Lauren's A MOMMY!!!!

Lauren had her baby today at 5:47 pm they named her Elanore Elizabeth. I'm so happy for them!

Violet's solution to any problem

Violet is your typical 3 year old she likes to run, and play and dance around and sing and she throws a mean tantrum. Today she was upset with me over the clothes I was putting on Claire (which are hand me downs from Violet) and after a few minutes of fit throwing Violet grabbed my hand and said "come on let's go get Grandpa".

Violet's chicken impression

We went to the farm the other day with Bill and Michele. The girls love the farm and it was a beautiful sunny day. Claire was super excited to see the chickens.

Here is a picture of the ugliest turkey I have ever seen. This guy was huge and really upset that we were even near his pen.

Here is a video of Violet's chicken impression. She LOVES the Chickens.

Some picture from our last trip to Carson City to meet Kya. It was a wonderful time and we were glad to get back and see our girls here at home too. So these pictures are in no order. This is the Reno Temple Mom and I went on Wednesday and were able to do a couple of sessions, some nice Brothern helped me with my names and we did about 10. This is a very nice Temple real small and you change rooms, I liked it.

From our trip to Houston the boys really adore their sister, they were so much fun to be with we miss them so much.

Violet is helping clean our house ,she has in her hand a cob web catcher, she uses it to shine Claires' bald head she is so helpful.

Claire likes it when her head shines, it makes her think clear thoughts, thanks Violet

Katie and Kya on their deck. It was warm that day but very little humitity, I guess they call this the high desert.

The Family Flynn in their front yard, Darin just finished 10 years of med. school the night before this picture, he was very happy to be finished and with his little family again, he is awesome.

Family this is Kya Jean Flynn, Kya this is family. It was real hard to get Mom to leave Carson. I had to use all the tricks in my bag to get her to leave Houston, Luckly with grandkids in Olympia I could lure her away.

It was my turn to hold Kya but I think I held on to tight, or was it just my electric personality that puts everyone to sleep, You know being incorieristic (remember that means thinking that you are really clever and cute , but actually your an idoit)

Back to Texas, what a happy bunch of kids. Jonathan and Emily you do a great job, just look at the contentment on these angle faces.

In Carson City this is the view out Katie and Darins kitchen window, about 5 miles over the hill as the crow flys is Lake Tahoe. No roads that way but rumor is that there are trails for bikes and quads, sounds like and adventure for Darin.

Standing on Katies front porch in the early evening, it's beautiful.

We went to Virginia City for a day, this was worth the trip. Lots to see and do here, the old west really comes alive. This was actually part of Peters last area on his misson to Las Vegas Nevada West. They actually taught some people in this area not sure if they baptized them, but he said that this was a must see. I can't wait to go back some day with him and he can give me the actual low down on the city.

It was so nice to get back to our girls in dark and dank Washington. Temp 65 Humidity 70

Claire is a happy baby

Kaya asleep on Moms lap, notice she doesn't hold tight enough, no eyes bugging out.

Being tourist at RenoTemple

One more picture of our Allison, two brand new babys in two weeks how awesome is that.

Well this OLE DAD signing off just wanted to show off my kids and Grand kids ,please excuse my ramblings. Will publish more later.

Love to All

OLE DAD and MAMA the Younger

summer fun

We have had a few really beautiful sunny days this week and the girls have been really enjoying being able to play outside. On Wednesday we went over to visit Gma and Gpa Corier and the girls got to spend a little time playing in the yard and helping in the garden.

Violet is all ready to dig in the dirt.

Helping Grandma water the plants.

When Grandpa got home he took the girls for a ride around the yard in the wagon. Violet was pointing and telling him where she wanted to go.

Violet had her first tball game today and here she is practicing in her tutu...we had to get all pink t-ball gear or else she wouldn't play. As you can see by this picture it has been much to nice outside to do housework :)

Violet is the one that looks like she isn't wearing any pants with the red ponytail. The woman in the middle is her coach Carrie and she is just a great coach. T ball has been really fun.

Violet and Wylie taking a break from the action to drink some juice....this wasn't a scheduled break. V and W are the youngest on the team and they pretty much take a break whenever they feel like it. The teams are all 3 to 5 year olds and everyone gets at least one turn to bat but the game pretty much goes until there are too many players throwing tantrums and needing a nap, it is pretty funny. The kids have a great time and Violet is sleeping like a rock tonight....Mission accomplished :)

Violet up to bat. This was her favorite part.

Hang on to that Helmet girl! I got to run all the bases with Violet...it's a pretty relaxed game and there are a lot of parents helping to herd all those toddlers. It's just organized chaos but a lot of fun.

Taking a break and ready to go home.

1st month

I cannot believe at Allison is 6 weeks old already. Time really goes fast. She is so much fun to have around and the boys absolutly LOVE her. Sam loves to hold her (with my help of course) and he is often found giving her kisses and hugs. Wesley calls her "Alli-cute-o" and loves to give her kisses and play with her. Both Wesley and Sam love to lay by her and look at her when she is awake.We also love noodles at our house, especially with Parmasan Cheese. Sam figured out how to open the cheese and decided he needed some more. I guess I'll put Parmasan on my shopping list for this week.

It was really hot last month so we spend a lot of time in the water in our back yard. Allison even got to go swimming. Don't worry, it was just a photo opp, we don't let her tan yet.

We had a great Father's Day. Jonathan is a great Dad and husband. Although he's super busy at work, he always finds time to entertain the kids and that really helps a tired Mom.

Allison loves her Dad! (This is one of my ALL TIME favorite picture)

Allison on her 1 month birthday. We love to celebrate at our house so we made Sugar cookies and decorated them for her.

We are so glad to have our 3 little kids. They are a lot of fun!

I love the Fourth of July!!!!!

The Fourth of July is probably my favorite holiday. I love all the parades and fireworks and just the general excitement around town as we celebrate the creation of this great country. I am so grateful to live in a country where we can truly be whomever we wish to be. We live in an interesting place and I know sometimes we complain about some of the strange people we meet, but I am so glad that I live in a country where such freedom of individuality and expression is not only permitted but encouraged. I'm just glad to be able to be myself and to live my life as I choose.

So anyways....my entire family was able to get together for the fourth of July this year and we had a wonderful time. The picture above is of my brother John and Claire, she looks so much like him. Claire instantly loved John when she met him again this month.

Here is Peter cheering Violet up for a family picture. Sometimes you just have to prime the pump with that one.

Claire wasn't interested in the camera.

Violet quickly realized that this holiday was about Freedom and stripped down in the yard...what a funny baby, we did eventually get a swim suit on her but not before she gave everyone a good laugh.

Here's me and Claire. We were just happy to be out in the sunshine, we did get a few good hours of sun.

Peter got to spend a few hours lighting off bottle rockets, he said it was one of the best 4th's he's ever had. I'm glad he got to just play for a while.

Claire and her Smore. It was just about bedtime and she went to sleep not to long after this. Both the girls slept through all the fireworks which is surprising because we were pretty loud!

Peter and Me had a great time lighting off fireworks! It's the first time we have been home for the 4th of July, we have either lived in Rexburg or Houston and haven't been able to celebrate in our usual way.

My Sister Diana and I with our giant Sparklers.

Today Peter had the day off and we got to go visit grandma and grandpa Corier. They have been traveling to visit our new nieces and we were glad to see them for a while. We also got to see the pictures they took of Allison and Kya. Both girls are adorable and Wesley and Sam are growing up so fast! We are really looking forward to seeing all the cousins when they come either in August or October, it will be so fun to have all 6 of them together! I cant believe that in 4 1/2 years there have been 6 babies born in this family....how fun!

This is the first year that Violet has had any experience with Fireworks up close. She thought the bottle rockets were so cool and yelled at all of them and she even got to try some pop its.

Violet got a new skirt from The Wilson Family. It is adorable and she couldn't help but dance around in it when we got home...I think we may have to let her sleep in it, I don't know if she will let us take it off.

Hope everyone is having a wonderful Summer! Love you all!

Ellen, Peter, Violet and Claire