Hayden's third birthday!!

Our little man turned three on Tuesday July 17th.  We had a fun party for him with the family that night.

Hayden was really excited to open his presents but we told him that he would have to wait until everyone arrived.  He started bringing his presents one by one to Grandpa Grant.  Then Grandpa would reply do you want me to open it.  I then realized that Hayden was trying to get Grandpa to open his presents for him so then he wouldn't be in trouble.  Smart little guy.

Hayden giving birthday hugs to his Great Grandpa Foster.  He went around the room giving hugs to everyone. 

Parker came up with a great idea to make Hayden a car for his birthday.  Mckenna and Halle helped him put it all together.  They actually made it out of a diaper box and we used the wheels that go under are water storage jug. The kids spent lots of time working on it for him. 

Hayden getting a birthday hug from Kenna.  She lifted him right off the ground.  Mckenna is still like a second Mom to him.  She always looks after him and wants him to be happy.  This last week he came down with a not fun stomach bug.  I went to check on him one night and see if he needed anything.  He told me that Kenna had already brought him some Sprite and turned on the movie "Despicable me" for him.

I made Hayden a train cake this year.  He was very excited as he watched me make it for him.  He is a little boy who loves his trains. 

Hayden blowing out the candle and making a birthday wish.  I made this same cake for Parker too.  It  is a fun one to decorate.

Hayden wanted me to sit by him at the little picnic table.  It is funny because his mouth is blue and mine is red.  You can tell what part of the train we ate.

Hayden playing with his new trains.  He got some more Thomas ones and also chuggington ones.  He really likes to watch the Disney show chugginton right now.  The last couple of months he has been reminding me daily of the trains he wanted for his birthday.

His big gift from us was a scooter. He learned how to ride by borrowing Kenna's.  He is really fast when he rides. It makes me happy to see him riding up the street with his brother and sisters.  We love our little man! 

Grant family reunion!!!

We had the annual Grant family reunion up at Reid ranch this month.  There were 89 of us in attendance this year.  Grandma Grant told me that 32 of those are the great grandkids.  The family continues to grow each year and we love it that way.

One of the first things that we did was swimming.  The kids had a great time playing with all the cousins.

Addy even joined everyone in the pool.  She had fun playing with Dad and didn't seem to mind the cold water.  I spent the majority of my time in the hot tub.  I was really enjoying it since last year I stayed out because I was pregnant.

Spencer has been working again at the ranch this summer.  It was fun getting to hang out with him while we were up there.  He took Kev and I off roading one night in his car.  We had a really great time.  The mud and rain only added to the fun.  It was fun talking with Spence about his upcoming mission to Carlsbad California. It is crazy that he leaves in less than a month!

It rained the majority of the time we were up there.  The Aunts came prepared with all kinds of fun crafts and games to keep everyone entertained.  Parker had fun trying out the bean bag toss with cousin Kristin.

Mckenna set up her own nail salon while we were there.  She and Liz took turns painting everyones nails.  I think just about every girl in the family had their nails done.

Grandma Sue organized a candy hunt for the kids.  Mckenna helped Hayden fill his bag up with candy.

The cousins were divided up by age.  This was the 5-7 age group.

The older kids had clues that led them to different places around the Ranch.  They were running to the basketball hoop for the next clue.

We love Uncle Bruce's tradition of making paper rockets.  Tucker and Hayden were taking there turn at the launch pad.

Halle is our child who loves animals. She was happy as can be petting "blackie" the horse.  This horse has been around forever.  I think they said he is 28 years old. 

Hayden all geared up and ready for his turn.

The workers were great with the kids.  They let them ride around the loop as many times as they wanted.

Parker, Tucker and their walking sticks.  Those sticks brought them hours of fun.

We are a family divided when it comes to sports. I have to agree with cousin Lindsay that the cougars are the best.

We had our family program that night.  Grandpa Grant handed out candy bars for those who answered the family history questions right.  The big announcement was from Kurt and Heidi this year.  They are expecting their first baby.  We are so happy for them and Aunt Ruth who is going to be a Grandma.  The Ranch is the best place for making announcements like this.

I thought it was funny to see all the strollers lined up along the window.

The girls stayed busy making these hats.  They were made from paper plates, ribbon, and feathers.  Mckenna is always coming up with great ideas.

Addy loved all the attention she got.  She was happy being held by Aunt Tracy.

These six babies were all born this last year.  It is fun having so many cousins that are the same age.  It is thanks to Grandma and Grandpa that we have this reunion every year.  It really helps us stay close as a family.

80 years worth celebrating!!

My sweet Grandma Rosen turned eighty years old on July 8th.  I am so grateful to have her as my Grandma.  She has taught me so much over the years and has always been a second Mom to me. This is a picture of her and I back in July of 1982.  She came out to visit us in Texas when my brother Greg was born.

Here is another picture from the summer of 1993.  It is a four generational picture with my Mom, Great Grandma, Grandma, and sister.  It is funny because we were all almost the exact same height.

We had a big birthday party to celebrate her birthday.  A big thanks to my Aunt Phyllis for putting it all together and inviting everyone to her house.  My cute Grandma talking with my cousin Aimee while we had dinner.

Mckenna couldn't wait to have dessert.  She made sure to be sitting right there when they were getting it ready.  She was determined to be first in line.  We had homemade vanilla ice cream with raspberries on the top.  My Aunt went out and picked the raspberries straight off the bush for us.  It doesn't get any better than that.

We went over to the church for a short program.  We watched a slide show of pictures of the family with Grandma throughout the years.  I  included the two pictures that are at the top of this post.  It was fun seeing all the old pictures in black in white from when my Grandma was a little girl. It was fun laughing about our funny hairstyles and clothes that we wore in the eighties.

We took the opportunity to take some family photos while we were all together.  My Grandparents with all the great grandkids minus two.  We missed you Brady and Hailey.

A picture with the original grandkids who are all mostly grown up.  We were missing a few who live out of state and are on missions.  My brother and sister included in that group.  It was fun to hang out with my cousin Stephanie.  I got to meet her sweet new little girl Ivy Jane.  She was only a couple months old.  It is cool because both of us have girls born in our birthday months which makes them both exactly seven months apart like we are. 

The kids had fun hanging out with their Arizona cousins who they don't get to see too often.

A picture of my Grandparents with their kids and spouses.  It always makes me a little sad when I see pictures like this.  It just seems like my Mom should be here to be in this picture with everyone.  I know everyone misses her like I do.  I have such wonderful Aunts & Uncles who tell me stories and keep the memories of my Mom alive.

I took a picture of everyone else lined up taking the pictures.  There were a lot of cameras going off at the same time.

I was happy we got a picture taken of us with Grandma & Grandpa.  They both have been so good to us.  They let us live in their house while they were on a mission.  Mckenna and Parker were both born while we lived there.  My Grandma loves my kids so much and is always so happy when we come to visit.  She never complains even with all the noise and mess we make at her house.  We love you Grandma!

Happy trails to you!!

We always look forward to the time right after the fourth.  It means spending time with the Foster side of the family up at the cabin.  Grandpa always takes us to the Oakley rodeo.  Here he is handing out the tickets in his awesome suspenders.

Mckenna just hanging out with Addy after the big dinner.  Mckenna is always so sweet to taker care of her little sister.

Cousin April made this amazing pie! It looked cute and tasted great too. 

It was great to see Spencer.  He came back from working at the ranch to hang out with everyone.  He also brought his cute friend Cami along too.  Addy loves to be held by her Uncle Spence!

Halle and Aubrey looking good in their cowgirl hats.  They were all ready to head to the rodeo.

Hayden got a piggy back ride to the stands.  It is always fun seeing him wear his cowboy hat.

It had been raining all day but it cleared up just in time for the rodeo.  It made for a beautiful sunset.

Parker with his hand over his heart as the flag came by. 

Some of the family enjoying the rodeo.

We were happy that they decided to have the firework show at the end.  The song "Happy trails" comes over the speakers as we leave every year.  I always look over and see Grandpa singing along. 

We spent the night at the cabin.  The kids were excited to get in some riding time.  It was Addy's first time around the horses.  She was happy to sit in the saddle.

Kev took Addy for her first horse ride on Beau. 

Parker loves his Grandpa.  He was really happy when Grandpa taught him how to drive the Gator.  He is seven years old and already driving. Notice the big gaping hole in his pants.  He has six pairs of pants with holes in every one.  He is all boy!

Grandpa Foster decided to ride the horses this year.  He and Kev had a nice ride around the pasture together.

Parker taking in the view from the deck! We can't get enough of  being up in the mountains.