California Trip #2

Sarah and Allison had fun meeting each other. Allison is Katie Jacquez's daughter. The girls are 7 weeks apart.

Our second trip to California in 3 weeks was for a good cause...my brother Alan got married! This picture is Sarah with Grandma and Grandpa Frost!

Flower girls

Middleman Reunion 2011 montage

We're usually not big fans of collages, but given the event, thought it wouldn't be so bad. Click on the picture itself to see it bigger.

Middleman Reunion 2011

Some shots from the Middleman Reunion...

Night one Emma slept in the car with Sarah. The kids were supposed to sleep on the trampoline. Isaac decided he needed Mom, so he slept in the van too (although he slept on the trampoline alone Sunday night...go figure)
Cousins Cozy and Asypnn were inseparable all weekend.
Popi has it all under control...Sarah and Matthew are only 3 months apart, give or take.
Ethan was fearless. Only problem was when he forgot he didn't have his life jacket on and jumped with his cousins...
Silly Grandma...it was hot, almost 100 degrees. They were getting their hair wet until they got the okay to get in the pool by mom.

September 11th

I had a moment today while the kids were resting to reflect on today - the 10th anniversary of the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. I remember the feelings I had that morning. Rob and I had only been married for 3 weeks. I was in definite shock. Going to school in Los Angeles and the potential of another attack on a highly populated location, I always had my eye to the sky when an airplane flew overhead. It lasted for about 6 months (although still today if an airplane is flying low and I don't know of an airport around, I get nervous).

I am grateful for the blessing I have of living in the United States. For all the turmoil, political, economic, and otherwise, I am thankful for my family and the opportunities we have here. I hope we maintain a healthy sense of gratitude for those who serve around us.

1st Day of School

Here are our Kindergartener and Second Grader. The first day of school is always bitter sweet.

Isaac's first day of school was more of a meet and greet. Here he is by his apple. Last year the district moved from a half-day, every day Kindergarten to a full day two days a week and every other Monday. The jury is still out on how the schedule will work.

Cosette loves that she can take herself to school on her scooter. It's easy getting to school...coming home is the hard part.

What Rob Does...

So, while Emma is at school Rob decides to can most of the peaches she decided to buy...

and he plays Dr. when his kids need help after a bee sting...

or two...
from a yard that is green because he enjoys watering the plants...

and the garden.
What will he do in the winter time when all the world is white?

Summer Fun

Isaac's tread-rash. He was on a treadmill with his friend who jumped the speed up to 5 mph.
Cosette's experiment. Two groups - one group of cookies were made right, the other group had about three times as much salt. We had to tell her which cookie we preferred. She charted her results. Ethan was the only one that liked the salty ones.

Cousins Challis and Sarah.

Goof ball Ethan

Coming home from Idaho Falls over the weekend, the kids had played hard. Cosette was on Ethan's lap because she didn't want Isaac to touch her. Silly girl.

California Fun...in Idaho

Janelle, Natalie, and Emma grew up in California together. Through life events they have landed in Utah and Idaho. Last year they got together in August to visit and have the kids play together. Come this August, all three had babies within a few weeks of each other.

Hot dogs on the lawn. What a great dinner.

Sarah (May), Lincoln (April), and Heather (June)

Here's the whole crowd! 12 kids in all.

Grandma and Grandpa Wood came for the weekend as well...doesn't Grandpa look beautiful as a "Pretty, Pretty Princess"

Jensen's Grove

Went to play in the water in Blackfoot.We took a lunch, but Mom forgot the spoons for the pudding...this is what happened.
The kids enjoyed the dock and playing in the sand. Cosette made a car out of sand. Any guesses what Isaac is doing in the middle of the swimming hole all alone?

Fun times

This might be the only time in Sarah's life that her brothers are excited to see her.

The boys found Emma's canning rings and magnet to pick up hot lids. It was good fun!

Mish-Mash

We love summer sunsets here in Pocatello. Out in the west where the sun sets is the American Falls reservoir that makes a pretty reflection
A boy and his dog. We don't know how willing Reese is to be lugged around as she is, but she hasn't snapped at him yet.
Emma took the kids for a short hike last Friday. Rob had to work late.
Sisters - nothing like them in the world. :-)

Fun in the Sun

Last week Emma and the kids took a trip to Lava with some friends. The kids LOVED it! Cosette is a fish, as long as she has goggles on. All three enjoyed the water slides as well. They even went on the big ones in the back of this picture!

Here's our setup. Four adults and 10 kids. Pure craziness.