Tooth Ultimatum

Aparri got her first loose tooth!!! And boy was she excited....but she didn't wiggle that thing enough and the permanent tooth started to grow in behind.  So we finally had to give Aparri an ultimatum...   She had to wiggle that tooth and make it come out before we got home from the trip or Mom and Dad were going to pull it out for her!  Well, Aparri didn't wiggle and didn't wiggle and didn't wiggle....so when we were 30 minutes from home...Mom started wiggling that tooth for her...and boy she was NOT HAPPY BOB...NOT HAPPY!! I think people in Texas could hear her screaming!  But, it was successful...after a few Mom Wiggles and a few Mom pulls...out popped that tooth!  Waalaa...Aparri has officially joined the lost tooth club!  Whoohooo.

A Cousin for Everyone!

While in Utah, we were able to see the Ernst Crew!  They also have 5 kids.... 4 girls and 1 boy and they all line up pretty closely to the ages of all of our kids!  So it is nice that everyone has a playmate!  This was also the first time that we were able to meet little Ivy!!  What a cutie!  Even though it has only been a few months since we had Erica, its hard to remember how small little babies are!  CJ and Easton were trying to make a "sibling trade" deal with Aparri.  An Easton for an Aparri! Every time we see the Ernst family, Easton and CJ are always trying to find a way to get Easton to stow away in a suitcase and join our family!  He is dying to be around some more boys!!  And Aparri is always sad to leave all the girls!!!  We have to count kids carefully whenever we leave to make sure we have the right kids in our car!

Erica Meets Great Grandma Smith

When we asked Uncle Brad where we should take Grandma and Duck (Matthew) for lunch, he recommend the Old Grist Mill.  Hmmm interesting name...but ok!  Oh my, we have a new favorite.  It was an amazing place with delicious sandwiches, soups, and desserts all homemade and yummy!  Every time we pass through Utah, we are going to have to put Old Grist Mill on the must stop and eat list!  Thanks Brad!  The kids kept themselves entertained by seeing how long they can make their straw.  Luckily no drinks were spilled in this attempt...a miracle!

Makeovers and Guns

The girls got makeovers and the boys shot guns!  Sounds about right, doesn't it?  Kathy has a friend that came over and showed us some fun things to do with makeup and gave us facials.  When the boys heard what the girls were up to, they quickly made plans of their own and headed for the hills...literally!  Off to the desert they wandered with trucks, guns, and ammo!  As different as they were, I think both parties were happy with their own plans!

Aparri is our beautiful girl that loves girly things, but is also brave and tough and loves "boy" things too!  So after she got all beautified with a makeover, she crossed over and shot the gun too!!

S'More Fun in Rigby

We had an outdoor firepit and smores!  Everyone had fun roasting marshmallos and making yummy sticky creations.  Marshmallo preferences were fun to see...burnt, golden brown, large marshmallo, flat marshmallo and everything in between.   

Since Laura can't have chocolate (Erica screams the day after) - she got a little creative with her smore.  She made an oatmeal cookie smore...seemed like a good idea at the time and it tasted good until about 1/2 way  down...then not so good...and then Laura spent all the next day sick as a dog....yuck.  Good idea?  Hmmm maybe not!  I don't think we will do that again.  I think we will stick with the traditional smore. 

With so much fun in the air, we manged to wear out the crew....Detric crashed on the edge of the  authentic heirloom gold chair.  How he managed to stay put and not fall off is a miracle!  That kids got skills!  Even in his sleep!...and notice the glove (s)!!

Just a big KID

I Just LOVE this Picture!!!  I can't get enough of it!  It makes me smile!  I love this "Big Kid" of mine!

Brett and Kathy have baby goats!!! Our kids were super excited to spend time with Brett and Kathy's "kids".  Kathy and Brett were gracious and let us go into the yard and feed them, pet them, run with them, and love them.  There was a mama goat, daddy goat, and several kids.  All the kids loved the goats, but Preston our animal lover was in goat heaven!  When we were at the house, Preston wouldn't leave the goat pen!  Poor goats weren't used to so much attention!! All love....but lots of attention none the less - so we had to find other activities to keep Preston and the other kids busy so the goats could have a break now and again!