Visiting Miriam & Her Gals

Well, seeing as I have no friends here in Burley, Idaho and Miriam invited us up for a visit I finally sidestepped my anxiety and headed up to Rexburg to see my fave VT companion ever, (sorry, not much hope for you future VT Companions unless you are Miriam's). What took me so long? I had a blast, and I really love the area. Rexburg has the coolest park with a carousel, water playground, and a regular everyday joe playground. The boys loved it! Miriam's mom also has the niftiest front door painted with automotive paint. It would gleem in the blackest of nights. The kids were excited to see someone that they actually knew. Poor Taylor thought we were going to Cleveland to see them and he cried a bit when I explained they were visiting their grandma. He got over it though and had a great day with the rest of them. Hannah was cute and put her arm around Taylor and told us that he was her friend. I am going to miss her wanting to ride in our van. I always did find that funny.
Our cute kids riding the Carousel together. They each got to ride it twice thanks to Miriam and her free ride passes from story time at the library.
Miriam with Hannah & Myah. At least Miriam is having fun.
I really love pizza, especially pizza at local restaurants. Miriam showed us Craigo's and I found heaven. The kids seemed to like it too. Hannah wouldn't even stop and smile for the camera.
Taylor took this pic for us. I hope I get another VT campanion as awesome as Miriam, (not very likely, but a girl can hope). Thanks for the great time!

Hanging With the Cowdens in Utah

Leaving Cleveland can't be to hard when good friends come out your way. The Cowden Family came to Utah to visit their families and took a day off from their hectic fam schedule to share with us. We went to the Children's Museum in Salt Lake City at the Gateway Mall. I've never actually been to the Gateway even though it was built before I moved to Ohio. Turns out I didn't miss much. They could use a little help with their maps because the inaccuracy sent us and then the Cowdens in the wrong direction. Aggravating, but we got over it, (not enough to go back there though).

During our visit the Cowdens enlightened us with a hilarious story about how they lost their luggage from the top of their van in Nebraska. We couldn't stop laughing while they recounted how they drove that stretch of highway again in search of their belongings. It wouldn't be life if something hadn't gone crazy in the Cowden family. They also had Caleb's arm in a cast. Of course he had to do that on vacation. Poor Cowden fam! Their craziness is one reason why we like them so much.
Below are our adventures for the day. The Cowden Fam consists of Jason, Katie, Cameron 6, Zach 5, Caleb 3, & Baby Luke.

Ian and Caleb riding the huge plastic horse. It took 4 pictures to get them to both sit still and even then Ian still wasn't looking. I guess they were to busy to be bothered with moms and cameras.
Waiting for Jason to get back from reparking their car. They weren't to happy about the wait, but they did really well for a bunch of small tikes.
Oh happy day!!! Taylor and Ian got to ride Trax in Utah. They loved the RTA and now they can love Trax. All the smiles attest to our future stop at McDonalds for lunch.
Despite our fate of a McDonalds lunch we are still happy. Amazing.
Back at the Children's Museum we checked out a helicopter and learned about life flight.
Taylor & Zach taking a turn at the controls.
My kid is nuts. Heaven help us.
Kelby and Jason ended up good friends after working together in church. It was so nice to see friends after a stressful move. See you guys next year?

Kelby's High School Get Together

Kelby's friend Tawna organized a barbeque for their old high school friends, (class of '97). Not everybody was able to bring their spouses, but all in all the turn out was good. Top row: Tawna, Travis, Me (Amy), Kelby

Bottom: Hillary, Sterling, Kevin

I am the only spouse in this picture, but Kevin's wife Alicia was there and so was Tawna's husband. I think Alicia was attending to a crying child and Tawna's man was operating a plethora of cameras. How lame that I'm in it! We attempted to get all the kiddos to sit together for a picture. Success? Probably illusive. Well, maybe better luck next time.

Kyler Ordained, Bathtub Boys, & 4th of July

Any special day for the Olson Family is a day to over do the picture taking and test patience. Kyler was ordained an Elder June 21, 2009 by Chad in preparation for his mission. Here are 2 pictures to prove we were there.....

Kyler with all his neices and nephews excluding Taylee & Porter who live in Boston.

Back: Kelsi, Kyler holding Landon, Kade, Jenna

Front: Taylor, Nathan, Tanner, Ian, Kalan

Our little fam.
The boys in the bathtub July 1, 2009. I suckered out at WalMart and bought them Lightening McQueen bubble bath. They wasted no time in trying it out. Taylor busied himself in replicating Santa Claus and Ian hurried himself to rinse that beard right off Taylor's face. He almost wiped Taylor's smile off too, but we worked it out.
On the 4th of July we watched the Burley City fireworks show. It wasn't much, but it was something and that is better than nothing. Afterward we headed back to Grandma's and the boys did sparklers and snaps. They had to sit on the porch occasionally so that Tysi's & Chad's families could light off the fireworks they bought. This is the boys lounging and waiting for their turn. Such funny little guys.