Hangin' with the Kirks

  After my brother Brigham got married, we went around the campus at Ricks, I mean, BYU Idaho and recalled good times.  The campus has changed a lot since the last time that I've been there.

We stayed with my sister Mandy and her family after driving back to Utah.  We had lots of fun!  We celebrated Mandy's birthday at a yummy Mexican place (the name is escaping me right now)...

....got shaved ice twice!  A must do in Utah!.....

...spent an afternoon at Liberty Park and the water feature....



...toured Temple Square....



It was a really hot day, so the kids played in the fountains every time we walked by one. 

I didn't realize that Temple Square had so many fountains!



....and had Sunday dinner with Grandpa and Grandma.

The last night we were in town, I took everyone out to eat at The Olive Garden.  We also explored the new City Creek Mall.  My Dad told me that the Church had bought the Crossroads Mall and the ZCMI Center and the surrounding block and made it all into one mall and remodeled the whole thing.  It is a really neat place to walk around.  The kids especially enjoyed the big fountain in the center of the mall.  The fountain performed a show with music and even fire!



On the drive back to San Francisco, we stopped at the Salt Flats.  As you can tell, Alina, was not up with taking her picture by a big flat of salt!



My Brother Brigham Gets Married!

On June 12, my brother Brigham married his true love, Shanelle.  During the wedding brunch, Shanelle sang a beautiful love song to my brother.  She has a beautiful voice!

They got married in the Rexburg, ID temple.  It was so exciting to be in Rexburg again.  The temple was absolutely gorgeous!  I feel so grateful that my brother found someone who is just perfect for him!  They both have a style of their own!  Just look at the socks that Shanelle gave Brigham for the occasion!  Shanelle had her dress made by a friend and it turned out so beautiful!

 The boys!  From L to R: Holden, Nate, Michael, Finley, and Andy.  They are throwing up a big "Hooray" that Uncle Brigham got married!

 Two of the most beautiful girls in the world!

My brother Cory and his wife Suzanne.



My sister Mandy and her husband Tyler.

Ring around the Rosie with Finley, Grandpa and Grandma.

 Cutting the cake.

The kids favorite part of the reception was these really cool jelly bean dispensers.  They were sensory, so all you had to do was put your hand underneath and you got a handful of jelly beans.  But these were not just ordinary jelly beans, they were Jelly Bellys!!  Tasty!  Shanelle painted the sign.  She and Brigham made a lot of things for the reception and it all fit together so well!



For example, they made this platform.  These director's chairs were for the bride, groom, and their parents.  I thought it was very clever.  They even painted "Bride" and "Groom" on their respective chairs.  My kids fell in love with the chairs and I had to take each of their pictures in them!

Randoms

I was going through photos and found a lot of random pictures that I'd like to post. Enjoy!

Rossi Playground

We discovered a new playground that was so much fun!

Alina loved to slide by herself!

Playing "Monkey in the Middle"

Michael "gravity bending"

Wednesday Adventure

The kids get out of school on Wednesdays at 1:00, so one Wednesday, I surprised them with an outing to a new park and then we tried out a new ice cream palor.

The park had great views of the Bay Bridge.

Michael ordered ice cream, clown style, and yes, those are the milkshakes!

Girl Scouts

Haley wanted to join Girl Scouts this year so that she could spend more time with her good friend Audrey. They had an activity where real FBI agents came and the girls got to practice finding finger prints and even took a print of their whole hand!

Haley and Audrey with their handprints.

Haley and Audrey selling Girl Scout cookies. Below, the Girl Scouts at a pizza party.

Stern Grove

This is a grove near our house that we have always wanted to explore. It didn't let us down.

Windmills and Tulips

One of our recent Saturday adventures was exploring the two windmills that are in Golden Gate Park. The first was in the Queen Wilhelmina Garden with lots and lots of beautiful tulips!

We also discovered a new playground near the windmills. I think the kids enjoyed this more than the windmills!

Oven S'Mores

We discovered these new marshmallows at the store. They are flat, so that you can make S'Mores a little easier. Nathan made some with the boys and Alina while Haley and I were in Rochester.

Beeps Burgers (go Beep Beep)

There's this outdoor walk up burger joint called "Beeps Burgers" that we pass every Sunday going to church. The kids always call out "Beeps Burgers go Beep Beep!" whenever we pass it. Nathan took the boys and Alina there while Haley and I were in Rochester. They really enjoyed their Beeps Burgers!

Eagle Scout Project by the Beach

While Haley and I were in Rochester, the boys and Alina helped a young man in our ward with his Eagle Scout project. They helped clean up a community center by the Linda Mar Beach.

Russian Festival

One Saturday the Russian Community Center had a Russian Festival. Of course, we had to go! We were treated to wonderful Russian displays and a museum. Our favorites were the dancing show and the yummy authentic food we were able to devour!

Science Fair Project

Haley had to complete a Science Fair Project for her 4th grade class. So chose to see which melted faster: frozen water, milk, or soda. We took pictures to put on her display. I have yet to take a picture with the finished project, but will post that later. She earned 100% on her project! In case you were wondering.... frozen soda melted the fastest.

Angel Baby

Sisters

"Ohhh! A firetruck with it's lights and sirens going!"