Happy 4th birthday Liesl

After a wonderful trip to Idaho, we got to celebrate Liesl's 4th birthday today.  I cannot believe that my little girl is four today.  She definitely has brought so much joy into our lives.  It seems like yesterday we brought her home from the hospital.  Time does go by so fast.  Liesl, Gabi, Paul and I took her out to lunch at Golden Corral because not only do they have a variety of food to pick from their dessert bar is great and she could pick out what she wanted.  After that we took her to pick up Hans from school and then met up with Lito and Lita, and Tia Yvonne at the house.  After visiting for a while, Lita, Liesl and me went to get her some ballet shoes and clothes for her birthday.  She had so much fun spending time with Lita.  After that we picked up the boys and Gabi and we went and had an ice cream together.  It was such a special time for the kids and especially Liesl to spend time with Lito and Lita on her special day.  That night we ate dinner and got to blow out her candles and eat some delicious cake.  I am so grateful for Liesl and her special spirit.  She is such a sweet caring little girl and I can't wait to see what this year brings for her.  Happy Birthday! 

Her pretty hair for her special day

Opening some gifts first thing in the morning

Liesl posing for her picture

In her ballet clothes that Lita bought her

opening gifts that night

Excited that she got her own markers

Big number 4

Liesl with all her gifts

Idaho here we come!

Our family left for Idaho to attend a wedding for Dan Otte (Paul's nephew) and Aubree Dunn in the Idaho Falls temple.  We were so excited to go on this trip because it would be a mini vacation for us.  Note: We have not been on a vacation for a very long time, so this was a nice get away.  Friday we decided to let Hans skip school and we got ready and left on our road trip.  I must say the trip was definitely more relaxing with the mini van than it would have been in a car.  The kids were entertained with their envelopes full of drawing stuff that their Lita had given them
(thank you Lita and Lito )and the munchies we had provided them in the car.  We got to Idaho Falls and stayed in a hotel that night.  We got our stuff in the room and then immediately got in the pool. The kids had a blast and it was a good way to relax after driving.  After that we went to a family members house for a BBQ where we saw family we hadn't seen for a while and met the bride for the first time and her family.  It was great just relaxing, talking and letting the kids run around in the yard.  The next morning we got ready and check out of the hotel and went and visited with our very best friends the Wies family.  I know that we met in the preexistence because Brenda is exactly like me, the only difference is she is blond and I am a brunette (salt and pepper)  When we were planning this trip we found out they were only 20 min away, so we had to make sure to stay with them.  It was such a great reunion after not seeing them for ever.  Oakley their baby was born the last time we saw them and she is three now.  The kids of course hit it off well and remembered one another and it was like they picked up where they had left off.  After visiting with them for a little bit, Paul and I made our way to the Temple for the wedding.  We got there and it was so peaceful and beautiful.  The wedding was such an amazing experience and being in the temple with family and friends was a moment to remember.  After we had some pictures taken and then we went to pick up the kids. We got the kids ready and headed back to Idaho Falls for a wedding dinner at this restaurant that had the best pancakes.  We visited with family there and had dinner and some cake.  Along with that came some speeches to the bride and groom.  After a long day of family fun, everyone said their goodbyes until next time.  We drove back to Travis and Brenda's house put the kids to bed and managed to stay up till 2am talking and talking.  We knew it was time to stop when half of us were falling asleep and saying things that made no sense.  It was so much fun though and I think if we could of we would have stayed up longer.  The next day we went to their ward, came home for some awesome ribs and then left back home to Utah.  This trip was such an awesome trip and so relaxing.  I am so grateful we did it and got to reconnect with family and friends.  Hopefully we can do it again soon.

Paul with his mother and sister Julie

Me looking very much pregnant (5 months)

Idaho falls Temple

Paul was in charge of his sister in laws glasses so he put them on for the picture

Bridesmaids

Paul's older brother Marc and his oldest son Ben

Paul with his mom

Marc and his mom

Dan and Aubree coming out of the templ

trying to get ready to pose for pictures

walking down to the lawn for the pictures

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Jack Otte (Ben and Annie's boy)

Everyone that was at the temple

First day of First Grade

Today was Hans first day of First grade at his new school.  This year he is going to Rocky Mountain Elementary to do a Portuguese Immersion program.  Hans was so excited to start school again and I was happy for him but deep inside sad that he would be gone all day.  Liesl too was getting a little sad knowing that he buddy was going to be gone, but I know once she gets used to the idea she will love having a lot of the attention for a big chunk of the day.  This is the beginning of him being able to make his own decisions while away.  I hope I have taught him all the right things to make his school years fun and successful.

Spanish Fork Retirement of the Flag Ceremony

Today we went down to Spanish Fork, Utah and met up with Lito and Lita Acosta for a Retirement of the Flag Ceremony.  It was hot, but a lot of fun and something that I wanted the kids to learn about.  It definitely was a good learning experience for Hans, he was the only one that really paid attention. First they retired a huge flag and then they had all the scouts form lines with other flags to burn.  It was so cool to see.  

4th of July 2012

Waiting for the parade to start

My attempt to create a star on her head

Gabi asking silly

One of the best floats there Go BYU!

Lito and Liesl falling asleep after lunch

Hans playing a game we got in Bolivia called Sapo

Gabi getting sticky

Hans and Liesl playing a paddle game

Liesls favorite float because of the princesses

Today we celebrated the 4th of July with Lito and Lita.  It was so much to have them here this year.  We got up early and met them at the parade that is held every year in Provo, Ut.  After enjoying the parade we went to their house and had lunch, relaxed and played some games. 

Utah Fires

This is smoke from the mountain behind our home in Alpine

We have had a really dry summer and there have been a lot of fires throughout Utah, but one that happened was close to our home and we could see the smoke very well from our home.  It is sad to see these fires because a lot of people and nature was affected. 

Lehi Roundup Cattle Drive Parade

I had heard that during Lehi City days, they city would have a cattle drive on main street.  I had never seen anything like that before so we took the kids.  They loved seeing the parade and also the cattle.  I must say that is was definitely a fun experience and I hope that my kids will never forget it.