The 4th of July 2013

On Independence Day we had the most relaxing day at my in-laws' house.  Jeff's sister's, Nickie, was there too with her family. We started off the day with breakfast.  Pancakes and a breakfast casserole in the backyard on their patio.

Then my mother-in-law had a request from one of her grandchildren to tell a story about America or Independence Day.  So she talked to them about flags and the important of flags.

Then they worked on making their own flags with paint

Later I made my favorite green smoothie for everyone.

It is the Green Monster Smoothie.  Here is the recipe:
1 Cup of soy milk
1 T Peanut Butter
1/2 scoop of protein powder
1 apple
1 frozen banana
2 cups of spinach

We brought our inflatable pool for the kids to play in.  They had a ball and played in it for about 4 hours!!

I tried to take some pictures of them but I couldn't quite capture the ultimate fun they were having.  Then my father-in-law posted the picture below on Facebook.  It captured the look of absolute delight  they were experiencing.  I love it. 

 

Then it is tradition to make a cake that looks like a flag with blueberries and strawberries.

Grandma with 6 of her 13 grandchildren.

Awww!  Total relaxation.



Getting the fire pit ready for s'mores with Grandpa. 

I love going to my in-law's house.  It feels like a resort where I can go to get away from the cares of the world.

Turning 40 and Rexburg time

After Leah left, we had some more celebrating to do.  I turned 40.  I remember when I turned 30, I thought it was going to be so depressing but it was actually kind of empowering to me to reach that milestone and see how my life had turned out to that point.  I thought I would be depressed that I wasn't married and 30.  But even though I hadn't found a husband yet, my life was simply wonderful.  I had amazing friends and family, fun adventures to experience, a good job and my health.  There was nothing sad about it.  So turning 40 I feel the same way.  I still have my health, more wonderful friends and family who have entered my life (plus an adorable husband) and the best job in the world.  Being a mom.  I love it so much!!  I feel so blessed to have my 3 children in my life.  They fill me with so much joy (and they annoy the crap out of me too).

So my celebration was fairly low-key.  It was on a Monday and Jeff had to work but I got to hang out with these two sweeties below.  Later that evening Jeff took me to one my favorite restaurants "The Bombay House."  The best Indian food in Provo.

Even the kids love it.

 

We ate so much.

And had a wonderful time.

So on Tuesday morning the kids and I drove to Rexburg to hang out with my parents and Leah's family for the rest of the week.  When I got there this poster was hanging up when I walked in. 

I didn't take any other pictures on that day but Leah and my mom planned a celebration with my brothers' families where my mom prepared one of my favorite meals she makes with pasta, zucchini and goat cheese. Yum!  And for dessert, my favorite:  brownie hot fudge sundaes!!!  It was so nice and they made me feel so special. 

 

The rest of the week we relaxed and let the kids play.

My dad filled up their little pool and the kids had so much fun.

My dad even join in the fun!

One another day Ira and Teralyn set up a giant waterslide for the kids in their backyard. 

One must lather up his or her belly with dish soap to have a smooth slide down the hill.

Not a lot of kids can say they have an Uncle Ira. But can those kids who have an Uncle Ira say they have an Uncle Ira that lets them ride on his back while they go down the slip and slide.  I don't think so.  These kids do. They are pretty lucky.

Sorry, mom that I posted a picture of you in your night gown but it was just too cute to pass up.

We had a blast.  We love you Leah, Mom and Dad!!!  Thanks for showing us a great time.

Hoogland Visit

In June my sister Leah came for a visit all the way from Chicago.  So Anna, Leah and I decided to pack a bunch of activities all together with all of our 11 kids.

One of our first get-togethers was on Father's Day in our backyard.  We had pizza and played a game-show called "Do You Know Your Father?"  We gave Jeff, Kevin and Scott questions beforehand that they had to answer about themselves.  Then the kids had to answer the questions and see who got the most right.  The Henry kids stomped everyone with their knowledge about their father.  Here are some pictures.  I stole some of Anna's pictures off of Facebook too since she is a way better spontaneous photographer than I am.



Leah, Scott, Jeff and I all got iPhones a few days before so it was hard to put the phones down at times.



What a bunch of cuties!!  I'm going to miss our sandbox so much.

Two Beauties

Skyping with my parents

There had to be some wrestling involved, of course.

On another day we went to the Splash Pad close to my house and had a picnic. 

The 3 cousins all born Sept., Oct. and Nov. 2008 (they are even sitting in the correct birth order)

We caught Lizzie and Ian having a bonding moment on the stairs so I had to snap some pictures.

One day we had a BBQ at Anna's house and our Kikkert cousins came and our Aunt JoAnn and Uncle John.  I unfortunately did not take any pictures because the time slipped away from us so quickly. It was so good to be with them.

Then we decided to take all 11 kids to Seven Peaks.  Were we crazy?. 

The daredevils who went on all of the crazy slides





Anna bought us pizza and we devoured it.



Next we went and visited our Aunt Sherrie in Salt Lake.  She was so cute and had beads for the kids to make bracelets and necklaces.

After all of the busy few days we decided to take it easy at home.  The kids made some nests in the backyard.

SO DARN CUTE!!!

She is making her kitty and doggy kiss.

Best Buds!

We were so glad Leah's family got to stay with us.  It was so fun that after Leah left and went back to Rexburg to see my parents we went up there to see her more.  Another post will follow with the details.