Island Park

Well, the boys and I had a great vacation with my family this past week. We were able to go to Island Park and be there for 7 days. It was pretty fun! My family has a cabin there and every year we get to go there for a week. It's always a good time and definitely a highlight for us all to look forward to. Unfortunately, Scott wasn't able to join us for the whole week, but he was able to come for 2 days which was really nice. Just so you know there are going to be lots of pictures, so I hope you can bare with me.

Baby Ripken (nephew), Maycee (niece), Savannah (niece), and Koen. These girls were so good about holding the babies. They were always asking and of course we would let them. They are going to be great babysitters :)

This is my niece Quinnleigh and I. We were a team for the Kesler Family Bingo that my sister-in-law, Sarah-Jane put together. Great game, Sarah! It was definitely a hit.

This is as far as Austin would get into the water. It was a little chilly. I was actually impressed he got in that far.

This is my studdly, brave nephew Kobe. He is a stallion. He tried two-skiing for the first time and did awesome.
This is Kobe's older brother, Cooper, who also tried skiing for the first time and did awesome. He eventually became part of the early morning skiers.

Koen, just hanging out in his usual spot at the cabin. There wasn't much there for him to do. He did really good though and was pretty happy for the most part. He did enjoy being outside and being in his bouncer.

Grandpa had this wood cut out in advance for the kids to make their own boats and Austin was loving that. He played with his a ton and even wore the goggles and help him in the water. He was so insistent on putting them on by himself too - can you tell?

Austin is really into grandma and grandpa's family home evening. I think that's a first! :)

Most of the grandkids lined up to play red light, green light with grandma.

After so many years, my dad still has it in him. Way to go, Dad!

My oldest brother, Cameron, loves to snorkel and was having a great time trying to catch a crawfish. No luck, but it was fun to watch!

Scott and I braved the tubes and had a great ride. I thought Scott was going to kill me when he would come flying over the wake. I was so sore after this. I was having to hang on for dear life.
This picture didn't turn out like I wanted it to, but this is Scott skiing in the sunset. He only got a few runs in the days he was there, but did a great job. We were pushing daylight for this one.
Our little family after church at Big Springs.
My older brother, Landon and his brave son, Kobe surfing. I swear Landon's kids have no fear. I love it!

Austin, me, Kobe (nephew), and Quinnleigh (niece) just playin on the air bed as it deflates.

Some of the boys with their water guns that Uncle Cameron gave them. Caden (nephew), Kobe, and Austin.

Some of the girls with their lip gloss rings that Uncle Cameron gave them. Quinnleigh, Belle (niece), and Savannah (niece)

My younger, goony sister Kelsi. She loves the camera - can you tell?

And Koen in his other usual spot (the high chair). It seemed like he was eating all the time, but so were the rest of us.

It was a great week and we had a great time. Thanks to my family for helping me out with the boys when my husband couldn't be there and for making it a great time! I'm already looking forward for next year!

We're off to see the Wizard . . .

Scott and I were invited a little while ago by his sister to attend The Wizard of Oz at the Mystique theater in Pocatello and we finally were able to go this last weekend. I was really excited about it (I don't know how excited Scott was, but he went with it). As we are walking into the theater, a little older lady walked in behind us & I just thought she was in the play. We sat down to eat & started browsing through the program and saw this on the back. . .

She is a REAL munchkin from the Movie back in 1939. I guess she makes a living traveling around signing autographs. She was the cutest little lady. I did take a picture with her, but it was on my phone so I couldn't transfer it, but it was the coolest thing. And yes I broke down and paid the $5 to get her autograph. I'm kind of a sucker for those kinds of things. She got up at the beginning before the play started and talked a little bit about the movie and answered some questions. She is one of 8 munchkins still living. (There were 125 in the movie.)

Anyways - it was really cool to meet a real munchkin (a famous person if you will). The play was really good and we had a great time. Thanks Kaci for the invite. We had a great time! (Well, I did!)

4th of July Weekend!

WOW! What a great weekend we had! It was very funfilled and entertaining! It all started by waking up on the 4th of July and heading over to the Blackfoot Airport to meet up with one of our really good friends, Josh Miles, who was flying in from Rexburg. He was so kind to take Scott and I for a plane ride. I had never been in a little plane before, in fact, I have only flown twice in my life. It was a thrill! We went up and flew over our house and found a couple other ones and then he did a trick called the "belly jiggler". It was so crazy. The only thing I can compare the feeling to is the "Rocket" at Lagoon. You are up in the air and somehow you get the plane to feel like it just shuts off and then you just start free falling. It was so fun! Thanks so much Josh! I had a blast!

When I landed, Austin wanted to sit in the plane for a moment. We let him know what it feel like to sit in a plane.

Austin thought it was the coolest thing!

Then it was Scott's turn! He flew back to Rexburg with Josh and had a great time. It was nice for them to chat and have some time together before Josh left for dental school. Thank you so much, Josh! That was incredible! Good Luck in school! We will miss you guys!

Later that day we had an extended Kesler family reunion at my Grandpa's house. It was a good time. We played in the backyard and visited with everyone trying to catch up on eachother's lives. Austin and the rest of the kids (and some adults) had a great time on the slip-n-slide.

It took Austin a while to get used to the slide, so he would just run down it for awhile!

Grandpa Kesler finally got him to slide down on his tummy! Great job Dad!

Bostin Kesler (My nephew) and Will Jackson (my cousin's little boy) a.k.a. the underwear boys (they were sliding just in their underwear) were loving the slip-n-slide especially with the ski rope.

Later that night, the fireworks got pulled out and the kids were loving the sparklers.

Right after this sparkler went out, Austin grabbed the part that had been on fire. He was hurting for a little while, but got over it pretty fast and wanted another one.

It was great to be among so much family because Koen was passed around like crazy.

Watching the Blackfoot firework show. Can you tell that Koen and I are so tired?

Saturday we went with my family to Jensen's Grove (the local lake) and had a great time being in the sun, playing in the water, and visiting. Scott had his first ski run of the year and did a great job.

He did awesome and it was really fun to watch him!

Belle (my niece), Kelsi (my sister), Jordan (my brother), and Austin

And this is Addison (my niece). She was so funny! We gave her this apple and she was going to town on it. Great face Jordan! We had a great weekend! Thanks Scott and everyone else for such a great weekend!

First official camping trip of 2008

Two weekends ago, the Ulrich family all went camping for the weekend up in Heise. It was a great time and the weather was perfect. We loved being able to play in the sun, the dirt, riding 4-wheelers, and just hanging out as a family. It was a great time. We were able to celebrate Scott's mom's birthday while we were there. She loves to be camping on her birthday, so it has become a tradition to go this weekend and celebrate while we are there. We love to do it and always have a great time. Here are some pics from the occasion.

Koen was excited about his first camping trip!

The kids always love to sit on the 4-wheelers and pretend like they are driving. (Austin, Carsen, Kamdyn, Macie, and Makenzie)

Austin, Carsen, and Nate (Where in the world does Austin get those nostrils? I think I have a good guess)

Some super cute neices love taking pictures! (Kamdyn and Macie)

Austin checking out his competition. He is very competitive - can you tell?

Teaching Austin to go potty in the wilderness was a little more difficult than we thought it would be (even though there were trailors to go potty in). Thanks to Brady and Edee for providing the child potty. That sure was handy and very convenient.

Austin loves it when Scott takes him for a ride. He loves being with daddy!

Scott went fishing that Saturday morning with his dad and he caught a trout for his mom for her birthday breakfast that morning. She was so excited! Way to go, Idaho! (inside joke - sorry!)

Whenever one of the adults would go to get on a 4-wheeler, all the kids would run over and say, "I want a ride" and so we had many mini rides with as many kids as possible (Scotlyn, Austin, Carsen, Brady, and Makenzie)

These two are little buddies. It sure is fun to see them grow up together. They are almost 2 months apart. (Austin and Carsen)

Our first camping trip as a family of 4. WEIRD!

Koen

Austin

My super hot hubby!

Thanks Ulrichs for a great weekend. It was way fun!

Obsessed Much???

Austin has a bit of an obsession (I guess you could call it that.) He is also a little bit particular about how things need to be and how they are done. (I don't really know where he gets that from :) Lately he takes these cars with him everywhere. They are the Lego version of the cars from the movie CARS. When he takes them to bed, they have to be right by him and in a certain order and in a particular spot. They have to be lined up just right or else it just ruins everything. It is so funny how precise he is. If they are a little bit off, he has to fix it. It's so funny to see that in such a young little boy. He is pretty funny about it though, but then again it can be very irritating.

Happy Father's Day!

I just wanted to wish all the fathers a Happy Father's Day, especially Scott! He is such an amazing dad and I am so grateful I have him as the father of my children. He always knows how to make them smile and laugh and teaches them so well. He is such a good example to them seeing as Austin copies everything. He works so hard to take care of our little family and I am so grateful for that!

As you can tell, the boys love to be with him. Scott is the first thing Austin asks for when he wakes up and before he goes to bed and they both light up with Scott comes in the room. He is such a good dad and I am so glad that he chose me to be with him for eternity. Thanks so much Scott for all you do. You are amazing and I love you so much! Happy Father's Day!!!