Cousins-Round Two!

Shortly after the Wards headed home for Oregon we had the Gossard clan come in from Wyoming! We had a really good visit with lots of cousin time. I am so grateful for the family that I have, I know I say that alot but I mean it. Uncle Levi brought water balloons for all the kids and as you can see from the pictures Lindsay and Bo are very much still part of the 'KIDS'! Papa and Levi filled balloons and put them in the cooler while all the little guys tried to get the big kids wet. Even Molly thought that this was great fun, or I hope that all that screaming coming from the yard was fun noises! It was a good visit.

Sawyer won a trophy!

Sawyer won the junior division choker race at the logging show. This year they broke up the kids into two different groups so that the little guys (and girls) didn't have to compete with the big kids. Sandy made up some trophies and they were really neat. Grandma and Papa donated water bottles so that every kid who entered would walk away with a prize for their effort. It was really fun to watch all the kids and adults participate.

Fourth of July 2009!

We have had another great fourth. It was hot but very fun.

A Big Piece of Fun!

We had a girl day. We dropped the boys off at 'Sports Week' this morning and the girls and I left for Ontario with Grandma. On the way down I asked Maggie if she would want to get her hair cut. She said 'NO'. She added that Molly could get her hair cut if she wanted. About halfway through the day Grandma had Maggie convinced that a new haircut was what she needed. When we got to the salon Maggie told me 'This is going to be a Big Piece of Fun'. When Maggie was actually called to the stylist's chair she melted down. This was her first official haircut by someone other than Mom. She didn't like the tissue paper around her neck, who can blame her, it felt like she was being choked. She was not impressed with the penguins on the cape or the cool chair that had a booster in it for her. If it hadn't been for Grandma I can honestly say this hair cut would have NEVER happened! After getting to sit on Grandma's lap for the beginning of this ordeal she finally relented and sat all by herself, with a smile, while Miss Brandy cut her hair into an adorable, sassy, A-line bob with some stack in the back! As we walked out the door she said, 'It feels so good on my neck' and I was sooo tempted to walk back in and cut mine off! I like it, she likes it, Dad likes it, so I guess it was a Big Piece of Fun!

Super Dogs!!

We spent the last evening in Donnelly with a blessing meal at Tahoe and Cass's. I was not looking forward to cooking and then trying to pack up to go home the next morning. Levi and Sacha came up to spend a few days with Tahoe and Cass before the guys left on their rafting trip this week and we were invited to have 'Super Dogs'. This meal consisted of grilled hot dogs and EVERY condiment you would want. For dessert we had banana splits, compliments of Grandma Mary, and they were delicious. We had the baby corner with Gaige, Shamus, Amelia, and Tallis. We had big kids running around and lots of love and conversation. It was nice to spend time with family.

Precious....

For some reason I feel as though I caught something so fleeting. My oldest and my youngest asleep and so content with one another. You always get those pictures of Moms and Dads sleeping with the kids but this just seemed so special and it makes me a little teary to look at it.

VBS at Donnelly.

I only got to take pictures of Maggie with her leaders before my batteries went dead so that is why there are no pictures of the boys on this post. We were able to attend Vacation Bible School at Donnelly this year and the kids had a blast. I mentioned before that Grandma was a 'Donnelly Mom' so that allowed Maggie the opportunity to go since she wasn't technically old enough. A really neat youth group from Oregon came over to put it on. The kids had a great time and Maggie loved being packed around by all the big girls. Below are her two favorite leaders, Shauna and Rachael. She had a few tears when we said goodbye but I think they both plan on coming again next year. It was a nice week and a good way to end our staycation at Donnelly. Craig is moving jobs and heading south so we will once again be residents of Council.