Justin's 30th and Amazing Jake's

The weekend of February 7th we celebrated Justin's 30th Birthday. Vince and Marsha were also here so we were able to spend some time with them as well. Overall, it was a really fun weekend.

Justin's Birthday Gift. A new 22 rifle.

Lamar and Cory riding the train with the kids.

Lamar on the rockwall. Everybody was chanting "fall".

Uncle Cory on the Frog Hopper with his kids and ours.

You gotta love the tea cups. April's grin says it all.

Bryson and Elizabeth also loved the tea cups. See the video below to see how fast they were going. Fortunately nobody threw up.

April was also a big fan of the carousel.

Elizabeth, Shayci, and Tylie

Elizabeth and Bryson on the Tea Cups. Just watching this makes me sick.

#1 Dad!!

Lamar took Bryson and Elizabeth to the Suns game on Monday night. The first half they were a little quiet, taking it all in. But by half time they were a much more alert group, thanks to the popcorn and soda that Lamar gave them. I am so gald that Lamar does things like this with our kids. He is a great Dad!!!

Their "crazy" shot. No Echols event is complete without one.

(Bry is 7 and Lizzie is 4.) They were so thrilled to get their faces painted. Bryson went to a game last season with Lamar, but this was Elizabeth's first!


Lamar said that he doesn't think Elizabeth saw a single basket made. She had more fun dancing to the music, sitting with Daddy, and eating popcorn!

Lizzie took this photo. Nice job, right?!

What Dad doesn't dream of having moments like this with his little girl?

It was a blow out game for the Suns, so the seats were pretty empty toward the end of the game. The kids had fun exploring the rows and doing silly dances to the music.

Lizzie Lou is 4!!!

Happy Birthday Elizabeth!! AKA: Lizzie Lou, Miss Eliza, and Lizzie Beth. Birthdays at Grandma Lynn's always include the Birthday Hat. We love this fun tradition.

Elizabeth, April, Abby, Bryson, Logan, and Braden.


David and Jillian

Clinton always lets us have his huge bedroom upstairs when we come and stay. You are the best Clinton!!

Shannon and I dishing cake and ice cream for the gang.

Abby, Braden and Logan got Elizabeth this dress up skirt and shoes. What more could my girly-girl want in life?

Abby's Grandma Rapier made this bridal gown for her for halloween a few years ago. Elizabeth came out of the bedroom to show us, and I couldn't help but be struck with the thought "all too soon that will be real!" Hang on, she is FOUR!!! Whoa! Glad of that! She does make a beautiful bride. (18 years from now!!)

Christmas with the Claridges

Once again, we headed to Thatcher for the holidays. We stayed with my Mom, Grandma Lynn. This was Clinton's last Christmas home before his mission, and David's first one back after serving his mission. It was so fun to be with them! Grandmother Layton came over as well on Christmas morning to open gifts with us. It was a special Christmas to be able to be with her and my Mom. Too far and few are these moments. I love them so much!!!

For FHE we did what just about every other family I know around here does: enjoyed the Temple Lights. It's amazing to see displays like this through my children's eyes. They were giddy!! It was classic.
Bryson was given this "reverence bear" from his primary teacher. It, "teddy" has become part of the family on just about every occasion there is. I would have never guessed!!

Bryson, Teddy and Elizabeth

Every Christmas morning we wake up, hold hand and make a train, and run through the house singing jingle bells before we run into the room with the tree. It has been fun to have my mom, brothers, and Grandmother join us for two years now. Clinton woke up early this year and decided to go outside "unknowingly" during this part of the celebration.

Uncle Clinton got Elizabeth this princess jewelry. She was in heaven!!

I was totally being silly for dramatic effect here and Lamar thought it was post worthy apparently. I already knew what was in the box. (Clothes $$!)

We got Grandmother Layton to play Ticket to Ride with us. She and I teamed up so that I could help her learn the rules and understand how to play. We ended up beating everyone by a long shot!!!! I distinctly remember seeing a tear fall from the corner of Ryan's eye as he accepted defeat. Shannon and Mom didn't take it as well. Lamar had to go for a walk to get some air. Poor old chaps! Grandmother looks sweet, but she is a game shark!!

Uncle David, Grandma Lynn, and Grandmother Layton. I guess that Clinton must have put the cowboy hat on the stand in the background after coming home from a day of work. Evidence that although we can't see Dad with us, he is not very far away. He lives through us. It is typical of what I probably saw every single day of my life. It just fits. Life as ususal. I love it. I love going home.

Grandmother, Clinton, and Elizabeth.

Special times. These are the moments that make our memories sweet.

Turkey with the Echols

Yes, we are FINALLY getting around to posting about the holidays. Heartfelt thanks to those who provided the oh-so-tender-loving push! Please keep in mind it is LAMAR who does our blog, I am merely the humble scribe. (Send the hostile threats to him next time please folks. J/K!) We did have a wonderful Thanksgiving at Cory and Dawn's house in Safford. All five siblings were able to come and it was so much fun. Cory and Dawn planned the whole weekend for us. We played some games at the Church, had a surprise joint B-Day party for Vince and Marsha, and ate a whole lot of great food.

ALL the Echols Clan

BFF!! Yes, that's right. I have methotically and continually placed the thought into my girls' minds that we are Best Friends, and will always be, Forever. Ahhh, a mother's love!

Justin racing to help his team try to win the dress-up relay race.

Cory and Danae helping Elizabeth cross the finish line.

Grandma Echols helping Bryson.

Should someone help Grandpa Echols dress himself? I love that they do silly stuff like this with their kids and grandkids!!

Surprise!!!! A dinner date for 2.....make it 22! Kelsey, Elizabeth, Tiley, Shayci, and Bryson couldn't wait for Grandma and Grandpa to walk in!!

Vince and Marsh. So cute! Still so in Love!

Ten Down, Happier Than Ever.

Lamar and I decided to experince a New England Fall for our 10 Year Anniversary. Dreamy Right?.... It was, and then some.
We had 6 days...no kids...no schedules...could it be true? It was amazingly perfect in every way. We flew into Manchester, NH and drove 45 min to the most amazing B&B on Harris Island (basically York, ME) for three days. Then we drove from the coast of Maine back to New Hampshire and up the middle of the state through the mountains. There we spent 3 days at another B&B in the country. Seriously, it was like a town in the movies. Gorgeous!!!!! Colorful foliage EVERYWHERE! Pics can't ever begin to do it justice. So here is how our blog works: Lamar is the creater and driving force behind our blog. He'll decide he wants to do a post, picks what he wants, gets it all ready to publish, and then asks me to do the writing. For better or worse, this is our system.

Hiking the Flume in NH. It was heavenly.


This is the view from our porch in Maine. It was so dreamy.

At the water's edge of our B&B in Maine.

We went for a walk in York and found a Pub for dinner. This park was across the street. The ocean is just beyond the park. I felt like I was in a Jane Austin Movie!

We had a sliding door that opened onto our porch. This is our view looking out. (Maine)

The dock on the side of the B&B in Maine. I tried with all my might to convince Lamar to have our house sold and our kids sent out to us. I wanted one of the houses in the background more than I can describe.

Nubble Light House in York, Maine.

Awesome covered bridge; part of the hike at the Flume Gorge.

Hiking the Flume

Still hiking the Flume!

My sweetie is a fan of action shots. This is dedicated to him. It was my first ever "action shot" photo session.

Lamar's action shot. That's some pretty good air! We were on a drive through the mountains and decided to stop at a scenic pull-over. Next thing I knew we were laughing and having so much fun doing this photo shoot of "action shots". Lamar is so much fun to be with!

We woke up our first morning at the B&B in NH and went down to breakfast. This was what it looked like outside. In every direction, this was our view. So Awesome!

On our way back down the mountain and to the airport we stopped at this amazing little hiking trail tucked off the highway, that was only about 15 minutes long beside this stream that created a swirling basin at the bottom. Hence it was called "The Basin". So Fun!!!

Lamar and I agreed that second to experiencing Norway 5 years ago, this was by far our favorite getaway together. Enchanting, Treasured, Romantic, Relaxing, Breathtaking... Trip of a lifetime.