Family theme Night 3- 2016

Back to school dinner #3
The past 2 years we have done a family theme night after the October general conference opposed to a back to school dinner because our kids where only in preschool. With Eli starting Kindergarten this year (sniff sniff *sigh*) we decided to switch to the back to school dinner timeline. I along with so many others got the idea from blogger Stephine Clark Neilson.
The kid got so excited, our family theme dinners are the only times we ever eat in the formal dinning room, which we ordinarily use as a formal living room. haha. I strung pictures from over the years on a wall for us to look back on, the kids went crazy helping with the balloons and gold confetti! The star garlands that I hung throughout the room where from the baby shower my sister did for me in April.

This year our theme was taken from the April general conference talk by Elder Uchdorft our theme is "begin with hope" with so many new things this year it seemed appropriate. Also as I read the book for Mormon in less then 90 day (a ward challenge) I noticed many times the emphasis Mormon , and Moroni put on faith hope and charity.
This years menu was:
Ceaser Salad
Fresh grapes and Pears
Corn
Pan fried sweet potatoes
Yummy Chicken

Chocolate toffee layer cake
(it was delicious, for real)

we had a blast decorating- the kids helped too.
We served the meal in courses and between courses we introduced the family theme and discussed it.
As a special gift for each of the boys we gave them a set of scriptures with a case and our testimony written in the front. We had a few sweet moments with the boys, short ones.


After dinner and dessert we took a few pictures as per tradition.

Table Rock

Last Saturday we went for a little family hike to table rock. We climbed to the very top. The boys (except law) hiked the whole thing all by themselves, not bad for little legs.

We saw a groundhog and that was considered exciting , also lots of other wonderful birds and plants.

The kids needed pep talks thought out the hike, we kept telling them they could make it, they could do hard things! We where proud of them for finishing strong.

On the way back down Eli told me with pride that now he is a good hiker and can go fishing and backpacking with papa (my dad). I think my dad will be glad that he is apparently such a great motivation for my kids in regards to outdoor recreation! hehe!

Hiking with them was a great time to talk to them about how good it feels to accomplish goals.

Hiking is a great example of working towards a difficult goal.

One week Old

Our baby is already a week old! How did that happen?! We love him to bits. He is a sweet baby he hardly ever cries (so far, knock on wood). I have been writing all about him in my Journal. His brothers love him. Mostly he loves mamma ;) His daddy is the master burped and he loves to be held and cuddled.
Sorry for the picture overload but I cant help myself! These are at 5 days and the last ones at exactltly one week (down the the min! )

He is very likely to be our last baby so I am really just trying to enjoy every possible second. I have decided to basically set aside the summer to enjoy. With Eli starting Kindergarten in the fall, Kayden turning 4 (which seems so grown up) and the early baby months going so fast I am going to focus on the kids, the house might get messy but I am just going to be patient with myself. Especially with my postpartum body.

Lawrence Warren Hill

I am so happy to announce the birth of our little angel baby Lawrence. Affectionately called Baby Mascot or just Mascot by my boys since they found out we where having another baby.

Lawrence Warren Hill
He was Born Tuesday May 10th at 3:33 pm.
8 pounds 10 oz, 21 and 1/2 inches long
We love him So much!

*Warren is after Mitchell and his Paternal grandfather.

Spring break-Idaho City

We usually go to Sun Valley each spring, and well, we adore it! However this year the conference in Sun valley is not until the 16th of April, Way to close to my due date for us to attend, so sadly we are not going this year.
However, we did plan a quick vacation during spring break as a family. A last hurrah for the 4 of us. We loved it!
My amazing man planned the trip (thank you honey!)
We started the trip with a trip to the hot springs, wow it is classy, it loved it! very nice and spa like, with poolside service and beautiful facilities. (for those interested it will note that its is kinda pricey and only some days and are family/kids days)

After that we had a picnic (yummy) and then we went out exploring. Several hikes and a nice drive.

We stayed at a quaint little place in historic downtown, it was a historic building originally a logging boarding house. The Lady that checked us in , I believe is also the owner but she was very good about answering our questions about the history of the building and the town itself.
We explored some of the historic parts of downtown that afternoon (including ice cream) and then we went to dinner.
We played games in our hotel room and relaxed until close to dark and then went back tot eh hot springs!
That night we swam under the stars the moon was so bright it was perfect, and then very fast a storm with thunder and lighting the whole thing showed up really fast so we left a bit earlier then we would have otherwise, but they gave us free hot chocolate with was lovely and we all felt very relaxed!
The next morning we took our time and stopped to hike a bit more on our way home.
We stopped in Boise on the way and saw a movie with the kids and got some lunch.
We made our way home in good time.
Thank you honey for such a wonderful vacation!