Boar's Tusk and the Sand Dunes

It was Conference weekend and we decided to drive to the Sand Dunes and Boar's Tusk.
Here's Eric in all of his Sand Dunes glory!!

Eric and Adam and their brotherly rivalry. We have a video of this that we will update later.

Max and Grady relaxing in their thrones.

Here's Julie trying to get Max to roll down the dunes...she was so nice as to show him and still, he was more content just playing with the sand.

Jim, triumphantly finishing an exhausting climb.

Max loved playing with "Grady Boy" as he called him.

We forgot his hat and sunglasses...so, he had to make due with wearing daddy's hat and mommy's glasses. Afterwards dinner, the boys went to the Priesthood session and Julie, Camille and I got to go shopping for a few hours. We were so happy to have visitors!!

The Twins' Shower!

A few weeks ago, Eric's family put on a baby shower for me and the twins. It was so much fun! Rather than a diaper cake, Julie and Jody made a diaper bassinet with two baby dolls in it. As a side note, Max has been wonderfully delighted with the dolls, he refers to them as the sisters...whenever their pacifiers fall out, I make a crying sound and he rushes over to put them back in their mouths. Too cute that boy!!! Meradith, now has put on two showers for me and I've done none for her...I suck, she rocks!
Linda was kind enough to host it in her home. Two sisters.

Julie and Jody spent a lot of time preparing for the shower and making all of the goodies...like Jell-popcorn!!! Thank you, both! I remember loving to go with my mom to these type of events when I was a little girl. Looking at this picture makes me excited to have girls.Some more of the Eldridge sisters.Enjoying the food and company whilst I opened gifts.
I made off with a lot of stuff to fill the closet of the girls' nursery. It's fun to be able to go to the store and not feel frustrated at the over abundance of girls' clothing compared to boys'.

Jen Carlile showing us the proper way to sip from the water bottles that were so cleverly used for the shower.

...and, Mer, you're going to hate this collage...but I love all of these faces...just a normal day in the picture taking life of Meradith! Even when making a phugly face, you're hot!!! Few can pull it off!

Meeks- 2011

It was another great year at Meeks Cabin.

Grandma out on a walk to the Totum Pole with Na-Na and Max.

Max and his friends at Meeks.

The big slide that I told Max he was too little to go down by himself...it started with me going with Max, then Brooke started taking him...but I had to draw the line when Na-na assured me she could take him down the slide. She. herself, was amazing at going down that slide that some of the adults had trouble with (Carly)- just kidding.Carly & Jody were so nice to get everyone craft projects...so, we all learned the way of letters and holiday crafts! Here are the fruits of our labor...I didn't get a finished picture of Camille's Harvest or Jody's Star Wars themed H-A-N-K-Y...but all the crafts turned out spectacularly.The kids joined in and painted rocks and made puppets for a puppet show.

The Feast was delicious as always...this year they added mushrooms and these GIANT shrimp that were easily four or five times the size of a normal shrimp...in the end, Kale won, again, with 57 shrimp and a couple of GIANT shrimp. As an honorable mention, Chuck won for the most corn eaten.

I just love this picture..they were so cute together.

I love this picture, too, doesn't Clayton look like he's about to clock Casey?

Here is a picture of us and me in all my phat pregnancy glory.

Another Meeks comes to an end...Annie, you guys had better be there next year...and for the rest of your lives!!!!!!

Cathy's wedding!!!!

So, I flew in from California just to make my friend Cathy's wedding reception. She is without a doubt one of the best people I know. She inspires others and never judges. I miss those old days in Davis when we would watch T.V. and make soup and grilled cheese! Or road trips to Utah planned while working the night shift...you deserve the best and I'm happy it's all coming true for you!!!

Hogle Zoo with Jared & Kristee

We decided to go to Hogle Zoo and called up Jared and Kristee to see if they wanted to join us...and were so happy when they did!!!!

I have never been to this zoo without this elephant scaring some child to tears...I was just happy that it wasn't Max this time.
Linzie, Max & Kenzie got to pet the tortoise that was the star of the show.

Max and I had a great time riding these horses.

Max's hand compared to a Gorilla's. Max in a Giant egg shell.

Here is a picture that I have been meaning to put on some post...Eric and I are skilled beyond all of your knowledge!

Lucy turns 3!!!

Thank you, Lucy for turning 3 and having parents who put on such an awesome party!!!!

We got to meet up with some cruise friends and their kids...the dynamics are definitely different when you have all the kiddo's around.

Max wouldn't go on the bounce house at the last fair we were at, but when it was filled with cousins and familiar friends, he jumped his heart out.

...and played in their play structure...

...ate custard and cake...Max and I practiced, "Happy Birthday" the week preceding her party. I explained that Lucy was turning 3...Max was a little disappointed to still be just 2...so, we added the "... and a half." So, if you happen to ask him his age, he will now proudly state, "too and a haf."

...hung out with friends...

Corbin and Brandon enjoying the festivities...

...jumped on a trampoline with balloons galore...

played with this for like ten minutes...

...got our faces painted...well, Eric and I did...Max wussed out at the last minute and would only get 'a snake in his boot.'

Seriously, this picture says it all...Max loves Lucy and was so happy to enjoy the party she put on!!!! Happy Birthday, Lucy!!!!

Parker's Party!!!

We got all of our family in California together for a party for Parker.

My dad and his two grandsons.

My parents, paternal Grandmother, Kristina's parents, me, Peter, Parker, Max & Kristina.

We went on a walk through the California Redwoods.

Max relaxing on a bench he found.

A trip to Tilden park. I used to love this park as a child.

Max at the airport with his Toy Story suitcase...asleep, literally 2 minutes before we landed, and the flight attendant who kindly carried him to the gate until he noticed that it wasn't me and abruptly stated, "you're not my mommy, you're a LADY!!!!" It was a great trip home and back!