CaLiFoRniA

Happy trails to us!!  We loaded up Blue Steel and headed out on the road by 4 AM.  Not much more was going to fit in that van!

Just south of Las Vegas, in the middle of nowhere, were 3 GIANT towers that reflected onto thousands of solar panels!  It was an amazing thing to see.

 We almost made it all the way to Anaheim without any car sickness.  Rylee tossed her cookies about 5 minutes away from our destination.  She kept saying she didn't feel good, but she is a little dramatic at times, so we just kept on truckin.  We learned our lesson....she really wasn't feeling good!

I didn't account for the time change in our travels.  We reached our destination at 4 pm UTAH time, but it was only 3 pm California time.  The housekeepers were still cleaning when we arrived, so we had an hour to kill before we could get into our room - but it was worth the wait!  Master bedroorm, Mona's bedroom, full size bunk-beds for the kids, kitchen, 3 potties, 2 showers, pool & hot tub - this was so much better than an QQ hotel room.

The art work in our room was so cute!!

I love flowers.  They were some pretty awesome ones around the town home area.

Bunny ears everywhere...what a silly new stage.  

The room even had toys, games & dress up clothes!  Rylee was the first kiddo awake the next day and put on the Snow White costume.  And lucky for her I had packed that DVD, so we plugged it in.  Mona was the Glitter Queen!  She left a little sparkle wherever she went.  

Queen Mona & her Royal subjects.

The following day was Sunday and we decided to head to the ocean!  The kids were so nervous.

 We started walking towards the ocean and as soon as we got to the top of a sandy ridge, they saw the waves hitting the sand and couldn't stop themselves.  They RAN to dip their toes into the water.

They all had so much fun.  The ocean is magical in my opinion.

 Casey was the most daring this day.  It was pretty cloudy and cold!  Us ladies kept the pictures and movies going documenting the day.

 Sand, water, sunshine and good company is sometimes all that you really need. 

Goofballs!

Brad

May we all take a moment to remember to enjoy the little things. Someday we will realize they were the big things. My beautiful sister lost the love of her in August. When I'm with her and her boys I'm at a loss for words. I'm so happy that she had the opportunity to experience such a fantastic love. My heart breaks for her as she enters this new chapter of her life. She's one of the strongest people that I've ever known and watching her process this grief has been difficult. I can't imagine her sorrow or the sadness my nephews are feeling. 

January 14, 1971 - August 19, 2017

Brad Levon Williams, 46, of Brigham City, UT, passed away Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017, due to injuries he sustained in a motorcycle accident.

Brad was born in Logan, UT, on Jan. 14, 1971, to Gene Williams and Darlene Layne. Brad grew up in Hawkins Basin, ID. He moved to Logan his senior year and graduated from Sky View High School. After graduation he served an LDS mission in Argentina. He was recently a manager at Production Technologies. He currently lived with the love of his life, Angela Anderson, in Brigham City.  

Brad enjoyed hunting, camping, riding dirt bikes, boating and spending time with his family. Brad could be found always having a good time and making sure those around him did as well. He was the life of the party. He will always be remembered as a man who was honest, loyal, selfless and had a positive impact on all that he came in contact with. He worked hard, played hard, loved hard and will be forever missed by all who knew him.

He was preceded in death by his father, Gene Williams.

He is survived by his son, Chayden Williams; life partner, Angela Anderson and her sons, Griffen and Blake Jensen; mother, Darlene Layne; siblings, Bob and Christie Williams, Mike Williams, Christine and Michael Bills, Brian Williams, Dale and Chelsea Williams, RonDel and Heather Krauter; and many nieces and nephews.

Family and friends are invited to attend a memorial service at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Saturday, Aug. 26, 2017, at 11 a.m. at 825 N. 200 West, Logan, UT. Friends may visit with the family after the service.

August

Tea party time!  The back patio is not as shady as the tiny front porch.

I insisted that my family sit with me and watch the 1965 Rodgers and Hammerstein Cinderlla.  I sang along to each song....but

Casey & Lexi fell sound asleep on the couch and Caleb, Taylor, Rylee & Luke ended up playing downstairs.  Bunch of uncultured swine!  I can't wait until I make them watch Oklahoma.

Early morning selfie.  Lexi always wants to take pictures or check out all the snapchat filters.

I took the kids in for their yearly dental checkup.  Taylor & Rylee ended up getting sealants on their back teeth.  Luke needed shades because the light was so bright.  The dentist informed me that Luke's tonsils are gigantic - so I imagine they will need to come out sometime in the near future.

2 big screen tv's, and 3 kindles - but they huddle around 1 tiny screen.  Isn't Lexi's makeup fantastic?

My little Luke.  He is my little pocket pup.  Helps with laundry, cooking, cleaning...occasionally I need him out of my way and a big bowl of grapes does the trick every time.

Taylor & Rylee LOVE helping me cook too.  Here is Taylor helping me make the filling for breakfast burritos.  I stresses me out....look how close her little arms are to the pan!!  Burny burn!

Ashley had some errands to run, so she brought Eva & Jackson over to play.  The girls love Eva so much!  And Jackson is always just happy and hilarious.  We needed more chill days like this - next summer for sure.

Luke was worn out - ha!

These two.  I love when they are each other's buddy.  They hauled so much stuff outside one day and ended up eating lunch outside and everything this day.  Cuties.

The most awesome thing happened - they 3 big kids are all riding their bikes without training wheels!!

Lexi loves to be in charge.  Must be a woman thing.  Or a Hunsaker thing - who knows.  She gave Luke a makeover one morning - I don't think he was enjoying it, but what a good little sport to play along!

I told the girls that if they had learned to ride their bikes without training wheels before school started then I would get them something at WalMart.  They picked this candy making kit.  It was really work for me, but they were so happy with their end result.  It was adorable.  Don't tell them, but I put the molds on the top rack of the dishwasher and they melted.  Oopsie.

First day of school!

CALEB'S 4th GRADE FAVORITES

Teacher:  Miss Jensen
TV Show:  Sponge Bob

Movie:  Spider-Man 3

Song:  Believer, by Imagine Dragons

Color:  Blue, Red, Black & White

Food:  Mom's breakfast burritos

Activity:  Staying up late

When he grows up:  A night security guard AND an orca trainer

TAYLOR'S 1st GRADE FAVORITES

Teacher:  Mrs. Baker
TV Show:  Johnny Test

Movie:  Rise of the Guardians

Song:  Cut the Cord, by Shinedown

Color:  NOT pink.  Orange

Food:  Grammy's white mac & cheese

Activity:  Camping & swimming

When she grows up:  A mom

RYLEE'S 1st GRADE FAVORITES

Teacher:  Mrs. Robinette
TV Show:  Johnny Test

Movie:  The Last Unicorn

Song:  Cake by the ocean, by DNCE

Color:  Purple & black

Food:  Mom's poppyseed chicken

Activity:  Playing with family

When she grows up:  "I want to learn how to do science"

 I'm helping my neighbor out this year and getting Allie to school in the mornings.  I hope that Allie & Caleb will be friends forever!  They've been great buddies since they were 4.  First day of pre-school and first day of 4th grade. 

 My little twinsies.  They were put into different classes for 1st grade.  It broke my heart.  I want them to ALWAYS be together and do everything with each other.  I know they are different people with different personalities and need to grow on their own...but they really are the best of friends.  I guess they'll still live together, so the bond won't be completely lost.

July

I was at work one evening and Casey took Taylor & Rylee to ball practice....someone managed to get their head stuck.

You can say that we went to a few ball games in July.  The girls loved T ball and loved the attention.  Caleb improved so much with baseball!  It was his first year of pitch - so the games were kind of slow, but all of the kids confidence grew each game!  When Caleb would hit the ball - the smile on his face was priceless.

Fourth of July glow stick fun!

This little was pulling weeds one morning and found a 4-leaf clover.  LUCKY!

 Casey turned 37.  The girls wanted to make him a cake.  It was delicious!

I can't believe I've worked at the Crystal Inn for 3 whole years.

I told Caleb that he was in charge of lunch one day.  It was pretty cute to watch him.  Sandwich stackers and cheetos for everyone!

Look at this crowd of fabulous ladies that atteneded Sandra's birthday breakfast this year!  We skipped Village Inn & tried someplace new.  It was yummy, but there's just something about Village Inn pancakes that can't be replaced!  After breakfast I was asking they girls how it was and Taylor said, "It was delicious!  So, what's for lunch?"  It cracked me up.

It was such a HOT day!  So air conditioned buildings were a must.  Sandra insisted that the kids had to ride the train at South Town mall.  Poor Teagan wasn't having it though.  The kids all got to throw change into the fountain and make a wish and they found some pretty stellar shades.  And the makeup store is ALWAYS a hit!

These chairs were so awesome!!  If I had a bigger house, I'd totally get some.  Having all the kids was exhausting this year.  Maybe they'll just get to go every other year.

Lexi got this makeup for Christmas....I don't think it's every going to be gone.  :)

My grandma turned 88.  She is amazing for 88.  My kids are so lucky to get to spend time with my grandparents.  The girls got to try on some of her jewelry and they loved it.  Caleb and Grandpa were talking about what a drought is.  Typical 9 to 90 year old conversation, right?

I was attempting to make a homemade chocolate sauce to put on top of cheesecake....it wasn't working out too well, but my little helpers didn't seem to notice.

Ashley had some errands to run in Brigham City one afternoon, so Eva & Jackson got to come and play!  Everyone got along so good!  Cutest cousins EVER.

Camping Trip

So many pictures!!  I can't decide if this era of pictures is my friend or foe.  I capture so many moments and love them all but it's a lot of work to organize them!

When Casey & I were dating and newly married we would go camping A LOT!  Well...then Caleb came, and we camped a few times.  Then twins came - twice - and camping was just too overwhelming for me to even think about for several years.   We managed to organize a Freeze family weekend camp out at Emigration Campground near Montpelier, Idaho.

The weather was PERFECTION.  Mid 80's.  Shady.  A little rain.  I loved it.  The kids were all so excited!  When we first got to camp and they got their wiggles out, they all sat on these rocks.  I didn't have to stage this adorable picture at all!

My sweet little bug a boo making a wish.  SO CUTE!

When it comes to sleeping, I have amazing children.  They usually just go right to sleep.  One afternoon the littlest were getting pretty cranky so I put them in the tent and sat with them while they slept.  It took less than 5 minutes to start sawing logs.

While Luke and Lex were taking their siesta, Mona organized a shirt making activity.  All of the kids had so much fun making their shirts!  When Luke & Lexi woke up, Casey & I helped get their shirts finished.  They still get so excited when I take them out of the washer.  Luke will say, "There it is!  I wanna wear my t-shirt!"

How cute are we?!?!  Casey is such a good sport when it comes to my weird picture posing ideas.

I love when the cousins have the opportunity to get together.  Caleb has so much with Logan & Nathanael & Shayden every time he gets together with them.  He doesn't have many 'boy' friends around the neighborhood yet, so I am so happy when he gets a chance to hang with his 'boys'.  Taylor, Rylee & McKenna are so cute together.  Alexa & MaKayla are mischievous little ladies...and I love it!  We missed Kaden & Tyson this trip, but look forward to the next time they can play!

Here are a few random pictures.  Luke in the water - oh my goodness.  That kid is everywhere!  I took him on several little walks around the campground loop throughout our weekend to keep him busy.  He had to stop at every single watering station!

The time right before dark is my favorite.  Is that called dusk?  I love getting the fire going, finding smore supplies, organizing the chairs around the fire, getting your jacket....it's just a fun time!  Kaetlyn did inform me that I was the one that taught her how to make the perfect smore.  That made me happy.  It's an important skill to master!

Little flower girls!

Some more random pictures.  We drove into Montpelier one afternoon and found these adorable horse swings and some killer whales for Caleb!  I've heard it said that you should always observe the way a man treats his mother when you are looking for a husband.  Casey loves his mom.  And he's pretty decent to me too.

 It was a fantastic camping trip.  I think it should be a new Freeze Family tradition!