Bowling

Friday was declared a non water day. So we decided to go bowling. It was so fun and pretty inexpensive. The kids had a blast and I think the adults did too.

After bowling we went back to my house and hung out. We ended up getting the slip-n-slide out again because it was soooooooo hot. I watched the kids while some adults went to dinner and some went and played pickleball. Shout out to Dan who stayed and helped with the kids:) It was another fun and exhausting day.

Kaitlyn loving on baby Audrey.........seriously the cutest

This was our last day together before we had to say goodbye to everyone. It was sad to say goodbye but we had had a fun filled 10 days. I feel like we did so much and I was exhausted by the end.

Tibblefork on Jacklyn's Birthday

I had wanted to spend a day up at Tibblefork because it is beautiful and the paddleboards are amazing. Thursday was the day to make it happen, also Jacklyn's birthday. The day started off crazy because we got all set up and a hail storm rolled through. SUPER ANNOYING. It was actually pretty cool but also a little crazy with kids. It took about 20 minutes for it to pass and then we had a great day.

 I clearly did not take enough pictures. I was too busy having fun.

 All the kids played so hard. The adults swam across the reservoir and visited and took turns paddleboarding with the kids. It was a fun day.

I picked up my kayaks from Jana's and Brewer was so happy to see me. Ben and Jana had been gone for over a week at this point and the poor pup was so lonely. He jumped in my car and tried to come.

My cousin Katie met us up at Tibblefork with her nieces and brought doughnuts for Jacklyn. After we finished swimming we met at Rubio's for her birthday dinner. It was another busy day.

More Fun

Wednesday all my siblings wanted to go to Tucano's. I wasn't interested so I volunteered to watch the kids. I took the kids to McDonalds. We ate lunch and played on the playground in the cool air conditioning. It was a fun little outing and I survived with five kids.

 The kids played for a long time. Ate lunch and played some more. Then we had ice cream right before we left. Pretty great day to be a kid.

 They were all pretty excited for the treat.

After ice cream we headed back to my house and got our swimsuits on. We were spending the afternoon at the Provo Rec center. They have a great outdoor and indoor swimming area. Lots of things for younger and older kids. It was a great way to spend an afternoon.

I don't really have any pictures of everyone swimming but I have a few of cute Audrey.

 She even fell asleep with me which she rarely does.

 We had a fun and exhausting day.

My Dads Birthday

While my family was all in town so was Sariah. We don't get to see each other very often but it is always such a treat. We woke up super early and did a beautiful hike to start the day. We hiked up to lake Blanche. I had never done this hike because it isn't dog friendly. I was excited to do something new and with Sariah. I love that we can always start off right where we last left off. The hike was a little over 6 miles. We finished in three hours. We hiked hard and fast but talked the entire time. It was an awesome morning.

 We have been great friends ever since our missions. It was such a blessing to meet her in Taiwan.

 We have had so many adventures together.

The lake was beautiful

I am glad we hiked so early because it was so hot by the time we finished. We said our good byes and I hurried to meet up with my family.

We had been planning to go to Incredibles Two with the kids for cheap Tuesday. We went to the Water Garden Theater in Pleasant Grove because with the ticket you also get popcorn and a drink. It's a pretty sweet deal. The kids had been anticipating this day for a while.

After the show we headed to the Lindon Pool. Dan had gotten enough free tickets for everyone so we were able to spend a fun afternoon there. I didn't get any pictures but it was a great pool for the age of kids we had. They all had tons of fun and we left tired and hungry.

This was all on July 10th which is also my dad's birthday. We wanted to do something special to remember him. After we had dinner. We got legos for the older kids and trains for the little kids. My dad loved to play with legos and trains. Those are two activities he always loved to do with his grandchildren as well.

 They had a good time putting them together

 Emerson loved his trains

 And so did Kaitlyn

 All done!

It was nice to be able to remind the kids about my dad and have conversations with him. His birthday is a hard day but I want to always talk about him and remember him on his special day. We all ate Rocky Road Ice Cream as well, my Dad's favorite. It is still so weird that I can't just call him up and talk to him. I love my dad so much and it is still really hard. I am so glad he isn't suffering but it is still really hard that he isn't here. Love that man and miss him!

Silver Lake

Monday everyone was kind of doing their own thing. Aaron, Jacklyn, Caleb and I decided to hike Silver Lake. We got a later start because Moki had a vet appointment so it was hot. But we survived and had a great afternoon.

We all swam quite a bit because it was so hot. We all made it!!!!

It was a nice day. Scout and Moki were happy. I was excited to show Aaron adn Jacklyn one of my favorite hikes.

After the hike I headed home and cleaned my house. My siblings went to an avengers movie and I enjoyed a quiet evening at home. Playing hard all day everyday is exhausting.

Audrey's Blessing

On July 8th Audrey Cherilyn Brown was blessed. It was great timing because everyone was in town. All my brothers got to be part of the circle along with Amanda's dad and brother. Sam gave Audrey a beautiful blessing and she actually didn't cry too much. She wore a gorgeous dress that Amanda made. It was a day of church and family. A beautiful sabbath day.

Audrey all ready for her big day. This was actually a couple of days before but it is the picture that best shows her beautiful dress.

I am glad I got to the chapel right as Sam and Amanda were arriving because I was able to get a couple of pictures. Such a beautiful family..

 Sam and his little girl.

 I am glad I got these pictures because as soon as Sacrament ended Andrew ran to class and there was no opportunity for a group picture. This was a major bummer. We never did get one of everyone. That is an epic fail. We did take a few pictures after Sacrament meeting though.

All the boys

 Mom and all her kids

Ben and Katie's kids

 Olivia

 Braxton and Kaitlyn

I love how Kaitlyn is looking at Braxton in this picture:)

 Aaron and Jacklyn

 We spent the rest of the day at Loralie's. Sam and Amanda made some delicious enchiladas and we all hung out until the kids bedtime. It was a great family day!

Amanda and Audrey right before Amanda changed her out of her dress.

Utah Lake

Saturday when we got home from the cabin we had a few hours to kill before going to Amanda's concert and so we took my paddleboards to Utah Lake to play. Aaron, Jacklyn, Ben's crew, Andrew and me were there. Oh and the two dogs, Scout and Moki. We played in the lake for a while until we learned it was actually closed because of Algae Bloom. I was so mad no one had mentioned that. Once we realized we moved to the river and the fun continued.

Kaitlyn looked so adorable. I took way too many pictures of her.

 Aaron taking Scout for a ride.

 Olivia told me she was laughing in this picture because she had just farted......oh boy.

 JD was nice enough to take the little kids out.

 The boys had so much fun on the paddleboard with him.

Olivia was really good with the paddleboard as well.

 The river water was really refreshing and it was nice to cool off and relax before the concert. I didn't take any pictures of the concert but all of the adults went. It was a very warm evening. Amanda's orchestra played a bunch of John Williams songs. They did a great job. After the concert Dan, Ben, Katie, aaron, Jacklyn, Caleb and me went to Village Inn. It was a really fun time. We were actually able to visit. There were no kids and lots of laughs were had. It was fun!