The best part of the summer

For me one of the things that I look forward to the most is getting to spend some time with my family at Bear Lake. It's a chance to catch up and spend some good time together while having a lot of fun.

Aaron loves helping put up the tents.
"Here is the stick Papa!"I think all little boys love putting together tents. There is no shortage of help.

Aaron had fun with the Teatherball.The four older cousins just hanging out. This is such a wonderful time for the to get to spend time together and become better friends.Uncle Andrew with the four older boys. He took this same picture for his cell phone wall paper. I think he just wanted the picture so he could show off he cute nephews to all the girs!Mom with the two babies. We always have kids in sets. Though we don't plan it. But it is nice because they always have someone to play with.Stephen and Joseph build the yearly sandcastle.My parnets brought their Kayaks down with them this year. The boys had so much fun riding in them. Here is Stephen paddeling with Aaron.In the mornings we would put up the shade canopy and play with the sand in the beach volley ball court.One of the fun thigs we did was to collect minnows. The boys loved watching them swim in the pails. Uncle Andrew and Grandma were the best minnow catchers!One morning we saw a wild cottontail bunny hopping around on the neighbors property. The boys loved watching it run around.Playing with the boats on the lake. Joseph and Gage are the best of friends.Joseph wasn't scared of the water this year. It was a lot more fun for him because he jumped right in and played.

We always go and see Great Grandma Carol when we are there. Here is the family shot.

We tried our luck at flying a kite. There wasn't enough wind. The only time we got it up was when Uncle Andrew used his leg power.

And of course no trip to Bear lake is complete without a water fight or two or four.

I love this shot of the boys. We actually took it the first night we were there but I thought it was a nice way to end the post. I can't wait to go back this summer.

Bair Family Reunion

Every year the bair family has gotten together for a family reunion. They always have fun games for the kids to play. Here are Joseph and Aaron being tied together for the three legged race. In the end Aaron didn't race so Joseph raced with someone else.

The cake walk is always a fun game too!

All the kids from our family had matching red shirts thansk to Grammy Bair. It made them very easy to spot. I noticed that alot of the kids were starting to gather at the fence.
Here is the view from accross the way.
What has gotten all the kids interest?

The Ducks! They had several duck families at the park we went to. The kids were very facinated by them.
We didn't get pictures from the dinner because we had to leave early to get to Bear Lake. But it is always fun to connect with the Bair side of the family.

Doughnut Falls

We loved hiking doughnut falls in July with Stephen's brother Chris and his family.

Max and Joseph have so much fun together where ever they go. They loved being able to play together. They even had fun hiking together.

We only hiked to the bottom of the falls. Here is Joseph at the bottom.

Aaron wearing the bee hat he borrowed from Aunt Miriam. He loved that hat. He didn't want to give it up.

All the kids (and Miriam) together at the bottom of the falls.Chris and Miriam's familyOur family
It was a very fun hike to go on. We had a lot of fun getting out and enjoying being with family and out in nature. It is a mostly easy hike. Towards the end when you get close to the bottom of the falls there is a section of rock that you have to climb. We set up a child brigade. Someone at the bottom passing kids to one who had climbed to a rock in the middle who then passed the kids to someone at the top. Lots of fun.

Yes, we are still alive. I think.

We are alive,well, busy and apperently forgetting to update our blog. So I have set a goal for myslef to be better and updating and catching up. I think our last post was in May of 2010 (I know a really long time ago) so we will continue with were we left off and hopefully catch up to reality soon.

4th of July

We had a BBQ at Grandma and Grandpa Bair's house. With Grandma and Grandpa Bair and Miriam and Chris and thier family. First dinner of hot dogs and chips.

Then we played. Here is Joseph and Ruth on the Trampoline.
And Hailey helping Max and Aaron on the Teeter totter.
Then we had fun with multiple boxes of snaps. Always a highligt. All the kids stomping all over the padio.
Then all the kids got cold so Grandma went and got jackets for all. The kids just loved wearing Grandma and Grandpa's jackets.
Then it was time to pick out your firework. The kids didn't get to light the firework they choose, but they did get some ownership.
Then the best part of the night. The Fireworks. I love Aaron's face in this shot. He is such a silly boy.

Ensign Peak

When Mom gets cabin fever it means that the whole family gets to go on a hike. Or at least that is what happened to us today. I needed to get out of the house so we decided to go on the Ensign Peak hike. It is a wonderful hike that is not quite a mile, but it is very steep in places so it really gives you a workout. The boys did great. Aaron had to be carried most of the time. We had to keep telling Joseph to slow down, he just loved it.The boys on their way up the hill. This is the way Aaron got up the hill, on Dad's shoulders. He wasn't crazy about it at first but then he got used to the idea.

Joseph with the Great Salt Lake behind him. We could see where our house was from here.

Dad and Aaron at the Great Salt Lake viewing platform.

Aaron at the top of Ensign Peak. I tried to get Aaron to get a picture with Joseph, but he wasn't really in the picture taking mood. He was too interested in the dogs that were up there.

Joseph at the top of Ensign Peak.

At the top were some people that had some dogs that were extreemly friendly. Aaron was more interested in the dogs than anything else. Joseph was just loving them up. He kept telling them that they had funny ears because they stood up and were pointy.The family on top of Ensign Peak with the Salt Lake Valley as a backgroud.
One other note, Joseph saw the Temple down in the vally and told me that it looks really small, but it is still beautiful.

Happy Birthday Aaron!

The last two years have flown by and our little Aaron is now 2!
He had so much hair and just loved his first bath.
They have always been buddies.
All ready for Church

Look at thos chubbs!

He has always been such a happy kid. Just look at that smile. I also loved the shirt he is wearing. It says silent night, yeah right.
Such a cute smile.
My little rock star!
Celabrating his first birthday with his cousin Everett (who is 10 days younger than Aaron) at Grandpa and Grandma Michaelis' house in Montana.

Playing with a boat at Bear Lake. We love our summer trips here.

He has always loved to swing, but lately I think his playgroud favorite is the slide.

Pony rides at the State Fair. He loves animals, especally puppies.

This kid is always eating. He loves fruits and veggies.

Just look at that adorable face!

We had Tigger and Pooh bear for Halloween. This was his first time trick or treating.

We got to kidnap cousin Max for the weekend. Fun times.

He loves to play sports with his brother. This was the first time this year we had gotten out to play some baseball when Grandma and Grandpa Michaelis were here.

Our family tradition, a pancake in the shape of what age you are turning. Aaron was mad at me for singing to him. He just wanted to eat. Not sing or say cheese.

Cheese