Farewell to SUMMER!

The slideshow below is some of our boating pictures taken this summer. Boating is our favorite thing to do together as a family. WE have great boating partners too. We bought that boat last summer and it's the best purchase I think that we have ever made. WE love it. And..YES...that's me boarding prego. I boarded until just over 6 months along. I was very careful and know my limits. I couldn't just sit on the boat and watch everyone else having fun. I finally got to a point that I couldn't get the board on by myself, so I thought that better be enough for the summer. I can't wait til next summer.

Camping, Yellowstone, Mesa Falls, & much more fun

My mom decided that for our family get together this year we should go camping. We had it all planned until we were reminded by the lovely Idaho weather that camping might not be the greatest idea. It was going to be windy, rainy, highs in the 60's and lows in the 40's. We found a condo/cabin to say at on Henry's Lake and made a few adjustments to our plan. It was a cold weekend in August but we still had fun. We went to Yellowstone National Park one day. My vote was that if we went there that we do the North Loop because we always do the south loop and see Old Faithful (which is cool but after so many times it's not special). Plus we had heard that most bear sightings are on the north loop somewhere. Pictures to follow. The next day we went to Mesa Falls, I don't know what it is about that but...it is so beautiful and breath-taking; then we stopped at Bear Gulch and did a little 4-wheeler riding along Warm River to Warm River Springs.

Our little family doing a little hike at Mammoth Hot Springs Terraces. We had never hiked around here before. It still amazes me how beautiful this place is and is another testimony that Earth was created by Christ under the direction of God.

My Mom and Dad at Mammoth Hot Springs Terraces.

All the kids. Alexa, Tanner, Brekka, Brae and Brody.

I know these next pictures aren't great but I have to show you the two bears and mountain sheep we saw. Days like this I wish we had a better camera. The pictures above is a black bear. It wasn't very far away but it was a small bear and road we were on was right along the side of a mountain side and he was right there so I was just about standing on top of the car to take the picture.

The little blob next to the tree is the Griz we watched roam the mountain side for about an hour.

I don't know how Mitch spotted this Mountain sheep but did. I have heard there were mountain sheep in Yellowstone but never seen one. So here is proof. We didn't see any buffalo this whole trip which is odd. It must be that we took a different route.

This is just the cutest little boy ever snuggling up with his dad after being in a car all day and not wanting to finish the little hike back from Tower Falls.

My little family again...at Mesa Falls. That little boy in back ground ran in the picture at the last min. Oh well.

The whole family minus the picture poopers...Mitch and Micheal I think they were about pictured out.

Us at Warm River Springs. I love the nice little ride to get here along the river. It is so beautiful.

A bunch of monkeys. Oh what fun!!!

I can't beleive she's 5 ... and in Kindergarten.

Alexa turned 5 back in July, but since have been a blog slacker...I will post her birthday photos now with her first day of school pictures. Holy cow, I can't believe I have a little girl in Kindergarten.

Alexa and her favorite cousin and best friend Kallie coloring on her Birthday. Here are all the little girls that came to her Birthday party. Alexa, Kallie, Hayley, Tamri, Brekka, Lindsey, and Malorie.

Lexie wanted a Kello Kitty party so that's what we did. We got her this little outfit to wear on her birthday. I found this little skirt at a boutique and knew she would love it to play dress up in.

Left is Lex after a long day of school. Really I
was quite worried because she got on the bus at 7:20am and I thought they got out of school at 2:15...well by 3:15 the bus still hadn't brought her back home. I thought maybe I should call the school...they told me that school gets out at 2:35...she still wasn't home by 3:40. I was getting a little paranoid thinking what if she fell asleep or didn't get on the right bus or is standing at the school. Well she made it home at 3:50. What a long day! Kindergarten is every other day - ALL day and 1/2 day on Friday. OH, and yes and I did cry when she got on the bus the first day. She rode the bus and I met her at the school. I still miss her all day and sit and watch for the bus to come and bring her home. Love ya Lex!

T-ball

If any of you know me...my favorite sport growing up was softball. Well Lexie was finally old enough to play T-ball this year so I signed her up and figured if I was going to be to all the games then I might as well coach if they need coaches. We had several games canceled because of the crazy wet June we had but it was fun anyway. Here's our little team. Lex thought we lost every game because we would always cheer for the other team at the end of the game. Let me just...say 2 innings is enough for 5 year olds. We did have a few little boys that loved it and should have played with the older kids. Way to GO TEAM!

Alexa and Hannah were the only 2 girls on our team. What great sports!

Ramsey Family Reunion & the 4th

All the Ramsey's got together over the 4th of July for a wonderful long over-due reunion. It was so fun catching up with everyone. We met Friday night for dinner and games and then Saturday morning most golfed and the rest of us took the kids to the 4th of July parade in Rupert. After golfing we met at my Grandmas house for lunch and a few games then Saturday night we went to Wayne and Sherma for a 4th Celebration and to watch the fireworks. They live right on the river where they shoot them off so it was perfect.. The food was wonderful. These pictures are a little out of order . Sorry.

Lexie playing with sparklers.

All the cousins that came there are a few missing..shame on you, but we still love you.

Kim, Jared, Wendy, KC, Kellie, Nicholas, Cari, Marcus and Mike. Yes they stuck me the shortest between the two tallest. I look like a midget.

Brae giving Lex a ride on a little bike. We all thought it was so funny.

These are some of my cousins kids.

Abby, Myley, Kory, and Konner.

Tanner, Brae, Brekka, Alexa, and Brody at the 4th of July parade in Rupert.

Brekka and Tanner splashing around.

Not very often does Papa think he needs to buy something for the kids, but when he saw this at Costco he told my mom that they needed to get this pool for the kids. It was great they played for hours. Thanks Papa. That's why he jumped in the picture. We love you!

Of course we had our little, as Mitch would like to call it..."Relief Society" session while they were playing basketball Friday night.

Amy -Nick's wife, Cari, Kim, Hillary-Mike's wife, Wendy, Patience - Jared's wife, Grandma, Janet, Bev-Keith's wife, Rebecca-Marcus's wife, and Kellie

What a bunch of boys. Yes they are all sweaty...they couldn't resist playing a a ball and trying to be ballers. My dad and Wayne still have it in them. Somethings never change...like Ramseys and basketball.

Glenn, Wayne, Mike, Mitch, Nicholas, Marcus and Andrew

Johnson Family Reunion

Well these pictures are a few weeks late getting posted but I am trying really hard not to just skip somethings. These are pictures from our Johnson family reunion (just Mitch's immediate family). Brett and Tiffany were in charge of planning it this year and did a great job. They decided that since Mom and Dad Johnson are on a mission in Salt Lake City we would all just meet there and stay there for a few days. Friday we all went to Cherry Hills and had a great time. We all stayed at the Crystal Inn (which is the best place for families because of the size of rooms and the amazing breakfast) and Tiffany had reserved a large banquet room so that we could have a gathering place and, of course, stay up til the middle of the night playing games. Yes and that's what we did. I think that both nights we stayed up until 1 or 2. Day two was games and hanging out at a park. We had fun playing kick ball, doing skits, and just being together. Thanks Brett and Tiff! Now it's our turn for next year planning experience....

Our family picture.
Tanner and Mitch swimming at the pool at the hotel.

What a little fish Lexie has turned into. We put her in her life vest and she was off.

Some of the boys playing bocci ball.

Conner, Sicily, Lexie, and Kallie coloring on the poster for Parker. Parker team had just won the championship game in baseball.

I love this pictures. Natalie and Wayne. Natalie is such a daddy's girl.

We love them both so much.

Lexie and cousin Masey. Masey is so grown up now. We don't see them very often, she went from baby to little girl, I swear, overnight.

Sierra, Sicily and Whitney our favorite "big girl cousins".

Bryce, Kallie and Tanner. These two little boys are so dang cute. The two balls had them occupied the whole day. If they weren't playing with them...then they were looking for them.

Thanks again Brett and Tiff for a great reunion!!!

Party before the Party

I told Natalie that we were coming to Utah to meet my cousins from Arizona and that we were going to be bringing stuff to make watch-bands so if she wanted to come and make one and let her sister-in-laws and mother-in-law know we could meet with them before our cousins came in. Well we sure did and we had quite the little party in our hotel room.

All the girls working hard.

Me, Dora (my mother-in-law, she's on a mission at Temple square and had already worked the day shift) and Natalie with our lovely watch bands.

Jennie, her friend, Janice, Jenger & Natalie and their lovely watch-bands.

Thanks for coming girls it was fun to see you and get to know you a bit better.

Ramsey-Martineau Reunion..Or Craft Get-away

Ever since I can remember we have been getting together every summer with my moms closest sister Leann and her kids. Maybe because we both have such small families we sometimes seem like brothers and sisters. (even though we only see each other once maybe twice a year) All us girls decided that we were at a good point, no little babies, we should get together for a shopping excursions...and that is what it was. Leah says it was a craft overdose. It was and she totally had a craft melt down at the last store. LOL ;) We met in Utah and decided that we would each family would bring a craft to do at night and during the days we would go shopping. Here's some fun pictures.

Wendy and I decided that watch-bands and jewelry would be fun. This is Leah, my cousin Shaun's wife, Missy , & me making our fun accessories.

My mom, Wendy and my aunt Leann making their fun accessories.
Here's all our fun jeweled accessories.

Day 2 we had wonderful pedicures because we were pretty tired from Day 1 from shopping.

Wendy, Cari, Leah, & Missy

On day 2 we were a little shopped out so our way out we stopped at the Church distribution center. This picture is on Temple Square.

After 2 fun filled days shopping, at I think about every craft store in the Utah Valley, and 2 fun nights making crafts and talking and giggling. We had to say good-bye. I love these girls. Sorry you weren't invited Shaun...we still love you and we're glad you have a great wife that fits right in. Leah said for next year she's going to have to drive and bring a trailer.

Missy, Leah, Cari and Wendy with sad puppy faces saying bye-bye. We still think you should move closer.

I copied this from Leah's Blog but I think she gave a good re-cap:

Oh this was one of the funniest trips ever and we, ok I decided we are for sure doing this again next year and I'll start to save my money now. Thank you Leann and Rita for making it possible and such wonderful memories have been made, lets re-cap:
Rita: she finally gave us our Christmas gift that she has had for a few years now. she cracks me up. It is the biggest binder of Family Home Evening lessons and activities. My kids will love it!!!

Wendy: she is the BEST driver around =) Thanks for shuttling us around even if we gave you a hard time for your sense of direction.
Cari: she is the driving force, without her organizational skills we would not have accomplished so much in so little time.
I can't wait to find out what you are having!!!
Leann: she did such a good job and not buying anything the first day but then had a relapse and made up for it the 2nd day. =)
Missy: she wins the prize for most random comment "wendy if someone wanted to steal all your beads, would you swallow them so they couldn't have them" holy cow you are funny Mis. She also was a great sport even when she felt sick the first day.
Leah: well I guess they were shocked with my high energy level until the 2nd day I threatened them not to wake my up for breakfast I would rather sleep =)
I can't wait for the 2010 trip =)

You know it's SUMMER when...

These are things at our house that make us know it's summer.
1. We go the grocery store and buy more popsicles and ice cream then real food. (just about)
2. We have something planned every weeked except one in July and one in Aug.
3. Kids won't and don't go to bed/sleep until 10 or 10:30 (My kids were in bed one night at 9 or 9:30 and kept saying shut the lights off - the lights were off...it was still light outside and the light was coming in through the window. :) silly kids
4. All the good shows are over...American Idol, Grey's Anatomy, Private Practice, NCIS, & the Mentalist (thanks to DVR...it records and I watch all week long...especially on Laundry day)
5. I swear the lawn needs mowed every other day. It really does...who ever fertilizes...jeezz. :)
6. Kids outside all day long. I LOVE THIS.
7. YES, we eat popsicles all day long. Otter pops too.
8. Boating...MY Favorite

How do you know it's summer or what's your favorite thing about summer?

A weekend worth waiting for....

I think that we have been planning this weekend (Memorial Day weekend) for probably about 3 months. Since Mitch and Mike are such avid fisherman they needed a weekend of just fishing. Opening day at Henry's Lake is the Saturday before Memorial Day so why not make a weekend of it. That's just what we did. We took up Mitch's parents' "cruisin condo" - motorhome and went camping. We took our boat and had a great time crusin the lake, fishing, and eating. I think that Nat and Justin had the best luck fishing. I am sure that Mitch will have plenty of great days ahead. I still can't beleive how amazing the weather was, it was beautiful. Mitch kept saying, "opening day is never this nice." I think it was because I was there." I don't think I would have lasted in nasty weather. Here are a few fun pictures. They are a little out of order, but that's ok.

Tanner being cheesy. Yes, you'll notice his girly pj's. We left his bag at home and luckily I had a pack of diapers and wipes in the car until Tiffany brought us his bag on Sunday. Thanks Tiff. He wore the same clothes and Lexi's Pj's.

Justin and Tanner with the fish Justin caught.

Lexie and cousin Conner enjoying the wild boat ride.

Sleepy fisherman (Brett and Mitch). 5am fishing kicks in 9 hours later. I think we (everyone, I was off and on with the kids) were on the lake from 5 am - 9pm with a 2 hour break for dinner and rain.

Lexie fishing with her Barbie fishing pole.

Cousin Whitney and Tanner. Whitney was such a trooper; helping with the kids and going without the luxury of a shower for 3 days.

Tanner being silly with Whit's help.

I told Mitch if we went up for the whole weekend we were not taking the boat out on Sunday. We thought it would be fun to go to Yellowstone on Sunday. The rest of Mike and Brett's families came up and joined us for a great adventure. Mitch and Tanner on our hike near Old Faithful.

Mitch and me with Old Faithful erupting.

Our little family watching and waitng for Old Faithful.

All of us on the backside of Old Faithful doing a little hike. Mitch and family, Nat and Justin, Mike and family, & Brett and Family. We love having family so close to hang out with. Thanks for all the fun everyone. Thanks for coming to Idaho Nat. We love it when you come.

After our little hiking adventure we found a little spot for a quick picnic. Thanks for lunch Mike.

Yeah, it was a lot of work to get ready to go but well worth it. Camping is fun! Yipee! Thanks for the party Johnson's and Crumps! We love you all! Who else could fit 11 people into a car...only the Johnson's. Brett and Tiff''s van broke down on the way back from Yellowstone. We were ahead of them so Mike and Laurie picked them up in there Avalon. It was funny to watch them pile out. :)