13th Anniversary

Where does the time go!!

Wow 13 years (no comments Tara :) and what a great time we have had.

We spent the day doing our normal thing (Sam had to work) but our good friends took the kids for us overnight so we headed to a session at the temple, got take-out afterward, and watched the Opening Ceremonies from the comfort of our couch.  It was very relaxing and peaceful.

Thanks Sam for 13 amazing years.  You absolutely complete me.

Triangle C Dude Ranch--Vacation Part 3

 See that beautiful place.  After the reunion we took off for Wyoming to meet up with Jessica (who works there), my parents, and two of my other sisters.  The kids were so excited to have another ranch to go visit.

 After arriving we went straight to linner.  Yep it was 3:30 in the afternoon, with no lunch and a whole bunch of starving kids, so we ate lunch and dinner all at the same time in Dubois, WY.  They had awesome sweet potato fries and amazing pie.  Mmmm!!

 After lunch my dad took the boys to a Bighorn Sheep museum and the girls cruised main street doing the most touristy things possible.

 Yep they're known for their giant jackalope.  Pretty cute huh?!

 We also bought some delicious chocolate and huckleberry ice cream--Sam was in total heaven!

 And the best part was that no one thought we were weird!! :)

 After cruising town we went back to the ranch where we drank out of the biggest glasses possible--which are perfect for some Diet Coke or Dr Pepper 10 or Coke Zero or pretty much whatever you want--played games on the deck, watched the "3 Amigos" while eating popcorn, and ate gorilla poops while playing "McIntyre Scattergories".  Lots of fun.

 Sunday we went with Jessica to her branch and tried to ride horses but it kept raining on us and the wranglers were busy, so no go on that one.  Sarah was quite sad and cried for the first 1/2 hour on the way home but we had a grand time and that part of Wyoming was absolutely beautiful!

 Family pic!  Thanks for an awesome time Jess :)

Yellowstone--Vacation Part 2

 After staying with my sisters we took off to Island Park for the Beus Family Reunion.  The first day we took off for Old Faithful.  It was the kids least favorite part (and lets face it, mine too).  It's such a tourist trap and there are so many more amazing things to see that Old Faithful really pales in comparison.  But we did have to see it after all :).

 The kids needed a break after that so we stopped at a picnic area and let the kids play.  They made a train going down the stream and were in heaven.  Kathryn was the only brave enough from our family to go all the way in, after all is was quite windy outside.

 The next day we explored the other side of Yellowstone.  It was such amazing country.  Absolutely beautiful!  This is the "Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone".

 We hiked down to the falls (which Luke was not impressed with--but at least he's there).

 Then we hiked to the other side for lunch. Of course, with 58 people it takes quite awhile for us all to get in one place.

 The kids loved being with their cousins, especially these boys.  They could be found quoting Weird Al all day long and were in heaven.

We did get at least one picture with all of us present.  We are missing one sister who lives with her family in Germany and a brother-in-law.

Afterwards we headed out to Yellowstone Lake.  Man was that amazing too.  Such beautiful, clear water.  So pristine.

 On the way back we got to see the famed bison (probably 6-700 head).  It was pretty sweet.

 Below was one of the paint pots we stopped at along way.

 The rest of the time was filled with hanging out, singing songs and playing games.  Luke loved Larry's stories and thought they were pretty hilarious.

What fun we had.  Thanks for a great time everyone!

Granite Creek Ranch--Vacation Part 1

 Oh man have the kids been looking forward to this vacation (and me too, after all I have never been Yellowstone before either).

We took off last Tuesday and headed to these cute girls work.

 They are working at a guest ranch being the head cooks, cleaning, riding horses, and pretty much whatever else.  Sarah was so excited to go she could hardly stand herself.

And man is it beautiful up there.  It was located about 35 miles outside of Idaho Falls in the Swan River Valley and we were absolute heaven.  While we waited for the trail guide to be free to go we kept ourselves busy checking things out and playing.

 We rode the big swing, 

 went and got square ice cream (super yummy!),

 went canoeing on the lake,

 practiced some archery,

 and looked at all the horses.

 After a super yummy dinner, put on by the sisters :), we got ready for our trail ride.

 We were all so excited, can you tell?

 My cute sisters.  We each got our own horse.  Emily is helping Kathryn adjust her stirrups.  Kathryn got to ride Ding.

 Sarah was on Dillan.

 Luke rode Breeze.

 Seth was on Pigeon.

 I got to saddle my own horse (which at the moment I can't remember) and I even got up on the first time--pretty proud of myself.

 Sam was on Peanut and enjoyed it quite a bit.  

 It was so beautiful riding up into the mountains with my family and my sisters.  What a grand time we had.  They are so much fun and it's so neat to see them growing up and becoming such amazing ladies!

Kathryn's Softball Adventure

This was Kathryn's 3rd year of playing softball and I got to coach her for one last time.  We had a great little team and they did awesome.  

 Playing 3rd base.

Hitting the ball.  Her batting improved tremendously this year, now on to fielding and keeping that mitt down! :)

Seth's Birthday--part 1

Can you believe we have a 12 year old?!!?

I sure can't but he was very excited for his birthday to come around.  With the craziness going on in my life we had a calm, peaceful day with his party with friends to come later this month/

When I came back from my parents, the three youngest stayed with Grandma so Sam and I got Seth all to ourselves for 2 1/2 days.  That day we took him out to lunch, then he had a friend from school over.  After work Sam took Seth and Tyler to the new Spiderman movie (which they loved!), then we had one of his favorite dinners (Smothered Porkchops), and then we all went out for shakes.

 Here he is with 3 new books he got--he was quite excited about those babies.

Then Saturday my parents, Sam's Dad, his sister Ellen and three of her kids came to stay with us for Seth's ordination on Sunday.  Sam had him memorize D&C 121:34-46 in preparation and then he was ordained a deacon at the end of church last Sunday by Sam.

What a great experience that was.  Two priesthood holders in this house--I am one lucky woman!!

After church we had another favorite dinner (Hawaiin Haystacks) and Oreo Ice Cream cake with everyone and he got to open presents from grandparents and Kathryn.  

Here are 12 things we love about Seth:

1.  He is an amazing big brother.  He plays with his sisters and brother quite happily (most of the time) and they adore him for it.

2.  He still loves to read and can be found with his nose in a book quite often.

3.  He is thoughtful and tries to help those around him.

4.  His sense of humor--which is exactly like his fathers!

5.  His memory--wow be careful.

6.  He excels at the violin and has fulfilled all parts of his contrat with practicing.

7.  He is hardworking and dedicated.  When he decides to do something he will do it.

8.  He is smart and has such a quick mind--it's astonishing sometimes.

9.  He loves to hang out with friends and is such a good friend himself.

10.  He loves his family.  He especially loves his dad and adores him.

11.  He builds the most fantastic Lego creations and they are amazing.

12.  He follows through.  If he says he will do something, you can bet he will.

Happy Birthday Dude!

3rd Annual Burning Party

It took us awhile but we finally did it.  The kids had been begging for several weeks now but with our crazy schedules we finally lit the match to all the school papers they didn't want to keep.  They love it and I swear that it keeps their fire bug quite satisfied for at least a year, especially Lukes!

 It was quite hot that night but with cousins in town and "we don't need an education" blaring on the radio we had a grand time!