Day 2

Mini-golf on the brand new course, horseback riding, and more swimming (yet I don't have any pictures of the pool...)




In the early evening we hiked a trail into Zion that started right by the ranch and ended with a stunning view down into the canyon.

the crew on Overlook hike

Chad's "walking stick"

Once the kids were in bed we gathered as adults. We gave my mom a 60th book filled with 60 letters from her nieces, nephews, in-laws, study group friends, neighbors and friends both old and new, and her husband and children. My siblings and I have been working on this project for nearly 3 months so it was wonderful to pull it all together and present it to my mom. We sat around for a few hours and read all the letters. And yes, Joseph made sure we laughed a lot during that time--and although it was long, I thought it was touching and hilarious at the same time, and one of my favorite things about our trip.

the logo Joseph created for my mom's birthday and the 60 letters project

Day 1

Emerald pools in Zion, swimming all afternoon back at the ranch, and a dutch oven dinner on the Ponderosa's extensive property.

the drive into Zion from the east is pretty spectacular, long and quite windy but also very scenic

heading up the trail

the Allen family

Dads toting babies (Livs is hiding)

it wasn't enough to hike on a trail--my kids had to climb every rock to get the full experience

heading out to our dutch oven dinner

the Smith family

everyone loves Joe!

grandparent picture

Where Have We Been?

...just got home from a 5 day adventure in Zion. We celebrated my mom's 60th birthday with a big Smith family trip to a beloved spot of hers. We actually stayed in East Zion up in the mountains at Zion Ponderosa and spent a few days in the National Park and a few just playing at the ranch and enjoying our time together. It was a huge success and my kids are already planning how many zipline rides and hikes they can fit in next time we are there...guess we better head back soon!

More to come later--can't quite wrap my head around the 400+ pictures we have just yet...

LeBaron crew at Middle Emerald Pool, Friday, May 28th

Gift Idea

My sister sent me this link on end of year teacher gifts. I was smitten with the darling little box and decided I had to make one for Bean's Kindergarten teacher. It was super easy and quite a fun project because my sis and I shopped together finding all our supplies at Walmart.




Bentley delivered the goody box today and it was most happily received. My little guy has just 4 days of school left! I am floored that the year is already over...

Birthday, Birthday!

What do you do when your kids have birthdays 3 days apart? Because I will tell you what I do--make them share a party, easy peasy. In the past we have kept it mainly a family event with aunts and uncles, cousins and grandparents. But with Bentley in Kindergarten meeting many new kids, we felt like we could host more friends this year. For both kids. At once. We may have been feeling a little overly ambitious at the time, but we decided to host simultaneous parties--one for Cares and all the girls and one for Bentley and the boys. With the stormy and freezing weather we are so lucky we had 3 floors at our disposal. And we even did pinatas in the newly orange garage!

We had 20 kids here on Saturday! It was soooo busy. And I had a feeling it would be so we recruited A LOT of help--all 4 grandparents AND my big sis. And thank goodness they were all here because those kids kept us on our toes! (Livs included--luckily she took a nap during the second half of all the festivities.)

The boys were Lego maniacs on Saturday afternoon while the girls were fancy, accessorized ladies:

The boys colored a picture of a Lego cement mixer, went on a hunt for hidden Lego bricks in the backyard, built a ship/weapon/base with a bowl full of randomly assigned Legos, and guessed how many Legos were in a pre-filled jar.

the girls made beaded bracelets, colored butterfly pictures, had their fingernails painted, went on a hunt for hidden supplies and then made flower and rhinestone hair bows.

and both "parties" let loose on pinatas

a little LeBaron time when Joe's siblings stopped by to pick up their kids...

And that was our wild and wonderful day on Saturday. Until next year then...

To My 4 Year Old Girl

Dear 4 Year Old Caroline--

Happy Birthday pretty girl! Oh, my little Cares--how are you growing up so fast? It has been a busy ride for us so far but also so much fun--having a daughter is just so delightful for me. I love how excited you are about shoes and clothes, how you love lip gloss and painted nails, and how you escape into your fantasy world of Polly Pockets and princesses and Barbies as you play. It's so wonderful to be a girl!

This year I have really noticed your mothering instincts coming into play. You have been such a lovely big sister to Olivia and very concerned about helping her, feeding her, pushing her stroller and cooing over her. You have also become quite the little mother hen with your preschool friends--calming them when they feel sad about something and making each of them feel loved and cared for. It's too sweet how they all love to sit by you when we gather around the table or sit down for blanket time. You also showed great kindness and love for my Papa just before he died, your gentle and tender nature shining through.

You have learned a lot in the past year too--reciting the Pledge of Allegiance by memory, recognizing many letters and the sounds they make, singing all the primary songs you have learned this year, and improving your coloring skills. I am proud of you for being a good listener during church and preschool and especially during our scripture study each night. You sure love the stories of Jesus--your favorite being when he taught the Nephite children. You have turned into my very best sleeper this year--getting 13 hours of sleep almost every night--sounds dreamy! Let's teach Livs that trick very soon, ok?

Cares, thank you for being a bright little star in our home, for playing endlessly with Beans and letting Livs brush your hair, for being such a meticulous and avid cleaner--folding your clothes so nicely and getting your room and bed sparkling clean almost every day, and for giving such wonderfully, snuggly, hugs and kisses to all of us.

I love you darling girl!

--Mommy

Bentley's Day

A birthday morning: the traditional breakfast in bed

A birthday evening: hanging out at the fathers and sons camp out--
something Bentley was stoked about for his birthday.

with buddies Noah and Mason

reading Mason a bedtime story
(Joseph and Bentley shared a tent with the Barnes--luckily it was a sturdy one. The storms raged last night but those guys stayed dry!)