Johnathan birthday dinner & fireworks

Johnathan always feels jipped on his birthday because 9 times out of 10 it falls during our Beck Reunion. He doesn't exactly see camping as the way he wants to spend his birthday. This year was no exception. The reunion started on July 8th, so Byron & I made sure to take Johnathan out to a restaurant of his choosing before we left. He wanted to eat at "Chuck-A-Rama." It had been a long time since I had been there and the food is so delicious. Johnathan was in complete heaven being able to eat whatever he wanted. His favorite part were the desserts at the end.

We love you Johnathan and are so glad you are a part of our family!

After getting home, we let off some of our own fireworks. We had bought a very small package , but you would have thought it was the $100 one with the excitement of the kids. The boys took turns lighting the different fountains. The sparklers at the end were also a lot of fun. Bradley was very nervous at first, but then got pretty daring by the end.

July 5th - Zoo

Since Byron had July 5th off, we decided to head up to Hogle Zoo with John, Sharon & Eric. We brought up some camping stoves and had breakfast at a rest area close to the zoo. It was pretty chilly until the sun came up, but we had a great time. The breakfast burritos we fixed were delicious. While the adults were cooking, the kids had fun jumping rope with Grandma.

After breakfast we headed over to the zoo. We ended up buying a year pass since it pays off after two times. The kids were excited to see baby Zuri - the new baby elephant. She was so fun to watch next to her mom. We saw the elephant show that showed how they start training them at such a young age. It was pretty fascinating!

Bradley was practically attached to his Uncle Eric the whole time. Eric was great to carry him around and keep on eye on him.

Carter, Camille, Johnathan & Bradley

While we were waiting for the bird show to start, I took Carter up to the first aid station to get a sliver out of his finger. Upon arriving back to the show, we took this cool shot overview of the family waiting.

The bird show is always a huge hit. After the show, Carter is giving the bird a donation.

Taking a rest at the giraffes.

This ape cracked us up as he was carrying around his blanket.

How do they size up?

I love these two. I love when they get along and show affection towards each other.

After walking around the zoo, we had to stop off at the play area for the kids to get out their wiggles. Carter loves crossing bars. He is actually really good at them and won't even let blisters stop him.


Grandpa treated us all to a train ride.

I have so many fond memories of going to Hogle Zoo as a child. It has been fun to live close enough that we can share those same fun memories with our children. It has changed so much over the years. I remember being able to get these cool wax animals out of a vending type machine - we probably only got them once, but those were the coolest things. I can still smell the hot wax as they came out. I also have some crazy memories of the hippo (sorry Heather) and of losing Mark. Fun memories~!

The BIG day!

The Big day arrived on July 3rd where my little guys were able to get baptized. Carter & Parker had anticipated this day for a long time and were so excited for its arrival. They were the only 2 that got baptized in our ward, so it was a very personable experience. Parker had asked his Grandpa Adamson to give a talk and Tanner to give the prayer. Carter asked Uncle Eric to give a talk and Grandpa Beck to give a prayer. It was fun for them to play such a huge part in the program.

When they first put on their white suites to be baptized in, it was so cute how long they were on them. I was able to roll them up to make them walkable and then they fitted great.

Parker, Byron & Carter before being baptized. Don't they all look handsome.

I loved seeing them all walking ahead of me. Such a cute sight seeing them so excited to be baptized. They were heading into the Relief Society Room.

The program went awesome. We had such amazing family attend. Thanks to all of those that sacrificed to make it - we truly appreciate your time and efforts. Dad & Mom Adamson stayed a week after our family reunion so they could attend this special event. It was great to have both sets of Grandparents there. Eric and Dad Adamson did a wonderful job on the talks - the spirit was felt very strong. All of my kids also sang "I am a Child of God" for a musical number.


After the baptism we headed back to our home for lunch. We ate some yummy BBQ pork sandwiches with awesome side dishes.

The group after the baptism (Carter, Parker, Tanner, Johnathan, Byron, Tricia, Bradley & Camille)

All of the awesome family that made this day even more amazing:

That evening was the Stadium of Fire. As soon as I heard that Carrie Underwood would be the entertainer I wanted to take all of my family. We ended up spending tons of money and went with the kids to see one of our favorite singers. All of the kids know her songs really well since we love to listen to her music. We also took Dad & Mom Adamson for an early Father's Day, Mother's Day, & Birthday present. When placing the orders for the tickets, only 8 can be purchased at the same time. So I ended up getting 4 in a lower area where Dad, Mom, Camille & Tanner were sitting and then the rest of us about 10 rows above them.

The show was so awesome. While Carrie Underwood was performing I got a kick out of Parker. He was singing the songs right along with her really loud. All of the people around us couldn't help but watch him. They seemed surprised that a young boy would know all of the words to her songs. The 5 Browns, the Second Generation Osmonds and Jenny Oaks Baker also performed. The fireworks were also a huge hit. Bradley was looking forward to them for so long. He almost fell asleep before they started, but ended up loving them.

(Carter in blue & Parker in red)

It was a long day, but such a great one! Thanks Carter & Parker for being baptized so we could celebrate in style:).

June 2010

I am so far behind taking quite a hiatus from blogging. Hopefully I can get this caught up and keep it caught up:). The summer started like a whirlwind and went by so quickly. June was a full month.

The above picture is out of order, but goes along with the Adamson Family Reunion at the end of the month.

STAKE DAY CAMP - June 4, 2010 - Our summer started out with our Stake Day Camp. The stake always does such a great job planning these and the boys absolutely love going. The camp was a week before Carter & Parker turned 8, but luckily they were allowed to still go. It was fun to go with Johnathan, Carter & Parker. The whole crew of Wolves and Bears from our ward.

Johnathan playing the pulling game with Tyler Atwood.
Parker & Carter waiting patiently to get their turn on the kayaks. Johnathan
Parker with a helper - the lady who was manning this station was pretty nervous about having Carter & Parker go out by themselves. Parker ended up going out with this girl in case he needed help. He did great, though and wished he had went alone.
Carter doing awesome all by himself.

How lucky am I to be able to be in scouts with my boys. Here we are in the bottle rocket station where each kid decorated their 2 liter bottle then we shot them up into the air. This station was a huge hit as the boys would have their rocket shot up into the air over and over again.

Johnathan at the shooting range.

I was amazed at how big of bubbles these boys were making. They were fun to watch.

Johnathan practicing lacrosse.

Most of the time while at day camp the boys were split into two areas since our ward is so large. I was with Johnathan's group most of the time. I am so grateful that Carter & Parker's leader took some awesome pictures of them for me.

Here Parker is proudly showing off his awesome shot into the target.

Carter & Jett playing the stick game. Even though Carter is a head shorter, he can hold his own and has quite the power in his feet.

Parker putting his bottle rocket onto the compressor before it is shot into the air.

SWIMMING LESSONS - I got all of the kids into swimming lessons in June. We didn't do them last year so there was quite a lot of excitement about taking them. My kids are just dare devils. They are so scary in the water that swim lessons were a must. Carter & Parker have been doing flips off diving boards since they were 6. The lessons went great. Camille, Tanner & Johnathan were in the same class with only one other student. They got a lot of one-on-one time with the teacher. I loved seeing them progress through the two weeks of classes.

Carter & Parker were in the same level also. They are really progressing quickly. They have been able to swim for a couple of years, but are just now learning the correct strokes.

Bradley was signed up to be in the youngest class where the 3 year olds were. The class lasted one hour. He actually did really good his first day jumping right into the water with the other two kids in his class. His teacher was so great with him and he really seemed to enjoy himself. His second class was a little harder. He cried at first, but then was fine in the water for most of the lesson until he decided that he was done. From that point on I couldn't get him back into the water. I don't know what it is with this child - he has this crazy separation anxiety that is killing me. Hopefully he outgrows it or he might be my first kindergartner that cries when it is time for school.

Parker diving off the diving board.

Carter and his daring dive.

Tanner diving off the board.

Cute Carter!

Bradley enjoying swim lessons on his first day.

Tanner with his cool flippers before practicing his "dolphin swim."

The kids all passed with flying colors the groups they were in. Camille & Tanner have gone as far as they can go in swim lessons unless they get into the swim team. I am so glad we have hit this milestone. I have loved seeing how quickly my kids are learning and how great of swimmers they have become. The teachers were all so amazed at how daring my boys are. Tanner, Carter & Parker will dive off of the diving board all of the time and will even do back flips off.

CAMILLE VOICE RECITAL - Camille's second voice recital was on June 7th. She has progressed so much this past year. I am constantly amazed at her singing ability and love hearing her sing. She started singing some fun belt songs this semester. "Gimme Gimme" from "Thoroughly Modern Millie" was her favorite song she learned. Camille mastered it pretty quickly and sang it at her recital along with 2 songs from "Oklahoma."

Camille's teacher, Ivalani Bradshaw, was so amazing to work with. Sadly we found out during the summer that she wouldn't be teaching any more. This was devastating news for Camille. I could also see so much promise in Ivalani being her teacher for quite some. We have found - in the meantime- a new teacher for Camille. We shall see if this is going to be a good thing for Camille or not. Camille's Aunt Melissa and Grandparents are always so great to come and support her in everything she does.

FAMILY PICTURES -Byron's immediate family had family pictures back in June after needing to get updated ones for quite some time. We met at a park in Draper and the setting was just gorgeous. Between the photographer and myself, I think we got some pretty great pics.

Parker, Camille, Johnathan, Bradley, Byron, Tricia, Tanner & Carter

Don't you just love his boots? Little did I know that these boots would become a part of Bradley this year since he wore them for Halloween. I'm sure he has outgrown them by now, but doesn't ever complain:).

Parker

Carter

After the pics we had some yummy pizza. I think all of the kids are relieved to have the pictures over.

The park is such a fun one - we had never been and ended up going back a few weeks after these were taken for the kids to enjoy the play area.

Eric was so nice to join in the fun with the kids.

CARTER & PARKER TURNED "8" - How did my twins grow up on me so quickly? It just seems crazy to think that it has been 8 years since they were born. I love these two so much and feel honored to be their mom. I am so glad that they have each other to get through this life with. They are truly the best of friends and worst of enemies, though. One minute they are having the time of their life with each other laughing and the next is filled with crying. I can't quite figure them out, but they always stand up for each other when we are outside of the home.

Their birthday party was held a few days before their birthday on June 10th. One of the games we played was to see what team could blow up, tie and pop the first 3 balloons. There was quite a bit of excitement. Johnathan is trying to pop the balloon in the picture below.

Parker with his cool cake - these boys were very creative with what they wanted for their cakes. I was glad they wanted something simple.

Carter with his cake.

My handsome guys! (Carter & Parker)

HIKING BATTLE CREEK FALLS - The first part of the summer I was really good at having some fun family activites planned. One of them was this hike to Battle Creek Falls that Camille told me about. It is located in Pleasant Grove and was a very easy hike - just my style without a husband. We leasurely had fun walking and enjoying the beauty surrouding us. The water at the end where the falls cascaded over the rock was gorgeous.

The gang before we started. I get a kick out of Carter's pocket where he put his waterbottle.

Johnathan, Bradley & Carter before leaving to head back to our van.

I had to get a group shot. Luckily there was a huge log laying across the rocks where I was able to prop up my camera for a shot. I love these kids with their sticks and all :).

FUN WITH COUSINS - Emily and her kids were able to join us for two different activities in June. We headed over to the Thanksgiving Point Farm Country. We had a great time visiting together.

Bradley seriously has always been too scared to ride the pony until this time. He was so excited to ride it. I think that it helped to have Cadan there to convince him that it was fun. I was ready for him to back out at the last minute, but did awesome.

Cooper & Tanner going on the tractor ride.

We were able to help brush the horses - here Parker & Carter are enjoying themselves.

We also headed to the Highland Splash Park another day to enjoy some fun. Ashlyn, Bradley & Cadan are enjoying themselves.

Tanner, Ashlyn, Alyssa & Cooper relaxing together.

Parker & Camille

Cameron, Carter & Johnathan

Drying off - Johnathan, Cameron & Cadan.

BYRON TRIP - Byron headed to Asia for a week (from June 10-19). He visited a few countries on this trip - one of them being the Philippines. He was excited to go there because it was somewhere he had never travelled before. Dallin Ashby served his mission there and was able to tell Byron a few things he should do. He rode on a jeepney while there which is like a taxi. He also had some ube (sweet potato ice-cream) and some halo-halo (a dessert that is made from ice shavings, evaporated milk, gelatin chunks, sweet beans, sugar and sometimes ube - yum:).

The following is an exerpt from Byron's email while in Jakarta. "They have tons of security here to get into the hotel – they had mirrors they were checking under my taxi, etc. I also had to scan all my bags and go though security before entering the hotel. Pretty secure – but I don’t feel like I should leave the premises- plus it is raining pretty hard anyway. It is so green and pretty here – not sure why I feel I shouldn’t leave the hotel." Pretty cool insight to how it was while he was there.

He brought back some cool things. I got some cool scarves and necklaces.

Bradley with a Jeepney. You pull back and it will go on its own.

Byron is way too nice to bring back such cool boy toys. Here are some wooden knives from the Philippines.

I had never tasted dried cantalope until he brought this dried fruit back. They were all delicious but pretty sugary.

WARD SUMMER PARTY - On June 19th, we had our annual ward summer party at the park next to our house. The kids had such a great time. There were different stations that you could go to in with a carnival theme. All of the boys had fun going to Brother Robinson to have him draw their pictures. Brother Robinson is an amazing artist and actually draws for the cartoon "Simpsons." I had fun seeing how different each boy's picture looked and how quickly he drew them.
Johnathan after waiting patiently for quite a long time finally got his turn.
The finished product.
Tanner - love the BYU hate in the picture.
Carter
Parker
Parker enjoying the gunny sack race.
Camille was asked to make balloons for the kids at a station. She did a great job. The line was always very long, but she held in there to make some kids very happy with the cool swords and flowers she would make them. Luckily Maddie and Kaitlyn Parkinson were willing to help Camille. Camille came home with very sore fingers, but loved it!
Parker with some cool drawings on this face.

COUCH FUN! - Before our Adamson Reunion started, Janessa came to spend a couple of days with us. Unfortunately Mitchell couldn't come. She arrived at our house on June 20th. We had a great time together. For dinner we went into the backyard and roasted hotdogs and marshmallows.

I got such a kick out of Janessa's daughters. They were nervous to get too close to the fire, so this is what they did to roast their hotdogs. I had to take a picture and got a good laugh out of them.

Johnathan with his perfectly roasted marshmallow - yum!

This day also was Father's Day. Byron is such a wonderful husband and father. We all love him so much and appreciate the sacrifice he makes for our family. We couldn't let the opportunity pass without getting a picture with him.

The next day we headed over to a park near our house to go ice-blocking. I don't think any of her girls had ever done this. It is actually a pretty scary activity, but we came away without any broken bones:).
Lindsay, Parker & Camille going down together. They had a great time!
Hailey and Camille
We also had fun flying a large styrofoam airplane that Carter got for his birthday. This instance it got stuck in a tree at the park. There was a couch that somebody had left at the park next to the tree which made for a great ladder. The kids also enjoyed taking off the cushions and trying to slide down the hill with a piece of ice below them.
We also went to the Highland Splash Park. Johanthan is enjoying the water a little too much in this picture.
Bradley & Carter hanging out.

SCOUT FUN - I had fun going with the Bears to the Hutchings Museum on their free day. There were 6 boys that came and we had a great time seeing all of the cool artifacts and items there. I had to take a picture when they were trying on some of the different hats. These boys make me laugh!
ADAMSON FAMILY REUNION - Dallin & Allyson were in charge of the Adamson reunion this year. Jared, Mitchell, Mark & Adam weren't able to attend this year and Dallin came on Friday afternoon. Since there weren't many men present and 2 pregnant woman, we ended up having the reunion at my house. It was a lot of fun housing 29 people in my house. The older kids enjoyed sleeping in tents in the backyard.
I loved looking over to see a lot of the kids swarming around Grandpa.
Lindsay, Bradley, Hailey & Rose all having a fun time outside. This is quite the car ride.
Ashley & Parker all ready for bed in the tent.
Tanner
On Friday we enjoyed heading over to Wheeler Farms. Camille & Rebekah taking a break together. Camille was so excited to see Rebekah - the Jamisons just live too far away and it had been almost 2 years since we had seen them since we didn't have a reunion last year.
A cool tractor that got plenty of climbing on by the kids (Parker is in front with Carter behind him).
Carter, Camille, Bradley, Tavis & Tanner looking out a window on a cool playhouse.
Mom & Dad - I love these two so much and am so grateful for all they do and mean to me and my family. We take advantage of every opportunity we have to see them since it doesn't happen very often.
Byron let Bradley ride a pony on the way out of Wheeler Farms. He thought that was so cool to ride one that wasn't tied up to a wheel.
We headed over to Allyson & Dallin's church for some more fun at the bowery. We ate some yummy pizza, jumped rope, played with bubbles, talked & played some ball games.
Parker & Bradley having fun inside of the cultural hall.
Paul spent a lot of time putting together a fun game for us to play called "Minute to Win It." We were all laughing so hard. Every person got a chance to play a portion of the game while playing against those doing the same thing. Janessa and Byron were lucky enough to start us out. They put some pantyhose on their head that had some tennis balls at the end and tried to knock over all of the water bottles first. We were all laughing so hard. Byron ended up barely winning.
Here Dallin, Heather & Johnathan had to see who could empty out the tissue box first. Heather had the fastest fingers and won this portion.

Parker, Allyson, Ashley & Elizabeth had to put a cookie on their forehead and by just making different facial expressions had to move the cookie along their face into their mouth.

Carter had to make all 6 of his chocolate ho hos stack up on this forehead to win. Danielle did awesome and got hers all piled up first.

Camille & Ashley had to pick up the paper bags by using their mouths only. They all did an awesome job.

By far the funniest part was watching Dad & Mom try to get some balls to fall out of the tissue boxes taped to their backs. They were jumping up and down like crazy and we were all laughing so hard.

The evening ended with a talent show. Here the Jamisons are performing their rap song. They did such an awesome job on it! Our family sang "That's What Families Do." Camille also sang "Gimme Gimme." We have so much talent in our family - I loved seeing how creative everybody was.

The whole crew on Friday evening.

Dallin was really nice to stay up pretty late playing games with the kids.

On Saturday we headed over to the Highland Splash Park to cool off. Jade looked so cute eating her watermelon.

Josh, Danielle, Hailey, Janessa & Dallin eating lunch.

After eating some yummy sandwiches, Paul & Heather had to leave to head back to Oregon. It was so fun seeing their family again. It is so sad living so far away from so many siblings. We had such a fun time reminiscing and catching up with each other.

Bradley & Hailey drying out.

Dad, Mom and I

Janessa wanted to go to Temple Square before heading home. We had fun joining her along with Dad, Mom, Allyson & Dallin. We went to the Museum of Church History and had fun in the children's area.

Bradley & Myles playing with the blocks.

Jared was able to come up right after the reunion ended. We went with Allyson, Dad & Mom & Jared's family to the Sweets Candy Factory. My kids never seem to get sick of that place. The tour is so awesome well worth every minute of it. We came home with way too much candy and many upset stomachs:).

It was fun spending so much quality time with my side of the family. Thanks to those who sacrificed to come so far to spend time with us. We also missed those that couldn't come and hope to see them soon.