On to Missouri!

After spending the holiday all together, my family had to go their separate ways. Josh, Jacob, Kenzie, and I drove towards Bear Lake to see a mission couple from Josh's mission. We call them Grandma and Grandpa Sorenson. They are wonderful people and let us stay at their ranch for the night.




We got to jump on the trampoline, swing, and Jacob had his first four wheeler drive.






Grandpa Sorenson taught Jacob how to drive it, then Jacob taught Josh how to drive it.



And of course, Josh taught Kenzie (driving toddlers run in my family...yikes!).




It was wonderful to spend one more night in cool Idaho.


Our next stop was Colorado where we stayed with Chrissy and Nick. It was SO good to see them and I was so glad we finally met Brinton! What a sweet boy! I loved seeing Kenzie and Brinton play together, it seemed like pre-cousins camp. Chrissy let us have the cute pink cup Kenzie's holding, she still loves it.







We happened to pull onto this road for a quick car seat break. I firmly believe that the state of Nebraska supports the Cougars, 'Y' else would there be a sign like this?



After two long days of driving, we finally pulled into the Foster's home. We were so done being in the car!

McKenzie walking on the past

My Grandmother's ranch is a special place to me. It has mounds of family history and memories everywhere.




This walkway, for example, was laid by my great-great grandfather, Daniel Balls. His initials are still at the first square of the walkway. I remember walking up and down it in the sprinklers too when I was young.



McKenzie didn't know it, but she was enjoying the labors of her great-great-great grandfather. I like to think that he was enjoying watching her too.

On To Idaho!

This is MacKenzie and McKenzie!!
MacKenzie is my adorable cousin! I love hoping McKenzie will grow up to be as sweet as her!



Last cool evening at the duplex; I loved having lots of friends and family over and watching Kenzie play with her cousins.



While Kenzie spent the last couple days with Kristen and Henry (which she loved doing!! and I loved Kristen for watching her!!), she found time to give Henry a proper knighting ceremony with her mop.



It was sad to drive away from our first and only home of three years. It was even harder to watch our friends' houses become smaller in the rear view mirror. But I didn't cry, too much. Josh and I were off! Cruising out of Utah with Josh's brother Jacob, and Stephanie, taking a last look at familiar territory.
McKenzie kept herslelf busy...




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We made it to Soda Springs and my sweet Grandmother let the whole Bagley family stay at her beautiful house. The Fourth of July was celebrated Saturday in Soda.
Kenzie loved the parade, don't you think? And everyone in the parade loved Kenzie! She was thrown so much taffy and otter pops, "Oh! She's so cute!" -incoming candy-, we had enough to go around a few times. Joshua loved it most because he had Kenzie give him all the candy, "It's yucky" he said. :) And yes, she still ate some and wrapper too.



I thought we looked very festive and patriotic in our flag chairs, especially Kenzie in her dress I bought on sale last year (score!). Thanks to Melanie, she had pig tails for the first time ever! Isn't she cute!












The carnival was fun, we got our usual tiger blood snow cones and walked around catching up with old friends. (This is an unofficial 'Soda people' reunion)
I got to watch everyone else play volleyball in the sand, they looked like they had a lot of fun!



According to the 'plan', everyone was supposed to be home by 3pm. I like being on time so after we saw the cemetery and geyser, we started for home but Josh 'missed the turn' and drove all the way to the reservoir just to see it. Weird.
That was shortly explained when I got the surprise party of my life! My family was home setting up a baby shower for me! They are so nice! Luckily we knew it was a boy! Melanie made a diaper cake (that I still have all put together in my closet)with diapers that she and Desiree bought. A few really good friends came over which was so nice. So now, thanks to my awesome family and friends, our boy is fully outfitted!

This shirt will be very suitable come Christmas, "All Mommy wants is a Silent Night"



Super Mom Melanie!



I loved seeing Cassanda, my second cousin!



Kenzie and my best friend Desiree's youngest son, Jeremiah, playing. The Mommy legs are in the background.




Kenzie was a tad jealous. She knew these presents weren't for her.