NO MORE BRACES!!!!

WEEKEND AWAY!

Brad's parents watched the kids for the weekend so we could go tour around some of the near by villages. We took off Friday morning and drove to Bernkastel-Kues. It is a beautiful German village known for its winegrowing. The whole mountain side was full of vines. We stayed a in a cute Bed and Breakfast then took off to Cochem (another small village) the next morning. After walking around Cochem we drove to the Eltz Castle. This is a beautiful castle hidden in the the mountains. It has been owned by the same family since the 12th century. After the castle tour we drove to Bacharach, a small village along the Rhein River. We stayed overnight, then returned home on Sunday. It was a great short getaway, thanks to Brad's parent for taking on the kids!!!

The B&B we stayed at in Bernkastel-Kues. Brad had to park in that small garage, that was fun to watch.

The B&B we stayed at in Bacharach.

The Eltz Castle

Eltz Castle

Castle in Bernkastel-Kues

This is one of the workers picking the grapes for wine. They put the grapes in the bucket on his back then he bends forward to empty out the grapes into the truck.

Workers picking the grapes.


Brad in Bernkastel-Kues along the Moselle.


Town square in Bernkastel-Kues.

A famous tall narrow house in Bernkastel-Kues

DANCE!!

Yikes, can Lexi be old enough for a school dance. She had a her first middle school dance the other week. It was a Halloween dance so below are the girls in their costumes (with a couple extras who wanted their pictures taken too).

EUROPA PARK

Over fall break we took the kids to Europa Park, an amusement park a few hours away. The kids had a great time, so did Brad and I. They had the park decorated for Halloween, which gave us a little feel of home.

I guess when you are tired you will fall asleep in any position! Needless to say she doesn't nap in the bouncer seat anymore.

Kaycee's birthday!

KAYCEE'S BAPTISM

We wish more of our family and friends could of attended Kaycee's baptism but we were grateful for the great friends who could make it and that Grandma and Grandpa Barlow could be here for it. Grandpa Barlow and Brad spoke on baptism and the Holy Ghost. Brad performed the baptism and confirmation. We are so proud of Kaycee!

Brad and Kaycee

Kaycee

SUMMER 2010

Summer is always something we all look forward to family, friends and play play play!!! Our kids have been many places but when you ask them their favorite place to go forget Europe or Caribbean beaches it is always Utah and Idaho. No wonder they want to move back they think it will be a constant vacation and party all the time! : Cousins, cousins, cousins, football, tumbling, dance, modeling for aunt Kris, waterparks, Midway with the Bunkers, tennis, parades, fireworks, Sun Valley, swimming, eating, shopping, Marshall living at the Hansens and cousins.

Taking a rest at Cowabunga Bay

Taking it easy at the pool.

Oh, to have the relaxing life of a baby!

A favorite activity in Sun Valley, riding scooters

The crew ready to go swimming in Sun Valley

Kaycee and Avery trying out sledding on grass.

So the moms had to try it too, it was actually pretty fun!

At Snowbird with the Bunkers!

24th of July fireworks

Marshall's birthday.

Grace giving Lilly some lovin

Lilly is not quite sure about Grace yet.

Bountiful's 24th of July parade, sure hope they appreciate the front row seats since the mom's woke up at 4:30AM to get them!!! Every year we vow not to do it again, but we do!

The Barlow girls with Ashton who seems to be a little bored!

Tennis for Marshall and Kaycee

Dance lessons with Leslie is always a summer favorite!

Birthday celebration at Grandma and Grandpa Turners

Taking pictures at the Salt Lake Temlple

Our beautiful girls!

SPRING VACATIONS!!

OK, it is time to play catch up since we haven't blogged for a while.

Rick and Kris came to visit last spring, we took them around Frankfurt , along the Rhein river and other places near by. We then took them down south to Bavaria and visited some of our favorite places. From there they took off to Paris where we met up with them later that week to tour around. After Paris they went on to Venice and we came back home. It was so fun to have them here, we hated to see them leave! Three weeks seems like a long time, but it went way too fast. Thanks for coming Rick and Kris!!

Notre Dame Cathedral
The Eiffel Tower, from the water taxi along the Seine River


Brad and the kids at the top of the Eiffel Tower, Marshall was ready to head down before we even started. He is not a big fan of heights.

Lexi, Kaycee and Dawson along the Seine River.

The Louvre

Dawson and Marshall

Priorities, who needs to check out a castle when you have rocks to collect!

Nice pose Rick!

Gardens at the Versaille

The hall of mirrors in the Versaille.

Marshall swimming at the hotel in Paris.

Kris and the kids in front of the Versaille (residence of kings of France from 1682-1790)

Hanging in the hot tub.

more swimming-which is usually the kids favorite part.

We rented a boat and went for a ride on Konigsee Lake, Brad got a great workout!

Ramsau Church

Luke, Savanah and Kaycee

The kids in front of the Ramsau church.

Amazing no one fell in trying to catch fish with paper cups.

It wouldn't be a trip in Europe w/o finding a coaster ride, and Brad took Grace down too.

On our way to Bertchesgaden we stopped by the beautiful old town of Rothenburg.

Marshall, Hunter, Kaycee and Dawson at the Heidelburg Castle.

The kids on the bridge in Heidelberg.

We visited Prague with Brad's parents in May. It is an amazing city, and again we had the best tour guides who knew exactly where to take us.


The kids with one of the guards at the Prague castle

Grace laughing

Loose Tooth

So Marshall had a great idea the other day. He had a loose tooth and wanted to tie string to it then tie the other end to a door, then slam it shut to make the tooth come out. Seriously who really does this. Well we went through a few video clips as he tried but this was the best one! Enjoy and have a good laugh!

A blessing and an Italian spring break!

Thanks to our good friends, Andrea and Beatriz for sharing their family's mountian home in the middle of the Dolomites (Italaina Alps), we were able enjoy a great relaxing spring break. We took off at 5am for Italy and eight hours later arrived in Molino, a small town in the middle of the Dolomites. The next day we drove a few hours down to Venice, which is an amazing city. The kids enjoyed walking through the city and of course a boat ride. The rest of the time we played games, watched movies, went sleigh riding and snow boarding.

Marshall fell in love with snowboarding, and wanted to go every second we were there!

Kaycee was a little shy at first but after trying she loved it!



Lexi spent most of her time screaming but is was a happy scream.



One of the best parts of Venice, THE ICE CREAM !!!



So we have to prove Grace was with us so here is the one picture of her and Brad in front of the San Marco Cathedral.

Lexi and Marshall feeding the pigeons in San Marco square.

Me and the kids in San Marco square.

Marshall was getting tired of getting his picture taken.

Canals in Venice, the kids loved that they use boats as cars.

Brad and the kids on one of the many bridges.

The kids loved watching people go by in the gondolas.

Marshall, Lexi and Kaycee with the main canal of Venice in the back ground.

BABY GRACE'S BLESSING!

On March 7, 2010 we blessed Grace. We felt very blessed to have Brad's parents here to participate. We also had Brother and Sister Wilkinson here from Bountiful to participate, they are serving a mission in Germany along with Brad's parents. We missed having all our family here to be with us, but are grateful to all our great friends that were there!

The only smile we got out of Grace that day, she loves Grandma and Grandpa!

So tired after a long day.



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