API weekend

Kyle played in the famous API golf tournament over father's day weekend. He was so excited when my dad asked him. He has waited 6 years for a spot to open up on the team. He played really well and had a blast. He had one putt where he was the last one to go and no one else on the team had made it. My family had 3 other teams playing and they were all right together. So everyone was watching him and giving him a hard time and he sunk it. He was very proud and so was I! 

He said the food was amazing and there was a ton of it. I was super jealous that I didn't get to have any. I had a lot of fun hanging out with my grammy and Aunt Denee. We had fun chatting and being together. I also took Tragdon and the girls to visit my Grandma Country. It was a very fun relaxing trip. We had a blast and hopefully we get to do it next year too!

The team (Left to right) Chet (my daddy), Dennis (my grandly), Lester (my uncle), Kyle and Uncle Jackson. 

On the way to Utah Juliet never took a nap. We left at 11 and got into Roosevelt a little after 5. She was awake the entire time. She was happy of course, but no nap. She was great when got to the house too. She was happy and ran around with Abby and gave everyone hugs and kisses. She went to bed great too, but that at 12:30 she woke up and wouldn't go back to sleep. She would scream when she was in her crib, but then be happy and wanted to play as soon as we got her out. It was awful. Finally I went into the big room upstairs that has all the toys and shut the door. I fell asleep on the couch while Juliet ran around and played for 45 minutes. Then Kyle came in and traded me. He did the same thing for about another 45 minutes until she finally fell asleep. Then she slept for about 4 hours until we woke her up so that she would take a nap that afternoon. It was crazy and it was hard for me to catch up on my sleep. She looks like an angel in this picture. Little stinker. At least she is almost always happy. I just love her. 

Outside swinging. Look at that little smile! She is the sweetest thing.

Filling up the car with gas getting ready to head out. They were both awesome on the drive out and on the drive back. We had to pull over to the side of the road twice so that Abby could go potty. It was hilarious holding her out and pulling her legs up so she could go and it wouldn't get all over. It was an adventure.

On Saturday while all the men folk were still playing golf we took the kids to Marions. That place is delicious. The girls loved their grilled cheeses and had fun looking at all the stuff there. It is fun to sit up to the bar and order your food. It has that small town feel for sure. Everyone knows everyone in there.

Hanging out with my grandma and aunt. It was so fun to get to see them for a little bit.

We stopped in steam boat springs on the way out and on the way back. On the way back we stopped at this awesome park that had a path along this river. It was gorgeous and felt so good to get out and stretch out legs.

On the way there we stopped at this huge overlook. It is one of the most beautiful views.

Another family self by the river on the way home.

Our sweet girls playing at the park. Steamboat is seriously gorgeous. Abby was spinning around in circles while holding her little purse.

Kyle was throwing rocks into the river and Abby wanted to do it too. I caught her mid throw. 

We were able to see a lot of my labrum family while we were out there. Thats my dad's mom's side of the family. I love them and it has been a long time since I've been able to see a lot of them. We went and visited my Great Grandpa and it was really sweet. Our girls almost destroyed the place so we didn't stay long. As we were leaving my great grandpa hugged me and told me how proud he was of me, my girls and my dad. It was a special moment. Especially coming from him. 

This is my dad and his cousin Matt, who grew up being as close as brothers. They are both grandpas now! We couldn't get abby to join us for these pictures because she was with her "boys". She was with Tragdon, Luke and Payton. She wasn't about to leave them.

Me and Matt's daughter Gentry. We are about a year apart and she is the closet thing to a cousin I have ever had. It was fun to get to meet her little girl and for her to meet Jules for the first time.

This is from when we were with my Great Grandpa. Tragdon is the sweetest uncle ever. He was so sweet with the girls. As soon as the both saw him they screamed and ran to hug him. It was adorable. At one point the little boys were all playing and throwing frisbees. One hit Jules and she started to cry and wen to Tragdon he told his cousins "I have to take a break, my niece needs me". Then he picked her up and comforted her until she was all better. So sweet. Abby followed him everywhere and he didn't mind at all. It was awesome. It warms my heart to see my girls love my family so much.

It was a wonderful trip and it was fun to make memories with family. I can't wait to be back with everyone again!

Carnival

This was one of the most of the most challenging things I have ever taken on. I was so worried and stressed out over this. It turned out amazing! 

The youth had decided that they wanted to do a carnival fundraiser. It was a really fun idea, but I had no idea what it was going to entail. The young women did great, they had amazing ideas and were so awesome in helping me get everything done. They made all of the pennant banners that we put up in the pavilion and one of my young women painted all of the signs for each of the booths. They turned out amazing. 

We had about 7 booths (we were supposed to have more but the young men...you know...) Anyways the girls did a great job picking the booths and making them amazing. 

Some things that I would do differently would to make better assignments to let the youth know where they need to be and give them better incentives to stay there. Like a competition between the booths or something. We served hotdogs, salads and watermelon for dinner. I would have had better toppings for the hotdogs to make them yummier!

I would advertise better and a whole lot more. 

I would be better at making sure that youth and leaders (young men) followed through with what they said they would do. 

The day before and the day after the carnival the weather was terrible. But the day of the carnival was a little chilly and windy, but sunny! Our knock down the cans game wouldn't stay up. The wind knocked down the cans before anyone else could. The atmosphere was awesome. We had music playing, the decorations were awesome. We had a snow cone and a shaved ice machine. My second councilor does events and she knows how to do face painting and balloon animals. She taught the laurels how to make balloon animals, and two of my other girls helped with face painting. They worked their little tails off the entire time. 

I was so proud of those girls. And luckily we made some good money too! It was so fun! I'm very glad I don't have to do it again until next year. 

The decorations at the pavillion

Our hot dog grillers! Kyle cooked hotdogs all night long. He cooked at least 300 hot dogs. Crazy.

Balloon flower and ballon sword. I love these two kids. So do Abby and Jules.

Awesome facepainting and a fish from the fish booth.

Our knock down the cans game. Check out that sign. Ana did a great job. The girls recovered all of the cans in scrapbook paper too. So cute.

A member of the bishopric in the dunk tank.

More awesome face paiting!

Abby wasn't impressed.

Abby and her buddy stetson sharing a shaved ice. They are so dang cute together.

The sweetest little face. My dad was in town this weekend and it worked out great. He took care of my sweet girls so kyle could help me and I could focus on the carnival. We were so lucky to have him.

My First counselor Meagan and my secretary Kaylene. I love these girls.

Super awesome face painting! Ana and Tristana were naturals. The face painting booth and the dunk tank were the most popular.

Another awesome sign by the incredible Ana. She is seriously amazing.

My amazing husband slaving away. I am so grateful for him. He was so patient with me when I was so stressed over everything. He was always there to help, and he worked so hard. I couldn't be luckier.

Cute little Stetson digging through the treasure dig. The little kids loved this booth.

What an adventure. I am learning so much and growing so much. I love this calling so much. It is pushing me and helping me to be better. It was so much fun. But I wouldn't mind never having to do it again. Ha ha. 

From Kyle

So I have not done this yet. I need to write a post and explain why I am the luckiest man in the world. My wife impressed me so much yesterday when our ward had a large fundraising carnival that she put together. They raised over $800 and it really was a lot of fun. I was beaming with pride as she was delegating to all of the people there helping when they were setting up, running the show, and taking down. She is an amazing woman, young woman's leader, mother and wife. I cannot believe how well she takes care of our girls, keeps the house clean, serves in the church and still manages to find time for me. All the while with a smile on her face. It's been five and a half years and I just keep getting happier and happier. She helps me with my weaknesses and is helping me become the man I've always wanted to be. I love you Nat.

Kyle
p.s. She styled this pic. AMAZING!