Zoo Trip

After a little break from the blog, I have decided to finally get the last few pictures I have of Idaho. One day we took a trip to the IF zoo with Grandma and Grandpa Jocko. The boys had a great time! Grandpa entered a picture of Owen into a local contest (unfortunately, I do not have the picture on the blog) and it won an award. Out little model...

Briggs, Grandma, Owen, and Dad checking out the black bears

Briggs and Owen on the Tiger

Owen being a lion

The boys checking out some animal

The 4th of July

We always try to plan our family vacation to Idaho over the 4th of July, because it always seems to be great weather and great traditions. The day starts off with heading over to my Grandma Burton's house. From there we walk down to the parade where all our extended family is. Then after the parade it's back to grandma's for lots and lots of goodies and running around with all the cousins.
I have so many great memories of this house growing up and spending time with my cousins here, that it was fun to watch the boys making those same memories with their cousins. Grandma always loves to have people over and never wants you to leave!!

Hallie, Lexi, Briggs and Owen in Grandma's front yard

Hanging out in the front yard

Owen, Brooke, Lexi, Kylie

That afternoon everyone heads over to my mom's (grandma Jocko's) for a BBQ. This is a picture of the kids getting ready to play a game

The parents relaxing while the kids run wild
Brandt, Bart, Rob, and Kim

Then the day end with fireworks at the river!!
Owen, Briggs, Blake, Tyler, Kylie, Brooke, Lexi

Brooke, Briggs, Owen, Kylie, and yes, that would be a garbage bag full of popcorn!!

Kennedy, Blake, Tyler, Madi, Kylie, Brooke, Owen, Lexi Briggs

Just in case that was not enough fun for the day... The kids all got to go to Bart and Kim's after the fireworks and watch a movie.

Boys Night Out

Rob felt like if he was in Idaho he had to go camping. My brothers, unfortunately are not the stereotypical Idahoans and really had no interest in camping. Rob however, was able to convince them of an evening up in the mountains, roasting hot dogs and eating smores.

Briggs and his dog

Happy boys eating LOTS of smores

Seriously...They actually cooked in that... Hope everyone is caught up on their tetanus shots!!

Uncle Bart, Owen
Briggs, Brayden, Jake, and Houston

And Here We Have Idaho...

What could be better than staying up late, sleeping in, beautiful weather, hanging out with 19 of your cousins, 6 grandparents, no shoes, lots of junk food... this is how the boys spent 3 weeks during the summer LOVING every minute of it...

All the cousins on the rocking boat at the park

Letting the new kid know that "only cousins were allowed on the boat"

Briggs' "Car Seat" swing

Owen happy as can be

Briggs running around with Houston. He was soo excited to play with Houston for weeks leading up to the trip

Briggs, Houston, Jake, Brayden, and Owen

Brooke and Briggs

Brooke, Owen, and Briggs

We stayed in my Mom's basement, which was great, because it was so dark that the boys would sleep in until after 9am every morning

Eating the famous, girls night in treat... Lightly cooked cookie dough, hot fudge, caramel, and ice cream

Owen and Hallie

Briggs, Parker and Owen having a slumber party

The cousins at one of many tee-ball games

Enter....where???

After Lake Powell we headed to see my sister, Amy and her family in Enterprise. It was fun to see their house and play with all the cousins. The boys did not stop the whole time they were there.
When we got there the boys went horse back riding. Then on the four wheeler. The next day they got to play all morning with cousins, until church. After church we left to head up to Salt Lake. Briggs cried for about a half an hour saying he did not even get to play!! Then the boys were out cold the rest of the drive. It was great! Thanks to Amy and Jared for letting us come stay and being great hosts as always! Can't wait for you to come visit us someday!!

Owen's first horse back ride

Real cowboys wear...Flip-flops??!??


Briggs and Parker on the horse

Ryan, Briggs, and Parker on the four-wheeler.
Briggs seemed to like that a bit more than the jet skis.

Adam, Parker, Owen and Briggs in the bath...
Not sure if they were getting any cleaner

Ryan, Owen, Jayson, and Briggs off to church

Just sit right back and you'll hear a tale... A four week tour... A four week tour

Well, it has been a while since the last posting, but this time I have a good excuse!! The boys and I went out west for a month to visit family! I will be honest, thinking about being off schedule with the boys and staying different places for a whole four weeks did not get me too excited. However, the trip was so much fun and we had such a great time seeing all our family!!
Owen still wakes up every morning asking "what cousins do I get to play with today." And Briggs has asked several times, "Why does everyone have to live so far away." We do love South Carolina, the only downfall is being so far away from everyone. Thanks to everyone for letting us make our selves at home, babysitting, borrowing car, crashing at your houses, etc. etc. We miss you already!!
Okay, now on to the pictures... I will try and do this in order of events... We started our trip by flying into Salt Lake. We stayed at the Hughes Hotel. They were great hosts feeding us LOTS of melt away cookies (which is now a family fav). The next morning we woke up early and headed down to Lake Powell (the one thing Rob might love even more than his dear sweet loving wife). We had a great time. All three boys loved the water and all the water toys and I enjoyed a lot of R and R...

A little snooze before the fun begins

Hanging out in the Lake

The Hike Rob, his parents, and a group of others went on...Sometimes being pregnant does have its advantages!!

Bob and Rich...Stuck between a rock and a hard place

It's Party Time!! The Nielsens and the Kennedys (Some of our closest AZ friends) were in Lake Powell the same time, so we were able to see them one night. It was fun to watch the kids together and get caught up...Miss you guys!!

Dad and Owen going to play with some sand toys

Briggs and Dad

Happy Family at Lake Powell

Ahh... what more can be said

The Boys playing the in "sand"

Fireworks!!

Rob Surfing