Temple Square

We meet a friend we knew in Virginia at Temple Square..it was so wonderful to see more friends this week. 

 Mariah, Kathryn, Arthur, Dillan, Elizabeth, Mikayla, Kelley, and Tristan...at Temple Square.

 The whole crew again.  It was fun to see the Temple grounds and catch up with our friend Kelley Hassan.  Everyone sure has grown up, when we lived by each other, all the kids were 4 and under. 

Mikayla and Elizabeth at the Conf Center...we went on a short tour since the kids were hungry.

Just like old times!

 Hanging out at Grandad and Gram Noels house for Rachel's birthday party...she waited to have her party to celebrate with Tristan.  Guess they are still buddies after a year of not seeing each other...they picked up right where they left off. 

 For Rachel's Birthday, the Noels let them ride their horses.  Tristan is in the hoody and Mikayla is in pink.

 After playing at the Noels for the afternoon we came over to our house and the party continued well into the night and early the next day since that would be the end of their visit at our house....the kids were so sad to see them go. 

Saying Goodbye to Esther, Mikayla, Sadie, Tristan and Rachel.

Lava Hot Springs, Idaho

The youth from our LDS ward went to Lava Hot Springs for their Youth Conference which I helped chaperone.  So we decided to have a family vacation on the side since it was the last weekend we had together before Pat left.  We stayed at a small hotel and swam in the hot pots and the kids loved the swimming pool it was like bath water.  More picture to come from Youth Conference after I get the photos from a friend....and a really good story to go with them. 

 Hot pots in Lava Hot Springs!

It was a fun relaxing weekend....once the kids got there.  Tristan and Mikayla stayed behind till Friday with Pat and they had to go to work with him for two days.  They didn't think that was to much fun after watching Looney Toons for 3 hours straight. 

City Creek Mall

Tristan

Mikayla

 We went downtown to the new City Creek City Center...The kids loved walking all over the rocks along the creek and the fountain was the highlight of the whole day.  I just love how they designed the mall with the open air areas and the glass roof that can be opened or closed depending on the weather. 

 After visiting the mall we went across the street to the Beehive house, Brigham Young's house for a tour.  We went with the Groebs and Grandma Hardy.

You're in the Army?!

 Patrick had to do some military training with his gear so he brought it home and was cleaning it out...and Tristan said, "You're in the army, Daddy."  Silly kid...what did he think Dad had been doing for the last 17 years.... He kept asking if Pat was going to kill the bad guys and he was so excited about all the military equipment.  Kayla and Tristan both had to try on the gas mask and helmet.

Releasing our Butterflies!

 The kids liked to stand on the rocks and hold their hands out to release the butterflies...

Piano Recital

 

Dillan and Mikayla had their piano recital with their teacher Jasmine Crosby.  She has taught them this past school year but is retiring to take care of her little kids.  We will miss having her as our teacher. 

Last Days of School...

 Mikayla and her third grade teacher Ms. Brizzi...she was such a great teacher.  Mikayla learned a lot this year.  The last week of school Mikayla's class put on a play in their classroom.  Here are a few pictures of the Three Little Pigs..

 Mikayla watching the second play...she was a narrator in the Three Little Pigs.

 Mariah got to go to Lagoon for 9th grade field trip....I was a parent chaperone.  It is really interesting to watch a amusement park full of Jr High students.  Mariah driving go carts.

 Mariah on Rattlesnake Rapids at Lagoon.  Thankfully after 3 hours she was ready to go home so we left early...

 Tristan and his kindergarten teacher Miss Allen.  She was a brand new teacher and just loved teaching her first class.  She always had new and fun ideas to work with the kids. 

 Tristan was in a carpool with these cute little boys: Jacob, Tristan and Josiah. 

Playing with Butterflies

We ordered larvae and watched them turn into butterflies again this spring.  The kids love to let them fly around their room and let them land on them. 

One clean Kitty!

One night this past week one of our children sprayed the cat in a ton of perfume thus leading to a cat bath at 11:00 pm.  As you can see English was less than pleased with her bath.  Bathing a angry cat is not a pleasant experience.  But I did get a good laugh after.