Flashback Friday: Snow Fort Circa 2008

This Flashback Friday is in honor of the Church Snow Day we had back in February of 2008. It was an incredible amount of snow that fell. The 9 am block of church was stuck in a giant mess in the church parking lot so they canceled the rest of the day. The kids were in heaven.

(Nate, with Ryland on his lap, Ally, Hailey A., Ethan and Taylor A.)

 Nate decided to go out with the kids to build a giant snow fort. Before we knew it the neighbor kids had started to flock over to our place and help. It was epic! It is still talked about all these years later.  

(Ryland, Trey S., Ally, Mariah S., Hailey A., Ethan)

 They worked so hard on it. You can see in this picture how high the walls were.

(Taylor A., Mariah S., Trey S., Ethan, Ryland, Ally and Nate)

They then added the super cool towers on the top. It was a fun day and project that they enjoyed for days to come. Such fun memories.

Photo Shoot Sunday: Cheeks

When I came across these pictures of Evelyn from March of 2008 I just knew I had to feature them on a Photo Shoot Sunday. Just look at those cheeks! Those eyes! She is just so munchable. I cannot believe that that these were taken five years ago. Honestly it feels like it has been so much longer than that. My sweet, fun, little baby has become my sweet, fun, little girl. I just love her.

Flashback Friday: Sydneys Baptism and the Lodge 2008

We always enjoy our time as a family up at the Laketown Lodge. But this particular trip up was even more meaningful. We had it planned to go up for the weekend of our niece, Sydney's baptism. It was the first weekend of March. Well, the fourth of February is when my Dad and his wife Fran, had their moose accident. My Dad ended up only being released from the hospital the day of the Baptism. They allowed he and Fran to travel up to the Lodge to participate in the Baptism and then he headed straight back to the hospital for one final check and was then released. He had been in there for a month. We were so grateful we were able be together with him in celebration instead of in mourning.

The Lodge is always full of good times and good food and this day was no exception. We returned after the Baptism to eat a feast and to take some pictures with Dad.

Dad with my brother, Travis, and his two boys, Garrett and Tyler.

Sophia Kelsey and Grandpa Burke

Evelyn, Nate, Ryland, Ronda, Ally, Dad and Fran and Ethan Mills

Garrett, Sarah, Travis, Julia, Dad and Fran and Tyler Burke

Jennifer, Shaylen, Ridge, Dad and Fran, and Sawyer Skidmore

Kai, Joe and Sophia Burke with Dad and Fran

Wyatt, Dad, Sydney, Fran, Heidi, Logan, Travis, Carson and Megan Muirbrook



Flashback Friday: You Can Never Be Too Safe

Today I wanted to show these cute pictures of Ryland I found. It was February 2008. We had a lot of snow that particular winter and he loved being out in it. He was only four years old and for some reason he insisted on wearing his lifejacket out in the snow. What a little cutie. I miss my four year old Chub.

Flashback Friday: Back to School.

In honor of Back to School season, I thought I would dedicate this Flashback Friday to all of our past First Days of School. At least the ones I haven't blogged about.

2003Ethan 4 year old preschool at Head Start program for Speech Therapy
2004Ethan Kindergarten (Mrs. Deelstra) at Wasatch Elementary, Ally 3 year old Preschool at Wasatch Early Learning (Miss Ann)

2005
This year Ally looked so sad on her first day of 4 year old preschool. She had fallen down the concrete steps by our front door and then gotten a black eye at the zoo.

This was her and her best cousin Sawyer who she went to preschool with.
They went to preschool together at Wasatch Early Learning both years.

Shaylen (2nd) and Ethan at Wasatch Elementary in Ogden. Ethan was in 1st grade. (Mrs. Atkinson) They loved going to the same school for a second year in a row.

2006We hadn't even officially moved into our new home yet. I drove them to and from school from our Ogden home every day for about 3 weeks. It got really old.

Ethan heading to 2nd grade at Three Mile Creek. (Ms. Abbott who later became Mrs. Acuff)
Ally heading out to Kindergarten at Willard Elementary. (Mrs. Coburn)
2007
I remember Ethan combed his hair all by himself that morning. He was a big 3rd grader at Three Mile Creek and had his favorite teacher to date, Mrs. Yates.

Ally heading to full day school. First grade at Willard Elementary. (Miss Higgs)

Look at how small he looks with that massive backpack on. This was Ryland's first time going to school, Three year old Preschool at Wasatach Early Learning Center (Miss Ann)

2008Ethan and Ally going to school together for the first time at Three Mile Creek. Ethan 4th grade (Miss Thompson) and Ally 2nd grade (Mrs. Petersen)

Ryland going to Four year old Preschool at Wasatch Early Learning Center (Miss Ann) He also went to preschool with his best cousin, Ridge, both years.
So there you have it. I think they grew up this fast in real life too!

Photo Shoot Sunday: Christmas-time 2008

I remember this Photo Shoot very well. It was after church, of course. Why I feel so compelled to subject tired, ornery, hungry kids, that just want to eat lunch already, to a photo shoot is beyond me. Let's just say, I still haven't learned my lesson! Well, to make matters worst my camera was being especially stupid that day. It was awesome! So, after doing some major work on these suckers, here they are for your Christmas-time enjoyment!

Glasses Club

October 17th, 2007. The day the Glasses Club was officially formed.

(december 2008)

(march 2009)

Flashback Friday: Bear Lake, 24th of July 2008

We headed up to Aunt Heidi's house to play at the lake and have a sleepover. It was super fun. This first photo was on the front lawn of Grandma and Grandpa Hale's house in Logan. Just a little pit stop and a chance to stretch our legs.

Ryland getting sunburned.

Daddy and cousin Brice having a great time on the wave runner.

Ryland and Ridge, when those two are together they are joined at the hip.

Sydney Annie

Carson giving me the stink eye. Ever since his family abandoned him to me at 15 months old to go to Disneyland he hasn't trusted me. Still, to this day, and he is knocking on 5 years old! Poor kid. He's missing out. I'm great.

Ethan and Sawyer bean

Aunt Heidi and Wyatt

Ally, I don't remember what she was finding all over the beach. Rocks, sticks, I can't tell or remember.

Bean, that can't possibly be comfortable. But it is a cute tusch.

Logan and Ryland

Ethan getting his wild on. Crazy kid.

Wondering where baby Evelyn is? She was back at Aunt Heidi's house sleeping the afternoon away.