8 is GREAT!

These are some random pictures from our trip to Utah. These are the two Kohlers! My cousin had a boy (and named him Kohler) just 2 weeks before our Kohler was born. There is a story about how the two Kohlers came to be, but I won't bore you with it. Needless to say, Kohler was very excited to find another boy that shares his name! Here are our friends (the kids anyway) from Smithfield, the Turners! We had a great BBQ together. Brynlie met a new friend, Anna Leisa Turner. Here are our other Turner friends (no relation to the Turners above). This is Kamber Turner, my missionary companion. We went through quite an experience together. I love her so much and love seeing her cute family. Lauren fell alseep listening to her cousin, Cathryn's ipod. I thought it was so cute. My sister in law, Char colored and cut my hair! She did a great job and it's so fun to have a change. She is great and we love her so much! On our way home we wanted a change of scenery, so we went...

Well, after 4 long days Hanna came home from Girls Camp. She walked in the door smiling and we all gave her hugs. Kamary even said that she missed Hanna. Alyssa was excited to tease her about the Hulk again! We really did miss her. I think it made Hanna feel special and loved. So, we were really blessed and our prayers were answered. Hanna had a seizure the day before camp and a seizure the day after camp, but she didn't have any while she was at camp. I was thankful about that because it was a big concern. She seemed to have a good time. When we asked if the girls were nice, she said that some were mean but that she found some girls that she could be friends with. Several girls from her school class were there and so she hung out with them a lot. She had a lot of fun playing with the pine cones and bugs. The only thing she didn't like was that the theme was Princesses and they were supposed to wear tiaras. Since she is a "tomboy" she didn't like that too...

I don't really consider myself a control freak, or even a person who needs a lot of control. But today I sent my oldest daughter to Girls Camp for our church and found it hard to let go. I ended up crying all the way home. I've never really had a testimony of Girls Camp. In fact, growing up I hated it. Now, as I send my daughter away, I pray that heaven will watch over her and protect her while she's gone. It floods my soul with so many emotions and feelings that have been long forgotten. My first year at Girls Camp was horrible. I went with a friend named Susan. We were only 12 at the time. I don't know why, but every time we went into our cabin, a couple of older girls (14-16) would make fun of us. They would call us horrible names and tease us. I really still have no idea why. We weren't trying to hang out with them or bother them. We were just going into the cabin to hang out together. It got so bad that we ended up only going in the cabin when necessary (to sle...

Jason turned the big 40 this week. So to celebrate of course we had to get black balloons. Brynlie had a lot of fun playing with them Every year he has cheesecake for his birthday. I guess when you're 40, you're pretty set in your ways. Hanna & Dad. I think she's going for The Incredible Hulk look...her latest obsession. I like this shot of Jason. He's watching Brynlie play with the balloons. Of course we forgot the candles again. It would have been pretty cool to have 40 blaring candles on the cake, but we put 4 fat tea candles, one for each decade. Yes half of my children are unclothed but really, when it's 112 degrees outside... You would think it was her birthday will all that mess! Jason's birthday always falls around Father's Day. This was the card the kids made for Dad. They came up with the sayings by themselves (with just minimal help from mom). Alyssa came up with the "mounds" one. I thought it was pretty creative! Kamary performed a...

I've made several posts with our latest adventures. So make sure you scroll down! :)

For Memorial Day we went up to Slide Rock near Sedona. From there Grandma & Grandpa headed North toward home. We we sad to see them go. They were probably glad to leave the chaos behind however. :) Here are some pics of our fun at Slide Rock. Sunbathing Wading in the water. It was cold at first but felt good once you got used to it. Alyssa exploring, heading toward the slide. She went down a mini one. Love that face! And this face. Crawling up the slide. The rock is really slippery so you have to be careful. Playing in the water. Kamary decided that Slide Rock is a pretty fun place after all! Playing in the rocks I thought B. wouldn't want to get in the water. But I was wrong. Trying to protect her head from the sun. On the way home, B. tried on Hanna's glasses. We had a great time and miss Grandma & Grandpa already!

For the end of the year report cards Kamary and Alyssa got the principal's award and Hanna got on the honor roll. We were so proud of them. So to celebrate Grandma & Grandpa took us to Amazing Jake's. We had never been before but we had a great time. They gave kids points for each A & B that they earned on their report card. So they each got $6-$7 to spend on the rides and games. Eating yummy ice cream at the buffet. Kohler and Lauren in the teacups. Kamary and Alyssa in the teacups Kamary rides the train Grandma & Brynlie on the carousel. B. was so tired it almost put her to sleep. Brynlie & Daddy Everyone playing the spider web game to get tickets This game was like Wack a Mole. We had a great time. Lauren keeps talking about it. Thanks Grandma & Grandpa and thanks kids for working so hard in school!!