Brown Family Moments: The Last Couple Months in a Blur

First off my boy turned 9. It's crazy to think he is that old. But he had a good birthday and Grandma and Aunt Jenni came to celebrate it with us. He was really into art so we got him his own art kit with watercolors oil pastels and a how to draw book. I may have been more excited about it then he was, but it was still fun to give it to him:)

Okay so this sounds bad but don't judge us to harshly, but we skipped out on Stake Conference and packed a lunch and spent the day at the Capitol and Temple Square. it was amazing I am so glad we did. The kids had so much fun and were so good that we ended up spending 4 hours there, which is a big deal for us.

This was one of my most favorite moments there. When we first walked on temple square a man told us to look up and when we did we saw the most beautiful sight. There was a complete circle rainbow around the sun and it came around the temple right over angle Moroni like a halo. It was so amazing and the most peaceful feeling came with it. But silly me couldn't get my camera to work until later so picture the Salt Lake Temple in replace of these buildings. This happened several hours before the Solar Eclipse, but I thought it was pretty cool.

Before we came to the temple we watched the Mountain of the Lord, so the kids would know how much work went into building the temple. When we got there the kids were able to recognize a lot of the stuff from the movie and it meant a lot more to them. What really made it all worth if was when we got in the car all of the kids told us how they felt the Spirit and how happy and good they felt. It melted my heart. So worth it to go.

We have had some visitors. My mom and dad have come and stayed with us a couple of times, which we have loved!!!!After today all of my siblings are in Utah and we are all in about hour from each other. I am so excited cuz this is what we have been praying for so long to happen. Now if only we could convince those stubborn Grandparents to do the same:)Love ya Dad and Mom!!!

A quick update on Aubrey. She is getting older but not growing. She is 10 months old now and only 14 1/2 pounds and still has no hair. She is gaining less then 2 pounds every 2-3 months. But that doesn't stop her she is into everything. This child does not sit still and everything goes into her mouth. She doesn't like other people and screams if anyone else holds her and is a major daddy's girl. She loves to smile at us and she wrinkles her nose when she does it, sooo cute. She loves the water and is starting to stand on her own, even if it is just for a couple of seconds. But she is mix in between Sydney and Bailee so I have my work cut out for me. Thank goodness she will be the only one home while the others are at school.

My favorite part of summer so far. We went camping with Justins Dad, and his sisters Jen and Amber to Island Park Idaho. I love it up there it is so beautiful with so many trees and mountains. It reminds me so much of home. We camped for 3 nights in a wonderful spot right by the river.

Justin took these beautiful pictures!!!!!I already miss it and want to go back.

Our first full day we loaded every one up and headed to Big Springs to raft. We had a single Kayak, a double Kayak, a canoe and a raft. The river was perfect because it wasn't to deep and at times the kids could get out and walk by the boats and we were able to trade the kids frequently. It was so peaceful and beautiful, that is when Aubrey wasn't crying. She didn't like her life jacket very much. We floated on the river for about 3 hours had a picnic in the boat then the girls and I stopped at camp while the others went on.

We saw several Moose a long the edges which was fun and fish in the water.

All the kids took a turn in the Kayak.

I don't think this Moose liked us being there, it kept walking towards us, a little scary at times cause he was huge!!!!

Love ya Amber!!!

On Saturday we spent the day in Yellow Stone enjoying the beautiful sights and animals. This was one of the waterfalls we stopped at.

We didn't see any bears, but we saw elk, including these bad boys. Wouldn't want to get in a fight with those, the antlers are huge.

She's smiling in this picture, but it looks like she is crying.

We stopped at a little town in the park and checked out the visitors center and got some ice cream and drinks and stretched our legs.

Stopped off at another Waterfall and hiked down 1/4 of a mile to the river and got some more pics. Everything was so beautiful there. Even just driving around the park you were so memorized by everything and the beauty it was awesome.

Our last morning there. Justin took Aubs for a walk at 5:30am. Sleep was very rare those three nights, camping with an infant is not fun, but we survived and more importantly so did she.

Some Swans that were in the river just outside camp

Before we took off we went back up at Big Springs and let the kids out one last time. It was a cute little river with fish and a bridge. Everything was so green.

I loved going on this trip, it created a lot of wonderful memories. The mountains are so peaceful majestic, this is one of the places that I feel so close to the spirit love it and being with family is awesome. (Even though I had my moments of losing it and being exhausted:)

We stopped at the Rexburg Temple on our way home. Joel and Sydney were very excited.

Bailee was not.

I saw this cloud on our way home and fell in love with it. It looked like there was a rainbow behind it. You can't really see the colors in the picture but it had all the colors of the rainbow and I loved the shape of it.