Oh Pickles!

The kids woke up to a scrumptious breakfast.  Pickles with syrup.  I told them this was a very special meal, only for the very best kids.  They were not amused.  

April Fools!

Cole turned 9!!

PaperCritters attack!  (Actually, it should've been....9 Year old boys....attack!)  Cole is almost in the 2 digits.  I can't believe how time flies.  

For this party, he switched his theme a couple times.  First it was going to be Legos---but then the boy next door brought a lego puzzle in a baggie.  Cole put it together and realized it was for a Lego party.  So there went that theme.  Then he toyed around with doing a movie party....but 

Mom could see her camera and computer covered in sticky frosting and pizza grease.  So, that one was nixed.  

Cole thought of the idea while making his Batman series at www.papercritters.com  "Let's do a PaperCritters party!"  Thus the idea was born.

It was a pretty standard party.  We played games, gave out prizes, broke the pinata, open presents, pizza, ice cream, etc.  I made a life size PaperCritter and they used it for a game.  It barely lasted the party, thankfully Travis held it up to prevent it from collapsing.  (Nicky---not the engineer---Graham got all those genes)

Cole's cousins Gabe and Sarah came, so they added so more fun to the mix.  In all it was a great party.  We sent the kids out to run off their sugar highs in the snow.  

It's melting......

Well our first winter at 5,330 feet.  It snowed.  A lot.  And now my view out is a little less white.  Is that grass I see??  Brown, but still....it is grass!

See our gallery for some more snow pictures.

You may have to copy and paste link:  http://gallery.me.com/travandnickysfam#100133

MobileMe Gallery

It was taking too long to upload photos.  Until I discovered MobileMe--here's the link:

http://gallery.me.com/travandnickysfam

(This link may not work.  If not, type into browser.)
I've got a bunch to upload. Eeee

Summer FHE

Trying to get caught up---here's some pictures from summer. Family night is an adventure. Look at these willing participants.  Can't you feel the thrill?

We play games. Note Cole and Grace on the floor.

We "use" treats.

Someone usually cries. And it's not always a kid. :)

But then we make cookies.  And who can cry and eat a cookie at the same time?

A smashing success!

watch if you dare

...waste a few minutes

Sacred Grove & Hill Cumorah Pageant

Sacred Grove

(Just photos for now, I've got to get everything caught up.  I'll post text later)

Transportation Museum

Transportation Museum

Planes, Trains and Automobiles. It's been a while since this trip and all I remember is it was very hot.

4th of July w/ Wilhelm's

Ohio--4th of July

My Dad and little brother and sister--Dillon & Amy--came to visit. It's fun having siblings in the same age range as my own kids. I also enjoy trading parenting war stories with my Dad.

We drove up to Ohio for a mini Wilhelm reunion. Only half of the sibs were there, even so it was a crowd. Thanks to the Kennedy's for housing us. Aunt Terry even monogrammed towels for the kids to take home. (Wow, crafty-lady!) Their home is located out in the beautiful countryside. I'm not sure their exact acreage, but it whatever it is seems perfect. They've restored their historic farmhouse, and my memories of staying there as a kid, are one of the reasons I love American farmhouses.

We saw the Paddocks and their clan. Always growing and/or changing faces from their family. We had some interesting discussions, which is to be expected at any Wilhelm get together. The disagreeing is the best part. So nice to have family that tells you what they really think. And especially when we always seem to hit all the hot topics i.e. religion, politics, and religion
Graham, this is where we got the know everything (and then some) gene. As well as the BS in knowing everything degree.

Huntsman Family Reunion

Huntsman Family Reunion

We flew out to Utah to see all the cousins and Aunts and Uncles.  We met at Fish Lake, with RV's and lawn chairs.  The kids had so much fun in the couple days we were there.  Many popsicles were eaten, crafts made, pictures taken, jokes told, songs sung.  The highlight for most of our family was when our funny hillbilly cousins came to visit.  Man they sure looked and talked like people we knew from back in NC.