Annie Bananie turns 6 months

Oh my sweetest of sweethearts!  Our little Ace truly is incredible and oh so loved.  She turned 6 months on the 14th and I just can't even believe it.  Our lives are blessed beyond understanding with this little doll.  She is happy, spunky, lively and such a good sleeper.

This was taken the day she turned 6 months.  Just chillin in the pool

She loves to sleep on her stomach and this picture is my favorite cause of all the pink!

Those thigh rolls through the white pants.  I can't even!

We started her on solids and she is a fan!  Mark fed her the first bite off a silver spoon that her Aunt Rae gave her and then the boys help feed her as well.  It is tradition that they get to feed her the first solids.  Seeing her in the high chair was a bit emotional for me.  Why does time move so fast with littles?

She went to her 6 month appointment with Mark (I was sick) and did great with the shots.  Not much really gets to her.  She has been a bit sick but other than a runny nose and slight cough, you wouldn't know it.  She is so agreeable and is so easy.  She weighs 15 pounds 13 ounces, is 26 inches long and her head is 17 inches.  She is rolling all over the place to get where she wants to go and is pretty proud of herself.  I feel like she is close to sitting up and does for a few seconds at a time but isn't quite there yet.  She will play with anything she can grab, including her toes.  She is very vocal in a happy way and we love to hear her voice.  Oftentimes she just growls and it is hilarious!!  I hope she never stops.

Talking to herself in her crib at night

Most days she just waits and plays until we get to her and is so patient.  She still likes to suck on toys or blankets to fall asleep and enjoys playing with and sucking on anything put in front of her.  She likes to be sung to and talked to and giggles and smiles with her entire body when you say her name.  Her eyes light up and are the most beautiful brown eyes ever...that is what people always comment on with they see her.

Luke wanted her to hide so he surrounded her with pillows...she didn't seem to mind

The boys adore her (that is the understatement of the year) and love showing her new toys.  They get as excited about the milestones as Mark and I do.

Showing her a new toy.  I am so glad she has these big brothers to protect her and love her

Fullback cannot hold ACE without giggling almost the entire time

 I am blessed

 Daddy kisses!

 After a long Sunday of church meetings, this is Mark's favorite thing to come home to...and she looks pretty pleased as well

 Mommy-daughter selfie.  But I guess something other than the phone was more interesting to look at

Sometimes I find quiet moments to read...and then I look up and get distracted by that beautiful face

Big brother playing with little sister

I see a similarity here....you?

Reading to little sister

She LOVES food

"Hey...what are you looking at?"

Morgan Family Reunion

Every two years we go to the Morgan Family reunion.  This year is was at Beaver Creek Lodge in Bear Lake and it was a blast!  Alicia and Tyler were in charge of it and they did a phenomenal job.  Mark took a half day on Friday and we packed the car and drove up.  The kids do so well on drives and it makes it so nice to go places.  When we got there, Mark and I were in charge of dinner Friday night so we popped it in the oven and then visited for a while.  The weekend consisted of lots of visiting and laughing, especially among me and my sisters.  We sat around one night and realized we were "the aunts" and we remember seeing our aunts sit and visit many years ago.
We also competed in the Morgan Olympics (complete with colored headbands to match the t shirts my dad had made up for each family) which consisted of water balloon battleship, four legged race, football target throwing, water balloon launcher, and water racing.

All ready to compete!

There was a day at the lake which was great.  The water was so high up on the beach it separated the deep water for the big kids and made sort of a warmer pool area for the younger kids.

Enjoying lunch and a little break from playing

Grandma doing what Grandmas do best

Back at the cabin there was lot of playing pool and other games, coloring, kite flying, the big boys playing night games, music video talent show, family home evening and eating lots of delicious food.    The lodge was super comfy and the view was beautiful.  My little family slept like there was a carbon monoxide leak which was awesome...my boys never sleep in so it just shows how worn out they were.  I love watching my kids play with cousins and interact with aunts and uncles.  We missed the Ej Morgan family and Jim but everyone else was there.  I am so grateful for my family, for the gospel that we all have in common, for the testimonies shared, the laughter shared and the talents shared.

"Let's go Fly a Kite"

We missed Ej's family and Jim but were so happy to have Katelyn and Evan, the newlyweds

I love when my dad takes opportunities to bear his testimony and teach gospel principles.

Singing the opening song...it really touched me that this is how my family is when we get together.  We are silly and sarcastic and crazy but we can share our testimonies and the spirit with one another.

 Cutest little thing ever!

The babies!  They were both a big hit

My three in their matching shirts

 Offering up a sacrifice to the buffalo...or bison...not sure which

This is the back of the shirt my dad designed

 How cute is this couple?!

4th of July

We had decided not to go anywhere for the 4th this year since the next weekend was the Morgan Family reunion but as it got closer I realized I really didn't want to sit at home.  There aren't very many good places to go and watch professional fireworks where I live unless you go to the Stadium of Fire so we came to the conclusion that a quick trip to Twin Falls would be easy and fun.
We had a great time!  We spent time with my sister and her family and got to see their new home down the street from my mom's.  Mark and I went on a double date with Alicia and Tyler while Grandma watched all the kids.  We went shopping at Real Deals and took the kids for Volcano drinks at Daisy's ice cream shop.  I remember going on dates in high school to Daisy's so it really took me back.

We played at the big red park where ACE swung on a swing for the first time and thought it was pretty fun.

That hat though...I can't even...

Shortstop got to pick raspberries out of Grandma's garden.  Ashtynn was showing him the ropes. 

We spent a morning at Bass Lake enjoying the gorgeous weather and cool water.  ACE didn't love the water so she mainly spent time napping and playing in our pop up tent. (Best investment ever!  We have used it for sporting events, beach days and even indoor camping sleepovers for the boys.)

We had a "stick it to the queen" dinner, courtesy of Alicia, on July 3rd consisting of scones, toad in the hole and cherries jubilee.  Then on the 4th after helping her clean her rental house she had just moved out of, we had a BBQ at Grandma's, shot off some fireworks out front and then headed to CSI to watch the big show.  We realized it has been 5 years since we have been in Twin for the 4th and it was a lot of fun!

My flash on the camera was very bright so they were trying hard to keep their eyes open

One of my favorite simple joys in life is holding a baby for fireworks.  All of mine have loved them and never been scared so snuggling in the dark with a baby, listening to patriotic music and watching fireworks is a perfect evening in my opinion.

Of course the kids were cute in their matchy matchy shirts

I found this shirt for Mark and he LOVED it

Couple selfie!

One of my favorite parts though was on Sunday afternoon.  I had mentioned to dad a few nights before that I don't think I had ever seen his childhood home in Murtaugh.  We had been talking about his mom and memories and what not for 2 hours.  I love listening to my parents tell me stories about their past.  When I realized I couldn't visualize some of these homes, he asked if I wanted to take a drive.  So Sunday after church, I put the boys down, my mom stayed with them, and Mark, ACE, my dad and I all went for a three hour drive all around where he grew up as he told farm stories, cousin stories, church experiences, and school tales.  He talked a lot about his grandpa and his mom.  He got emotional at times and laughed out loud at others. It was such a special time and my only regret is I wish I had a tape recorder.  What an amazing family I have!  I am so blessed to have such a legacy of strong people with powerful testimonies.

 I had to include this picture of her sleeping at Grandma's.  She does this at home too.  She has to have something close to her mouth to fall asleep.  If she doesn't pull up her blanket or grab her teddy bear, she finds the edge of the crib and cranes her neck to rub her lips on.

And of course, checking out her Aunt Alicia's shoes...she is learning early all about fashion