Elder Ralph's first Sunday

Elder Ralph and Elder Bailey

A cute little lady took a picture of Ethan's first Sunday in the area and sent it to me. Ethan emailed me on Monday and said that his companion, Elder Bailey, is really funny and a hard worker. He was a little discouraged because they haven't had as much success as was had in the area in the past. (I don't know how he would feel that way since he's only been there 6 days!) He said they get fed every night which is wonderful. One thing he was kind of bummed about was that he can't wear street clothes outside of the apartment even on P-days. So, when they play basketball or help with projects they have to be in dress clothes. I told him to hang in there and that everyone says it gets easier as time goes by.

Ethan's first day in Gilbert, Arizona!

Elder Ralph

Having his first breakfast in Arizona

His first companion, Elder Bailey (enjoying dinner at a member's home)

At the Bishop's house (I believe)

These were the first few pictures I received from members where Ethan will be serving. I guess he covers two wards there in the Gilbert area. He looks happy even if he is a bit homesick right now.

Ethan's First Mission Birthday

Birthday package from Aunt Ellie

Aunt Ellie made sure Ethan had a picture of his family:)

We invited Lexi over for dinner and blew out a candle for Ethan and sang to him as well.

Ethan turned 19 years old on the 19th of September. Ellie knew we wouldn't have his new address in time to get a package to him since he arrived at the mission home just a few days before his birthday. So, she put together a birthday package filled with goodies, a couple ties, and even home made polka dot brownies (Ethan's favorite) and took them to the mission home. Ethan said he got it "just in time" and that "it meant more than she really knows". As a family, we wanted to do something to honor his birthday even though he wasn't home so we made a nice roast dinner (another of Ethan's favorites) and a Texas sheet cake. We invited his girlfriend, Lexi, and after dinner we cut Ethan a piece of cake, put a candle in it and sang happy birthday to him. It was a fun little celebration in honor of our Ethan.

Friends

Evie, Norah, Eli, Ava, Millie, Hope, and Zaiah

Slumber party! Eli, Hope, Ava, and Zaiah

Zaiah and Popi

Ava's best friends, Hope and Zaiah Baker left Sunday for Indiana. Their Dad found a wonderful job opportunity there.  These two have been Ava's little buddies for the past 3 or 4 years. We had them over Friday night and let them play all day Saturday. They had a blast making notes for each other and making music videos with Jake as the camera man. I'm going to miss having these two around as much as Ava. They were amazing little girls and just so fun!

Another Ragnar together-2015

Dennis and Don

These two crack me up! They really are built like machines that just never stop. They did another ragnar together but instead of just running their own legs they ran with each other too. Because, you know, 15 miles just isn't enough. They had to get 20-30 miles in each. :)  I am so glad they have each other to do these events with. They really do enjoy racing together.

A RE'AL soccer game

Brad, Ethan, and Jake

I love this photo of my three oldest boys! I believe this was a birthday gift to Ethan last year. Dennis got soccer tickets for all of them and then of course they had to get shirts too. They had so much fun together. It was a great bonding night for all of them!

Deer Creek (G&G Ralph's Anniversary) 2014

Grandpa, Cassidy, Ava, Whitney, Savannah, Kayla, Reagan, Summer, Brad, Eli, Grandma, Ethan

David, Don, Darin, Deborah, Dale, and Dennis

Ava, Jake, Brad, Eli, and Ethan

Ava on Uncle Darin's boat

Aunt Deborah was here for Grandma and Grandpa's Anniversary so we all got together and went to Deer Creek for a fun day of boating, skiing, swimming, and BBQing. It was a great day and little Eli was covered in mud from head to toe. He loved playing in the muck along the shore of the lake. Ava had so much fun boating and riding the tube. Savanna (Darin's oldest daughter) even skied with her and Ava had a blast! Brad and Ethan went too but Jake, Eli, and I stayed ashore and just had fun at the waters edge.

King Julian

Eli got this head piece from a kid's meal a while back. It's from the movie Madagascar. The little king lemur, King Julian. I love this cute little face and his love for life!

MTC goodbye-September 2, 2015

We were supposed to just pull up to the curb and have Ethan get his stuff and go but his "helper" told us he would quickly take a picture of us before he left. It took us quite a while to get the kids out of the car but he was patient with us. This is our last family picture for 2 years. I'll never forget looking and watching my oldest son walk away with his luggage, not knowing a soul, and even though I was happy and proud of him I also felt emotional and a bit anxious for him. I'm so glad we were able to have this one last moment with him before he left.

Saying our goodbyes before the MTC drop off!

Brad, Ava, Ethan, Eli, and Jake (at Chuck a Rama-Ethan's choice)

Ethan and his Dad making small talk before the MTC

Ethan with his Dad and Mom in front of the Provo Temple

Elder Ethan Daniel Ralph

My third teenager! Jakey Juice is 13!

Jake Isaac Ralph turns 13!



Brad, Ava, Jake, and Eli

For Jake's 13th birthday, he only asked for one thing, to go to Lagoon. Dennis was off doing his half triathlon so I took the kids up at 10:30 in the morning. Ethan came too for the first few hours. He left at about 1:00 to be with Lexi.  But the rest of us stayed until 5:00. We had a blast! Eli even fell asleep in his stroller (he had just woken up here in this picture) Jake had a wonderful birthday so it was worth every penny!

Eli Dennis Ralph

Eli-One more year before Preschool

Ava 2nd grade

Ava 2nd grade at Dry Creek Elementary

Jake 7th grade

Jake 7th grade at Willowcreek Middle School

Brad 9th grade

Brad in 9th grade at Willowcreek Middle School

Grandpa Merrill aka Ben Franklin :)

At one of our family get togethers, the kids brought out this Elsa wig and put it on Grandpa. They laughed and laughed and he was such a good sport to put up with the little imps. I thought he looked a lot like his Grandmother (on his mom's side) and then Ellie or Elena mentioned that he looked like Ben Franklin. We all had a good laugh for sure!

Endowment for Ethan-August 2015

Ethan in front of the Timpanogos Temple

Ethan with his mom and dad

Ethan with Grandma and Grandpa Ralph

Ethan and Lexi

Boys trip to Seattle with Grandpa Ralph 2015

Zeke, Brad, Jake, Jason, and Nick

Zeke, Grandpa Ralph, and Brad

Brad and Zeke

Jake, Zeke, Brad, Jason, Nick, and Grandpa Ralph

Jason, Nick, Grandpa Ralph, Brad, Zeke, and Jake

Jason, Jake, Zeke, Nick, Brad, and Grandpa Ralph

Brad and Jake went up to Seattle with Grandpa Ralph. Nick also joined them for the trip. They drove Grandpa's Honda van up for Deanna because Grandpa bought a new vehicle for he and Grandma to enjoy. They had SO much fun together. They went sea kayaking, whale watching (a giant orca came up out of the water right by their boat), mountain biking, sight seeing (saw the Space Needle), went under ground to see "Old Seattle" (the first city that burned down in the late 1800's (?)). They went to the famous "gum wall" which the boys loved and Brad added his gum to it. And they went to the biggest supermarket in Seattle. They had such a good time together and want to do it again! Aunt Deanna knows how to keep young boys busy! :)

Nursery Brawl

This kid is so feisty and causes his fair share of troubles in nursery. Well, a few weeks ago, he brought a couple of toy characters from home to show his "friends" at church. He was so excited to go to nursery, first time he actually wanted to go. I was sitting in sharing time with my little class when I hear him screaming outside the door and there he is in the arms of his nursery leader. She told me that another little boy tried to take Eli's toys and Eli wanted to keep them so the little boy grabbed one and nailed Eli right on his eye bone. It was bleeding and all swollen. We decided to keep his toys home from now on. :) Three year old boys sure are tough little critters!

Sundance Film Festival

Jake and Brad

Ethan's girlfriend was chosen to act in a Sundance Film and they needed extras for a scary scene so Jake and Brad got to fill in.  They had a good time.

Irene comes for a visit 2015

Irene went for a hike and did some fireworks with us for Pioneer Day. She had her two little boys, David and Thomas. They are the cutest little guys and had fun with our kiddos. Her Thomas tried some of Grandma's fudge and decided that was his new favorite candy. :)

Hike to Battle Creek Falls in Pleasant Grove 2015

Ellie's group and mine at Battle Creek Falls

Ashlyn, Tanner, Annaka, Brad, Eli, Justin, Ava, and Jake

Tanner, Brad, and Eli

I love this photo of Ashlyn! What a happy beautiful girl!

We made arrangements with my friend Irene (who was visiting with her two young boys) to meet early at Battle Creek Falls and do the hike together. I invited Ellie's kids too and everyone was pretty excited about it. Well, we got to the parking lot and waited for a bit and then got a text from Irene that they had just woken up and would be a while. So we decided to start the hike instead of just sitting there. When we were almost to the top we got another text from Irene. She had gone the wrong way and was turning around somewhere in Provo Canyon. Well, the older boys were done by the time she got there but Ava, Annaka, Eli, and I did the hike again with Irene and her boys. The older boys were so ready to go when we got back to the car. We decided we needed some food and ice cream so we went to JCW's. It was a fun day!