24th Celebration

The Gunnells are moving to CO Springs next summer and drove through to spend a few days with us and check out this area! First stop - the Academy!

We played games, worked out, had a BBQ with other military and college friends they have that live here, and talked all about the reasons we love living here! We loved having them visit! They've traveled around a lot with the military and they inspire us to embrace change and bloom where we're planted. They came at the perfect time and were an answer to our prayers as we embark on change for our family.

After the Gunnells left, we packed up our car and headed to Souther CO to celebrate Mormon Pioneer Days with our extended family! I loved seeing my little family experience the joys of the celebration like I did as a young girl.

The parade - 

The 5K - 

(My mom got third place in her age category!!)

Post race snacks.

More parade - 

Visiting with family!

The carnival - 

Aaron took the boys to the demolition derby and they LOVED it!!

We attended church together in Center as a family!

I pray my children will forever remember the heritage they come from - righteous faith-filled pioneers!

Back at home

The second week of July included lots of freebies around here - we dressed like cows and had free lunch at Chick-fil-a. The next day we had free slurpees from 7-11! 

We spent the day at the Nature and Science Museum. The boys learn so much each time we go. Museums are the best!

We've been enjoying family movie nights and otter pops this summer! 

Eleanor - 6 months old!

Eleanor turned 6 months old on July 15! She's half way to ONE!! She was skeptical at first of solids, but now she has gotten better at eating! 

She rolls all over the floor and spends most of the time on her tummy - I have a feeling she'll be crawling sooner than I realize.

She's a social butterfly and loves being around people. I love hearing her little voice babble and babble and babble. She doesn't sleep through the night as well as her brothers did at this age - I need to focus on sleep training her, but we're constantly on the go so it's been tougher to get her on a schedule! We're working on it! 

She loves nursing and being held close. She smiles so big when she sees her brothers and they love her so much too!

Happy 1/2 birthday baby girl! We're so happy you're in our family!

Trip to visit Family

It worked out for us to take a trip to Utah to visit our family! It's sooo nice having my parents in Fruita. We drove there on Saturday and spent several days with them - including my mom's BIRTHDAY! We love everything about birthdays so it was great to celebrate together. 

Happy Birthday, Mom!!

We played games and mom made Eleanor this tiny bracelet!!

After Fruita, we headed up to Utah! We loved visiting Angela and Mike's new house!!

Car naps mean it must be a vacation.

We spent the night with Granny and enjoyed spending some time with her!

 

Our 4th of July was simple and relaxing. We swam with Grandpa Child and Liz, had a BBQ and then watched the fireworks from the porch.

Baby's first 4th of July!

The kids were exhausted so we put them to bed before the fireworks and I showed them videos from my phone the next day. ;)

Next we headed to South Jordan and stopped at Scheels, close to Jacob and Ashley's house! We swam and enjoyed the Utah heat!

We spent the night at Angela and Mike's house and enjoyed more time with them! We met up with all the Volks for an early breakfast at I-Hop before heading back to my parents' house. 

Traveling is always exhausting, but when I look back at pictures, I'm so grateful we have these memories to share with those we love dearly!