McDowell Family Reunion '12

I don't know why it has taken me so long to post about our family reunion?! Both of my sister in laws have done a post but I just haven't gotten around to it. So here it goes and I apologize if it's a little long!

The reunion started on Wednesday the 1st and ended on the 4th. We went rafting, picnicking, water parking, eating and a lot of family fun. There were 9 adults and 9 kids. 

On Thursday, we packed up and headed to Lake Lowell. We had a picnic lunch and played on the beach. Grandpa too most of the kids and taught them how to skip rocks.

Brynley and Mason are 6 months apart. As you can see, we made shirts this year! It was really fun to have something for everyone to take home and remember the fun time we had!

The cousins! In age order. Blake, Madison, Ashlyn, Zach, Mariah, Ryleigh, Mason, Brynley and Bailey.

Then later that afternoon we all went to Roaring Springs! My mother in law bravely brought her camera in the kid area! Here is Blake and Madison.

Me, Brynley and Zach. Brynn loved it. And wanted to go again and again!

Here is Travis and Mason.

Most every kid in the family loves to read. And Grandma brought a few books for everyone. She brought books for each kid at their own reading level. Madison was excited to get a stack of Box Car Children.

Most mornings after breakfast, we went outside before it got too hot!

It was Duck day for these three!

Zach was showing Grandma and Grandpa how he can ride his bike!

Mariah and Ryleigh taking a break! 

On Friday we spent the day on the Boise River!

We left the kids 3 and under at home. But these 3 got to come!

Our raft. Me, Travis, Mom, Dad, Madison, Zach and Ashlyn!

The rowing team! Travis and Dad did most of the rowing. Mom helped a bit too!

The other raft. Rick, Nicole, Shannon, Devin, Tammy and Blake! Blake was the only one brave enough to jump in the icy cold water!

That night all the adults went to dinner. We hung out on Saturday, then did Madison's baptism and a family BBQ. We ended the evening with ice cream and Family home evening. 

It was a fun week! And we were glad that everyone was able to come. We missed Tana and Nate!

The First Day 2012

Today was the first day back to school! Madison and Zachary were so excited that they had a hard time going to sleep, and Zach was up before we were! 

Madison started 3rd grade in the advanced placement class. She is a little nervous but we think she will do fine. She is excited to do more projects, and make new friends. 

Madison in front of her classroom door. Her teacher is slightly obsessed with Dr. Seuss!

Zachary is starting 1st grade. He is worried about math and most excited about eating lunch at school.

Zachary with his new teacher Mrs. Tomlinson

The traditional "ready to go" picture! Zach wanted to wear a hat to school!

Ryleigh wanted to be part of the morning action! She even got to go with us up to the school!

Ryleigh is a little sad that Zach won't be here! She gave him a hug before we left the school! It was really cute!

Ready to go! They wanted to ride the bus, but I insisted that I take them! They can ride tomorrow!

Outside of the school and ready to start the day!

It will be just me and the three little girls all day! Ryleigh 3, Brynn 19 months and Bailey 16 months! Here's to a great 2012-2013 school year! I'm sure they will do just fine if not better than last year!

Madison's Baptism 8/4/12

Since Madison turned 8 on the 27th, her baptism date was scheduled for August 4th. We decided to have it meet up with the McDowell Family Reunion that we hosted. That way Grandpa and Grandma McDowell could be here for it, as well as all of her cousins and aunts and uncles. 

In our Church when you reach the ripe old age of 8, you have reached the age of accountability. And you can make the decision to be baptized and become a member of the Church. Madison chose Travis to baptize her and Grandpa McDowell to confirm her and give her the gift of the Holy Ghost. 

Here are Madison and Travis before they got changed into their jump suits!

Madison was so excited!

All ready to go! 

We then went into the Chapel (or sanctuary) for the opening song and talk on Baptism given by Brother Ricks. 

Sorry that there are no pictures, but we are not allowed to take pictures in the Chapel. 

Since there were 3 kids being baptized that day, there were a lot of friends and family for each of the kids. Madison's friend Meisha went first, then Madison then Ryland. 

Sorry that this is not a picture of Madison and Travis. But again we are not allowed to take pictures of this ordinance. But the Church has these staged pictures so you get the idea. 

We believe that Jesus Christ was and is the ultimate example to follow. He was baptized by John the Baptist. He didn't have to be, but chose to be. This is one of Madison's favorite pictures. 

This was such a special day for Madison and we are glad that she chose to make this Covenant with her Father in Heaven.

Madison asked Grandpa to be part of her big day. 

Congrats Madison on your big day, and thank you to all our friends and family that came to support her.

Madison turns 8!

I feel really bad about this late posting for Madison's 8th birthday!

But better late than never!

So here's how the day went.

This year 7/27 fell on a Friday, and Madison's best friend Kate was here for the day! There is nothing better than 2, 8 year old best friends sharing this day together. 

We started off with breakfast.

8 cinnamon rolls for the birthday girl!

Then Kate gave her a gift!

Matching outfits!! Madison was so excited!! Their shirts say "I Love My BFF!"
Sadly Kate has moved and will go to another school. The girls are pretty sad, but they were lucky to be able to spend their summer together!

Then on to some fun at the pool! 

I didn't take my camera into the pool area, so I took some before shots! They all were pretty excited!

Then off to dinner. This year we decided not to do the big joint party for the kids. We have been doing them since the kids were 3 and 1. So we told Madison that Kate could go to dinner with us at Red Robin! 

Waiting for dinner!

Madison willingly told the waiter that it was her birthday! They were out of helium, so they didn't tie balloons on her ears. She was still pretty embarrassed!
Then she enjoyed a free ice cream sundae!

It was such a fun day! I am glad that Madison is my first born. She is becoming such a smart and wonderful kid! She will be in the ALPS (advanced learning placement) class this year for 3rd grade. She is a little nervous, but I am sure she will be fine! 

Happy Birthday Madison!
We love you!

Cousin!

This past week my dad and step mom came for a visit. They stayed at the Meridian KOA, and Madison and Zach got to do a little "stay-cation!" They were close enough but just far enough away!! While they were they went to the zoo and went swimming. We spent the day at Roaring springs, and had so much fun!

Here is my dad with the 5 grand-kids!

My younger brother and his family also came out. They had never been out here so it was fun to have them here. They spent all day Friday here, and the kids had the chance to play. 

I didn't take many pictures, but I couldn't pass this one up. 

Brooklyn was playing with Brynley's toys and Brynn didn't like that very much!! So while Brooklyn was playing with the stroller, Brynn hopped in and took over!  They both thought it  was pretty fun, until the stroller broke!!

Brooklyn was trying really hard to push Brynn around! 

18 months and 6 years in One Week!

This year Brynn turned 18 months and Zach turned 6. So first I will start with Brynley.

I can't believe that it's already been 18 months! She is becoming a feisty and spirited toddler! She loves fruit but hates noodles, in any shape or form. She won't eat mac and cheese, or spaghetti. She also doesn't like cheeses! What kid doesn't like cheese! She loves to feed herself and won't eat anything without personally touching it herself.  

We had her 18 month well check today and here are her stats:

Brynley Grace 

25lbs (50%)

32 inches (50%)

Has 12 teeth 

She is a run of the mill toddler. She will follow directions and loves to be independent. She uses sign language when she wants something. Please, more, thank you, water, shoes, cereal, and dirty! We work on more everyday. 

She is eating spaghetti here but really she ate the meat and left the noodles in the bowl!

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Now it's Zachary's turn! My little buddy is growing up so fast! He turned 6 years old on 7/14/12. We has planned another trip with our friends at their cabin, and Zach was so excited to have his birthday up there. 

On Saturday Zach got as many Rhino rides as he wanted. I don't think he ever got off of the thing! 

My friend Emily made him funfetti pancakes for breakfast!

YUMO!

The kids loved them. There were 6 pancakes stacked with frosting in between! The adults opted for cereal!

Since we didn't do presents and cake until after dinner, I gave Zach one of his gifts early. It was a Lego boat. He put it together by himself (with a little help from Travis!)

His birthday cake! The cake was green and the frosting was yellow! It was really hard for our BSU friends to eat!

He is really into Lego Star Wars!

He needed birthday spankings!! 

Right before we loaded up to go home! Kaylee and Brynley didn't want to sit! And Aiden decided to eat his shirt! It was such a fun weekend!

Here is Zach's birthday video!

Fun on the 4th

Happy 4th everyone! I thought I would share our morning activities!

Every year we take the kids to the 4th of July parade. It only lasts about 30 minutes, but the kids have fun! Everyone looked so cute in their red, white and blue!

 The cousins waiting for the parade to start!

Zach is sorely out numbered! 

Zach and Emalee are best buddies! And whenever we tell him that she will be wherever we are going he get's a goofy smile on his face! Her mom is my best friend and we 

were joking that we will put this on their wedding announcement!!!

A family picture! We all matched in our flag shirts!

We hope everyone is having a fun and safe 4th of July.

We are have family and friends over for dinner, the late night fireworks!

More pictures to come!