Welcome Home

Last week my parents got home from their mission in Australia. They had been gone for 18 months and we were so excited to get them back. Talking to them on Skype just isn't the same as giving them hugs in person. Plus, they had never met their 23rd and 24th granchchildren, Tyson and Parker, so we were extra excited. They flew in around 4:00 and my two brothers picked them up from the airport and escorted them to my house for a party. Yes it was an actual escort. My brother Ben rode his former police bike and escorted my other brother in his white suburban, decked out with the U.S. flag and the Australian flag  attached to the windows. It was pretty funny. They were pretty tired after more then 24 hours of traveling but I think they enjoyed seeing everyone and having a home cooked meal.

 

On Friday all of my siblings, except my oldest sister Kristie who lives in Maine, took our families up to Silver Lake and we had a fun time walking around the lake and spending time with Grandma and Grandpa. There were 20 out of 24 grandkids there and my parents were in heaven. We are sure glad to have them back, and we're proud of all the service they gave over the past 18 months.

 

 

 

 

 

 
All 20 grandkids

 
5 siblings, 1 in-law, and Gma and Gpa

 

 
Tyson Loved the water. He wanted to jump right in, but it was a little cold.

 

4 Years Old

This year was the first year that we actually threw a birthday party for Oakley. The other years we invited family over and had cake and stuff, but this year he got to invite all his friends. I saw a groupon for Jungle Jims, which is right down the street from us, and decided that would be a fun place to have the party. It turned out really well. All the kids just ran around and played, and the parents hung out and talked or joined in on the rides. It was nice because we almost had the whole place to ourselves. We ended up having 17 kids there, which was quite a few, and something I will never do again. But like I said, they all just ran around on their own and had fun.

 

For Oakley's cake I had one of my friends that plays volleyball with us make a Hulk cake. It turned out awesome! Oakley loved it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oakley ended up with way too many toys. More then he could handle. That night he came in our room in the middle of the night and asked us if he could just stay up and play with his toys. Of course we made him go to bed, and the next day was like Christmas, playing with one toy after another. Boy this kid is spoiled.

Sunday Drive

I love that we live five minutes from the mountains, and I always want to head up the canyons as soon as I see some color on them. So, last Sunday I made the boys take a ride up Little Cottonwood Canyon with me. Usually we go up to Silver Lake by Brighton but this year we decided to be daring and just drive until we wanted to stop. Well we got to the top of the canyon and there was nowhere to park because everybody had the same idea as us and there was a police officer giving tickets to  cars on the side of the dirt road. Wierd huh? Anyway, we went back down a ways to Alta's parking lot and it turned out perfect. We walked along the side of the road and took a few pictures and had a great time. When we were about to leave Oakley said "But I want to go to the canyon!" I don't think he really understood what the canyon was. He also told us on the way up that the mud was coming out of his ears so he could hear again. And when we got on the dirt road he said that it was shaking his heart. What a silly boy.