South Umpqua Falls

I can never get over the amazing things there are to do in Douglas County.  Who knew we had a natural water park in our own backyard.  Our friends the Landers took us to this amazing spot on the South Umpqua.  The slides were so much fun.

Richard's Landscape Project

When we got home from Utah, Richard decided it was time to beautify our front yard.  We trimmed all the bushes, spread mulch, built a small retaining wall, added walkways and some cute little lights.  The fun thing was that it was all Richard's idea...yeah, even the cute little lights.  Now we can't stop looking at our yard.

hh

Douglas County Fair

We had a blast at the fair this year.  We went on the day when you can get in for free if you decorate a vegetable.  My favorite creation was one that Mr. M came up with .  He put three baby carrots in a gutted cucumber like three little guys in a boat and even made a rudder out of a carrot.  We all got a kick out of J Man and his green helicopter ride.  We laughed so hard watching him take the controls so seriously.  The best ride for the little ones are the rides to and from the fair on the school bus.  It is their dream come true.

Rub a Dub Dub, Three Men in a Shower

While in Utah, Richard and Mr. M spent a lot of time helping Clayton with a bathroom remodel for their mom.  Clayton designed the shower with an arch and a lot of great tile and stone creations.  I am kicking myself that I forgot to take a picture of the finished product.  Richard learned so much from Clayton's patient mentoring.  It was fun to see the three of them working together and trying to fit in the shower.

Utah as Tourists

We spent two weeks in Utah visiting family and friends.  It was fun being there as visitors because we actually went to see some of the fun sights.  Here are the highlights from our trip.

I had to put this one in because a highlight for any mom on a 13 hour drive is sleeping babies.

Only one casualty on the road...poor dumb bird

Touring BYU campus (complete with the old boring commentary about where Mom and Dad went to class, etc. "Back when I went to school here...")

My friend Allison and her cute baby

Seven Peaks with the Espinosas, Grandma Baughman, Uncle Russ and Uncle Reid

The Conference Center roof tour and Temple Square with Grandma Baughman and the Briganti family

My cousin Danny

Taylor family

McUne family

Gunnell cousins

Uncle Clayton

Oquirrh Mountain Temple open house with Kim, Grandma Vance and Uncle Clayton

The Gale Center where the kids pretended to be farmers in the olden days.  

It was a great trip.

Gardner Reunion

The Gardner reunion was a lot of fun.  We drove the 13 hours out to Utah for the occasion.  The kids had a blast with their cousins, uncles, aunts and grandparents.  One of the highlights was a 5K race that our two oldest ran with their cousins.  We were so impressed with their endurance!!  Our youngest was obsessed with strollers the entire time, as was her cousin.  They pushed the strollers all around the campsite and even had some stroller derbies.  Good times.

The Green Birthday Party

So our little J Man turned four.  His older siblings put on a fabulous green party for him because he loves green.  All the hats and decor were green.  All the presents were even green.  They went all out for their little brother.  All I had to do was drive them to the store and provide the cash.  It was a blast!!