ROAD TRIP

Baby blessing (Scarlett) plus college graduation (Jay) in the same state on the same weekend = road trip. Nick wasn't able to go because of work, so the kids and I took off to Utah for a long weekend of lots of fun. We stayed with my sister Liz, her husband Jay, and new baby Scarlett. We had a wonderful time!Any trip to Salt Lake City must include Temple Square. My kids hadn't been before, and they loved it. Here is Jack at the base of the Christus statue - he was climbing the rail in attempt to get closer.This is the best we could do for a group picture... apparently my kids inherited my awkwardness at having to hold still and pose for pictures!Jack is so protective of Kate in public - he insisted on holding her hand if there was any threat of getting hit by a car.The dinosaur exhibit at the Museum of Natural Life in Lehi was a huge hit with the dinosaur lover of our group. Jack still asks if we can move to Utah so we can go regularly.Salt Lake City's Hogle Zoo - awesome place for kids; don't miss the albino alligator.The real highlight of the trip was meeting our new cousin Scarlett Victoria for the first time. Here is the proud family on her blessing day.Isn't she darling?

MY ONE (AND ONLY) CHRISTMAS WISH

I'm just going to do all you folks a favor who are trying to figure out what to get me for Christmas this year. It's simple, really. All I really want are these. Kirkland Signature Chocolate Enrobed Caramel Macadamia Clusters. I recommend them highly as my new favorite food, and recommend buying several containers, assuming you'll go through them as fast as I have.

BIG DOG RANCH

A wonderful family friend was good enough/brave enough to invite us to visit the "bunkhouse" on his property in central Oregon. My mom coordinated the food and fun and made the trip happen, her goal being to have all her grandchildren together in one place (which actually happened for a few magical hours). Awards go to: Mom for all her hard work, Anna for driving five+ hours from southern Oregon to be there, and Bethany for braving it with her few-week-old baby to take part in the fun. The result was three wonderful days filled with horse-back riding, hikes through the woods, nighttime weenie and marshmallow roasts, frog catching, rattlesnake hunting, and lots of dusty cousins - all together in one small bunkhouse. The record number of people crammed in was our last night - two adults and a baby in one room, a baby in the bathroom, two adults and a baby in the living room, and eight kids in another room. It was a blast!(For a more artistic representation of the grand event, click here.) Here are all but two of the cousins at the conclusion of this afternoon's expedition, which consisted of hiking upstream to make leaf boats and send them down through the little rapids. It turned out to be the boys just throwing anything they could get their hands on into the water - the bigger the splash, the better.Ava was having a hard time navigating around all the downed trees and rocks, so she and Jack held hands most of the way. It was adorable.I love this picture. Kathryn was so intent on being dissatisfied while everyone else was having fun.We celebrated Jack's 5th birthday with cupcakes around the campfire.My sister Anna with her baby James. My kids have the coolest aunts ever.Another favorite, Auntie Kathryn keeping Max safe while all the kids were piled into the back of the pickup for another adventure.Kate did finally cheer up - thankfully.

PACIFIC CITY, HERE WE COME!

Every fall for the past few years, we've made a trip to Pacific City for a little family time. The kids have a blast playing in the sand, and don't seem to even feel the cold of the Pacific Ocean. We eat sandy picnic lunches, sleep hard, and enjoy being out of cell phone range. Within about a minute of arriving at the beach house, I was surprised to hear Jack call down from this tree. He had climbed higher than the roof, and was so pleased with himself. I bet the view was worth it!

TIME TO EARN YOUR KEEP

Remember this?Well, it took a few months, but finally this fall we had something to show for all the tender loving care we gave these little guys. We have since really enjoyed the variety of colors and sizes (from double-yolks to miniature) eggs we get to pluck from their nesting box every morning.Here, each of the kids pick their favorite egg. This then becomes their breakfast.

HASTA LUEGO, MEXICO

Ah, they were a glorious five days. Nick earned a trip to Cancun in May for his hard work last year, and Max and I got to come along (not because of our hard work - we were purely decorative). Grandma came from NC to watch the kids, so I didn't have a bit to worry about them - I knew they'd be happier with her than they are with me anyway (and they were). It was wonderful to spend that time with Max, who usually has to share me. He was the darling of the resort as the only baby there, and the Mexican staff couldn't get enough of his big blue eyes.Here is the view out the back of the JW Marrior Resort. This is not a postcard - it really was this beautiful.Max loved this beautiful white sand - his first trip to the beach.A lunch date with my favorite men under a palm cabana. I could get used to this!A fascinating day trip to Tulum, an ancient Mayan city. This place was amazing, and I would have loved more time there.We grabbed this opportunity for pictures on our last night in Mexico before the farewell formal dinner. What a wonderful trip!

THE FAMILY REUNITES

A memorable time was had by all at the Mikkelsen family reunion. We gathered in Sausalito (just across the Bay from San Francisco) and spent three days together in an Army Infirmary converted into a Youth Hostel. It was wonderful to see cousins who live far away, and for our kids to get to know each other.
This is just the "immediate" family - a beloved Grandma, my parents, siblings, in-laws, and lots of kids. Obviously.
I love this girl. She is the perfect mix of sugar and spice - especially spice.We spent a beautiful day at Muir Woods, home of the oldest and biggest redwood forest in the world.After the reunion was officially over, we spent another two days in San Francisco with my baby sister and her awesome husband. We had a blast, and the kids were lucky enough to have their aunt and uncle all to themselves (especially Max - notice who is always holding him!) We spent our first day exploring these boats which have been preserved as "historic landmarks" - perfect for a wannabe pirate. Jack was in heaven.The second day we spent at the Palace of Fine Arts and the Exploratorium, San Francisco's childrens museum that I went to as a kid. Many good memories.After all this fun, an exausted Kathryn took about 15 seconds to collapse.

COUNTY FAIR

Trying to catch up after a long absence can seem overwhelming, so rather than try to do this chronologically I'll just update at I please! Here was our yearly trip to the county fair. The kids loved it almost as much as I did. We all went home after a great day tired and very dirty!

Kate and Jack loved this "corn" box - how appropriate to replace the sand with corn! I couldn't believe how much of the corn ended up coming home in pockets and elsewhere...
Max's first trip to the fair was a hit - he was enthralled by all the animals. Last year we went to the fair two days before he was born - I was glad Nick was carrying him this time!