Powell Family Reunion

Oh what fun it is to play with family!

My parents planned an amazing reunion for me and my siblings and our children.

We began our fun in Jackson hole at a fun park that had climbing walls.  We had subway for lunch and the kids had a blast.

Then we headed to the Alpine Slides.  The hill was too steep for all the babies to play on so I took them to the hotel room to play so I missed everyone coming down.  Jaden couldn't figure out the speed stick (he was just old enough to go by himself) so he went extremely slow down the hill. Everyone thought he was scared...he was so frustrated that he couldn't get it to go faster.  Landon went with Jeff and was in heaven.  After that they all went and played minature golf.

after the fun on the hill everyone went for a swim.  The kids had a lot of fun.  Jeff threw Eli up in the air over and over because she loved it so much!

Afterwards we headed back to the park to eat dinner.  Then we drove to Rexburg for Fireworks and Smores.

Oh how tired we were when we got home and stinky too....I do not like the smell of fire!

Early the next morning we woke up and headed back to Rexburg because my parents rented out Fat Cats!  My boys were in heaven...especially when they could do anything they wanted.  They bowled, minature golfed, and played all the games. 

Then we went and ate at Pizza Pie Cafe.  We stuffed our faces with unlimited pizza and pasta!

then to work off all the calories they did a little swimming and playing at grandma and grandpas.

Later that night we all got babysitters so we could go out with just the adults.  It was so nice and yummy!

we were sad for it to end because we had so much fun!

cousins and thinking of others

Today I realized how much I miss thinking of others.  I know this sounds like an odd comment but I feel like since I've had the twins I've been so consumed that I haven't thought much of others. 

In an effort to improve, or at least have my kids help me, I asked Jaden today to look around at church and see if someone looked like they were having a bad day or were a little sad and we'd take them a treat this evening.

When we got home I asked him if he saw someone.  I thought for sure he'd say his best friends name so that we'd go and visit him:).  I was pleased when he mentioned someone that he's never been friends with and I know it was sincere. 

I hope that I can improve on this area in my life that is lacking (there are so many) but I thought we could start with today with Jaden:):):).

Since I don't have pictures for this post and I was going through pictures from our recent reunion I thought I'd add the cousin pic!

My kids are so fortunate to have lots of cousins their ages.

In Jaden's grade he has Wyatt, Colton, and Gracie.  They are his best friends.

I guess I delayed a little too long in getting pregnant with Landon because he falls a grade and year behind his closest cousins.  Landon is ok with that because he likes to bug his oldest cousin Kaleb.  When none of the other kids are around Landon plays awesome with Easton.  In this picture Landon is wearing Chris's hat like Alvin the Chipmunk (his words, not mine.)

The girls are going to have a blast or fight like crazy when they get older.  They are 2 of 4 girls that will be in their grade.

and I give credit to my sister for doing all these amazing shirts!!!!

Happy 4th of July!

My boys love the 4th of July!  I think all of the fireworks may be why.

On the 4th of July eve we went to the cul de sac of fire (little carnival in a cul de sac in our neighborhood).  Unfortunately for me, I took a ton of pictures and didn't realize that I didn't have a card in my camera.  Chris brought the girls home early so I got to follow them and watch all the fun they had. They filled themselves up on cotton candy, hot dogs, popcorn, popcyles, watermelon and played on bouncy houses and tried to play with the big boys lighting fireworks.  It really was a fun evening and I wish I had all the pictures.

My sister and her family arrived the night before the 4th from Atlanta and we got to see them bright and early at the Rexburg Parade.  Even though my kids only see their Atlanta Cousins once a year they don't miss a beat in becoming old friends again.  Landon adored Kaleb who is about 9 years older then him...he wouldn't leave the poor guy alone:). 

They girls enjoyed lots of attention from the girl cousins at the parade and the boys enjoyed running for candy!

It was a very hot day and towards the end of the parade the girls were tuckered out. 

Then we were off to grandma and grandpas for a bbq and swimming.

We came home for a couple of hours and then me and the boys headed out to Menan to meet all the cousins!  While they waited for the fireworks they played and wrestled together. 

I'm grateful for the country we live in and love traditions that remind us and help us celebrate!!!!  We are so excited that we got to have extra family join us in the festivities!

a 7 year old....

It's crazy to me that I now have a 7 year old.

To celebrate Jaden's birthday he got to choose what he wanted for breakfast....pancakes, yogurt and soda (we don't drink soda in our home so this was extra special).

We let him open his presents in the morning too so he could enjoy them all day!

During the day Gracie and Easton came and played and they had pizza and cookies for lunch!!!!

For dinner we went out to dinner and Jaden finished his dinner with birthday ice cream.

Then the day after his birthday he celebrated with his friends.  He wanted a sports themed party so we did it our gym in the YAC.  It has a bunch of games and a basket ballhoop.  All the kids had a lot of fun!!!

I love this kid!  He is getting stubborn and that makes for some interesting days but he can also be the sweetest boy I've ever known.  He mind is always running and he has so many ideas!

He has one more item he requested in celebration of his birthday and that is to go golfing with dad.  They were going to go Saturday morning but instead headed to the reservation for fireworks. 

Tae Kwon Do

When Jaden turned 4 and was old enough to do the city sport programs I signed him up for all of them.  I was determined that he was going to be the best at all the sports and I was going to have a little "All Star" on my hands.  You can imagine my disappointment when he hated all of them and would often refuse to play or put in minimal effort.  So when he was 5 I gave up.  He didn't get to do anything!!!! 

Last winter we tried again with Ice skating because he begged and he had done so well the previous year at a practice lesson but it was a repeat, "I'm too cold."

So for the past 4 months Jaden has begged to do Tae Kwon Do and for the past 4 months I've reminded him how quickly he gets tired of something and that I don't like the fight getting him there.

We started researching different places and really wanted to do it at our gym because I could put the girls in daycare.  He did a trial class and the teacher was amazed at his coordination for his age but we weren't convinced.  It's a year contract and I dread the thought of dragging him to two lessons a week.

We then got a thing in the mail for a 7 week summer program from a place my friend raved about.  We decided to bite the bullet and try it.

Jaden has only went twice but he's went with a big smile on his face and he can't wait to go back.  On his 2nd lesson he had to test for his white belt.

I would love it if this works out and is something he does year-round.

I do worry about how to keep this up twice a week with 3 younger ones.  Chris does not want Jaden to take from the guy at our gym (he thought he was way to hard on the kids and loved the techniques they used here.)  I do know that we'll make it work if it's something he gives his all!!!