Family Vacation to Oregon

     It's been 3+ years since my whole family has been together. A few new 'littles' have joined the clan and a few of the older kids have grown quite tall and we actually were able to get a photo of them altogether. Unfortunately I don't have the actual photo of the whole family but I do have a photo of all the grandkids.

22 cute grandkids.

It was too cold to take photos outside so this is where it happened.

We also got a fun photo of mom & dad/grandma & grandpa.

They're a little silly!

    Then the kids had a little Easter treat from Grandma. Each grandkid had to answer a question grandma invented (on the spot) before they got their egg that had a little treat and cash.

It was a mob scene.

McClane was being so sweet.

Isaac's turn.

Carter's up!

Mark's a bit of a goofball.

Kayli's question wasn't as hard as she expected.

Charlie didn't have to answer a question because she's the "favorite".

     Then Kayli and I did a little prom dress shopping and found this cute little number.

Pretty in blue!

      There was also an attempt to recreate this photo.

This was taken in 1988. I was 14 and Marie, the youngest was about 2.

   Recreating this was more fun than taking the original photo I'm sure.

We did our best recreating our facial expressions.

NAILED IT!

     My mom requested a Temple trip to the Medford Temple with her four daughters. It was great!

Me/Shirley, Marie, Elaine, Ann and Jackie.

This Temple is a mini size. So pretty!

        Then we went to Crater Lake. The drive alone was breathtaking at almost every turn and then you get to the actual Lake and you're blown away. I'm so glad Greg insisted we go.

There's just a 'little' snow accumulation.

So pretty!

McClane was pretty thrilled with all the snow to play in until someone threw snow down his back.

Seriously, this place is so GORGEOUS!

All 9 of us!

Uncle Guy joined us and was our designated photographer for the family photos. This is photo proof that he was with us.

This cute little Methodist church was along the way and we couldn't resist stopping to take a photo.

And this was one property along the way that looked too picturesque to not take a photo.

    Now here are a 'few' random cute photos from the week.

Watching a movie in the barn.

Borrowing any and all snow gear from the 'lost and found' bin at the barn.

Girl cousins with matching hairdos.

Jovi, Kayli, Lottie and Shae.

Grandpa enjoying some Aussie snuggles.

Grandma and a rare moment with Kirra where Kirra's not crying.

Grandma with Shae and Jovi heading into the Rogue Valley Mall for a little lunch.

These four doing a little Jenga building and demo.

Brock getting a motorcycle ride with Grandpa.

Sleepy girl.

     Our trip is winding down and we're not sure how to feel about it. It's been a little different staying at the barn on the ranch. It actually felt like we were on a real vacation. I know the kids had fun and were especially thrilled with the use of my uncle Mark's quads. They would have just rode quads all over the ranch 24/7 if we would have let them.

McClane and Carter

Isaac

Mark and Charlie

Mark, Carter and McClane

      We also had fun hanging out with the Larson cousins who also provided quad rides and pool. It really was a fantastic week and we were so happy we could be together with all 35 members of the Jim and Elaine Baker family! See you again in three years ;-)

Random fun!

      We've had a few fun days this week and lots of time spent with family. Here are a few photos I've taken, mostly of the little kids/cousins.

Sharing cousins. This is Kirra and Ella. They're not cousins to each other but their my kids cousins.

Cookies and Netflix.

The cutest little Aussie's you've ever seen.

Right before I took this photo McClane was holding sleeping Kirra's hand, too cute.

This girl fell asleep in odd places this week.

Charlie and cousin J.J. at Kristin's wedding reception.

McClane at the wedding reception and that's the back of his cousin, Ava.

And cute Shae at the wedding reception.

We also did one more home improvement project. It was small but has made a big impact on our kitchen.

     And of course the biggest event of the week was Greg's sister getting married! It was a busy/full day and a great day and we could not be happier for her and her new husband Nate. I'd post a photo but I don't have any on my phone so tune into Facebook where I know there will be plenty of photos posted.

      Now let our Spring Break festivities begin!

They're HERE!

      Our visitors from "down under" are here and I could not be happier!

They survived their long flight and actually have smiles on their faces.

Shae is about the cutest thing ever and so excited about everything!

Charlie modeling some of her cousins hand-me-down winter gear. (No snow in Australia.)

Charlie is pretty enamored with these two.

Charlie also loves Kirra. Kirra's still deciding about her feelings towards Charlie. (I don't know if the hug/attack from Charlie helped or hurt.)

They play very well together.

Seriously, Charlie is "IN LOVE".

    The time is already going too quickly, but we're enjoying every moment of it!

    

      Side note....

    I dare you to eat your chocolate chip muffin like this!

Just a couple additions

      So my room is finally coming together. I'm hoping for a new couch soon but that's on hold for a minute. I did have a little extra in my budget for this little set up though.

I just need to get a second chair just like this. They only had one at Gordman's and the price was too good to pass up.

     I was tempted to purchase this cute chair too but I didn't think we'd get enough use out of it.

She liked it but I don't think she LOVED it.

     My dreams and ideas just keep growing but for now my first priority is to get the perfect couch and ottoman and find the money to actually purchase them.

      And most exciting of all.....only THREE more sleeps before my sister Jackie and her family arrive from Australia!!!!

Ok, I'll share ;-)

     Well our house project is not quite finished but we're nearing the finish line with the trim and baseboard application being our last step. I guess I'll just go ahead and show you what we've/Greg's done so far.

The reason this all began, yucky carpet!

Lets just rip out this carpet and lay some nice laminate floor.

By, by tile.

Brock was in demolition HEAVEN!! I've never met a boy who loves to destroy things as much as him.

What Greg, did you say the floor won't install correctly if we leave this lovely cherry wood paneling on the walls? Well than, rip it out too!!

By, by cherry wood!

There were surprises under every panel. Fun and a little creepy.

Pulling out nails and enjoying the new artwork on our walls. And don't forget the lovely arched cutouts.

Did I forget to mention there was cherry wood trim around all the doors? Weird to see the hall so 'naked'.

Oh, and those weird arched cutouts in the walls, yeah, those had to go too!

So when you patch holes and cut outs in your walls you have to retexture the walls. Thank goodness we know a guy who is amazing and the perfect price! This photo is after texturing and primer.

She was a great little helper and had to be in the "thick of it"!

     Remember when this whole project started from just the simple plan to replace the carpet with a hard surface floor?! Well that step finally came ONLY 2 weeks after starting the project. And it only took three evenings to complete.

I'm in love with this floor! I wish I could afford to put it through the whole main floor. Here's hoping it's as durable as the laminate floor in the kitchen.

This is going to look so great when everything is all trimmed out and finished!

Down the hallway.

     So now we're near the finish line. We've got all the trim and baseboard in the garage ready to paint and install. We've also got new white outlets and switches and I've even made a purchase or two on accessories for the room including a great rug but I'll save that for the "finished" photos. So far I'm practically giddy with excitement over my new space, it's always nice to improve your surroundings!

     This project has also taken away most of my nervous energy that I get every time I'm due to teach in Relief Society. The goal is to have the finish work done no later than Monday night but we'll see how it goes. I'm pretty much the cheerleader to Greg and his amazing skills so we'll see how motivated he is and what I can talk him into. P.S. I hit the JACKPOT with GREG!!

Fun with Charlie and more.

      Our house project is still not done! We're making progress but it's slow when you still have regular life to deal with. We've made a few trips to Home Depot and Charlie and McClane are always happy to tag along.

These cars can go fast and crazy!

     We have done some fun things this week. Sunday night we visited G & G and Charlie really got comfortable with a few of the men in her life.

Charlie with Kristin's fiance Nathan.

Charlie getting comfy with Uncle Blaine. (They're so cute together.)

And Charlie getting very comfortable with Grandpa.

She gave Grandpa a few kisses because she was feeling left out of the conversation and that's how she gets attention.

     Kayli got to go wedding dress shopping with her Aunt Kristin and here is a photo I received from her aunt.

Pretty girl, kool-aid hair and all.

     Apparently she wore this veil all the way from Bountiful back to A.F.

       We also had one of the cutest little visitors Thursday night.

Piper, Brock and Charlie

     Little Miss Piper Lewis came to play and everyone but Charlie took a real shine to her. McClane even asked if we'd bought a new baby. She was so fun to have around even if Charlie was a bit jealous.

      So I still don't want to show my house project photos but here's a little teaser. 

     Have a great week!