What do the numbers 31 and 16 mean?

USU 31 BYU 16! It is okay to brag every 17 years or so isn't it? I would also say it is okay to update your blog every month or so. So here is our most recent update - not necessarily in chronological order since July 4th. Yikes!!

4th of July!

We had a really enjoyable weekend leading up to and a few days after the 4th of July. We went camping near Lake Tahoe with Ben's Sister Melissa, her husband Chad, little Boy Chase, and dog Bear over the 4th of July weekend. As far as camping is concerned, we had a great time swimming, playing horseshoe's (they take it serious in Tahoe), video games, and basketball, and overall catching up. Tahoe Valley Campground was an excellent host. It is a good thing when Jaden isn't bored. We watched the Fireworks on the Lake, ate our fair share of strawberries and of course too much good food, learned to play the new game Monopoly Deal and wished we were already retired.

Then.....we came home just in time for Ben's brother JR, his wife Aubree, and kids Carson, Brenner, and Avenlee to come visit. We showed them around the foothills near Modesto, went fishing at a trout farm, panned for gold, visited an old fashioned candy store, of course ate too much food, played even more Monopoly Deal, went swimming, and watched Brenner nearly puke over the smell of fish guts. Our only regrets are that either trip didn't last long enough and that we didn't have any more room for pictures in the camera. Aubree, can you send us your copies? Why can't good things last very long?

Us all at Tahoe Valley Campground!

Roasted marshmellows always make you smile-

Can you relax any more? Can I get you something to drink?

How many strawberries can you eat at once, let alone in 4 days?

Our Perch on Lake Tahoe for the Fireworks!

This is where the camera memory card is full! One of the fish we grilled after our visit to the Trout Farm! Would you believe that all of the kids liked how it tasted?

Half Insane or Half....

Is someone insane if they decided to hike to the top of this?



Via these?

What about if they saw this when they got to the top?

And felt like this?

Last week Ben and a couple of guys from our ward hiked to the top of half dome. It was everything physically and mentally that he thought it would be, and more. It was nice for a few minutes to feel like you were on top of the world. I hope you enjoy some of the other pictures we encountered while hiking.

Look Who's Two!

I can't believe my baby is two already.....

She loved her birthday hat from nursery and her barbie from Mackenzie...

She loved opening her presents but had to go hide under the entry way table so megan wouldn't open them first...

Everytime we sang the happy birthday song she would say "Cha Cha Cha" and clap.

We celebrated her birthday at the park with a few friends! We love you Lanie Bugs and you bring us so much joy and Happiness into our family. You are so sweet!! XOXOXO

Happy Mommy's Day!

I feel so blessed and Lucky.

I had the most wonderful Mother's Day! Lanie kept saying Happy mommy's day, it was so cute! I love that little girl. I got spoiled with flowers , and breakfast served in bed, a yummy dinner and a necklace and earrings that matched. Plus lots of fun cards from school and church! We had a great day going for a walk and playing games and wrestling until we couldn't laugh anymore. I have the best job ever !

I love you guys!XOXOXO

Happy Mother's Day to everyone! I have the best MOM who has Always been there for me and has been my number one fan. I'm also so blessed to have the BEST mother in law, she is amazing and I am so glad she is my mom too!

P.S. After a random drawing, we announce that Aubree is the winner! Thanks everyone for all the good laughs and the fun memories!

100th Post!!

Wow, I can't believe We made it to 100 posts!!!!.Anyways, I am not very creative but some of our family and friends do something cool for their 100 post. So I was thinking that if you would like to win a gift card to Cold stone, then leave a comment and add one funny memory of either Myself (Nat) or Ben or the kids or the whole family if you would like.We look forward to reading your commments. Then we will pick a winner!! GOOD LUCK!
PS. This will end on April 24th.

March Madness

The pictures and videos to follow is Modesto's version of March Madness. It won't resemble what is about to take place in College Basketball but that is okay. Megan and Jaden were both in a 6 week basketball clinic and they loved it. It was fun to watch them play and as parents it was even more enjoyable that it didn't last for 3 months. We did have to paint a 3 point line out front just so the kids can count down their own winning shot. We can't wait for the real Madness to begin so we can all fill out our own bracket.

Look at that technique!

I know lousy video with the coaches in front but we were proud of Megan by not backing down to the bigger boys.

How about that defense? Jaden was really fun to watch. He couldn't hardly stand it when the games were over each week.

Congrats to the Aggies on their 3rd straight WAC Regular Season Conference Title. Utah State Hey Aggies all the way. Go Aggies, Go Aggies, Hey Hey Hey!!! Now let's win a game or two in the NCAA Tourney!

Life with 3 kids

Sorry for the Break -

We apologize for the break from blogging. It has been a while since we posted anything. We know it is the same for everyone else but at the end and the beginning of the year it just seems like the days and weeks go by so much faster. What have we been up to lately? Some of Ben's family got together at Ben's brother's house in Arizona for Thanksgiving. We had a great time! We hiked, swam in the pool, played games, ate a ton, and watched the kids exhaust themselves. As always it didn't last long enough.

Us seeing the lights at the Arizona Temple. Notice the shorts, nothing like being in warm weather.

Most of our time is taken by 3 energetic kids. Lanie is tearing apart the house cupboard by cupboard and room by room all while trying to escape the motherly care of Megan.

By the look on her face she evaded Megan for a few minutes. No, she didn't fix the disposal but looks are decieving.

The kids were out of school and Ben had the day off work for Martin Luther King Day so we decided to drive up to the foothills and see if we could find snow. It has been raining a lot the last few weeks so it wasn't hard to find it. A word of advice if you are hunting snow. At least dress the part in case you find it. We played in it for 10 minutes and then got back in the warm van.

It is a good thing we didn't play longer because it really started snowing and we didn't take chains with us. We miss seeing the white stuff but I don't think we miss living in it or driving in it.

Jaden had his 1st Pinewood Derby last week. He designed his car to look like a Police Car (the MPD on the back stands for Modesto Police Department). Too bad it wasn't as fast as a police car and I will say we could use more of these type of cars around here.

We have also done our fair share of being lazy, watching movies, and playing games. It is a good thing school has started again.

Jaden and Megan have also been playing basketball. The next post will have to be some pics and videos from their games.