The Mayan

After taking pictures of the kids we had to head to the Draper area to look at a house.  We had a few hours before we had to be there so we decided to treat the kids to a fun dinner as a thank you for doing so well with pictures, and as a birthday dinner for Gracie.  Kenny was leaving on Monday morning to spend a week in Portland training for his new job and he was going to miss Gracie's birthday.  We decided having a birthday dinner before he left would be a lot of fun.  

At the Mayan after dinner.

We took the kids to the Mayan downtown and had front row seats for the water diving show.  The kids had a blast and they even brought out ice cream with a huge candle for Gracie.The kids loved the shows and begged us to stay and watch more of them, but we had to go see the house.

Blowing out her HUGE candle.

Hannah and Ben having some of Gracie's ice cream.

The 4 big kids sharing what's left of the ice cream.

It turns out it was a good thing we went when we did.  A few weeks later the Mayan suddenly closed it's doors without telling anyone, including it's employees.  I guess that's the last time we go there.

Before we left we took some time to play on the snakes out front.

All 6 kids playing on the snake.

Kids Annual Pictures 2011

We were WAY late getting the kids pictures taken this year.  With Kenny working out of state this summer, the rest of us moving and then being homeless for too many months, we just didn't get it done.  After a few try's in the city we finally decided to head up to the mountains for some fall shots.  It took a few outings, but finally on October 15th everything fell into place and we got some great shots of the kids.  

Sarah Kate Age 9

Ben James Age 7

Hannah Beth Age 5

Gracie Grace Age 3 (Almost 4)

Dan Dan Age 2

Adam Age 1

Rocky Mouth Waterfall

Kenny took this picture at the bottom of Rocky Mountain Waterfall.

Fall was beautiful this year and we took all the opportunities we could to enjoy the weather and our new home.  On September 24th we took the kids for a hike to Rocky Mouth Waterfall.  It's a small waterfall just above Draper.  The hike was short and perfect for our little kids.  When we got there we let the kids climb around on the rocks and explore.  It was a great outing and something we'll have to do more often.

The big kids up on the rocks near the waterfall.

Daddy took Dan up to see the waterfall.

Adam had fun playing in and trying to drink the water.  Don't worry, we didn't let him drink it.

The big kids and the waterfall.

Sisters

I love my family!  I love the way the kids are spread out.  They each have a built in friend who is just perfect for them, but they also get along with everyone else.  Kenny got some new lighting equipment and wanted to take some pictures of the kids for practice.  Hannah and Gracie were willing to be his subjects and even though they were in dress-up clothes and had messy hair, I love the pictures he took.  They show the bond these two girls have.

Cute Sisters!

Silly Sisters!

Serious(ish) Sisters!

Saying Goodbye To An Amazing Man

I have had the privileged over the past 12 1/2 years to belong to an amazing family who have not only inspired me to be a better person, but have welcomed me with open arms and made me feel loved.  At the head of this great family is a man that is like no other.  To say he's amazing is not enough.  I am so honored to have know him and I feel blessed to be called his family.  This man would be Kenny's grandpa, James Skiffington Holderness.

Grandpa with the little girls back in May of 2010.

Grandpa Holderness has been declining in health the last few years, but this April he took a turn for the worst.  He was diagnosed with congenital heart failure and was given a few weeks to 6 months to live.  We were all so happy when he was able to attend the Holderness reunion back in July and everyone present knew it was special because it was the last one with Grandpa there.  

On my way back from picking huckleberries I stopped for gas in Brigham City.  I checked my e-mail on my phone and discovered an e-mail from Grandma Holderness.  It told of Grandpa's quick decline and unresponsiveness.  There were no details just a quick message to let the family know he could go at anytime.  I immediately called Kenny, who was still in Grace, and found out none of them had heard anything.  Helen and her sister Robin, who was spending the night in Grace, called family in Boise and discovered that Grandpa was indeed very ill.  He passed away the following morning, with his wife by his side.  

Though we knew it was coming and had months to prepare, the shock of losing Grandpa Holderness was enough to bring tears to my eyes.  I will miss that man emensely and even as I write this, 2 months later, I am filled with sadness over the loss of such a great man.  Grandpa Holderness was one of a kind.  He loved his wife and family very much and you could see it every moment you were around him.  He was a very patient man who also enjoyed his independence.  He loved Jesus Christ and set such a good example of what a true Christian is like.  I feel honored to have known him and to have known him before he started declining in health.  I will never forget the example he set for those around him and I strive to be a little more like him every day.

Grandpa had two funerals.  One was in Boise on September 12 and the other was in Grace on September 13th.  He was buried in the lego cemetery in the land that he loved to spend time in.  The family got together for a beautiful funeral and a nice luncheon afterwards.  It was so nice to see everyone, it just would have been nicer under better circumstances.  We'll miss you Grandpa and never forget you.

Taking the coffin to the van.  

The family waiting for the burial service.

The casket bearers bringing the casket to the grave sight.

Helen and her mom, Ardelle, at Grandpa's grave sight.

Huckleberries

Yummy huckleberries all covered in rain!

We spent some time in August and September in Grace at my in-laws.  Kenny was there helping an old neighbor from Idaho Falls finish up a potato shed so the kids and I would go up on the weekends to see him.  One weekend in late August we decided to head up in the mountains to check on the huckleberries.  To our surprise they were not only ripe, but VERY plentiful.  We headed down the mountain and called the family to arrange a huckleberry picking day for the next weekend.

Hannah showing off the huckleberries.

The following Saturday, September 5th we headed up with Gary and Helen, Kingston's and Uncle Patrick's family for a fun filled day of huckleberry picking.  It was wonderful, relaxing, and productive.  I don't think in my 12 or so years of huckleberry picking that I have ever seen that many huckleberries ready to pick.  It was so much fun to sit down, look around and see thousands and thousands of huckleberries.  The kids all played so nicely together and it allowed Kenny and I to pick for hours.  We got so many huckleberries and I'm so excited to make jam and maybe ice cream this year.  We had planned on going up with just our family the follow weekend, but that night, on the drive home, we got some terrible news about Kenny's Grandpa Holderness.  We were unable to pick huckleberries the next weekend, but even without that extra day, we got more berries then we've ever had.  I love huckleberry picking and can't wait for it to come again next year.

The kids headed up the mountain in Grandpa's Truck.

This is why we came.

Headed down after a long day.  Sorry, I didn't take any pictures while we were there.  I guess we were too busy picking.

First Day of School

My 3 big kids on the first day of school.

When school started this year we were still in a temporary living situation, not knowing what the future would hold.  We were staying with my sister in-law and brother in-law and decided to just put the kids in school there.  They went to Foxboro Elementary in Woods Cross and when August 22nd (the first day of school) came the kids were both excited and nervous.  They love going to school and were so excited to start again, but they didn't know anyone in the area and were nervous about making friends.  

Hannah, who started Kindergarten this year, came home from school the first day with tons of new friends and a report that she loved her teacher Mrs. Lund. 

 Ben had a rough start because they forgot to put him on the classroom list so we didn't know who his teacher was.  He was late getting there the first day, but recovered quickly and had a great rest of the day.  He has made a lot of new friends and he really likes his teacher, Mrs. Larsen.  

Sarah was so nervous that first day I thought she may not make it.  She missed her friends from Idaho Falls a lot, but after a few days she began making friends in her new class.  Now she fits right in and loves school, especially her teacher Miss Henrie.

Adam Turns 1

Happy Birthday Adam!

My baby boy is 1.  He had a birthday on August 23rd which means my kids are all growing up and getting big.  We had a little party for him at April and JJ's house.  Adam got a few toys, had some cake, made a mess, and then went to bed.  It was perfect for a one year old.

Adam with his new dinosaur toy.

Adam playing with his new toy from Aunt April and Uncle JJ.  Thanks guys.

We bought Adam's cake this year.  He enjoyed it even if I didn't get to make it.

Adam had a lot of fun eating his cake.

The kids eating cake at Adam's birthday party.

Memory Grove

Sarah and Dan hanging out on the grass together.  Everyday, I feel so blessed that my kids love each other so much.

 We took some time this summer to get out and enjoy Salt Lake.  On Saturday, August 20th we decided to take the kids into the city and let them see some of the sights.  We began at Memory Grove where we played in the stream, on the grass, and anywhere else we could find.  Afterwards we headed to temple square.  The kids hadn't been there in years so it was fun to walk through and learn some things and see things they didn't remember.  We finished the night with rice krispy treats and lemonade.  It was a perfect outing.

Adam, being cute!

Sarah and Ben had fun pretending to be gargoyles.

Adams a big fan of being thrown in the air by Daddy.

Pearce Family Reunion

The Pearce family reunion this year was August 13-16.  We camped at Willow Flats campground where we were able to get back to basics.  It was so much fun to see everyone, watch the kids play with distant cousins they don't see very often, and camp in such a beautiful area.  I have a ton of pictures so I chose to do them in slideshow format.  Enjoy.