Kevin & Michelle

Our cousin Kevin married over the weekend. We're happy to gain another fun cousin. Our trip down to Washington City/St. George started out rough but all in all we had another amazing week with our family.

We didn't get to set off till 10:18 p.m. because Matt and his dad both had meetings. Alex fell asleep after a while but only slept for about an hour to an hour and a half. We drove to Cedar and stayed at Micheal and Julie's place since they were out of town and it was only a 45 minute drive from there to Washington City. We get there around 12:30 and Alex was wired with no intentions of going to bed for us. We couldn't just let him cry it out because if you haven't heard his scream, you are lucky. We didn't want to disturb the tenants above us so we just let him run around in hopes he will slow down but we were all so tired that we were getting desperate. At 2:30 a.m., Matt sacrificed his sleep and took Alex for a car ride. I don't know all the places he went with him but he did make it all the way up to Brian Head. Alex didn't fall asleep till 4:15 and Matt didn't make it back to the apartment till 4:45 and got in bed at 5:00. I had to get up at 6:30 so I could get myself and Evan ready while him and Alex slept. Around 8:00 we all got in the car and I drove the rest of the way to Washington City. Matt only got an hour of sleep.

We get to Aunt Cheryl and Uncle Gary's place in Washington City and walk down the street to the church building where they were having the Wedding Breakfast before going to the Sealing. They served some yummy food, muffins, fruit, oatmeal, breakfast cassarol, bacon and orange juice.

Alex loved these small blueberry muffins.

Alex's face looks like he was telling me "Don't take pictures of me while eating!"

Evan is a big fruit eater. He gets bowl fulls of everything but this was his first time trying blueberries.

Evan was excited to see Great Papa Thompson who he's named after. He followed him around a lot of the time.

After breakfast we made our way down to the St. George Temple. Kevin and Michelle were married in the oldest sealing room in the church. It's a room that you have to go into the Celestial Room to get too so we all had to be dressed in white. It makes the sealing a special one because it's not common to have guests of a sealing wear white.

After Kevin and Michelle were sealed together for time and all eternity, we made our way to the Temple grounds to see them out of the Temple and pictures.

Coming out!

Mr. and Mrs. Koeven

First kiss out in the world as husband and wife.

We went back to the house to put the boys down for naps. I thought Matt would take one as well but he decided to go on a hike with our cousin Steven to look at a potential place to go to the next day and have fun. I would have taken a nap as well but decided against it because I'm worse off if I take too little of a nap so I went with Lin to run an errand. We came back to Dad and the boys still sleeping so we just lounged around waiting for them to wake. Alex finally woke up after a three hour nap :). I went and got him and laid on the floor with him so he could wake up more but he ended up falling back asleep. I tried to wake him up but he curled up in the cutest position. He looked like he was praying :).

I didn't want to wake him up but had too because I WANTED him to go to bed at night! I didn't want another all nighter.

Lin got to snuggle with him for a little bit while he was waking up.

He tried to get snuggles with Papa but couldn't get on the couch

But settled for this. I love that he loves to snuggle :).

Evan asleep on the other couch.

After Matt came back and everyone else woke up, Alex opened a few presents since it was his official birthday.

Papa gave him a card and some fun clothes.

He got a special blue person that lights up from his missionary Aunt Leanna

He loves it!

His reaction :)

The reception was really fun. Instead of just signing their guest book they had a photo booth set up so we could take pictures. It printed out two copies so we could have one and the other would go in their book and we sign next to it. The boys loved it and we caught them taking more through out the night.

I thought the reception was decorated well.

I loved the colors and pattern she picked.

All the drinks were yummy!

They served crepes.

The cake was chocolate mint :).

Cutting the cake

They were nice to each other

First dance

Getaway car

Congratulations Kevin and Michelle!

After a full nights rest :), we headed back to the family to have breakfast and hiked to the place Matt and Steven went too. It was a beautiful place and the boys braved the cold water. I couldn't get in, even to soak my feet because I'm such a wimp.

Alex loved jumping in the water

His reaction was funny when he was in because the water was so cold

Matt and I went further into the canyon to another pool

We headed home after having lunch so we could get home at a decent time so we weren't tired for Mother's Day. Matt and the boys gave me cute cards and a game :). After church we headed to Matt's Dad's house to have dinner and to talk to our favorite missionary. We had a great conversation with Leanna and we're looking forward to her last phone call on Christmas. Can't wait for her to come home but she's
serving a great mission in Canada.

Happy Birthday!

Matt turned 28! We had our annual BBQ, cake and ice cream party for him Saturday with Family. We also celebrated Alex turning 2 since his birthday is coming up on the 11th and we'll be out of town.

Alex jumping off the big rock

A friend that used to be in our ward made the cakes. She did an amazing job with taste and look.

Thanks Melody Twichel!

Alex got a sand box, sand toys, sprinkler toys, bubbles, bubble gun, ball, cars and clothes  

Matt got a lot of BYU clothes, hat, book, gift cards, money, shoes, more clothes and a back packing water filter.

 Right after we set the cakes on the table to sing Happy Birthday, Alex goes over to the basketball and grabs it. He couldn't wait! I loved his reaction to the singing. Just like his brother :).

He finally gets to eat it!

Michael, Julie and Elai Visit

I think it's time for me to start blogging again. I've taken some time off because I'm not sure who reads this (leave a comment so I know) but I should keep it up not matter what for family history purposes. Summer is on it's way so there will be lots to blog about.
Michael and Julie came up for a visit :)! The weekend was nothing short of amazing! We had so much fun with them and everyone that we were with. These pictures were taken by Julie so I want to thank her for capturing some of the things we did. I need to get back into taking pictures because its boring just to read a blog.
Friday we were invited to celebrate Kayla graduating from Utah Valley University. We had an amazing BBQ in her honor. The boys enjoyed playing on the tramp, swing set and kite flying. Evan was having a little too much fun because he ended up peeing his pants because he didn't want to stop what he was doing. He hasn't done that for the longest time so we were unprepared for it. He spent a good portion of the night in the bathroom in an Alex diaper until we persuaded him to wear these PJ bottoms that Lin was going to send to the DI. We got Alex to wear them to show him how cool they were and we all got a good laugh because they looked like MC Hammer pants on him. Evan felt fine after that and wore them. Now he wants to wear them all the time. He's such a funny kid.

Elai is such a happy kid. He is so adorable!

Saturday we went the the Park to have a picnic lunch and to play.

Attempts to get pictures of the grand kids with Papa

Alex threw this hat in the duck pond. I guess he's a Utah fan.

After the park we freshened up and went to pick Lin up to go explore the new City Creek Mall downtown Salt Lake. It's a fun Mall and it's very pretty with the creek running through it. We had dinner there and then walked around Temple Square for a little bit and visited one of the visitor centers.
Sunday we went to Dad's house for dinner so we could say goodbye to Michael, Julie and Elai. Can't wait to see them again.....soon!

Elai loved Evan!

Such good buddies

New Changes

As of today, Matt was released from being 1st Counselor in the Bishopric. This change was unexpected as was the call almost 2 1/2 years ago but it was such a rewarding experience and we're very grateful for the many blessing we received. I wasn't the one that was busy but in a way I was serving right a long side him. We loved the ward before but that love has strengthened. After Sacrament Meeting we were asked by everyone if we were moving because that's one of the number one reasons people get released in our ward. I'm happy to say we're not moving, but the Lord wants Matt to serve else where. He's now serving on the High Council over Young Men's. He's still busy but the good thing is, we do get to see him more and I'm no longer a Sacrament Widow :). Its going to be nice having two more hands to help with the boys. They get sick of me and they just love their daddy.
I was also given a new calling a few Sundays ago. I'm now serving as the Young Women Secretary :).

The Next Jimmer?

Alex has been shooting like this for at least 6 months. He loves basketball and his form shows it. That form has not been taught, he has always shot like this. This was also his first time shooting at an additional foot.
As much as I would like to move their basketball hoop outside, I'm willing to loose the extra space so he can practice more.