{First Summer Stop}

For our summer vacation we made our rounds to see my Grandparents and other family and friends.  Our first stop included a stop at my Grandpa and Grandma C.  We had fun visiting, playing games and just being together.  We were also able to go to the temple {which we considered our 10 year anniversary date!}. It was fun getting to spend time with them! We love grandma and grandpa!

 

 

 

 

{My Mom's Birthday}

My mom turned 60 this year and we knew we needed/wanted to do something special for her.  We knew that the traditional surprise party was not the answer.  In fact I am pretty sure she would have severed all ties with us, written us out of her will and ran away, had we thrown her a surprise party. {I hardly blame her. I despise surprises just as much!}  Then I remembered this idea I saw online {HERE}, the others liked it, so we went with it!

It is almost like a surprise party in a box, without the awkwardness of a room full of people staring at you!  We contacted everyone we could think of that knew my mom; people from all stages of her life.  Then we asked them to send us their favorite memory of her or just a fun birthday message.  I then compiled all 60 of them in envelopes and this awesome box.  We then presented her with the box of 60 Years worth of Memories of her.  I cried through every letter that was sent to me and she wasn't immune to the tears either.  I know it is hard for people to actually put into writing about how they feel about another person, so we sincerely appreciate everyone's willingness to participate in the gift. It was worth it.  She loved it! Because my dad and Bradley headed to Bagdad Christmas night, she opened the present before they left.  Then on her birthday us ladies went to eat at Olive Garden.   Fun girl time!  We are lucky to have mom.  She is a wonderful person and I hope that she now realizes how much we all love her!

I made a few scrapbook pages to go along with the stories.  A picture is worth a 1,000 words!

{Christmas Eve}

We spent Christmas Eve with the Chadwicks, since the Farar families would not be arriving to Yuma until Christmas Day Afternoon.  Aunt Ashley wanted to do something special for the kids, so she setup a treasure hunt {talk about major Cool Aunt Points!}!  Each of the kids got a head lamp to help them on their hunt.  The final treasure was a fun present for each of them.  Definitely a favorite part of Christmas for the kids!

Instead of making gingerbread houses this year, we went simple and had the kids decorate sugar cookies.  It was a whole lot cheaper and quicker.  A few people weren't too happy about the change of "tradition" but it worked out.  The kids decorated their cookies then inhaled them {Especially Jason!}

Finally, we gathered around and talked about the true meaning of Christmas and shared the story of the birth of Jesus Christ.  Ryan and Lauren even took to the stage and sang their songs from their school Christmas programs.  It was totally impromptu, but I think it was the perfect ending to our Christmas Eve festivities.  Afterward, we headed home to bed so Santa Claus could stop by!

{Thanksgiving}

This year we had Thanksgiving at my brothers house.  Although we missed all the family we usually spend it with, it was nice to not have to travel as far and get to have a low key {read:less work} holiday!  The kids played and played and played!  They have a fun park that we walked to, Bailey LOVED the trampoline, the boys worked on a project, we ate too much, watched movies, played games, went shooting, and all around had a good time.

 

We tried to do a family picture before we started dinner.  Apparently there are two individuals in this family that have a hard time just smiling for the camera.  Can you tell which two it is?  Not a single shot had a decent picture of those two crazies! Gotta love 'em!

 

{Movin' On Up}

We helped the C's move their stuff from Yuma and from their temporary housing into their new home.  Sure was a lot of work, but we made sure we had a good time while we were at it!  The kids loved being together and playing until they dropped.  Even though we have seen them several times since they have moved, you'd think we had spent years apart!  Their new town is really small and it was fun to see all the fun new places they get to enjoy and to get a feel for the small town life!  It was sad to feel the officialness of their move and to see all their stuff in a different house, but I'm sure we'll still see a lot of each other and we will be back again and again!

 Lauren, Ryan, Lacie, Bailey, Jason, and Kylee

 

  

September 2012

{Splash Pad}

 We went to the splash pad with the cousins.  It sure is a nice way to cool off in this ridiculous heat!  We have been doing all we can together before they bail on us.  We sure love our cousins!

 

July 31, 2012

{Crazy With the Cousins}

We got a little crazy and silly taking pictures with the C's before they moved. We sure miss these guys.  We are very happy for them and their new adventures in life, but Chadwick time is just not the same without them!

{Las Vegas!}

Our summer vacation began in Las Vegas this year.  We started at my BFF Tara's house, then headed to the Wagner's house!  Unfortunately, I was HORRIBLE about taking pictures while we were there.  I totally forgot to take the camera out at Tara's and only took pictures of the kids swimming at Aunt Kelly's.

I am going to have to break out some scrapbooks of the good old days of me and Tara.  We became neighbors in about 1991 and best friends from then on.  Even though we've lived apart for many years now, I know that when I go to see her, it's like no time has passed. We've just gotten older and had a few kids!  It's hard for me to believe that between Tara and I, there are 5 kids! {Insane!} I love that they can now play together and be friends.  I guess we just need to be next door neighbors again!

Taken on Tara's Camera Phone

Our next stop was The Wagners!  The girls were super excited about playing with "the kids," playing with the dog and swimming! I was excited to sit and visit with my Aunt Kelly {and the rest of the family!}!  We had a great time.  You will never be short on laughter and insane stories at their house. They are just a fun, AWESOME family!

Unfortunately, we ended up leaving Vegas sooner than originally planned.  Since the kids asked us 8 million times if we were "there yet" during the 5 hour trip to Vegas, we decided to drive through the night to Idaho.  That way, we spent most of the 12 hour drive with the kids {and me} asleep.  It was tiring, but made the trip a lot more bearable!!

{Independence Day '12}

Our Independence Day celebration this year was extremely low key. On the 3rd we went to see fireworks that the casino displayed.  Then on the 4th, we went to Bradley and Jo's for a barbecue and fireworks in the street.  That was about it! Nothing fancy! Here's the blurry pictures to prove it.

I missed the cooler weather, tons of family and small town celebration we usually enjoy each summer.  I think we need to make that happen next year.

{Easter Weekend}

Easter weekend was calm and laid back.  We had dinner, an egg hunt, and visiting with local family and my grandparents.  On Saturday the kids dyed eggs at Grandma Beth's and had an egg hunt at Uncle D4's.  Sunday we finished off the weekend with 2 baby blessing of Dean's cousin's babies, church and dinner at the Chadwick's.  Nothing beats spending time with family we love!

{Day with Ashley}

A couple of weekends ago the Chadwicks all went to Phoenix to be with Ashley when she went to the Temple, which was a great experience. After the temple, we went to lunch at Red Robin.








Everyone had a good time; except for Miss Sassy Pants on the left, who was throwing a fit for some reason!

After lunch, we all headed to the Train Park in Scottsdale. The kids had a blast riding the carousel, trains and playing on the playground:

Except for poor Jason who hated the carousel {see above}!







Geez. These two can't go anywhere without texting!!!:
























It was a great day with the family and I am glad we were able to be with Ashley and have a fun day together!