Craftaholic Gift Exchange

Once again I participated in the Craftaholic Anonymous' gift exchange.

My exchange partner had a little baby girl and named Annabelle. I made this for her, in her nursery colors.

(It turned out ok..but looked better in my head.)

4th of July was just around the corner, so I made things she could use for the holiday; patriotic cake banner, "sparkler" cupcake toppers, recipes for a BBQ and instructions for baking a surprise flag cake.

I had planned on making her a banner like this..

and some of these decorative rag balls. 

But I ran out of time for the banner..and fell in love with the rag balls and kept them for myself. 

Shhhh..don't tell my exchange partner.

Happy Campers This Way --->

Tawnya and her kids were visiting from Arizona. We wanted the cousins to have some FUN time together, so we organized a Cousin Campout (or camp IN more accurately).

Welcome signs for the cousin campers...

"HAPPY CAMPERS..THIS WAY".

There was report of a bear in the area... beware.

What's camping without s'mores?

These were for the Happy Campers (when they left the next day).

The "facilities" were decent...considering we were camping. 

The evening started with a BBQ for the whole family, including parents and grandparents.

Jackson-Lizzy

Sterling-Maliah

After dinner, the tie-dying began.

Audrey-Abree-Katelyn-Micaela-Jackson

Each cousin had brought their own shirt or piece of clothing to tie-dye.

Taylee-Daisylyn-Sydney-Kyrick-Audrey-Abree

Karen

The kids ended up tie-dying some of their body parts as well; legs, feet, knees and the bum of Sterling's shorts. :)  He liked sitting on everyone's dyed shirts I was told.

Levi-Micaela-Jackson-Lizzy

The adults hung out for a while, until the cousin campers started to settle down for the night. Amber, Tawnya and Karen stuck around to assist with the cousin crowd. It was decided.. no tents would be set up this night... we would have a camp IN instead (mostly). Girls in the movie room and the 3 boys on the trampoline. :)

Jackson-Treyson-Kyrick -the trampoline sleepers

In the morning, we had a tasty breakfast of pancakes, eggs and juice.

Sydney-Maliah-Audrey-Sterling-Katelyn-Lizzy-Abree

We made A LOT of pancakes... enough to snack on later, as well.

After sitting overnight...

Tawnya and Karen started to rinse the shirts and reveal the awesome designs and color.

When the shirts were rinsed and dried, we headed out for a nature scavenger hunt.

These campers look ready for some adventure!

Abree-Lizzy-Audrey-Kyrick

Jackson-Micaela-Treyson-Taylee-Katelyn

Sydney-Maliah

Sterling-Daisylyn

Lists were handed out and the hunt was on.

Some didn't need a list to find nature and went straight in!

We also gave each kid a duct tape bracelet to collect nature.

Oops, a little scrape on the knee.

Look what we found!

Cousins in age order. 

(minus Rylee, Taylee, Levi and Sydney hiding behind Katelyn)

After our nature hunt, we went to Storey Park for FREE lunch in the park.

Those who weren't completely wiped out (but even some of us who were), went swimming in the neighborhood pool to cool off.

A wonderful day..with wonderful people.

We love our cousins!!!

Happy Father's Day!

Most years we spend Father's Day away from home. It's the weekend of our annual cousin party. This year was no exception.

We found a quiet spot in JC and Julia's house and had Jason open gifts from us.

The kids gave him all sorts of his favorite goodies.

My gift to him was a Lego Star Wars wall hanging.

I saw this on Pinterest (shocked aren't you?!). My version was a little different, but I was satisfied with it. That is until he unwrapped it. Poor Luke Skywalker and Obi wan had taken a fall. 

Happy Father's Day Jason... our kids are lucky to have you as their dad!!!

Smullin Cousin Party 2012-Sharks and Mermaids

This year's cousin party was hosted by J.C. and Julia, in Dietrich.

We gathered Friday night. After setting up our tents and getting situated, we played, talked and hung out.

The next morning, Grandpa Smullin had his video camera out. We each took turns being recorded as we answered his questions.

Right before Jason and I got in front of the camera I asked, "How is my hair? (worried about bed-head, cuz I hadn't looked in the mirror yet). 

He said, "It's fine. You're beautiful." 

Later I looked in the mirror and my hair was NOT fine..I had a "wing" on my left side! Great.. my bed-head had now been documented on video for posterity. 

Grandma Smullin & Rylee

Cameron-Emma-Joshua-Adam

David

Lynley

JC and Julia's awesome backyard. Julia built most of the play equipment by herself! She's one handy-woman.

As each person woke up, they ate breakfast at their leisure; fruit, sweet rolls and juice...yum!

Jordyn & Taylee

Christian

We played and visited throughout the morning, until it was time to go to the park and pool.

Jak

Abree

Joshua & Treyson

Emma-Abree-Lynley-Jordyn

Treyson-Christian-Adam

Sydney

Bob

Sarah

Ethel

Emma & Lynley

Brandon & Jared

Dexter the Dog

Joshua & Taylee

 Rockstar!

Jordyn

We caravanned over to the park/pool in Shoshone and set up lunch.

Sleepy Christian and J.C.

Jason

We had a build-your-own Mexican style bar;  nachos, tacos, burritos, taco salad..or your own creation.

Jak-Brandon-Sydney

Sarah-David

Julia-Grandma Smullin

Jared..check out that beard!

After lunch was over, we had a friendly (salt dough) sand castle building contest, between families. 

Each one was so different!

Can you guess which family built this one? 

Bet you can.

After sand castles, it was time to go swimming!

Not 10 minutes after we got there, J.C. looked like this!

On the second or third dive off the board, J.C.'s eye/nose caught the pennant banner strung across the pool. He felt it when he hit, but didn't know how serious it was until getting out he saw blood dripping. Aunt Cathy's medical supplies to the rescue...and an Otter Pop from the pool staff for swelling. 

Ouch!

He teased later that he could come up with some GOOD stories when someone asked about his eye... 

"You should see the other guy!"

"My wife was upset and..."

Melissa

Jason hammed it up for the crowd. Showing off his diving skills...or lack thereof. :)

Major splash!

Treyson

David

Abree catching some shade?

After swimming yummy snacks; Jello popcorn, frozen grape kabobs, gummy fish/sharks and Goldfish crackers.

Next it was time for some ice excavating. The kids hammered, banged, picked and sawed into the colored ice to retrieve the prizes inside.

Jessica

Rylee

Julia and I set up a "photo booth" for each cousin to get their photo taken by Grandpa Smullin. 

Abree

They could choose the Mermaid grotto...

Treyson

or Surfer, with a close call, Shark bite.

California girl, Taylee

Julia had made shark fins and hats for the boys and shell crowns for the girls. 

So cute!

Cathy pregnant with # 7 and Julia pregnant with # 6... both due in September.

Baby Bellies!

Up next, crafts.

Rylee & Jade

Colton

Do you hear the "Jaws" theme playing???

Treyson

Jared

Lynley 

Going to work?

So cute.

JC-Julia

Our wonderful Cousin Party hosts.

Melissa made this "Angry Birds" game.. that Jeremiah thoroughly enjoyed.

Aren't they cute?

Nate-JC

BBQ for dinner

Ethel-Cathy

Jessica-Catie Jo-Ethel

Jak

After a long, wonderful day, this is probably how many felt.

This little sharky was T-I-R-E-D.

But the party didn't end there. We loaded up the vans/cars and headed back to JC and Julia's for more food, family and fun. Some started for home, while others spent a second night..being promised yummy bacon in the morning. :)

Thank you JC and Julia!