Eagle Island

Samuelson Men's High Adventure

 The men's response to Girls Weekend. I was not at this High Adventure, so I cannot speak to it. It was reported, however, that it was the perfect camp site. Right by Warm River, a bike path, and a fire pit. All that they needed to have a great time! Of course the highlight was tubing the river!
The ladies got to come up the final day for breakfast and Zoe and I got to float the most ironically named Warm River.
You notice Liams cast wrapped in a plastic bag so it wouldn't get wet? They used all sorts of materials to makeshift a plastic cover. Ingenius!

Roaring Springs 2013

Old friends

While in Utah the boys headed to see the Real soccer game. So, the rest of us got out the firepit, s'mores stuff, chocolate chip cookies, and had ourselves a dance party. The house next door was having a wedding reception complete with DJ and we enjoyed all the tunes they played. Zoe and Izzy, bustin' a move!

Johnson Family Reunion

We went to Utah to attend the Johnson Family Reunion (my mother's side, and my father's step-side, ha!). It was really wonderful to see cousins I  hadn't seen in 25 years, to introduce Travis to aunts and uncles of mine that he had never met, and watch my kiddos play with their 2nd cousins.
Also, can you beat that view?
So great to see everyone!

38 years young

 Travis is an expert at celebrating birthdays. Expecially his own. He gets his day off and makes very specific requests of what he wants to do. It is great! I don't have to wonder. And since he is very easy going and non-demanding for the other 364 days of the year, he deserves to be specific!

 He wanted to go play mini-golf. I am not sure it turned out like he planned, what with 4 kids tagging along. I think everyone had fun. Felix loved it, and actually got a hole in one by himself!

 What a handsome gentleman!

 He also requested "chocolate bricks", which are the thickest, densest brownies you can imagine dipped (drowned) in chocolate ganache. Our meal of vegan lasagna, salad and veggies made a perfect contrast to the brownies.

A day of shopping and lunch with me, babysitting provided by our dear eldest daughter was the perfect end. The kids and I had decorated everything with Jamaican flag colors (because Travis thinks he is Rastafarian). Did I really not get a picture?

Travis has an amazing view of life. He doesn't worry about things he can't control. He has unlimited patience and a listening ear. He is vibrant and excited. He is thoughtful and introspective. He has many amazing talents that come very naturally to him, that I like to call "gifts". He really was born with an athletic ability that I can't even begin to fathom. His ability to empathize is truly unique. Travis is hilarious, fun, goofy, and can easily loose dignity to entertain those lucky enough to be around when this happens.
Amazing man, amazing friend.

Visitors! Part two

 We were priviledged to then have another group of visitors. It was SO fun! The kids did so well together!

 Somehow I managed to hardly get any pictures of the older 4 kids. I guess because they were mostly off doing their own thing. Which is great!
I also didn't get a picture of a highlight. Jill, James and I went to Edwards Nursery with Shawna to pick out some flowers and vegetables for my garden. It was a treat (pictures of my purchases in a different post).

 We went to the park for hours and played kickball and baseball and (above) monkey kids.

 James and Otto got to meet for the first time.

 Otto displaying extreme relaxation.

 There was some foosball and ping pong played. We had a fruit snack blind taste test to figure out which brand is best? Well, if you are really interested we can tell you our findings. Though some of us didn't agree on which ones tasted like chemical waste and which ones were palatable.

Also, I got to hold this little bundle of love all weekend (when the kids weren't fighting over him).
Thanks, Shakespeares for a lovely weekend!

Visitors! Part one

 My dear friend, Kate, and her girls came for a visit this last month. What a treat it was! They got to stay for a full week and it was just delightful!

 They had tons of fun, and adjusting. This picture shows more of the adjusting.

 Finley loved Zoe. and Zoe loved Fin.

 This picture is so cute to me. Here are these girls, being silly (which is something I LOVE about both of them), being happy, and being friends. I am so happy that this is the second generation of friendship. Pretty cool.

 We had some lovely weather!

 fun at the zoo

Did I mention that Kate and I have been friends for-ev-er? Like more than twenty years?! What a treasure to me. It was so great to talk parenting, old times, new discoveries, and just enjoy each other and each others kids.

Spring Break

 You know when you have those trips that are so great, everyone gets along and has a good attitude (for the most part), and you get to do the things you wanted to, and you get good quality time with people you are visiting? Well, this was one of those trips. It was just so lovely.
Travis's office was getting carpeting replaced, so he got several days off during Spring Break, so we headed to Utah to hang out with Shakespeares.
Lydia and Sammy had oooodles of fun dancing, singing, and being silly together.

 The older kids had a lot of fun together doing whatever they do. There was a lot of basketball played, laughing, and talking about books. They are all so close in age that the four of them really do well together.

Felix played games all weekend long with whoever would play with him.

 We got to go to Renzo's wax museum where he got to pretend to be The King. Nicely done, Renz.

 We took evey opportunity to snuggle with little baby James.

 We went to the BYU Creamery for a first time. I cannot believe those older kids ate that much ice cream!

dur arou biiiii eyyyyyy!!!!!