Onion Days!

I love that our town's celebration is known as Onion Days. Sound so inviting! But it is a lot of fun. We are lucky enough to be able to watch the parade in front of our Bishop's house and eat breakfast there before the parade. We went to the carnival too, and had a lot of fun although it was chaotic. The night we went was "family night" where all rides were just 1 ticket, so needless to say it was CROWDED. Add Riley + friend + Malia + big stroller + lots and lots of noise = a little bit stressful. The worst part was when Riley's friend, who is a titch taller than him, was allowed on a really cool ride and Riley was turned away. So Riley and I went on the Gravitron that spins around and presses you up against the walls. Felt like I was going to puke! And the ride smelled like puke so that didn't help. But Riley loved it and it took his mind off the ride he wasn't able to go on.

The only carnival picture we got. You can see Malia's bum on the right side.

This is just thrown into this post randomly, but I had to post this because it meant so much to me. I had a really bad night at work recently, and came home dog tired and really down one morning. I saw this picture on the counter, and knew Riley had worked really hard on it the night before. It meant SO much to me and helped me re prioritize and know that having Riley's love is more important that anything to do with work!
At the parade. I love this new jacket of Malia's.
Open mouth picture #1.
Open mouth picture #2.

Open mouth picture #3. Malia sat and ate candy the whole parade. Kept her very well behaved.

Riley was a more determined candy getter this year than any year before. He's catching on to this parade thing!
Malia and her best buddy.

I thought this guy was brave.

First Grade, Buddies, and Picnics

This post is a little late, but life is busy and there's not a lot of time for extra's. However, I do feel it's important to post fun things and milestones for my "blog book".

Riley recently started 1st grade! He is doing really well and seems to love his teacher. I got some pictures on his first day and by the last picture he was giving me the "Enough all ready, mom" look.

All ready!

Found his seat, and it's across from his friend (the little blonde girl). They gave eachother the cutest, shy smile. Malia (as seen in yellow pajamas) thought this was her big day and that she would stay too. She protested loudly when I made her leave with me.

And he's ready for me to leave. The look sais it all.

Malia with her little buddy. They are so cute together. They are about the same age and exactly the same size.

Riley finally got a long awaited sleep over with his buddy. They had such a great time. Lot's of junk food and running around and movies. I remember being a kid and loving sleepovers with friends!
We went for a drive one Sunday up on the Nebo loop. It was so pretty and felt so good. Just a little breeze. The kids had a good time throwing rocks off the moutain.

I love having a boy and a girl! They are both so cute and different, and yet they have funny similarities too both in the way they look and act.
Big huge puffballs for Riley to blow.

Camping is Fun.

A long awaited family reunion with my mom's side, the Blackers!

This was on the drive there......I love that chubby neck!
Riley discovers hand surfing.

Nothing beats cramming a smallish vehicle with everything you need to live in and live on for 2-3 days! I was voting for hotels for all future trips until we got to the beautiful woods near Mirror Lake and I realized how fun camping can be, especially if you are a kid and have no real responsibility!

From left to right: Grandma Lynn Blacker, Ali (my Aunt), Me, Malia, Julie(Aunt), Laura(Aunt), Ary(my cousin, Laura's daughter)

I LOVE Malia's double chin. Riley was so bugged by Malia because she kept toying with his pillow. I swear, she knows how to push his buttons and she really gets joy from it.

Our first morning! Ben cooking breakfast, the kids looking adorable.

Me and my honey's by Mirror Lake.

Nothin's cuter on a little girl than a big brown butt stain. This is mudd, not the other.

I love when we can get a cute picture of them together, smiling!

My beautiful Aunt Allison. I know, she is so young. They look so cute together!

Ben picked this flower for me, and I loved how the roots and dirt clump were part of the gift :)

Stirring the chicken with a piece of wood. Yum.

Here's where it turned ugly! Packing up in the rain. Blah!

Oh you can bet the family bonding was intense on the way home. None of us were grumpy or tired. Nope.