Paragliding to Infinity and Beyond

I went paragliding in July - I was waiting for the company to send me the video we took, but I think that may never come -
My siblings gave me this opportunity for my birthday, to check off my bucket list! So nice.



It was pretty awesome, flying through the air - like a roller coaster! In order to climb higher though, you go around and around in circles and you get tossed around without much control. This led to me getting quite nauseous and cutting my trip short after we got up level with the point of the mountain. My nice pilot tucked our chute ends in and we descended quickly. I did vomit, but not until after I was on solid ground. It was neat though.

Thad and John came with me, that's Thad in the green parachute - I think.

Thad, upon landing.

I was most impressed with the community of fliers up at the flight park, everyone seemed to know everyone else, willing to lend a hand with takeoff's and landings and very friendly. Very nice.

Growing Up Way Too Fast

Calvin turned 4! We had a fun-filled day to celebrate

Day before, opening presents at Grammas with cousins, he got some great puzzles and superhero gear and Red Sox socks

We left early to get to Kangaroo Zoo - his favorite bouncing place. This boy loves to bounce.

Itty bitty chimp cones from Macey's, we ended up getting lunch there too, but Calvin kept trying to run away and get lost.

He wanted a pumpkin pie instead of cake - so that's what he got! 

We got him some new train and car tracks, Gramma Lynne sent a 3 Little Pigs play set.

Happy birthday Calvin! You are growing up so fast, you are so fun to play with and talk to. We love you!

Hamilton Party!

Ben is super into Hamilton these days so we decided to throw him a Hamilton birthday party! 

Anna and Eliza decorated some pumpkins for the porch- (yes we have pumpkins ripe in August) - they are very into it too, and we're excited to party

For dinner we had HAM-BURRgers

You'll never be Satisfries

Theodosia Salad

Lieutenant Kernels (corn on the cob)

I'm not throwing away my Jell-O shots 

This hat was passed around

This rockstar delicious cake made by Beetle - Anna and Eliza freehand iced the star/guy

DUELLING!!! Ben got shot like 3 times for some reason.

Singalong time! Russell accompanied us on the piano as we struggled through the lyrics

We finished up with fireworks. 

It was so fun - Hamilton is the best. Happy Birthday Ben

Kwitcherbellyakin 2016

Family reunion times started earlier this month as soon as The Francisco posse rolled into town. We love spending time with them when they come and stay in the summer.

They slept over and came to church with us twice while they were here. Taking 9 kids to church isn't exactly a cake walk, but we managed and learned and persevered.

This baby conference was so adorable on the kitchen floor. The conference agenda was all about nap times and how to get parents to value them during the upcoming reunion. (Julia wasn't there, but they took her needs into account)

Day 1 of the official reunion started with the kids 1 mile run.

Everybody finished with a smile!

Then some of the adults ran a 5K - I ran and enjoyed it, best run in recent memory.

Then we spent the afternoon at South Fork. And an outdoor movie/sleep out at Grampa's

Day 2- headed up to the lot to run chainsaws for 3 hours ⛰🌲🙉 

Becca managed a nap in my new baby carrier

Calvin managed a S'more in his hair and on his face and his shirt

Day 3- we went to a local pond for swimming and picnic then back to HQ for Carnival night! We had a bounce house and face painting and photo booth and more!

One of the booths was driving nails into this wood for one of Jethro's art projects. These two loved it the most

At the end of the night it was time to say goodbye to the Francisco's and get some sleep. It was so much fun, thanks to the Oliphants for planning it all

Deck Watch

And now for an overly detailed, long description of how we built a new deck.

Dad was the head honcho on this job, Jan, Thad and I were apprentices. 

This is where we started, sure it looks fine, but in reality I haven't stepped on the right half of the deck for a year- 

-Because of what was (or wasn't) supporting it. During demo, three of us fell through the spongy rotten under deck, but there were no injuries.

We cleaned it out and built the framework.

Then got the decking and railing.

And now all stained and finished, it looks great, it's super sturdy, and just what I envisioned. We still need to work on the landscaping before we can check this one of my summer to-do list.

Update: here is the final product, loads of black bark, a few pavers, and pretty plants make it look so good! Thanks Dad!

Ninja Anna

Anna started taking karate in January, but of course with a broken leg we had a 3 month intermission, so she just barely advanced to a new belt - yellow! This pic was at the belt promotion ceremony where she was showing us her flying side kicks.

She's ready to move up to the next level and get ready to do black belt training. Not sure if I am ready for that commitment though.

High Ropes Course

 

I'm finally tall enough to do the ropes course at the Curiosity Museum, so we went this week to try it out. First there was a bridge with far apart and crooked pieces of wood that I had to walk across.  It was easyish-hard. Then there were two parallel ropes and a grid going up and I did that twice. There were tons of different courses and at each platform I could choose from several different ones. There was one with ropes on either side, and steps that you had to walk up and down. There was a guide rope that the leader said to put on your shoulder to make it easier. There was a course I didn't go on, it was a shaky beam that you walk across. Another one I didn't go on was like lily pads on poles that you had to go from one to another.

It was a scary and fun experience. I would do it again. Everyone should try it.

-Anna Gaines

May Days

We were extra busy in May, we've been having too much fun to sit down and write about it.

We finally got the sand for our sandbox. My sweet father helped us build it during Spring Break and then went and got all the sand for us and helped us fill it up. The girls were more than willing to help, mostly because we watched "Holes" the night before, and were anxious to put their shovels to work.

 It's been a great addition to the yard, the kids build in it throughout the day and it's far enough from the house that most of the sand comes off them before they come inside.

 Anna's leg finally healed! Hallelujah! She wasn't very cooperative about taking a picture but I snuck one in when we stopped home after the Dr to get her other shoe so she could wear it to school. After she had the boot for 2 weeks, she was hopping around and not slowed at all, nevertheless, we are SO happy to be done with it.

 Calvin is POTTY TRAINED!!!
It was not as bad as I thought it would be, if I hadn't put so much pressure on myself maybe we could have done it sooner, nevertheless, it is done and I'm very happy.
Just look at that cute smile.














He earned many rewards throughout the process, one was this backpack, he calls it his "'venture packpack" Which is adorable and we haven't gone on any adventures yet, but we should. I don't know what he would put in it. He is also realizing that he will be going to school soon and will use it there.

 Look at that face. This was just a nice picture, not really a story. Though I do like how her bangs have been extra swoopy lately.

 Becca was given a sun hat, she didn't rip it off immediately, which is a win. Also Ben bought her some sleeveless onesies so she can show off her guns.















                   

 

Eliza graduated preschool, and her wonderful teacher didn't plan a ceremony or anything, but did send me this picture, which was perfect. The next day she threw a big water party for the kids in both classes and any parents or little siblings that wanted to come. It was great, the weather mostly held and there was tons of food.

 Ben and I took a late birthday/anniversary weekend up to Park City and let Uncle Thad watch the kids for 2 nights. He saved this easter bunny sugar cookie house kit for weeks until we could get together, the kids decorated it all and it was adorable. We had a great weekend and the kids loved the time with him.

 Calvin still smiles with his eyes closed. It's adorable.

 I just love all these pictures I took of Becca.












<--especially this one
She's a super happy/patient baby and I hope she stays that way.

 Our biggest event this month was Anna's baptism that finally happened on the 14th. She was supported by a good group of family and friends. Our family photographer had sick kids, so this was and is the only family photo we have of all of us and it is not great. I guess we'll have to go to sushi or something to get pictures again.