The Richardson Campout

Labor Day weekend we had a Richardson campout.  It was so much fun and so beautiful!  It was perfect during the day and we loved the fire at night.  Good food plus good company equals a great time!  We look forward to doing it again!

The whole Family (Expect Bethany and Flint's Family)

Lacey and Dad-She has him wrapped around her finger.

Uncle Jared and Kimber with Devin, Dad and Lacey.  They took a little walk on top of Greens Peak.

Calvin, Addie, Ashton, Carson and Kennedy with Caleb and the photographer.

Ashton

Photography by Caleb

Uncle John's home!

My brother, John, returned home from his mission in August.  Here are a few of the pictures from the airport.  We are all glad that he returned home safely!  He served in the Mexico City East Mission.

Grandma was the first to meet John.  Grandpa was waiting his turn.

All his nieces and nephews waited holding the Welcome Home signs.  Lacey and Weston had help from their Dads.

Grandpa and John

Uncle John talking to every child one by one.

All the kids stood in a line and waited to Uncle John.  They were testing him to see if he remembered their names.

Everyone who came to see Uncle John.  Great-Grandma and Grandpa Bear came along with some cousins and a few of John's friends.

Starting School

The boys all started school in July.  Here are a few pictures of their first day of school.  They were all very excited!

Ashton - 1st Grade   and   Calvin - 3rd Grade

Carson and Caleb - 5th Grade

Dinner was Good!

Lacey is a great eater!  Well, this day, she ate everything up and went to sleep.  The boys thought it was too funny that they had to take a bunch of pictures!  She still had the spoon in her hand!

The Bear Reunion

In July, we went to the Bear Reunion in Lakeside.  Every year we always look forward to going.  There are so many fun things to do.  The kids love spending time on the lake going on canoe and boat rides.  And Grandpa made a little beach for the kids to play in.  The smaller kids love the sandbox and spend hours making castles.  Sand volleyball is a favorite for the teenagers and adults.  We have volleyball tournaments and ping pong tournaments.  (You know you're good at ping pong if you can beat Grandma!  I don't even try!)  There is always yummy food and great company!

The neatest program was planned one evening.  Grandma had shirts made to go along with the theme: The Title of Liberty.  All of the children and men dressed up in costumes and acted out the events surrounding the Title of Liberty in the Book of Mormon.  It was a really neat program!  Grandpa stood up and spoke as well as the Uncles.  The primary kids then sang a song.  Here are a few pictures...

This is our family: The Reeds.

Uncle James (my brother) holding the Title of Liberty.

Here is the banner that was posted under the ramada the whole weekend.

Here is Uncle Wes (my brother-in-law) holding the Bear Title of Liberty and we all signed it.

All the men supporting it.

Then we added the children.

Grandpa spoke for a few minutes.

Grandma and Grandpa Bear:  We love them!

Here are a few of the kids singing their song.

More of the kids: my kids, nieces, nephews and cousins.

Here is a swing that Grandpa put together.  The kids and adults love it.  You spin it around tight and then let go.  The little kids really went flying.  I had to get a picture of the adults on it too!

Camping with Lacey

This past summer, we went camping several times, mostly for different reunions.  We all love being outside, especially Lacey!  Here are a few pictures of her waiting for some snacks.  I can't believe that she is 18 months old already!  She is full of spunk and laughter and definitely a daddy's girl!
  And you know that Ben just loves that!

Highchair Makeover

I bought this highchair at a yard sale for $2 or $3, I can't remember for sure.  The wood matched perfectly with our table and chairs and I had in mind to give it a little makeover.

Here is the before:

Kind of gross looking!

Here is the after:

Lacey loves it!  There is a tray that goes on it and she will sit in that chair for a good 30 minutes or so while I'm making dinner and then continue to stay there while we eat.  It has been one of the best purchases!  Red is one of my favorite colors and it goes perfectly with my kitchen!

Jared's Graduation

My youngest brother, Jared, graduated from high school in May.  It was a pretty long graduation.  Especially when you are trying to entertain so many young ones!  Here are just a few pictures of the night...

Bobcat!

Calvin received his Bobcat a few months ago.  He was so excited to get his award and now he is even more excited to get started on all his other achievements!

Kindergarten Graduation

Ashton graduated from Kindergarten!  He had the best year!  Mrs. Adolph was a great teacher and did a fantastic job!  She always commented that he was well-behaved and had great manners.  He would always complete his math papers so fast!  I call him my mental math boy.  We are so proud of him!

The Peg Board

Caleb and Carson recently "graduated" from their elementary school and moved on to Middle School.  Before the end of the year, all the students in their grade were challenged to climb the peg board to the top.  A hard challenge, I know!  Only five students from the whole school did it!  Caleb and Carson being two of them!  What an accomplishment!  We are so proud of them!

Calvin's Birthday

Calvin turned 8 in May.  I know that I'm a little behind in posting, but that's life I guess.

All Calvin wanted for his birthday was a pair of boots.  He was so excited when he opened them.  He loves wearing his boots, almost every day!  

When I asked him what he wanted for a cake, he decided that he wanted lemon truffles.  He heard me talk about them before and they are fun and easy to make.  Calvin wanted to help make them, so we made a lemon cake,  baked it and then crumbled into the mixer and mixed it up with the frosting.  We rolled them into balls, froze them and then dipped them into white chocolate.  It was a little time consuming, but we had fun!

We love Calvin!  He is very talented!  Loves to play the piano and recently started on the viola (upon his request).  He collects many things and loves to draw!  He is a great son and brother!