Hangin' in Idaho Falls

One of the coolest things for kids to do at Grandma and Grandpa Tucker's house in Idaho is to retrieve golf balls.  They live along a golf course and balls sometimes go into the shallow water hazard behind their house.  Grandpa even has a fancy tool for getting the balls out so that you don't have to wade in.  Shortly after Janelle's family arrived, Evan was out showing Alan the ropes as far as finding golf balls.

"Look what we found, Grandma!!"

Here's Alan teaching Aunt Stephanie all she needs to know...first thing the next morning

Croquet, anyone?

Having a great lunch on the back porch

A "must do" on our list every time we go to visit Grandma and Grandpa Tucker

REED'S DAIRY

We're not sure who voted for the honor "World's Best" but they were right!!

Some of the cousins gathered to enjoy ice cream.  The little girls couldn't get enough of James for the whole reunion time.  Here he is getting his first of many mohawks :)

Uncle Brian got us tickets for a Chukkars game.  Here are the kids getting "high fives" from the Red Robin mascot.  Fun times!!

Morgan, Olivia, Evan and Hannah after running the bases, a tradition after each Chukkar game.

Alan's actual 3rd birthday was a few days before they arrived, but he was happy to let us have an encore of gift unwrapping.  

"Oh my goodness, oh my goodness, oh my goodness!!"

Such a cutie!!!  Happy Birthday, Alan!!

An Idaho Adventure

The main reason we traveled to Idaho this year was to attend the Tucker Family Reunion.  We were excited to hear that it would be held in Island Park Idaho because that allowed us to go a little bit early and hang out at Grandma and  Grandpa's house for a few days.  It has been too long since we have been able to do that.  Our "little family" arrived Sunday night and then Janelle's family, Stephanie and Geoffrey, and Emily and Jimmie arrived between Thursday and Saturday.  One of the fun things the kids and Steve got to do in Idaho was to go 4-wheeling with Grandpa Tucker and two of his neighbors.  They were gone until mid afternoon and when they came back they were filthy!!  That's how you can tell that they had a great time.  :)

Nathan and Megan in their riding gear

Megan, Nathan, Steve, and Evan

Evan striking a pose

Megan on her machine

Nathan and his cousin, Ben

After a little altercation with the handle bar of the machine....those gullies to the side of the trail can  make you stop pretty quick.  I love the dirt mustache :)

One tired and dirty little rider

Happy Trails!!

Happy Father's Day in SLC/Idaho

We were able to spend Father's Day this year with not only our kids here at home, but also with our Utah kids.  We traveled to Utah on Saturday night and then got up, went to church, climbed Ensign Peak (well, Nate, Steve and Evan did) and spent some time with Emily, Jimmie, Geoffrey, and Christy.  It was fun to see the kids and meet this girl that Geoff has been dating for a few months.  Since it was Sunday, the kids were nice enough to bring some sandwiches, drinks, etc. and we had a little picnic in the park.  Then we walked around Temple Square. The weather was a little warm, but it was a beautiful day in the shade.  About mid afternoon we said our goodbyes and headed to Idaho Falls.  Grandma Tucker had a delicious dinner waiting for us and we got to spend the evening with my dad and lots of other family.  I don't remember the last time I was able to be with my dad for Father's day.  What a treat!!

Sunday morning at the hotel

 At the base of Ensign Peak.....Nate, Meg, and Evan

 Before the climb

They made it!!!

What a view from the top!!

Our picnic....Emily and Jim....

Christy and Geoffrey...

Meg, Mom, and Evan

The whole crew in front of the Salt Lake Temple

Evan and some of the beautiful Temple Square flowers

My mountains on the way up to Idaho.....I never tire of seeing them!!!

Happy Birthday, Nate!!!

I have obviously been working on a lot of different blog posts over the last few days.  It is a busy time of year with school ending and especially this year with Megan graduating.  Sometimes when things are kind of busy and there is a birthday at that same time, the birthday gets a little tucked in amidst everything else.  But Nathan is a good sport and just rolls with whatever comes his way.  I am very thankful that he doesn't place too much stock in all the trappings and material items.  He cares more about getting together and less about the details.

I noted in a previous post that Grandma Foulk made a delicious dinner for us on Sunday to celebrate Nate's birthday.  What I didn't mention in that post was the fact that I had insisted on being the one to bring the birthday cake that day.  But with the beach party the day before, and preparing for the refreshments for Seminary graduation the next day, I totally forgot to make or even buy a cake.  Nate didn't care.  He was fine with bowls of ice cream for dessert.  Thankfully we got another chance on his actual day and did come through with a cake then.

It is unusual for the children to be out of school by Nate's birthday, but this year it happened.  We spent the day lounging around, watched a movie, and then had the missionaries over for cheese steaks and ice cream cake.  Both the foods we ate and having the missionaries over on that day were actually Megan's idea because one of our missionaries will likely be transferred next week and she wanted to make sure he had tried Nixon's cheese steaks before he leaves.  Nate was fine with that....whatever was just fine.  We finished off the day with a rousing game of Trivial Pursuit.

I promise...he did actually like this shirt

A little more awake....

...and maybe back to sleep?

Good morning and Happy Birthday!!

So, a very happy 15th birthday to you, Nate!!  We appreciate the huge help that you are to us and especially your willingness to roll with the punches and not take yourself too seriously. 

 We love you!!

Meg's Graduation -Seneca High School 2012

It is hard for me to believe that Meg could be graduating.  Although high school is not always a welcoming place to be or an easy experience to go through, Meg has definitely made the most of it.  She has very few friends who share her moral values, but she still manages to be good friends with a wide array of people.  We have been happy to meet and interact with many of them.  She finds the best in them and learns from them.  But I am especially pleased that she is definitely not shy about sharing her beliefs and inviting her friends to learn more about them.  Her teachers have learned from her as well and see her as a light and example to many, including themselves.  

Meg is ready to move on now, but she will take with her the many experiences and things she has learned during her time at Seneca High School.  Congratulations, Sweetie!!!

Members of Megan's student government homeroom 

Meg just before heading out to graduation

A close-up with her Honor Society pin and Seneca pin

She needed one photo with Ginny

Entering the stadium

Right after her name was called

Hugs from Miss Sabo

Hats in the air

Meg and Marianne

Kory and Megan

Megan and Katie

Laurel and Megan

Dad, Meg, Grandma, and Mom

Meg and Ev

Meg and Jess

Meg, Hope, and Olivia

Meg with Evan and Nate

Liv and Meg

Meg with her proud Mom and Dad

???

Meg and Kent

This was Evan's idea....a very nice sister

Meg and Mack

A hug from Jillisa

Sunset on the way to dinner

The traditional display of graduation paraphernalia that our graduate finds displayed upon arriving home from the "Grad Bash" held the night after graduation

CONGRATS TO ALL THE 2012 GRADUATES!!