Pocatello Zoo and Twin Falls too!

This past weekend the kids and I headed down to Pocatello and then to Twin to celebrate my nephew,Colin's, birthday. While in Poky we decided to take the kids to the zoo. Although the Pocatello Zoo is much nicer than when I was a kid, it still isn't that great. Saw some bears, buffs, goates, mountain sheep...yea that's about it. Oh well, we had a good time. McKinlee was in one of her usual moods and was slightly grumpy, so that always makes it interesting!

Colin's birthday was fun. Gretchen had planned a monkey themed party in her NEW house (which is very very nice, by the way). The whole party did follow that theme...in fact there were moments where it was more like an actual zoo! This was the first time that all 11 grandkids had been together....CRAZY! We did have a good time and McKinlee and Logan loved playing in the water with their cousins. I even jumped in for the fun! Gretchen was very brave to have everyone over and we are glad she did! In a few weeks we have the Mayes family reunion at my moms house and that will be just as caotic but we haven't been able to be together as an entire family for years and years...so it is about time!

McKinlee and my mom after going down the slide
During the tree house slide
Looking at the bears
Logan getting eyed up by the coyotes
Look at his poor nose...must have taken a head dive at daycare....
Aunt JuJu giving MJ a shoulder ride...it was hot hot hot and I have to give JuJu props for being willing to do that!
This is during one of MJ's mood swings...I am not quite sure what happened to cause her to be a grump, but she was!
Logan nad grandma...there are supposed to be turkeys in the background
MJ with the turkeys (before the mood swing)
MJ and the big horn sheeps


Posing in front of the bears
Logan eating cake...after colin had had his chance at the cake, Logan of course had to go and get his fair share...i do believe he at the entire monkey cake. He would go grab a handful and walk around eating it and then go back for more.
All the kids getting in on the action

Espen holding Logand and Korban and Hayden
Harrison and the Logan and MJ in the monkey themed swimming pool!
He does believe he is cool...what a show off!
Logan and Quinn just hanging out



Happy to be outside!

4th of July and some good family FUN!

We were lucky to have my sisters and parents and JuJu come up and spend the 4th with us. It was way fun! I do believe some of the best times, though, were just being able to sit and chat with my sisters, mom and aunt. It is so nice to have everyone so close!

I had to work during most of the day on the 4th, but everyone was willing to take my kids with them to the parade that morning. Jared was in the parade manning the fire station's 'patches the dog' (will make more sense when you see the pictures). The kids had a great time and actually came home and crashed for about 3 hours afterward! I was able to get off work at about 4 and then spend the rest of the evening with my family.

Jared and I decided to rent one of those big bounce houses for all the neighborhood to see and use. What a great thing to do! The kids LOVED it and it gave them something to do all afternoon. By the time the fireworks were going off, the kids were exhausted and most of them were in bed. McKinlee asked to go to bed half way through the Brookside Hollow firework extravaganza! Us and a few neighbors went and bought some 'off the ground' fireworks and had our own little show. It was great! What made it even better was not having to fight the crowds, watching them in our pj's, and being able to immediately go inside and eat cobbler!

FUN FUN FUN! PICTURES PICTURES PICTURES! MJ at the parade...not a fan of loud noises!
Logan...that's a surprise, he has food in his mouth!
Grandpa 'Bill' and MJ
Logan watching the parade...not so sure what he is doing in the purple and pink stroller....
Jared and Patches! Patches squirts water at everyone...
The 3 nephews....Grandma of course had to get them all matching outfits!
Logan, happy happy happy!
MJ posing for the camera
Isn't he cute?!
Jared and patches


Jared and Jason doing fireworks
Mom and MJ snuggling watching the fireworks
Grandma and Logan cuddling
MJ and the neighbor kids
Mom and Logi
Neighbor kids again
Aunt Gretchen reading to MJ
Jared and I couldn't just let the kids have fun in the bouncer!
the 3 boys in the tub
AWWW....MJ and Luke