Andy's Birthday

Time for another fun summer birthday party.  It was Andy's 6th birthday and the kids got to play some fun games and play in the pool.  Holly is a fantastic host and always makes things fun for the kids.  Here they are setting up for a hula hoop game.

Good throw, Karlee!  Each balloon had a number value.  The kids threw the hula hoops to try to get the most points.

Abbs hanging out in the pool

Kayci getting ready to jump in

Karlee taking a spin on her tube

Holly and I bought these great umbrellas to have for the yard or at the beach.  Jake hung out in the shade and ate cookies most of the time.

It was my job to keep the babies happy.  Here's me and Livie just relaxing.

Camping at Palisades

Kayci, Andy, Abby, and Karlee posing in front of the stream at our camp

The girls had fun wading in the stream, looking for cool rocks for their rock necklaces.

Karlee rolling up her shorts so she can go in a little deeper

Kayci's all smiles while she's wading until . . . .

She loses her footing and goes under!

Lexie's taking a little nap while the kids played

Jake could have played in the stream all day

Kayci, Taryn, Trey, Abby, Karlee, Andy, and Jake enjoying the water and the beach at Palisades Resevoir

Jake loved playing in the sand and crushing everyone else's creations

Jared brought his fishing gear for the kids which they love.  He is always so patient with them.  Thanks, Jared!

Sorry, Abbs.  No fish this time!

We have been looking forward to this summer and getting to use our camper, A LOT!  Well, at least as much as possible.  My mom and Don also got a camper so the weekend of July 17th we decided they needed to break it in before taking it to Bear Lake for our family reunion.  Holly and Jared, us, my mom, and Brittany and her crew all went up to Palisades overnight and had a blast.  We found a great spot to camp with a little stream and only a few tired boy scouts nearby (Layne really prefers not to camp in a busy, crazy campground, so this was right up his alley).  The kids played in the stream and rode their bikes and most of all looked forward to a campfire that night.  The next day we all went down to the beach and played in the water and sand.  Jared even set up the fishing poles for the kids to try to fish.  They didn't have any luck this time, but they sure love trying.  It was a quick trip, but so much fun to be with family and just get away from the responsibilities of home!

Time to Climb

Karlee was so  excited to climb this year.  She made it to the top on all four sides.

Kayci's not really heavy enough to weigh down the harness attached to the pulley, but she climbed to the top and then Layne climbed up and pulled her back down.  She loved it.

Even Jake got to climb as high as we could reach him.

Abby thought she was a real pro, showing us all how it's done.

I even managed to make it to the top.  I really have no muscles!

Grandma and Lexie cheering everyone on.

My cute girls.  So proud of themselves.

We had another great family home evening at the college.  My whole family looks forward to going rockclimbing.  Everyone tries to do better than last year and the kids love trying to hit the "ice cream" button at the top so they can get ice cream after we've finished.  It's always fun to spend time together.  Thanks everyone!

Scentsy!

Holly has been selling Scentsy for a couple of years now without really holding a lot of parties or anything, but she got asked by a friend if she wanted to have a booth at a car show in Rigby this summer and decided to do it.  She asked me to come along to help and we had a lot of fun.  It ended up being quite cold, windy, and rainy, but we enjoyed just getting out and being together.  I'm so thankful for her and all she does for me!

Trip to the Splash Park

Abby and Karlee love going down the slides and getting dumped on by the big bucket.

Kayci can't wait to get wet.  The bigger kids don't intimidate her at all.  She just pushes her way through and slides down over and over again.

Jake's not into the slides so much, but he loves to run around and play in the fountains.

Lexie's being an angel, as always.

Karlee playing with Ella in the fountain.

Andy, Jake, Kayci, Abby, and Karlee taking a break while they wait for their snow cones.

We always look forward to going to the splash park in Rexburg every summer.  This year we only managed to make it there once, but the kids had a great time.  They are at such fun ages.  Everyone can play and Abby and Karlee are such great help with Kayci and Jake.  We especially enjoy going with Holly and her kids.  It's fun now to have the twins starting to play a lot more.  Next year the new swimming complex in Rexburg will be done and we are looking forward to going there as well.  Until next year!

Kinghorn Family Reunion at Lava

Over the July 4th weekend we had a Kinghorn family reunion with Layne's brothers and sister.  Unfortunately, his sisters from Kansas and Arizona as well as his brother from New Mexico weren't able to make it, but we still had a crowd!  We spent one whole day playing in a park in Lava.  The kids had a blast getting their faces painted, ice blocking, playing volleyball, and playing in the sand (oh, how I really don't like sand) around the playground.  Here are some pics from the day.

All smiles after getting their faces painted.

Kayci, Abby, and me after we crashed at the bottom of the hill on our ice blocks.

Abby doing her best to stay on her block.

Jake and Grandpa hangin out.  Jake loves his grandpa!

Uncle Kyle painting Jake's face.  He could hardly wait for his turn.

He walked around smiling like this all day.

Kayci's turn.  Uncle Matt was quite the artist.

Karlee was very specific about how she wanted her face painted.  Great job Uncle Matt!

Time to head to the playground.  Jake and Andilyn swinging away.

Karlee making her way up the little rock wall.

Hi up there, Abbs!

Kayci's always ready with a smile for the camera.

Jake and Kayci ready to slide.

It was a great reunion.  Matt and Liz put it all together with Janeen's help.  We stayed up at Woodland's cabin (Brian's in-laws) and we brought our camper for extra space.  It was a lot colder than we had expected but it would finally warm up in the afternoon.  It was very laid back and stress free which can't be said about a lot of reunions.  Our Sunday was spent at church and relaxing in the sun back at the cabin.  The kids loved exploring and just being with their cousins.  That evening we went into Lava to watch the fireworks.  I love the 4th of July and will especially remember this one.  Thanks to all those who put so much into it!  I feel so blessed to be part of such a wonderful family.

Pool Time!

Holly and Jared got a new pool, and we have enjoyed playing there throughout the summer.  It's the perfect depth for the kids to play in without having to worry about them getting hurt.  Holly is also always a great host!  Here is Jake, Kayci, Karlee, Andy, and Abby striking a pose.

The water was cold, but that didn't stop them from having a blast.

Jake loved climbing up and down the ladder.

Kayci is a little water baby.  She dives down and stays down forever. 

Karlee spends more time with her head underwater than above. 

All the kids loved floating on this water bed.  It, however, became the source of a great deal of trauma when the girls tried to push it out of the pool.  Abby, Karlee, and Andy tried to push it out but when they gave one final big push, the side of the pool collapsed and Andy and Karlee fell out on their heads onto the gravel.  It was hilarious.  However, Andy didn't react too well.  She cut up her leg pretty good and filled her hair full of gravel.  Karlee's hair and ears were full of gravel.  We just turned on the hose and did the best we could to get it out.  I'm only sad I didn't get a picture!