Camping

We have gone camping three times this summer but the other two times I have neglected to take any pictures. So this time I made sure we took some. Granted they were taken the morning we were packing up, but who cares. It's the thought that counts. We went with our good friends the Andrews and had a blast!

Here is our little family in front of the tent. Again, this was taken the morning after. Don't we look like we had a good nights sleep?

Luke and Brooke in their sleeping bags. Yes, I made them get back into them that morning so I could have a picture. Just imagine them sound asleep under the stars.

Here are Liz and Greg. They are so fun. Sorry again for the early wake-up call from Luke and Brooke. What can I say, they love singing Hannah Montana at 7:00am!

Luke and Brooke sitting by the .....Fire????? Not really. I was in charge of bringing the firewood and I thought I got enough. Oops. We were freezing the next morning.

Who will he kill next???? JR bought this axe-I am not sure why since we have to bring our own chopped wood. I guess it's a guy thing? Luke liked playing with it though.

Here he goes!

So, I guess my son is getting old. After he saw his friend ride his bike w/out training wheels, he decided he wanted to take his off too. Since we live in an area where there are so many hills, he has probably only riden his bike five times. I have to load their bikes in the van and then drive him to the church parking lot-I guess that is too much to ask of a mom :) Anyway, I was a little bit skeptical at first because I didn't think he would be able to do it. But, he got on and off he went. No help from me or JR mind you. He has fallen only twice and loves riding around in circles on our deck in the back yard. Yes, for family home evening I did take him to ride his bike at the church parking lot and now everyday he asks me to take him there. But seeing his happy face going way too fast is sure worth the trip!


Here is JR taking off the training wheels.

Here goes nothing. I wonder if this is what it will feel like when we hand him over the car keys to learn how to drive? No wait, we will just make him ride his bike forever. When he is sixteen, maybey we will buy him a two-seater to take girls out on dates.

He did it! He just took off. No fear at all. Good job Luke!

PS I know that most kids don't wear elbow or knee pads to ride their bikes, but he just got a skate board and he has to wear them for that so I made him put them on too. I will probably request he wears at least a helmet when he learns to drive a car. You can never be too careful.

China Town, Cable Cars, Lombard Street, OH MY!!!!

One of my best friends, Katie Rojas, and her three daughters are visiting us this week. We have been busy sightseeing and going way too many places with our five kids. Here are some pictures of some of the things we have been up to:


Here we are at a tiny Fortune Cookie Factory. Did you know that fortune cookies were created in the US??

Here is Brooke trying on a funny hat. She could pass as an Asian girl right?

Here is Luke trying to be a giesha. He loves playing with fans.

Here we are trying to get onto a Cable Car. We stayed on for two stops and then decided to get off since it was obvious that nobody wanted us on. Me, 7 months pregnant, 5 kids, 1 stroller and Katie all trying to fit into a crowded cable car was a pretty funny sight!

Here is Lombard street from the bottom. Katie stood up through my sun-roof to get this shot. The kids had fun driving down the crooked street and enjoyed playing "ride the roller coaster" on some of the other hilly streets in the city.

Here is Katie painting all the kids faces. She is an art major and did this for fun.

Look how cute they turned out!!!! Here is Luke, Lucy, Carmen, and Brooke. They loved them! THANKS KATIE


Here we are looking at the Golden Gate Bridge. See it is foggy in July!


Luke, Lucy, and Brooke were collecting sand-dollars at the beach.


Here are the kids playing at the park by JR's work.

Edwards' Family Get-together

We had lots of fun visiting JR's family in Sun Valley ID. Thanks Christi for being a wonderful hostess. Here are some of the highlights of the trip.

JR riding our brother-in-laws motorbike. What do you think he wants for Christmas now. Hey, they do get good gas mileage right?

Luke and Brooke getting ready for the parade.

Swimmimg at the YMCA pool. I love those goggles!

Luke and Brooke snuggling with Grandpa Paul (JR's dad)

JR and Luke on the jet skies. And this is something else on JR's list for Christmas. There is Uncle Brad in the back. They hogged the jet skies the whole day.

Here I am 6 months pregnant with our little girl. We think we will name her Caitlynn. I don't usually look so glamorous.

Our little family.

Trying to get the cousins to sit together and smile. Poor Brooke is the only girl.

JR and his grandpa Edwards.

Luke, Hunter, Brooke and Porter at a park in Haily ID.

Luke and Brooke getting ready for a bike ride with Dad.

There they go!!!!

Here we are at another splash park.

Look at Luke's smile. Dosen't it look like he had a great time! We ALL had a blast and wish we didn't have to return to reality. Oh, well. There is always Christmas, right hun.