Solomon Reunion - Family and Camp Life

We have never been camping before as a family, so this was definitely a learning experience.  As in, we learned that we need to purchase some camping gear if we ever want to go camping out in the wild and not just someone's back yard.  We also learned that Lexie is afraid of port-o-potties.  And who isn't?  I really should have gotten a picture of them but I didn't.  Let's just say you didn't use it unless you needed to.  With lots of people and high temps in that small enclosed space it was nasty!  However, camp must not be defined by the nasties or those things that we much purchase next time.  We had lots of fun playing games and just hanging out.  We also learned a new game, our favorite game for now, called Scum.

Cousin Brayden was a hit with children and adults alike.  He's just so cute and adorable.

Ben with Brayden

Lex with Brayden

Lex just chillin' with her cookie

Chris giving Lex and Peter a wide in a metal wagon someone found

And then there were the first aid moments.  

Evan got stung by a hornet

And Peter walked into something larger and tougher than him.

Luckily I had a good first aid kit packed.

Reunion was hot, tiring and lots of fun.  It was good to see everyone, but boy am I glad to be home.

Solomon Reunion - BYU-I

When Doug and I attended Ricks/BYU-I it was a two year college.  A nice small town with little to do but schooling.  Man how things change in 13 years.  Now the college is a four year university, campus is expanding and new attractions are popping up for those college kids to do.  Thankfully the old is still there underneath and we didn't get lost driving around.  I was able to show the children the two apartment complexes I lived in, my first place of employment as a married woman and the hospital my oldest, Ben, was born in.  Our main reason for going though was the campus gardens.  They are so beautiful and well maintained.  Doug and I actually used them for our invitation pictures.

Here we are looking in a pond.  There were so many ponds and just gaze into.  It really made us want one of our own.  Just a secluded area with shade and a pond.  Is it too much to ask for?

The children sitting on the fire pit hearth.

Lex and Peter sitting on the rocks and watching the water go by.

While Evan used the restroom, Lex and Peter found the sprinklers to play in.  It was very hot out and since we had come from 60*F weather to this desert of 100*F, we let them play in the water.  They probably could have stayed all day there, but move on we must.

We found this little house/shelter and took a brief rest.

On one side there were benches to sit on.

Lex and Peter

And the other boasted porch swings.

Chris, Ben, and Evan

A bridge path to walk over

Evan, Chris, and Daddy

And many more ponds

Lex looking in the pond

This was a rock face at the last pond we saw.  Kinda creepy and kinda cool at the same time.

We managed to make it into the bookstore for a quick stop to see what there was to see and then we got ice cream before heading back to camp.

Solomon Reunion - Rexburg Temple

On our first full day of reunion we awoke to the pitter patter of rain, or so we thought at first.  After fully coming to, we realize that it isn't rain but sprinklers watering the trees and our tent.  We didn't know.  As we arrived at the house Ember was leaving and said to set up in the trees where ever and we did.  We picked out a nice shaded spot with some soft grass to pad my old bones.  Oops!  The grass was nice and fluffy because it got watered regularly.  They forgot to turn off the water with all going to the hospital.  Thankfully it was set on a 1hr timer and then only on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.  We were dry the rest of the weekend.  

After getting up and moving around we decided to visit the close town of Rexburg, ID.  Doug and I had both attended college there when it was Ricks instead of BYU-I.  We wanted to show the kids around and reminisce a little.  First stop was the temple.

Ben and Chris sitting in front of temple

Evan, Lexie and Peter sitting in front of temple

Daddy and Peter walking down the stairs

Ben and Daddy walking on temple grounds.  

For some reason I just love this picture of my oldest walking as if they love each other, it was a rough weekend in the loving each other department, on temple grounds.

And then I think we were a little irreverent as the children rolled down a hill on temple ground.  But really, what did they expect?  A perfect rolling hill, not too steep and not too shallow, with no trees in the way.  It was as if they were asking my boys to do it.

After a stop on campus we came back to the temple to eat a picnic lunch.  We ate near the stake center and thankfully it was open since we all needed a potty break.

Solomon Family Reunion - Getting there

Traveling down to family reunion was suppose to be a simple affair.  We get up, get going and get there.  Not really how it went down.  Oh, we got up and actually left close to when I wanted to leave (6am) and got going, but then the plan broke down.  We were cramped and the children were handling things pretty good with minor squabbles, but there were more bathroom stops than planned.  More potty breaks were okay.  The "Text" is what stopped us.  Kaytie and William had a blow out and I'm not talking about Ashleigh's diaper here.  The tire decided to blow apart on the freeway.  Luckily we weren't far behind them so we were able to help, at least by the end.  As we were gaining on their location I had a brilliant idea:  We both have vans so our tires should be compatible.  They could use our spare, which is a regular tire not a doughnut, until they can buy another tire.  Great idea, right?  Ehhh, not really.  We stopped and tried to switch tires.  In the process a stud broke off and then when we think everything will be fine, the tire really doesn't fit so the doughnut goes back on.  Not cool.  We stop in the closest town, fill up with gas and find that there is no tire shop around.  We have to travel to the next town down to find one.  Thankfully the tire place had a tire and the studs (see the plural?  Tire guy broke some more) and a very hot wait later we were again on our way.  But, how do we get to our destination?  We planned on camping out at Doug's uncle's, Uncle Dave, house.  Between Doug and myself we were able to get close, but not close enough to be there.  Technology stepped in to help.  With cell phones going we tried to call.  No one answered and then it was crazy busy forever.  Finally we get through only to find out the Uncle Dave is in the hospital and so is the rest of his family.  We could still come and set up though.  So with directions in hand we make it to the house and set up camp and the kids run around.  Camp was in a small tree farm with some clear land and my boys proceeded to climb the trees.  At this point Doug and I realize we are horrible parents because our children had never climbed a tree before.  What kind of parents are we to never let our children up a tree?  Smart.  Controlling.  Extra Cautious.  You can decide.  They made up for lost time though.

Chris up a tree

Evan up a tree

We set up camp between tree climbing and then had a look around.

Daddy and the children on a walk to burn energy and get the lay of the land.

After a run to town to eat dinner it was bed time for us.

Visitors

We had family visiting this weekend and it was great.  We spent as much time together as we could yet it didn't seem to be enough.  What's sad about this is that some of our visiting family lives only 40 minutes away and yet we never see them.  The highlight of the visit was of course the baby.  We finally got to meet the newest member of the family: Brayden Shuldburg.  What a cutie pie.  He was always so happy and content.   Even when being held by Lexie.

You could tell he came from a happy home. Hearing him laugh with his daddy and my kids Saturday morning as I lay in bed almost made me miss having a baby and then I heard my kids and remembered that babies grow up.  I love my kids, but sometimes I wish they were back in the 8mo old age when they were all giggly and happy.

With a baby in the house I broke out the baby toys and not only did the baby love them, but Peter and even Evan enjoyed them.

Brayden sitting in the baby toy basket

And then there was granny.  So glad she came, but I can never seem to get a serious picture with her.  Maybe someday....

So much fun, but so little time.  Really everyone needs to move close by use (because we live in the prettiest area of the USA) so we can have family get togethers more often at least once a month.

Primary Olympics

It's summer or at least June, but do you think the weather cares?  Nope it sure don't.  The primary had this Summer Olympic activity all planned out and it rains.  All day long.  All week long.  The rain never stops, but that didn't stop us from having the activity.  It just all got moved inside instead.  

One activity was a ball pushing race.  With noses!

Ben

Chris

Lex and Evan

Even the Primary President (Aunt Brin) got into the game

Then there was tug-o-war

We also had a javelin throw with pool noodles and shot put with water balloons.  It was lots of fun and gave me ideas for 4th July activities.

Evan's Field Trip

The first graders took a field trip to a local farm and luckily Aunt Paige was in attendance.  Because of her we have these pictures of Evan.

Evan on tractor wheel

Evan with Justin and Stefany on tractor wheel

Evan driving the tractor