Mom, watch!

One of the hardest things about having four kids is when they all want to talk at once.  I don't handle chaos well, so I get overwhelmed pretty easily.  It is so hard when they all start talking to me at once.

This happens when we go somewhere and they all want to show me something.  We went over to Lakeview to enjoy another warm afternoon and I think I heard, "mom, watch" two hundred times!

Hallee was so proud of herself for climbing to the top of the spiderweb.

Jonah came over with us.  I tried to get a picture of him dunking the ball, but I only caught his face afterwards.

Hallee and Wyatt were so excited to show me all of the things that they do during recess.  Wyatt loves to play on the monkey bars and Hallee likes to play on the spiders web.

I took Hallee and Wyatt over again the next day and they had fun rolling down the hill.

Wyatt wanted to show me his Spiderman pose on the witches hat.

Hallee wanted to make cookies one night.  I was feeling overwhelmed with anxiety so Keith said he would make them with her.  They made snickerdoodles.  We put the dough in the fridge overnight and then Hallee and I baked them the next day.  They were the best snickerdoodles I have ever had! I think Hallee and Keith should make cookies more often.  

We set up our Christmas stuff a few days before Thanksgiving this year.  I think everyone can use some extra holiday cheer this year!

Caitlyn taught us that night using things she learned in seminary.  It was so good.  I love sitting around a lit Christmas tree!

Tiff and the kids came over last Saturday.  We hadn't seen them for a couple of weeks so we were all pretty excited.  Hallee was really excited to give Tessa her birthday present. My kids were in heaven playing with them all day and I was so happy to have time to visit with Tiff.

Caitlyn is such a good big sister.  She had a tea party with Hallee on Sunday.  Caitlyn is always so thoughtful and willing to do what other people want to do.

Utah Lake State Park

The weather turned cold while we were in Oregon, but it went back to the 50's and 60's when we got home.  It's been so nice, but it doesn't feel like November. 

I feel pressure to get out and enjoy this nice weather.  One afternoon we decided to go to Utah Lake State Park.  I talked Caitlyn, Wyatt and Hallee into going.  

I thought it was cheaper in the winter, but it was still $10 to get in.  I debated when we pulled up, but then a car came in behind me so I just paid the money and we went in.

There isn't a ton to do in here, I think it is mostly for water toys.  We had fun throwing rocks in the water and looking at the ducks.  The views were beautiful.

Wyatt found these things that stick on your clothes and had fun with those.

He had fun throwing them on our backs and then he stuck a bunch of them on his pants. 

There was an older couple that brought corn to feed the ducks.  The man gave corn to the kids so they could feed the ducks too.

Hallee loved feeding the ducks and having them all crowd around them.

Caitlyn fed the ducks right out of her hand.  I'm glad we got out and enjoyed the great weather!

Quality Time

Our favorite thing about the trip was having quality time with the Hams!

It was great to visit every day during lunch and dinner.  One night the adults went out to dinner.  It was so fun and such good food!  There were years that I feel like I hardly talked to Gary and Julie because we were always chasing kids.  I love this stage where we can just sit and visit!

We had fun playing games. 

The boys loved to play Brawl Stars together.

Jacob brought his Nintendo Switch and all the kids had fun playing Smash Bros.  I loved hearing Jacob invite Hallee and Caitlyn every time he played, he is such a nice kid.  Jacob loved having Gary play with him.

We also had lots of time to visit while we walked down to the beach.

I would help Hallee shower and change every day after the pool so she didn't have to walk up in wet clothes.  We always had a fun walk back. We liked to stop and look at the birds.

They had Christmas lights up, that was fun.

Ashley and Caitlyn had a great time together.  They loved watching shows together, going to the beach at low tide and playing games. 

Gary and Julie took the boys down to the beach when there was a break in the rain on Saturday. 

Wyatt was in heaven playing with Ammon.  

Wyatt and Ammon loved to wrestle, play brawl stars and chase each other on the beach.

I love watching my kids have so much fun with their cousins. 

Wyatt slept out with the boys on the last night.  They were watching funny videos before bed.  I loved hearing them all laugh together.  The week went by so fast!  We were all sad to leave on Sunday.  It was such a long drive home, but the weather cooperated, so we were grateful for that.  It was the perfect vacation and I'm so grateful we got to go. Thank you Gary and Julie, we loved every minute of it!

Watching the waves roll in

Friday and Saturday morning I walked over to the Devil's punchbowl. Saturday it was raining on the way there and the way back, but I had some time to enjoy the view without rain.

I love watching the waves roll in.  I think I could sit and watch it all day.

I also love the sound! There were some pretty big waves on Saturday so I got to watch them crash against the rocks.

Julie took this picture when we were inside the punchbowl. It's gorgeous!

After I watched the punchbowl for a while I would look at all of the different view points.

Everywhere you look there is another beautiful view. 

I love this view of Otter Crest.

Here are the waves coming in on Beverly Beach.

Gary and Julie went on a run every morning.  Julie took this picture from Cape Fowl Weather.

Saturday it pretty much poured all day.  Gary and Julie saw huge waves on their run, so we drove down to a lookout point to watch them.

The waves were so big.  It was so fun to watch them crash into the rocks.

We had two umbrellas so most of us were able to stay dry under those.

The waves looked like something you would see on a cartoon, where an animal comes riding in on a perfect, big wave.

I just love the sound of waves in the ocean!

Julie said the waves were touching the bridge when they were running.

We bought ponchos for the trip.  They came in handy for my walk in the morning and Wyatt used one instead of standing under the umbrella.

That would be amazing to have that house and sit out on your deck and watch the ocean.

We stopped at Cape Fowl Weather.  It was pouring and so windy so we only lasted a few seconds.