Always Fun With Family

I love how much Clint's family loves to be together. To celebrate anything and everything, but especially birthdays!

My sister in law Sara (Curt's wife) threw herself the most amazing 30th birthday party ever!

Complete with donuts and cake and tubs of ice cream, and even a pink white chocolate fountain for everything sweet and yummy to fondue!

She also had the most beautiful castle looking white bouncy house set up for all of the kids to play in. :)

I'm just not sure which of these "kids" had the most fun in it. :)

I was cracking up watching Easton trying to keep control of his little "top heavy" little body!

It's hard enough for these little ones to stay upright just walking let alone jumping in a bounce house!

Ok, fine.

I'll come and jump with you. :)

It was really fun to just let loose and let our inner kids come out! :)

I loved that so many of our awesome and fun family celebrations happened while Kierra was here for that 3 weeks. 

I miss her everyday and always LOVE the time we get to spend with her and her family.

Especially with this little cutie right here...Easton (and his dinglehopper.;)

Happy Birthday Sara! 

Thanks for sharing your birthday fun with us!

We love you!

 

Read the Book of Mormon

This summer the Relief Society was presented with a challenge by my presidency that was different and unlike any other Book of Mormon reading challenge that I've ever had.

We challenged the sisters to choose any single book within the Book of Mormon and dive into it over the summer. Read it, and reread it, and all the while trying to "see the good" in the Book of Mormon.

We held a special campfire devotional at the end of the summer to discuss what we learned, and to testify of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon.

It was an experience for me that I will never forget.

I began reading 3rd Nephi, and then decided that maybe I wanted to read Alma since I was sending off a missionary soon...;)

But then my son in law Riley challenged our family to read the entire Bool of Mormon in 30 days with him, and so THAT is what I did.

I didn't get the entire book read in 30 days though. It took me 47 days.

In that 47 days, I learned a lot about how reading the Book of Mormon often (in all of my spare time in fact) helps me to see and hear the Spirit speak to me in a whole new language. One of, clarity, consistency, and even more often.

As often as I will turn my thoughts to drawing closer to my Heavenly Father, that is how I often I WILL become closer, and strengthen my relationship with Him.

It will also increase my effectiveness in my service to Him because I am better in tune to hear the things that He needs of me,  and wants me to do and learn.

I love the Book of Mormon and I testify of it's divine words, messages, real life experiences within it's pages, and how immersing ourselves in it will bring us peace to our day and to our minds, and that we will grow ever closer to our loving Heavenly Father.

It makes me excited to read and learn of the next task that Heavenly Father has in store for me to do, and to learn the next insight that He is ready and willing to teach me if I am ready to read, listen, and then act.

I am so grateful for the Book of Mormon, and for my testimony of it.

It is truly priceless to me!

The Cabin and the Zoo

Nothing says summer like a trip to the cabin, or a trip to the zoo with Grandma and cousins...so we did both!

Ava and Kambriella

Kesslyn and her love of the Merry-Go-Round, the snow leopard!

She just LOVES anything CAT!

Kesslyn and momma ;)

Kierra and busy bubba Easton

Kierra, Easton, and Kambriella

..and the little sissy Kesslyn

The bears were so cute lounging around in the sun and right in front of us!

Emmit and Kesslyn

Kierra with some of her favorite people AND her favorite animal! ;)

Best Sissy's

Easton and Kierra on the train

One of the things I love is how much Grandma Trickett LOVES taking her grandkids to the zoo.

One day I hope to be as fun of a grandma as she has been for my kids.

Happy Summer everyone!

 

Summer Fun and a Graduation Gift

With Kierra and Easton in town spending time with us for 3 weeks while Riley was at his military training, we kept the fun times rolling as long as we could, even after the wedding was over!

We took a fun little field trip to Thanksgiving Point to the Farm Country, where we let the little ones ride the ponies!

Easton seemed to love it and wasn't even scared!

Brave little Buddy!

Kesslyn loved it too, as she always does. This sweet little girl LOVES animals of every shape and size!

Kambriella even got to go for a ride! :)

We had a fun time seeing all of the animals and especially feeding the goats.

It was hilarious to watch Easton feed the goats!

This big fella right here actually ate the entire bag of feed right out of Easton's little hands...plastic bag and all! It was SO funny to watch! Hopefully that goat didn't get sick from that!

We also finally found an extra minute to present Dallin with his Graduation present!

It's the same gift that all of the kids have gotten...

Luggage and a special box prepared by Mom. :)

A CTR ring with Portuguese, since Dallin has been called on his mission to Brazil.

An apron, dishtowel and hot pad for moving out on his own (beach themed of course ;)

beachy ties for his mission, games, and missionary Legos

..a side by side Portuguese to English Book of Mormon for his mission...

..and a homemade HAND written recipe book full of all of our family's favorite recipes so that he can make some yummy things out there on his own! (Beach themed of course;) The "sand" wich and sand colored paper...and also measuring spoons tucked inside in the shape of sand dollars, sea shells, and sea horses. 

I know one day these gifts will come in really handy, and I hope it means something to them that it was hand written in their mother's handwriting.  

Conrats again Dallin!

Now on to more summer fun!

Seminary Graduation

Sunday, June 6th was Dallin's Seminary Graduation!

We are so proud of Dallin for completing one of the most important things in his whole high school career...the class that teaches his mind, heart, AND soul!

Now he can continue his spiritual learning and continue to see growth in his personal life every day...especially as he prepares to head out on a mission!!! :)

Hayden Stone and Dallin with Bishop Gabe.

Strong work boys! We are SO proud of you!!!