Saturday, September 6, 2014

Labor Day Anniversary

Jacob and I were married on August 29, 6 years ago.  Although we had other ways we would have loved to spend our anniversary (alone ANYwhere for about a week) we had a great time celebrating the beginning of our family with our family!  Friday, our anniversary, we went out on a lunch date; which was really nice.  A friend watched the youngest five while I picked up Jacob and had an early lunch so we could be done in time to pick up Steven from school.  Then it was naptime, and by the time everyone woke up, Jacob was home early from work!  We got in the van and headed to our favorite Nickle City in Orem and really enjoyed ourselves.  
Jacob scored big right off from jope roping

Loved watching these two play this!

Best babies award goes to these two!

Steven was in heaven
 We spent some time monopolizing this fun ride.


Then this ride that made you feel like you were on a roller coaster.  William and Ryan didn't love it as much as Christopher, but they were happy to just be out of the stroller!




Once again Spencer and Max were troopers and were even fed here.

Jacob's great at winning balls from the claw

All of my little boys and me (to prove I was there too)
 We then made our way to Spanish Fork for a birthday party for our niece.  Who can refuse cupcakes, ice cream, and family?  We can't.  And unfortunately this is the only picture we got of her, talking in the corner.
 Oh and this gem of William...and I just noticed Christopher in the background stuffing his face.  Nice.

 Saturday, we had to get back to real life:  going grocery shopping, cleaning, more naps, more cleaning.  But Jacob and I were also able to go out to dinner and do a little shopping (the D.I. and Walmart) alone which is was great.  I was honestly in heaven when we came home to a clean house, kids in bed, and gorgeous flowers on the counter, and a movie (or Star Trek) to watch with Jacob.

Sunday after church and quite time we passed the time waiting for Jacob to come home so we could go eat with family, we made plastic bag kites.
 And went for a trip in the new wagon Jacob and I purchased while on our date at the D.I.
 Monday we went to Jacob's mission reunion in Bountiful.  Our kids did pretty well considering we were there for the full 3 hours, and Jacob's mission president loved telling everyone our story. We really had a great time and Jacob loved catching up with some of his favorite people from Oregon.

 We took the scenic way home and ended up at Scheels, where Jacob was able to see one of products that he designed: The Gunbox.  Pretty cool
 We had fun walking around the the different photo-op places, but my kids couldn't stand still that long.

Max in the middle of babbling.

There's almost a smile

Spencer
 We had hopes of going on the ferris wheel, but they were closing it down as we got there.

Oh wait, here's a great photo-op...
 It was a great weekend that represented the great life we have.  I'm so lucky to have Jacob in my life.  He's such a hard working, loving, kind, considerate, faithful, funny, talented man.

And he is 6 little boys' hero!
Spencer





Not to mention that he's my best friend.  When we got married we had no clue what life would be 6 years down the road, we just knew we loved each other. 
 And that loved has got us through some great times, some hard times, and a whole lot of real life living.  Not to mention taking care of 6 fantastic small boys.  Jacob, I love you and although I can't fathom what else life has for us; I wouldn't want to face it with anyone but you!

Friday, September 5, 2014

Ogden Temple Open House

I had this wonderful idea that Jacob and I would take just Steven and Christopher to the Ogden Temple Open House.  It would be wonderful, we'd feel the Spirit, and Steven would ask wonderful questions that would lead to great discussions about temples.  A place that is so dear to Jacob and me.  We dropped off the little boys at my sister's in Farmington and then headed to Ogden.  I tried to start up a conversation about how important Temples are and all Steven wanted to do was watch a movie.  Luckily we went early enough that we hardly had to wait to go in, and then the questions started.  "Why are there so many stairs?"  "Why are there flowers there?" "Why can't I touch that?" "Why are we going so slow?" "Why do I have to talk quietly?" You get the idea, not quite the conversations I had in mind.  But it was beautiful and it was great to be there with our boys, I can't wait to take them to other open houses closer to us soon! 

Can you tell we have sensitive eyes?



Yeah not the most flattering, but hey we were there!
 Jacob took this amazing picture.  It really is breathtaking in there

 Afterwards we stopped for a quick bite to eat, don't worry there wasn't any great conversation here either.  But they still wanted to document with more pictures.
"Mom, take a picture of me by this pole!"

"Mom, take a picture of this!"
I'm so grateful for Temples.  The promises Jacob and I made there, the peace it brings in our hectic lives, the revelation we've recieved there, and most of all the way it binds our family together forever.

Family Fun

We've had a lot of fun with family lately, both our immediate and extended:

Backpack fun.
Steven got his small backpacks out and put them on William and Ryan
Steven helping Ryan


Finding their treasures Steven put in there
 Holding Hands
Love that these two are interacting more!
 Spontaneous Photo-op

Splash Pad with Farmington Cousins
Ryan


William




Ryan and William finally braved the actual splash pad part


Red headed cousins...and William



They found all sorts of ways to climb around

Thanks for playing with us!
 Matching P.J.'s from our very generous Aunt Lisa!
It just makes my heart happy!


Daddy's Home!
 These boys live for times when we are outside and dad comes home so they can "help him drive".  I think it's adorable.

Talking with Grandma Morrise