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

Tee ball

For the first time, we signed our boys up for an organized sports team.  We have done the itty bitty stuff and swimming lessons and what not but never a team.  And they loved it!  Luke was nervous the first practice but then jumped right in.  They both love sports, thanks to their dad, and loved playing.  Of course Mark was beaming watching them play his favorite sport.  And of course we all know the truth.  Tee ball has as many parents out in the field as kids on the team and it is like herding cats but it was a blast!  Our evenings were so busy, something I am learning to get used to as my kids get older, but so worth it.  Mark got to help coach Shortstop's team a little and help with practices.  We learned that Shortstop bats left but throws right and has quite a strong swing.  Fullback has an awesome arm and can drill it right where he wants it to go.  Shortstop's team decided on the name Lion Guard and Fullback's team wanted to be the Tigers.

 Shortstop's first practice...he was so excited!

 Fullback's first practice

 What a good looking ball player!

 Like father like son

 There was one Saturday that was so rainy and cold but the games weren't canceled...and my boys (all three of them) insisted on still going to the games.  It was one of the most fun days!  We were soaked and we laughed and we had just a great time.

Just running around the umbrella not even caring about getting wet

So excited to throw me the ball!  He wanted to include his mom. 

How cute are the team cheers!  I loved watching them line up and high five each other as well

(Jack wasn't a fan of me taking video hence the absence of videos of him)

I am trying to let them try lots of things before they choose just one to focus on so in the fall I have them signed up for soccer.  And since I played that sport in high school I can't wait!

First time swimming this summer!

Nana was in town for a few days and we invited ourselves to her hotel for some swimming.  I bought the boys new life jackets and puddle jumpers to allow them more freedom and they loved it.

Last year I had them in navy blue swimsuits and they blended in EVERYWHERE so this year I went with bright colors so I couldn't miss them

 Shortstop wants so badly to swim on his own and we have put him in lessons but he is having a hard time grasping the concept without getting super nervous.  We are gonna try swim lessons again soon this summer.  I keep telling him to be patient and that it will come.  I hope...

And of course ACE looked like a doll in her little swimsuit.  I bought this back in January when she was born and have been so excited to put her in it.  She did not disappoint!

She tolerated the water with Mark for a few minutes, then laid on his shoulder whimpering and clutching on for dear life, then when she started crying and fussing I took her and cuddled with her in a towel the rest of the time.  But that suit!  I could die of the cuteness factor.  I plan to take her swimming a lot more this summer and I am sure she will get used to it and love it like her brothers do.  I even bought her an awesome shaded floatie for when she is a month or two older.

Dentist

Well we had all of our six month check ups at the dentist and everyone looked great...except for Shortstop.  Poor kid had 4...that's right...4 cavities.  These were his first ones so I guess we learned the hard way that we need to do a better job flossing.  And btw...for some reason taking my kids to the dentist is always a surreal experience for me.  That is such a mom thing to do and sometimes I look at them in the dentist chair and think "Whoa!  I am the mom here..." and it trips me out!  OK...random mom thought over.
Because they were in two different quadrants in his mouth, he had to go in twice for the fillings.  Two one day and two the other.  The first time we went back in, I let him go back and didn't even think about how much he might wiggle or move around.  When they brought him back to me they said his gag reflex and the wiggling was rough to work with and would it be ok if they used nitrous the next time.  I didn't love the idea but after talking to Mark we decided it would be ok.  I went back with him this time and sat there while they worked.  He was not thrilled but did his best.  His gag reflex was intense and he tried so hard to sit still...I could see his little fists clenched in concentration but they said he moved, spit and coughed more having a gas mask on.
Well look at this picture...DUH!

A mask, sunglasses, headphones and people's hands in his mouth...I bet he was claustrophobic.  He shed a few silent tears and was so happy to be done.  He was so sweet and said "Mom, I tried my best but can we not go back for a while?  I am tired of my mouth taking a nap."  Two separate times in four days of being numbed and being worked on and that kid was still polite.  We went and got a toy from target and watched a movie at home after it was all over.

And of course little brother didn't mind getting to play the whole time and perfect little sister just sat happily in her car seat babbling and talking to me.

I do have to include this picture because this was the second day of the fillings and Shortstop had had enough and poor Fullback ran into the chair and got a nice big whopping shiner.  They look how I felt after it all!

Hike the Y

At Jack's 6 year check up, the doctor asked what he was excited about this summer.  He answered "Oh...we are gonna go on so many hikes as a family and lots of adventures."  The funny thing is, we aren't really a hiking family.  I like going, as does Mark, but it is not something we ever think about doing.  So I asked Jack later that day where he wanted to hike and he said "Y Mountain."  So we put it on the calendar and we did it!

The kids were troopers and so fun!  ACE slept most the way in the baby bjorn I carried and the boys loved finding rocks...and dirt...and more rocks...and another rock...and every once in a while a lizard, running on a rock.

Needless to say, their enthusiasm was infectious and we had a great time.  Now when we drive into Provo and they see it, they yell "Hey!  We climbed to the very top of that Y!"  We haven't hiked it since Shortstop was a baby so it was really nostalgic for Mark and me.
I think we need to make this a yearly tradition.  I love that there was nothing to do on the hike but talk and sing and quietly explore.  And I am so proud of my little hiking boys.  They loved the feeling of accomplishment when we got to the bottom.