Christmas Card

I couldn't decide on which picture, so you get two! :)

For this year, I think I will wish everyone a Merry Christmas here! The year (especially December) has been a roller-coaster, but I do believe that the Lord has blessed us immensely. I'm so grateful for this month. We have counted our blessings and feel the love of those around us. Thanks for your love and support! We love you all. We hope your holidays are just as wonderful!

Love,

The Chambers

Trials and Blessings

Well, here is our bombshell for the year, Dave lost his job with McDonalds on December 1. It was a bit of a shock, but we had a week to prepare for. It was a conflict of interest with what I have been wanting to post for months!

As of September 20th, we became part-owners of a cute little restaurant called "10th Street Grill". And I even have pictures;). Our partner is Larry Francis, a good friend of Dave's from high school. His wife and I are good friends too. With Dave's business know-how, and Larry's culinary background, I know they can make this successful. It's just the start up that is a little scary for all of us. I think we all are learning a lot about the business world. We have had many friends help us out and thank them for that.

We had a lot of time to reflect last week on the possibilities with Dave losing his job, and I think we had the best time together. Dave wasn't on the phone constantly and we were able to spend time evaluating our family life. I can honestly say I am glad that Dave has had a big burden lifted off of him. He seems relieved and excited for the future. He really is such a hard worker, which I admire. I probably work one day to every week he does. I have no doubt that things will work out for the better. Yes, I am sad about the way he left (he chose to resign), and we have loved the almost 5 years he has worked for them. They were absolutely wonderful employers. But I am also excited for the new opportunities he can pursue now. And I am so grateful for ALL the help he has given me at home!! I don't think the house has ever stayed this clean for this long!!!

On a different note, here are some videos of the kids I couldn't help but post. They absolutely love watching little clips, so here is one of each of the kids. Tina is playing with her cousin Anna. Braden is being his crazy self, and Brooklyn is extra cute! Yes, my prayer worked to find the cord...Dave once again found it! He really is amazing:)

We appreciate the prayers on our behalf. I have had amazing spiritual experiences that have increased my testimony. I have been reading the Book of Mormon, and my favorite story is about Limhi. They were going through rough times with the Lamanites and the Lord was able to lighten their burdens...Not take them away, but strengthen the people so that they did not feel them. I think he has done that for us too. I am so grateful to be a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints! There is nothing in this world that brings me more joy than knowing that I can be with my family forever! I treasure that knowledge.

Blessings

"God grant me the strength to deal with my blessings." Is a quote (I think) above my neighbors door. At this time I have been reflecting on my blessings, and I can't help but feel undeserving of ALL of them. We have the most wonderful kids, a nice home, very supportive family, the gospel, great friends, and I wonder why?
I am so grateful for all of these things. Thank you to everyone who helps us, listens to us, supports us. I hope that I can give back at least a portion!
We have been missing our new camera for a few months, and I told the kids I needed them to help me pray to find it. Well, after they prayed that night, the next day, Dave told me he found it in the van. I can't believe how fast prayers can be answered! Unfortunately now I need to find the cord, to download the pictures:)
When I was in Young Women's I listed out all of the things I was grateful for and got over 200 things. It was a neat exercise, and I think that now, I could add more to the list! We had a wonderful weekend. Thanksgiving was wonderful. It was nice to see family. Then Dave and I got to go on a date!! We saw "Blind Side" which was so good. That's one we will own! And the best part of the weekend (for me) was going through and de-junking the house. We had about 2 truckloads of stuff for the DI and a full garbage can! There is such a relief when we can let go of stuff. The kids are such good sports too.
I do feel like the luckiest woman alive to have a husband like Dave. He is such a good person. A hard-working, kind, wise, fun, comfortable man. I love him with all my heart.
So tonight is the FHE to get ready for Christmas. We get to think of what present we want to give Jesus for his birthday. We will also put up the tree and write letters to Santa. I love this season!! The warm feeling is so fun to have and it is a great time to build memories.
I hope all of you out there have a great season too.

Scrapbook Get-away

It's time for the Annual Chambers Scrapbook weekend. I look forward to the time to chat with the sis's, but now I realize why they dread it. I used to enjoy scrapbooking, and get it out once a month, but now, with 4 kids and a crazy schedule, I only do it this weekend. I am starting to think digital is the way to go! All you digital scrapbook people have any pointers to starting??

Dave is taking a weekend off to fly to Denver to watch the Broncos play the Steelers (I think). I am glad he gets a vacation because I think he works himself to death. So thank you Daines family for watching the kids so I can finish this!

It is also my Daines grandparents mission homecoming. I'm excited to see them again. I'm so proud of them for serving and can't wait to hear details. It went fast for me - Dave's parents are gone and I don't know if that will go quite as fast, but we are very proud of them too:)

I thought I'd add some highlights from the scrapbook folder...I hope I can get a whole year done in 2 days!! Wish me luck;)

Self-Quarantined

I think our whole family has had the swine flu. It started with Braden getting the fever, and he gets bad body aches where he can't bend his joints. Then Tina got a higher fever. I got it next and then Brooklyn was the last (so far.) She also has lost her voice which is so sad - almost like hearing a dog which has been de-barked try to bark. She tries to scream and can only whine.

Yesterday I decided to wage war against germs with the kids and we sanitized the doorknobs, lightswitches, and telephones. I also cleaned the kitchen all day. We also opened all the windows to get all the "sick air" out. Hand sanitizer is our constant companion, along with antibacterial cleaner. Hopefully we are on the mend and can function again. Cough drops and throat lozenges will have to suffice for now. I don't want to go to the doctor now that we are almost on the mend.
But I have to wonder if I brought this on myself. Life was getting so busy I was thinking it would be nice to have a few days off...What was I thinking?? Stir crazy kids, feeling miserable and energy-less, does not lend itself to fixing all the things I have to do everyday, but I did enjoy being in PJ's for the past 3 days. I have no clothes, so it was nice not having to wonder what to wear;)

halloween trick or treat

this is tina. When we went trick or treating we were ballerina and a butterfly and ronald and fred flinstone and smartiepants. a guy gave us rings. there was marieo and luigi. Luigi said to daddy, "wow are you supposed to be a caveman or something?" I thought it was funny and then she knew him from fruity pebbles.

Now this is Melanie: She is great! I can't believe how well she takes the initiative:) I have to say that this has been the funnest Halloween so far with my cute family. We have carved 2 sets of pumpkins, the costumes turned out great (if I do say so myself). And we had a blast trick or treating. Here are more pictures:

Braden also had a great Preschool program on the 29th. They were so cute, and he was singing the songs to me today. I can't believe how well he knows them. How I wish we could find our camera that takes video!!

Happy Halloween Everyone!!

Fall Update

Tina has turned the big 7. She had a Polka-Dot party - We played Twister and the dot game. We polka-dotted socks to play twister in, and they each got a polka-dotted bow to signify which team they were on. (I made a bow tie for Braden). Tina also decided she wanted to get her ears pierced this year. I was when mine were pierced, and I was a little hesitant to have her get them done so early, but so far they have done great. She has a Sapphire birthstone earrings in that are blue, and she can take them out on November 2nd! Here are her cute friends all posing for the camera. I can't believe how old and responsible she is. She helps me remember things and has always been a big helper for me. I am so lucky to have such a wonderful girl!

One neat thing about September 27th is that Cole was blessed on Tina's very birthday. She was very gracious to let him share her special day. The blessing was wonderful (as always). And we had an intimate gathering afterwards. I'm so grateful for the priesthood in our home and to know how special Cole is in our family too.

Then starting October 1st, we HAD to carve pumpkins. In the Family Fun magazine, they have a great section called "twisted pumpkins" and Braden wanted to make all of them. So we went down the road to our neighbors who sell pumpkins and bought those and also some baking ones (see previous post). We all got into the spirit of Halloween. And I have to include this very cute picture of Cole for his 2 month mark. He is such a sweet, mellow, and wonderful baby. If you talk to him, he'll crack a smile from ear to ear. I absolutely adore him!!!

And I just can't resist adding this one. Brooklyn has decided to potty train herself. She will take off all of her clothes and run around until I can get to sitting with her in the bathroom. I caught her coloring with the other kids. What a funny nut. She insists on doing everything herself and has actually surprised me with all that she can do, but she is also very busy all day long! When we think she is doing something, she will be somewhere else getting into mischeif. Yesterday she discovered permanent marker:( Does anyone know how to get it out of clothes? Or chairs? Or toilets? Or counters????

the tortise and the hare

In the shower this morning, I was thinking about this story in correlation to my weight loss "race". In the past, I would exercise really hard for a few days and then lose my momentum after getting really sore and not wanting to hurt more. After I had Brooklyn, I got on a good system of exercising every day. I'd mark an "E" on a calendar and enjoyed seeing lots of E's filling up the months. The exercise would generally be about 20 minutes a day. Once I got a little stronger, I pushed it up to 30 or 45 minutes a day. I got 4 pounds away from pre-pregnancy with my first child, but then I got out of the habit.
That was the closest I have been to achieving any type of weight goal. This week so far I have exercised my 20 minutes daily, and I am thinking like a tortise. I won't expect the big 20 lb. weight loss immediately. I acutally gained a pound this week, but I will still try to exercise everyday. I find that if I do, I don't eat quite so badly - I don't want to undo the work I just did. I don't enjoy exercising like my mother or others I know. It's a CHORE. But I have enjoyed Winsor Pilates DVDs. I feel more flexible afterwards. I also run on our elliptical on the other days (we bought that after Brooklyn was born and I needed to feel we were getting our money's worth!)
Unfortunately, I am not able to join a group exercise class, which I was planning on doing after Cole was born, because of time constraints (life gets too busy sometimes), but I figure this system worked with me after Brooklyn. I hope I won't "take a nap on the sidelines" and fall off my schedule, but if I do, I'll just get back on;) I'd love any workout hints from y'all if you have fun with it!!

Crazy about Pumpkin

I have been going a little nuts this October trying out different pumpkin recipes. On October 1st, we went down to our neighbor's pumpkin patch and purchased our pumpkins. I got a couple of sugar pumpkins that you can make various pumpkin stuff out of. I thought I would give it a try. To make pumpkin you cut a sugar pumpkin in quarters and cook in the oven at 375 for 1 hour and remember to put the skins UP, so the inside faces down. Then you scrape it out and puree it in a blender or food processor. It can freeze up to 3 months.
Oh my...I have currently made:
Pumpkin cookies,
Pumpkin cake,
Pumpkin roll,
Pumpkin pancakes,
Pumpkin squares,
and soon to come: pumpkin bread!
They have all been really good, but I think my family is a little overwhelmed with pumpkin though. But for those of you who would like to try ONE of these (or all) here are the recipes:)

Pumpkin Chip Cookies
1/2 c. shortening
1 1/2 c. sugar
1 egg
1 c. pumpkin
1/2 c. walnuts, chopped
1 c. chocolate chips
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp nutmeg
1 tsp cinnamon
*Stir the shortening to soften. Gradually add sugar and cream together until light and fluffy. Add egg and mix well. Sift flour, baking powder, seasonings, soda and salt. Add to creamed mixture alternately with pumpkin. Beat after each addition until smooth. Fold in chocolate chips, nuts, and vanilla. Drop on greased cookie sheet. Bake at 375 for 8-10 min. Cool on baking rack. These cookies freeze well.

Pumpkin Cake
1 yellow cake mix- I used spice cake mix (reserve 1 c. cake mix for topping)
1 egg
1/2 c. margarine
*Mix well and press into a 9x13 pan.
Mix:
1 1/2 c. pumpkin
2 eggs
3/4 c. sugar
1 c. evaporated milk
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ginger
*Pour into pan over cake mix.
Topping:
1 c. cake mix
1 1/2 Tbsp. margarine
1/2 c. sugar
1 tsp. cinnamon
*Mix together until crumbly. Sprinkle on top of pumpkin layer. Bake at 350 for 1 hour. Serve with whip cream on top.

Pumpkin Cake Roll
It can be made ahead and frozen till you are ready to use it.
3 eggs, well beaten
1 c. sugar
2/3 c. pumpkin filling
1 tsp. lemon juice
3/4 c. flour
1 tsp baking powder
2 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. ginger
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 tsp. salt
1 c. chopped walnuts
* beat eggs at high speed for 5 min. Gradually beat in sugar. Stir in pumpkin filling and lemon juice. Sift together flour, baking powder, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and salt. Fold into pumpkin mix. Pour into well greased and lightly floured 15x10 inch baking pan (I did a cookie sheet). Top with chopped nuts. Bake at 375 for 18-25 min or til done. Turn out on dish towel, sprinkled with powdered sugar; starting at narrow end of towel, roll towel and cake together and let cool.
Filling:
1 c. powdered sugar
1 8 oz. pkg. soft cream cheese
4 tbsp. butter
1/2 tsp. vanilla
*combine powdered sugar, cream cheese, butter and vanilla; mix til smooth. Unroll cake; remove towel and spread filling over cake. Roll up again and wrap with plastic wrap, then with foil. Freeze until ready to serve.
Optional: You may want to take cake roll out of freezer and place in fridge for an hour before serving, depending on how you like it. Roll cuts best when frozen. Yields 10-12 servings. Garnish with sliced strawberry or mint leaves.

Pumpkin Pancakes: I just added pumpkin to my pancake recipe along with nutmeg, ginger, and cinnamon.

Pumpkin Squares:
This is a Chambers Thanksgiving Tradition.
1 c. sifted flour
1/2 c. quick oats
1/2 c. brown sugar
1/2 c. butter or margarine
*Mix until crumbly. Press into 9x13 pan. Bake 8 min at 350 degrees
1 lb. can of pumpkin
1 can evaporated milk (13 oz.)
2 eggs
3/4 c. sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. ginger
1/4 tsp. ground cloves
* Mix together. Pour on top of baked crumb crust. Bake at 350 for 20 min
1/2 c. pecans or walnuts
1/2 c. brown sugar
2 Tbsp. butter
*Combine and sprinkle over top. Bake another 15-25 min or until done
Serve with whipped cream. Makes 12-15 servings.

Testing, Testing, 123...

I'm trying to see how long it takes to upload pictures:) I've got a lot!

Here is Tina and Braden on their first days of school. Aren't they cute? My little learners:) I also have Cole's 1st month picture. I can't believe that he is almost two months soon!! Wow it goes fast! We are enjoying the fall weather, but unfortunately I have lost my camera:( I have a backup, so i'll have to get more pics downloaded.

Tina is liking 1st grade (for the most part). She does complain that it takes a long time and she misses me. I am rewarding her with a lunch with me on friday if she doesn't cry before school that week. I'm also volunteering on Wednesdays. I absolutely LOVE helping in the classroom. She has made a few friends and has only missed one spelling word (out of 5 tests!)

Braden LOVES his preschool on tues, wed, and thurs. He has a few friends also - some from our neighborhood to car pool with yeah! and enjoys telling me all about his school as soon as he gets home. He is gradually learning how to write his name. He is my little scientist. He is constantly conducting experiments like "Will it float?" in water or tying things onto a balloon to see if it will still float. He loves the show "Sid the science kid" on PBS.

Brooklyn is my little helper and mischief maker. She is always in the room with me - unless I have left Cole unattended - then she is on top of him. The only safe place is his crib, but I found her in his crib this morning!! AAHH! She means well, but doesn't know the meaning of the word "soft" or "Stop!" Like Dave says, "It's a good thing she's so cute!"

Cole is my sweet angel baby! He hardly cries despite his sister's loves. He is a good sleeper at night now. Only gets up once around 2 or 3 am, goes to bed around 10 and gets up at 6:30. He has started smiling and even laughed at the kids crowding around his face trying to get him to smile. I do feel bad, his eyes are so goopy, but I don't think it's pink eye. He also has lost most of the hair on the top of his head, but not as much as Tina and Braden did. He is still a munchkin being so small, but he is filling out. My sister Joanna said his eyes are not quite so "buggy" because his face is filling out a little more. He is so sweet and cute. I love him 100 times more everyday.

I'm Back!!

Yesterday a new modem arrived and now we have fast internet again. I'm so happy to have it again. It's like an old friend to see everyone again! I will have to catch up, but right now I have all of the kids looking on asking, "can I play ___?" So I'll continue this later.

Surviving

Hello all, I (Melanie) am back! Cole is now over 2 weeks old and I am finally feeling more like myself. We had a crazy time after Cole was born. We went home a couple of days, came up to my parents house while Dave took Tina and Braden to Bear Lake, and I ended up going up for one night also. Then we headed up to Melissa's in-laws for Dave to go fishing with Creighton and the kids and I enjoy a show - Aladdin - at the Mystique (a fun theatre).

We have been home for about a week getting ready to start school on Monday! Tina has met her teacher - Mrs. Bell who is fresh out of college. I'm excited to volunteer in her class hopefully. Braden has been to his open house for preschool and I can't wait to see how it goes. I've heard good things about his school and I was glad to get him in. He starts on Tuesday. I love getting back on a schedule:)

Cole did well on his 2 week appointment. He gained about 2 oz a day and is now back up to 6 lbs. 10 oz. He is still just tiny, but I was encouraged that he is growing. Also we found out that he does NOT have CPT-2 deficiency like Braden (yeah!) I am so relieved. He is a sweet little baby that I grow to love even more every day. He is starting to sleep more regularly at night, and thankfully Dave has gotten up with him more than any other baby. Thanks honey! Tina and Brooklyn fight over who gets to hold him. We have only had one incident where Brooklyn hit, but time outs have solved that (I hope). I think Braden will play with him more when he gets older:) I asked him what he thought of his new little brother, and he said, "Good."

Last night Dave took the girls on a father-daughter camp-out with the ward, and I got to spend some good time with my boys. It was so fun and I know the girls had fun with daddy. It's funny because Dave said when he is with kids they never whine, but as soon as they come home, that is what they do to me. Mothers are made for that I guess?? Or maybe it's just me?? Anyway, that's all the news from our neck of the woods for now.

Baby Cole is Here

I picked up some needle point, probably a strange combination needle point and football. LOL

Wow look at how cute he is oh and the baby is too. See what I mean about the bed!!!!!

Good thing he got his mothers looks!!!!!!!!!!!

Is white his color or what, only other color would be Aggie Blue

She is such a little mom we love it. I had to make her laugh to get a true smile

I hope this means he is going to be a good sleeper at night.

Hello all this is actually Dave that is blogging, now please do not fall over. I figured since I am finishing all of Melanie's projects I might as well do her blog. Yesterday the 10th of August at 3:29 pm we were blessed with Cole David Chambers. He was 6lbs 7oz and 19 1/2 inches. He came very rapidly and is darn cute. Mom is doing fine also and she is darn cute. He was definately ready to come and see what he has gotten himself into. The doctor had just enough time to put on her scrubs and turn around and catch him.

All of the kids seemed excited to have a new little brother. Tina was the most excited, Braden was excited for a sec, and Brooklyn just kinda starred. It has been so much fun. I will say though that the new womens center could have invested just a little more money on the couch bed. I think that I would rather sleep in a tent. However they did have free food for me and those of you that know me know that I love food.

We are just so grateful to have him here, we are also so grateful for the help that our families gave us through all of this. We are very lucky to have such wonder family members, we love you. This is probably long enough, if you have passed out cause I wrote something then get up and look at how cute this kid is for goodness sake!

Monster Summer Catch-up

I have to apologize...I thought this summer was going to be not very eventful, but I feel like I haven't had a chance to catch my breath! We have had a ton of fun, and been very busy. I need to do this today, before the baby comes...TOMORROW!

July was full of trips to Logan to visit visiting siblings. Dave's sister Kari was here and we always have so much fun together, even if it gets more chaotic with the additional children we have every time:). We got to know little Boston (9 months) better, and he is such a cutie. He is such a happy, busy little guy. And his baby blue eyes are so expressive. They just have a fun family. I just love spending time with Kari. She and I are the same age, and got really close when I started dating Dave. Here are the girls dancing to "I wanna hold your hand" by the Beatles at Charlie's ice cream shop.

The Chambers golf tournament is something I look forward to every year, and although I was 8 1/2 months pregnant, I did not want to miss out! Here's the proof - Dave and I on the tee box.And afterwards, we were all smiles, because with the help of Jeff and Jake Major, we won this year!The cousins had so much fun playing that all I could get were candid shots, but it was great. We went on what was called the "red neck water slide" which is basically a slip and slide down a mountain. They had a big and small one. I only tried it once, but Tina was a little dare-devil that surprised us all! She loved the big one. Dave had a ball too, and Braden entertained us with his pee show on the sidelines (he literally dropped his pants, went potty on the side, and stood watching people go forgetting to pull them up!). I'm at my parents house blogging, so I don't have those pictures, but it was great...When we got back, Gary decided to try his version of the slide and took off his playset slide, tied a hose to it, and aimed it at the slip and slide. When the kids were tired of that, he put it into the wading pool. Here is him and Dave entertaining the kids

After many wonderful visits with the Chambers, it was now time for my brother Devin to fly in with his cute girls, Melanie and Amy. We went up the canyon to celebrate Melissa's birthday and Brooklyn just loved on Amy. I think they are going to be great friends:) It has been fun spending time with them because they live far away, so we eat it up when they come. I am in awe of all that Melanie does...She is so talented with sewing and jewelry. Plus she is such a cute mom to Amy. Amy is at the fun getting very mobile stage. Brooklyn would mimic her movements too. They are a little competitive too...must get that from their dads!:) I hate to admit that I don't have a picture of this, but Melissa (my sister) also had her first baby on July 22nd. A beautiful baby girl named Anna who is a doll. She already has me wrapped around her finger, because I figured out how to make her stop crying when I held her. I guess it could also be that she senses her new cousins' presence and the extra padding provided?? But I think it is so much fun watching my sister become a mom. One of those life-changing moments. She's doing so good too. She constantly amazes me with her courage, optimism, and sweet disposition.

We also had a Primary Children's visit thrown into the mix, which was really encouraging. I'll have to post later about the medical report, but I had to get a picture of Dave trying to keep them busy while waiting for the Doctor:) I guess one thing I'm a little concerned about is the fact that this new little one has a one in four chance of having the same deficiency as Braden. I guess I'll have to be patient!

Sorry for the monster catch-up. It's good that we have a date set for me to work towards a deadline. As far as prepping for the baby, we have the crib and pack and play set up. And one thing I love to do before a baby is steam clean the carpets. Dave was a sweetheart and did that so fast on Friday. Thanks honey! I have been a little scatterbrained, but overall, we are all excited to have Cole David join our family. I have left out a lot of other things this summer, but it's late and I'm REALLY losing brain cells!:) So next update: baby time:)

In Denial

I've been telling everyone lately that I am in denial that I am pregnant. Not that I don't feel pregnant, but I haven't even wanted to think about the newborn phase again...Dave told me that I need to stop looking at the negatives though, and I think he's right. Tina has been asking me about how hard it is being a mom, and what am I going to do when she goes to school etc. She picks up a lot more than I think sometimes!

So my brain went into overload one night and I had a dream that I had had the baby ( My belly was squishy again) and we were somewhere like church or out in public, but I wasn't holding the baby and had no recollection of the labor or delivery of this baby. After that dream I had a "wake-up call" that I needed to get ready for this little one, so the next day I changed Brooklyn over into a twin bed (always a hard adjustment!) and moved the crib (with my pregnant neighbor - that was fun!) into Braden's room. And then begged Dave to get the kids little clothes out of the attic. I did not realize that we had SO many boy clothes, so that is our next project - going through them. I figure that if I can start getting ready, maybe my mind will feel better.

I have a month left, and it's been a pretty normal pregnancy for me. I've taken the 8 month tumble (luckily no one saw this time!) I fall at 8 months with all my pregnancies. This time it was while holding Brooklyn, but she was safe! I've had low iron, but with supplements I feel great. It does feel bigger than the other ones, but I'm still pretty small in the belly department. We had another ultrasound because the baby was measuring big, and they confirmed that it was a boy - and we did decide on Cole David for sure. Its growing on me. He seems shy because when I have someone feel for him, he stops moving. Hopefully that's a sign for mellow baby!

I am excited...I just get frazzled when all the kids are crying at the same time or yelling etc. Is it me or does the noise level increase with each child?? Anyway, mine get louder:( But on the bright side, I am excited for another boy. They seem so easy. Plus the newborns just bring the peace of heaven into our home. The closer it gets, the more excited the whole family is to see this little one. Now the only question is...will he have brown or blue eyes??

Our Yellowstone Adventure

This was our major family trip (I call it trip because it is with kids...A vacation is without kids!) We had SOOOOO much fun. This is our only family picture by the upper falls of the Yellowstone canyon. It is amazing to have everyone looking! Our hike down the canyons was interesting. We got down there and there were so many people, we just hiked back up. Dave caught a picture thank goodness. On the way up, he had Brooklyn in the baby backpack and was carrying Braden...He said he couldn't have done that if it weren't for his bike training. He had tons of sympathy from fellow hikers, one guy confessing that he had to do the same thing.

We enjoyed the wildlife - The park gave the kids little checklists of animals to see, and I think we saw 60% of the checklist. Brooklyn ate hers:)

Braden and I LOVED the mud volcano site. They had a spot called "dragon's breath" and it was a cave with steam pouring out and boiling water sloshing on the bottom. It sounded just like you would imagine a dragon to sound like. Dave's favorite spot was "Morning Glory Pool" around the Old Faithful site. It was a beautiful pool of turquoise to orange water after an amazing hike around geysers. (Braden called them volcanoes also.) Keep in mind that all of these things smelled like sulfur, and Dave kept asking Tina if she wanted an egg sandwich:) The hike was probably a good 2 miles, and Braden is not very patient, so for Dave to keep him occupied, he had him hold his fingers and hum a song. Every finger played a different song. My favorite was "Squishy - pointer finger." I was behind them with the girls and I loved seeing the people pass us who would smile and laugh at Braden's songs. He was not shy and sang many different versions:)
The kids did so well sleeping in the tent and we were not cold at all with the amount of blankets we had, but despite that, it did hail on us the last night we were there! I don't know if this picture does it any justice, but this was the hail buildup on our truck. Thank goodness for Dave's great camping setup, and a burger joint around the corner! I told him there was no way in "hail" we were going to start a fire to cook dinner:) Pardon the language!When we were done eating, and leaving the shop, a guy told me that he was watching our little family in the cafe and said, "You guys are really blessed." That sure made me think, "yeah, we are" and realize that although it was a crazy little trip with so much to do and see, it was nice to take time and realize that we loved every minute of it we could spend with the kids!

Here's proof we went to Mammoth Hot Springs. Overall, I'd say it was a successful family trip!