Being a dad

Playing marbles  -- can't remember if this was on Father's Day

I loved Jared's latest home improvement project.  We planted grass and put some seats on the center of wall.  

My dad led the girls in performing their song.  It's now a versatile chant we hear on many occasions.
The adapted version is "1, 2, 3, 4, Dad's are the best.

Jared is in the center plastering the cub scouts in our dodge ball tournament.

Our dad's latest thing is learning new knots.
He's used them to create handcuffs, restraints and other such fun with the kids. :)

Goodbyes

In May Grandma and Grandpa were very busy finishing up their preparations to leave to the Missionary Training Center in Mexico City where they will serve for 18 months.  We got to spend a little time at their house helping with some of the last projects.  

Then (almost) the whole family came into town to be together and see them off.  They did very well in the fun and chaos to maintain their focus on the next chapter of life ahead of them.  

(Now that I'm posting this two months later.... I can say that I still have a hard time that my mom isn't on my cell phone's log of frequent callers.  But we love hearing about their experiences!)  

A fun family trip downtown during the week before departure,

We're (almost) all together for Sophie's baptism!

Giving hugs after the setting apart and singing our rendition of Called to Serve to G and G.
See you in December 2016. 

Harstons

We love the few weeks every year when we get to see cousins from out of state.  We seem to cram in every minute of fun and togetherness.  So June before Grandma and Grandpa left, the Harston festivities hit.  Here are photos from some of our activities.

(Really I just need to put the links to my sisters' blogs who are much better photographers than I am.)

an afternoon of water play with Ely!

visiting Wheeler Farm

the starting line at a bike race outside of Park City
Amy's family races at this venue regularly, so she brought all of us along during our Harston week.  She found extra bikes and helmets for the out of towners so all the cousins could do it together!  The organizers make this a super family friendly and fun event so the kids can have a non-competitive good experience.

I was so impressed with all our first timer kids riding around this real mountain!!
Here is Tessa finishing her loop. 

Then a few of our grown ups and not so grown ups raced in the real course!

Amy is a great ring leader.

We also got out to the park to see Ella's and Tyler's last soccer games.

We nearly took over the hands-on exhibits at the Thanksgiving Point Museum of Ancient Life.

down time at Grandma's house to feed the masses and let cousins play 

We got to celebrate birthdays of Ely, Sophie, and Jeana.  

Here's the line-up of cousins minus the napping little ones and the biggest (maybe napping too).

Sophie is our biggest girl.  She starts the wave of baptisms for our next group.  What a sweet example.

studs!

The Allens hosted some fun lake days.

Look closely at the butterfly on Leisel's ponytail.

We learned you can fit a lot of cousins on the tube.

End of School and Graduations

Two goofy school boys home from school.  (Notice Jordan's new glasses!)

Michael at the microphone..  he had a nice part in the end of year performance, and he did really well!

Michael with his super awesome teacher and some friends.  (He really wanted Jonathan to be apart of the photo.)

Jordan is one of the really excited 2nd graders holding a Netherlands flag.  They did an amazing show!

He had some great supporters visit his classroom after the performance.

I love having a photo to remember our teachers.  Each one has been just what the boys need.

Michael finished a good year of piano with Mrs. Andrea and performed some great numbers at a recital.

And Tessa! 

Tessa enjoyed a session with a small fine arts preschool nearby.  

Tessa finished her online preschool program called Upstart with Rusty and Rosie!

She is excited for kindergarten and met her teacher in preparation for this fall.  

Visiting Temples

We really enjoyed visiting the new LDS temple in Payson during the open house!  It is such a beautiful large temple.  

Fisher is one of our favorite friends to visit temples with!

Jared found a detour on the way home to the Krishna Hindu Temple in Spanish Fork.

Care Bear

I took these photos in April of Jonathan wearing a keepsake outfit from Grandma Clark.  I'll have to get the story from her again, but I know that Jared was an Easter baby and he probably wore this sweet set also.  Michael says Jonathan looks like a happy care bear.  He is such a smiley boy, sometimes he seems animated.  I have to agree.  We love him!

Family Time

Here are some moments to share of family life with a quiver full.

the Sunday afternoon whirlwind

Family Home Evening lessons on steroids - go daddy!  I love the light emanating from Jared's head.

beloved date nights (with friends and the dean this time!)

attempts at home improvement 

family parties for ribs and retirement!

Taxi and trips to the orthodontist