Morgan Leaves for the MTC

I was able to go with Lexi to the airport to pick Morgy up and then take her to the MTC.  (We drove through an In-N-Out Burger on our way down to Provo.) Ellie met up with us at the MTC field where we all got to say good-bye to Morgan for 18 months!  As we started driving into the MTC parking lot, Morgan said she had butterflies in her tummy.  There was a huge long line of greeters there to help make the new missionaries at ease.  We had to drive along the curb and park for just a bit to help get Morgan's luggage out and give her our last hugs and then we had to drive on.  Lexi got emotional as we drove away as it hit her that she would not see her best friend for a year and a half!! It was so touching to see how close those two are.  I hope they will be able to go to college together for a bit so they can room together and have some fun!!

Indoor Surfing

When Ricker came to town he tried out this indoor surf place and loved it.  (I'm not sure but I think Lexi, Caden, and Blake had done it before he got here and told him about it).  Anyway, they all wanted to do it again and invited all the other cousins as well.  I went in to take pictures but because I had Eli and Ava I wasn't allowed to stay for long.  I did get this one.  Brad and Jake did the boogie board and loved it.  I think Brad tried the surf board once and then went back to the boogie board:)  So nice of Ricker to let all the munchkins go with him!!

Mom with Her Kids

Cute little Mom! I love how she opens her eyes really wide sometimes.  Again, it's about time we each had a picture of us with our Mom.  We need to do this every year from now on when the girls come home for summer. 

Dad with His Kids:)

When the girls came home this summer, we thought it would be a good idea to get a picture of each of us individually with Dad and Mom.  We don't really have too many of us with just our parents and since Dad will be turning 80 next year we thought it was about time!! So cute!

4th of July 2013

Joan called me up the week before the 4th and invited us to have a BBQ on the 4th.  The Ralphs have always gotten together to have a meal and watch the fireworks from the Stadium of Fire together. But the last couple of years people have been staying closer to home as it is murder trying to fight the traffic and they don't get home until 2 a.m.  So we decided to go to the BBQ and then drive to Thanksgiving Point to watch some fireworks.  It was fun and the kids really do enjoy seeing the show. (Dennis and I were so tired we debated going but I'm glad we did for the kids;)

Our Little Merman

Eli was asleep when I left to go grocery shopping and this is what happened while I was away.  Jake dressed him up in Ava's mermaid tail and of course took pictures.  Quite the figure I must say;)

Farmer Joe and the Missus

Eli was so animated for these photos! He loved being held up by Autumn and peeking through these cut-outs.  Ava looks like she enjoyed it just as much:)

Kanab

We were all so excited to go to Kanab and I sent Lexi  a text telling her how fun it was going to be.  Let's just say Lexi will never trust me again!! 5 hour drive and things didn't go as we thought! No one talked to us at the 70 year anniversary of Art and Rose (except Larry's wife). We only spent an hour at Bryce Canyon because we didn't want to be late to the anniversary party.  Then that night at the hotel, poor little Ashlyn got sick all over one of the two beds (this room had Ellie, Lexi, Ty, Tanner, Justin, Ashlyn, and Annaka). So Ellie ended up in the bed with Tanner and Justin-with Tanner's feet in her face, Ty and Annaka on the floor and Lexi curled up with a towel on the floor.  Rachel had Grandpa, Grandma, Hunter and Autumn and she couldn't sleep with Grandma's snoring.  And then in our room we had Dennis, me, Brad, Jake, Ava, Eli, Dillan, and Jess.  Eli would not go to sleep and then when he did he kept waking up and crying and then he would try to pull Jake and Jesse's hair.  So each room had a sleepless night.  We were going to go to church and then back to Bryce but with Ashlyn being sick we decided to just head home.  What a trip!!

Swimming at Rachel's

Elena came to town and Rachel got a pool so we all went over and went swimming.  The kids had a blast.  We even walked down town to a snow cone shack for a cool summer treat. These kids sure have a great time together!!

Big Dog!

Poor Brad!! If ever anything goes wrong, it happens to him.  I had asked Brad and Jake to take the Baby and Pip for a walk down to the duck pond while I got ready for the day.  They were walking down the main street before the duck pond road when a huge, black dog charged his fence as they were walking past and knocked a slat out, which sliced Brad's head open.  Jake, who was in charge of Pip, attached his leash to the baby's stroller and went to help Brad.  Well, Pip took off because he was scared of the dog, bringing Eli's stroller crashing to the ground.  Poor baby, got his face all scraped up.  Luckily, a woman was jogging and ran to their aid and walked them home.  Come to find out it was one of our good friends' dog.  Crazy Day!  (I think Brad will have a scar on his forehead for quite a while).

First Talk!

Ava was asked to give her first talk in Primary a few weeks ago.  Her Daddy helped her prepare and give it.  She spoke about Baptism and Dennis said she did wonderful.  I was teaching my primary class so I didn't get to hear her but I know she did a great job!

St. George Ironman

Here he is! My crazy, exercise addict;)  Dennis sure loves to swim, bike, and run.  We went with him for this St.George Ironman.  He did great and it was fun to see him cross the finish line.  It really is insane how many people are totally into such events (secretly, I wish I was one of them;) Ethan couldn't go because he had some youth activity or work-I can't remember now which one. The kids loved swimming at Grandma and Grandpa Ralph's pool and they each got to pick something from the Ironman store. And Jake had a professional give him his sport bag.  He told him he gets them all the time;) So sweet and it made Jake's day!

A Boy After his Daddy's Heart

Dennis played tennis as a boy through high school and loved it! He has wished that one of his sons would love it as much as he did.  Mr. Jake may just be that son.  He signed up for tennis for the first time this summer and absolutely enjoyed every second.  He was a natural at it too!! He picked up on things so fast and did an incredible job.  The cutest thing was when he told me, "Mom, I have been praying to find a sport that I'm good at".  His excitement was tangible as he related that tennis was "his sport":) Heavenly Father answered his prayer!

Twins

These two are kindred spirits! Neither require much sleep, they have tons of energy, and love to wrestle and fight with each other constantly.  They follow each other around and take away what the other is holding.  So funny to watch them battle for any little thing;)

Memorial Day

We got together at Dean and Alisa's for Memorial Day this year.  We had a wonderful BBQ with all the fixings and the kids enjoyed all the fun things in the backyard while the adults sat and visited. Good times!

First GreatClips Haircut

Eli went to Great Clips for the first time about a month ago now;)  He was amazing and didn't fuss or move around at all.  Brad only wanted a trim since he loves his longer hair and Jake got his cut nice and short.  What a handsome trio!

Preschool Graduation

Ava MaGoo is a graduate!! She loved preschool and loved her teacher, Miss Julie.  Miss Julie said Ava was most likely to be a "teacher".  Ava said she wants to be a "singer".  She is excited to start Kindergarten this fall and is also very nervous about it.  I hope she really loves her teacher and has a wonderful first year!