MAY....GETTING CAUGHT UP!

I am going to try to get up to date on this blog. With knowing that to be physically impossible, I am going to start with the events in May and work my way to the present. I am going to title each post by the month so then I can try and GET CAUGHT UP! (not even sure anyone checks this anymore but I do want to print it as our family scrapbook one day!)

Meridian Fun Run!

Our City has a yearly fun run to encourage families and kids to get out and exercise. Eliza and I had been looking forward to this for several weeks. We ordered shirts and registered right away. She even wanted to "practice" with me in the mornings. Eliza's little cousin Gracie wanted to come too at the last minute and I am glad she did. She was a little trooper the whole time and tried to encourage little miss grumpy pants Eliza when she kept trying to give up! But overall we had a good time and it was a good experience.

SOCCER!

 Porter loved soccer! He was a little timid at first but by the end of the season he scored a total of 7 goals and didn't let us forget his running tally! He was super excited about his very first trophy that even had his name on it! 

I decided to Coach Eliza's soccer team this season. It was a good experience and we had a ton of fun together. I was so proud of her that she was willing to try each position and did so well at each of them! She did loved being the goalie and forward the most. She scored quite a few goals which made it a great first season!

No videos of her playing soccer. Since I was the coach that meant there wasn't anyone to video. Where was the Dad?


THE BROWN REUNION
Every 2 years on my moms side of the family we have a big family reunion. It isn't always held at the same place each time. This year we were excited that it was going to be at what used to be our old family ranch. We used to have reunions here when I was little and then the family that owned it decided to turn it into a big rental campground called The Ponderosa. Its just above Zions National Park close to St. George, UT. It was so much fun there! They had cabins, mini golf, a huge pool, zip line, playground set, and more.

 The first day we got there it rained which was kind of a bummer at first, but then the kids made the most of it and played in the mud!

 We met up with Heather and James and drove together since we both live in Idaho! It was so much fun to visit with them and have the majority of the time to catch up. They don't have kids yet so its fun that they love to spoil our kids with attention, love and even gifts!

My Dad brought his quads and everyone loved riding them! Especially Eliza! She thought she was little miss thing riding that around. 

The next few videos are the best! They had a Barn dance one night that the kids just loved! Who knew my kids were such dancers. They grooved it all night! Especially Porter! That little guy has got some moves. It was super cute to watch.

Just don't worry about my little awkward breakdown in this next video. I loved how excited Eliza was to dance to Justin Beiber. Or.... maybe it was me that was excited and I used her as the excuse! It sure was fun to let loose though and I had a blast with my kids!

 It was a long drive but so worth it. I love thinking about the memories my kids created, being with my family and seeing people I hadn't seen in years.

---JUNE was a crazy busy month! I have a ton to post about so I will break them up. Stay tuned.........

San Antonio

During Endo School Matt worked on a Masters Research Project that was chosen to be presented at a conference in San Antonio. Since the school would pay for his way we decided it would be a great opportunity to take a weekend trip. What made it even more enticing...Lou and Jolyn decided to go, which we knew would take it to a whole new level! And let me tell you...it did!
 I think it was a little more of a vacation for the girls then the boys! We didn't have to attend any classes, which they did, and.....wanted too? The girls could wake up when we wanted and do whatever we felt like. We shopped, ate, got massages (sort of), saw a few movies and and really just relaxed!

Our Hotel was right across the street from the Alamo. It also happened to be the weekend of their yearly street carnival which is apparantly a huge deal. 

One night, as part of the conference they bused us up to a texas ranch and had a yummy BBQ dinner. We were amazed at the scenery and fun atmosphere. They had mechanical bull riding, line dancing with a live band, roping, pool tables and so much more!

There were some incredible Longhorn Cows at the ranch. Jolyn and I thought it would be fun to take pictures by them. Oh man did I underestimate their horns! I looked over and about got one in the ribs. It was a little scary but totally added to the experience.

 Then everyone walked over to watch an awesome Rodeo! It was so amazing and we realized it is not a sport we want our boys to try.

 Jolyn and I ended the night with some dancing! We couldn't quite talk our husbands into it but I think they had just as much fun watching us make fools of ourselves!

 uh....what is that creepy guy doing behind me? Totally caught in action!

I learned alot about the Alamo I had never realized before. Or I guess didn't remember from Elementary school. It was a cool place to visit and we had a really great weekend. My in laws watched all of our kids.... 7 all together! They ran them around to 3 different schools, soccer games and various activities. We really are so lucky!