see school start again. But I am happy for Hayley and that she is so excited...its just such a long day and we miss her! She's growing up so fast!!

2010-08-25T08:36:00.000-07:00

Her teacher Mrs Richards, was an only child and had thirteen children. She has taught kindergarden, 1st, and 2nd for a lot of years. She seems really nice and has already sent out an email to establish a contact list...so hopefully a good comunicator!

At her desk. Behind her are the class pets. Two gerbils named nickle and dime and two birds. She was thrilled about that!

The Grand Tetons

2010-08-16T16:27:00.000-07:00

We took a week long vacation traveling thru Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons in our motorhome. We had so much fun. We loved Hiking and seeing all the pretty sites. It was just so fun to be together.

Claires picture sums up the whole trip...just a whole lot of happiness!!!

2010-08-16T16:26:00.000-07:00

The weather was perfect. Light jackets at time. However the water was freezing this sign said "Survival time in water is very limited!"

To our great surprise we ran into Elder L. Tom Perry and his wife. We had a nice little visit.

Another hike to a lake...there were lots of lakes

2010-08-16T16:24:00.000-07:00

We did so much hiking, it is one of our families favorite things to do together. Hayley and Brooklyn on top of a look at point, you could see everywhere in all directions. Very cool.

The girls LOVE to pick flowers....we finally told them the importance of leaving them behid for otheres to enjoy.

a pretty view

2010-08-16T16:15:00.000-07:00

Claire spent a lot of time in this and was such a good hiker!

This was my favorite view we saw in the tetons

I must have said "Its so pretty" a hundred times!

2010-08-16T16:13:00.000-07:00

The waterfall we hiked to is called "Hidden Falls"

We took a fun boat ride across Jenny Lake

The girls loved it!

2010-08-16T16:11:00.000-07:00

Jackson Hole

2010-08-16T16:07:00.000-07:00

At the end of our trip we spent the day in Jackson hole. Its a really fun place, we went to museums, art studios, downtwon and rode the alpine slide. We had a great time

Kyle and brooklyn coming down the mountain!

Away they go!

Yellowstone

2010-08-16T16:03:00.000-07:00

We went to Yellowstone with all of my family and had such a great time. It is so pretty there, with so much to see. the kids loved being with their cousins. It was fun to see lots of wild life.

2010-08-16T16:01:00.000-07:00

2010-08-16T16:00:00.000-07:00

Everyone smile!

a view of yellowstone lake

We thought these old restored cars were awesome

From the waterfalls

Davids wedding

2010-08-16T15:53:00.000-07:00

Our Family at the reception

All the Brown kids and Christina

David and Christinas wedding

2010-08-16T15:51:00.000-07:00

Our whole family at the temple

David and his six sisters

Julie surprised us all and flew from Switzerland

I love these girls!!!

2010-05-13T13:25:00.000-07:00

Grandma Black gave Brinley this duck towel for her last birthday and she loves it. She quacks all the way to her room from the bath!

We blessed Claire 2 weeks ago. It was a wonderful day and we are so happy to have her in our family.

Camping

2010-05-13T13:11:00.000-07:00

We took the moterhome to Antelope Island last weekend. We saw lots of antelope but from the moment we steped outside were attacked by nats. So we decided to go to Ogden Canyon and found a nice place to camp

Our Brinley Boo

Up the canyon there was a nice reservoir with sandy beaches. The girls loved chasing the seagulls and being burried in the sand.

We went on a 4 mile hike, and all the girls did great. I got really sore afterwards! Claire was so happy in this picture.

Jen has been staying with us so she came along with us for the trip. Its been great having her.

Hayley always likes for me to take pictures of her. She will climb trees and pose all over the place. Its funny!

Family pictures

2010-05-04T14:33:00.000-07:00

Hayley Lyn

Brooklyn Sue

Brinley Ruth

Claire Marilyn

2010-04-27T10:18:00.000-07:00

The Teton mountains. This is the view from my grandpas gravesite. He grew up here.

4 generations.

Our family with Grandma

Me and my Grandpa

Grandpas Funeral

2010-04-27T10:13:00.000-07:00

My Grandpa passed away last week. We went to his funeral in Idaho Falls. He was a wonderful man. I have many good memories of time spent with him. I love you Grandpa and will miss you!

This was very touching when they presented Grandma with the flag and thanked Granpa for his service to our country during world war 2.

Our Uncle dedicated the grave site. We will miss you Grandpa

Happy Easter

2010-04-08T09:39:00.000-07:00

We had a fun easter weekend. Enjoying conference and being together. Brinley got some bubbles, which she loves!

Today I over heard Brooklyn playing as she was filling the kitchen sink with water for her littlest pet shops. She says: "would you like to sail the seaven seas!"

2010-04-08T09:34:00.000-07:00

Frosting Easter cookies. Brinley kept frosting the same cookie and licking it off and then refrosting! Yummy!

Brooklyn has been wanting to make a volcano forever. They had a great time painting it and putting it together. When we told them it could "Erupt" they didn't want to for fear it would ruin their paint job.

Now they have a volcano that their Polly Pockets play on. They are thrilled!

Our happy baby girl Claire (7 weeks old)

Trip to Logan

2010-03-29T16:52:00.000-07:00

I got to see my good friend Elizabeth when we went to Logan. She had come from Michigan to visit her family. It was so fun to catch up!

Daddy and his baby girl

2010-03-29T16:49:00.000-07:00

This little piggy had....more...and more...and more. Brinley discovered strawberry shortcake! She's in LOVE!

I wanted to get a picture with mom and dad and I thought it was hilarious that Danny litterally ran in! SMILE!

The Grandkids.

When Danny gets mad some times he yells and calls people baby. This time he discovered Claire and was yelling "Bye Baby, Bye Baby!" Mom corrected him..it was funny

Dan and Ambers wedding

2010-03-17T16:12:00.000-07:00

This weekend we went to the sealing of Kyles brother Dan to Amber at the Manti Utah temple. It was so great, they are such a cute couple!

Today Claire turns 1 month! Time flys!

Dan & Ambers Wedding

2010-03-17T16:09:00.000-07:00

Almost all the Grandkids! Norah was missing...girls girls..and more girls!

Brinley was thrilled to help herself 3 times to the treat table! Piggy Wiggy!

3 Weeks today!

2010-03-10T15:51:00.000-08:00

We went to Logan this weekend, So everyone could meet Claire. Here she is with Grandpa Brown

Claire is 3 weeks old today! Shes doing great, on a good night is getting up two times a night. We love the added joy she shares with our family!

Every sister is forever asking to hold Claire

Brinley always spicing things up!

2010-02-27T12:46:00.000-08:00

We Love out Little Claire Marilyn - 10 days old

Claire Marilyns Birth!

2010-02-19T13:49:00.000-08:00

We welcomed our 4th little girl into the world. Claire Marilyn, 7lbs 14 oz 18 inches and as cute as can be!

The delivery went really well I went into the hospital at 6 am and had her at 1:04

Both Grandmas were there for her birth.

2010-02-19T13:46:00.000-08:00

Claire Marilyn's Birth

2010-02-19T13:45:00.000-08:00

So sweet and precious!

Four girls! Dad is way out numbered!

Happy 8th anniversery!

2010-02-16T09:08:00.000-08:00

Kyle and I's engagement picture.

8 years ago today Kyle and I were married in the Logan Utah Temple

A picture from the mission just before Kyle returned home. Who would have thought!