Happy Birthday Aaron!

 This year we are solidifying our "birthday traditions" and last year we chose two things to accompany Aaron's birthday every September 2.  A family hike and eating at a restaurant (neither happen as often as we'd like - hence our annual "tradition" to do so).

 The gorgeous weather was just right as we started out on our little family hike on Saturday mid-morning.  After running into a "No Trespassing" sign, we made a detour and selected another trail.

 We discovered four or five new berries we were not familiar with.

 See the dark purple ones on the tree behind Jantzen?  They were perfectly ripe for picking - too bad we didn't know whether they were edible or not!

 A little rock-climbing near the base of the trail...

Quinn preferred walking in the small stream rather than walking along side of it.

Peach dessert

Sunday afternoon (Sept. 1) we loaded up and headed south to enjoy Aaron's yummy birthday meal with G-ma and G-pa P and the C family. 

We also utilized the neighbor's zytoscan machine and had a lively discussion about energy types.

Isn't that what most families do on a Sunday evening together?

G-ma P and Carrie - scanning

The kids always enjoy playing with cousins.

Our spur-of-the-moment decision to surprise the kids with a day trip to Lagoon on Labor Day brought smiles all around - until the rain starting pouring Monday morning.  And we're talking buckets!  Of course, we said a prayer and continued on our way hoping for better weather.  It all worked out beautifully and the weather cleared as the day continued.  It was Aaron's birthday gift to the children.

First-timers at Lagoon - and they LOVED the rides!

The older four children took off together but after a few rides, Tanner brought Jantzen to us in the "kiddie area" - white-faced and sweating.  It was actually a scary sight - never seen him like that.  We found a picnic table for him to lie down on.  I had essential oils with me so I worked a few areas on his foot and gave him time to recoup.  He felt much better but decided to pass on many of the rides.  Fortunately, he had his swim trunks so he spent some time at Laguna Beach instead!

Jantzen snapped this one of Elsie and me and that made him dizzy enough.

I doubt there is ever a slow day at Lagoon but we were happy with the crowds and found ourselves able to ride what we wanted - and packed plenty in before heading out at dinner time.  In keeping with Aaron's birthday tradition, we stopped for dinner at a restaurant and continued on our way home rolling in plenty late.

Believe it or not Aaron's birthday cupcake survived the drive home sitting on our dashboard.

The kids returned to school the next day but we had Aaron open a few gifts after morning scripture study.  No real surprises since he picked them out - at least I wrapped them so he had something to open!  

Happy 41st birthday Aaron!