Mt. Rainer

The last of July in Seattle was HOT!!!! On one of Shelley's days off we decided to take the kids to Mt. Rainer and hopefully escape the 100 degree weather we were experiencing. Luckily, once we got to the mountain, there was a rain shower that cooled everything off. It was a wonderful 60 degrees! The mountain was gorgeous and the wildflowers were stunning.

I was pretty impressed that I could fit in the cavity of this rock along with our 2.5 children. Getting out was a little more complicated though.

Can you believe that it was late July and there were still patches of icy snow?

Luke was quite the trooper walking all over exploring the wildflowers. Miriam was of course the princess and got to be pushed around in the stroller. He wanted to help push Miriam along the trails but wanted to let go of the stroller too when we got to the top of hills. Thus Luke didn't get to push his sister too many times. Grandma was also a great help in getting Miriam up the hills. Thanks for taking pity on the pregnant lady!

Thanks Grandma for taking us to Mt. Rainer and helping us cool off on such a hot day!

4th of July in Richfield

We celebrated our nation's great independence in Richfield, UT. I love how small towns really go all out for the 4th of July. We began the festivities with a parade down Main Street. Luke and Miriam loved gathering the candy that was thrown from the floats. Two sweet local girls volunteered to help them collect the treats. Some times Luke and Miriam were too slow to get the candy from the mad rush of older children, then the girls would share theirs with them. I was very impressed with their genuine kindness for my children.

Daddy and Miriam

After the parade, we headed to the City Park for lunch and games. A very smart farmer hooked a bunch of carts up to his tractor and turned it into a profitable ride for himself. Here is Morgan's sister Erin and her children on the "train."

Morgan, Miriam and Luke

After a nap back at the hotel, Emma, Grandpa, Daddy, Luke, Miriam and I headed to this hill beyond the freeway to shoot the potato gun that Grandpa made. Emma was a great helper with Tanner.

Grandpa getting ready to blast the potato off.

Here's Grandpa's creation from a few years ago...the tennis ball launcher.

A small firework experiment.

We had dinner with all the extended family at the park before heading to Uncle Kendall's to watch the fireworks from his lawn. He truly has the best spot in town. Morgan was very helpful in rounding up the children and getting them to the van after playing at the park. Now where will he put the 3rd one?

Please take note of the purse that Miriam is carrying. Grandma bought her the purse at the park on the 4th and she had to immeditately switch purses. Miriam now has 3 purses that she rotates from carrying everywhere we go. My sister-in-law Brandi got her a personalized purse for Christmas and started her addiction to handbags. Miriam is definitely all girl and cannot leave the house without a handbag. What will she be like when she is 16?

Grandma Willardson's 80th Birthday Bash

Happy 80th birthday Grandma Willardson! We drove down to Richfield, UT to help celebrate this remarkable woman's life. We had a great time with all of Morgan's cousins and family. Here's a few pictures from the birthday party:

Miriam and Charlotte

Erin and her kids preparing to go down the slide together with a very anxious Luke and Nicole waiting for their turns.

Someone had the brilliant idea of renting the slide and bouncy house for the kids to play on during the party. Luke must have went on the slide a hundred times. Thanks for renting these toys!Watch!

Miriam was more apprehensive about the slide and bouncy house, but she loved going down with Morgan. Take a look!

Luke is Iron Man

Luke was able to get his cast off on June 19th. We are so happy that we don't have to bag his arm when we bathe him. He is so happy to be able to play in the hot tub at Grandma's and in the sprinklers.

Here are some pictures of him showing off his Iron Man cast.

Didn't Morgan do a fantastic art job on the cast?

Baby #3

If you guessed a girl, then you are correct...at least at this point. We have another ultrasound in 2 weeks and then hopefully the baby will roll over a little more so that the doctor can get a better look.

1st Ultrasound

I had my first ultrasound this morning. Any idea on the sex? This baby is already so cute. The first thing the baby did on the ultrasound was so raise its arm, grab the umbilical cord and start sucking on it. Then it started to rub its eyes. I think we were interrupting its nap time. So what's your guess?

Our Trek Across the United States

On Wednesday, April 22nd, we said good-bye to Miami and began our week long road trip back to Washington. Our first day was 9 hours of driving. The kids held up better than the adults. I think that we were so tired from packing the night before and getting up early that morning that once we stopped in Macon, Georgia that night, I seriously wondered how we would make the rest of the journey.

We stopped for lunch Wednesday at a park. Super great idea because the kids played hard and then they were ready for food and a nap!

Thursday we drove to Evansville, Indiana and spent the night. Luke found a Pizza Hut with a play area inside and Pizza Hut pizza is now his favorite.

Friday morning we set out to Coralville, Iowa. Morgan's cousin Jordan lives there and we stayed with them Friday and Saturday night. It was so great to rest from travelling and to play with Samantha and Michaela.

Also outside of Coralville is a very historical site that we visited. It is the future birthplace of Captain Kirk. Here's Jordan, Morgan and the kids at the entrance of the site.

What a moment for the Fife family!

"Live long and prosper."

The three little monkeys! Thanks Michalea for sharing your toys and space with Luke and Miriam! Luke and Michaela became instant friends and had a blast dancing and chasing each other.

Sunday morning we set off to Omaha, Nebraska. We stopped there for lunch with Morgan's good friend Mike. Then we headed on to Sioux City, South Dakota for the evening.

Monday morning we started our trip to Billings, Montana. This was the longest leg of our trip. 10 hours of driving!

Tuesday brought SNOW! As we were driving through the rest of Montana towards Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, we ran into a snow storm. We couldn't believe it! At one of our gas stops, the kids got to play in the snow. I just wish that we would have had warmer clothes!

Daddy throwing snow balls at the children.

"It's soooo cold!"

Once we got to Idaho, we found another park for the kids to enjoy after dinner.

Miriam and Daddy checking out the fireman's hat.

Wednesday, April 29th we completed our incredible trip and made it to Grandma's house by early afternoon. Luke said: "Grandma, you live far away." I think so too.

We are having fun at Grandma's house while Morgan prepares to take the STEP exam and then await our clinical rotation assignment. Grandma and Grandpa have really opened their home to us and are so patient with our crazy children. We appreciate it so much!