Ezra's 4th Birthday

For Ezra's 4th Birthday, he wanted a Pirate Party!
We made a treasure chest cake (which he helped decorate). He couldn't wait to eat the ring pop! We invited some of his sunbeam friends from church and had a pirate adventure.

We started out by decking the kids all out with pirate tattoos, eye patches, and hoop earrings. Next we played "pin the X on the treasure" in preparation for the treasure hunt later on. We did an obstacle course where they kids had to walk a plank, sword fight "Scurvy Eli" and then bring back a gold balloon for Calypso (Ellary). Ellary then gave them compasses and read them rhyming clues for the treasure hunt. After following all the clues, they found the treasure.....a pirate ship pinata that was hid in our old antique trunk that really does look like a big treasure chest! Next came cake and icecream. Yummy!

After cake, we opened presents. Ezra received a scooter. He was very excited....he now had one just like his big brother and sisters. He also received a quiet book for church and a pirate chest that Mom had painted for him. It was filled with pirate treasure and came with a lock and key . He loved being able to lock and unlock the padlock over and over again. He loves playing pirates........sword fighting his siblings and hiding treasure! It's a pirate's life for Ezra :)

Happy Halloween '10

We always have so much fun at Halloween. Not only is it my birthday, but I love making special Halloween treats with the kids. This year it was mummy pizzas and boo beverages! And of course Halloween sugar cookies are a must each year. The kids always get more and more creative.





Halloween fell on a Sunday this year, so being in Utah we celebrated on Saturday. The whole family dressed up as pirates. It was a little rainy and cold, but we still had a great time going out trick-or-treating with our friends the Bate's. Afterwards we just warmed up with some hot chocolate. (and candy of course!)

Family Vacation to Yellowstone!

The kids have always heard stories about all the family vacations that I took as a kid. So we were excited to be able to take them to The Grand Tetons National Park and Yellowstone. Luke and I hadn't been since we were kids. We went the 3rd week of October so we knew we would have to dress warm, but we also heard we wouldn't have to fight the crowds and would most likely see more wildlife. It was beautiful! Eva's favorite part were the animals....we saw buffalo, elk, coyote, bald eagle, black wolf, and a grizzly bear! (we weresafe in the car of course) Eli's favorite part were the animals and the geysers and Ellary says that she loved EVERYTHING! Now Ezra, his favorite part was the blow-up bounce house at the motel the second night. When I asked him a second time, "No, what was your favorite part about YELLOWSTONE? he responded the same way....."the bouncy thing!" Okay, he was maybe a little young to appreciate all the beauty. Just another excuse to go back again and maybe see the whole upper loop too next time. Was was wonderful time and can't wait for our next adventure. Making memories is so much fun :)

Families are Forever

One of the things I love about living here is having a temple so close. When i step outside i can actually see two! What a blessing it is.

This is the Salt Lake Temple where Luke and I were married. We were excited to take the kids here and show them where Mom and Dad were married.
It was such a great experience being able to walk the temple ground with the kids and feel the reverence and peace of the grounds.

I am so thankful for my family and so thankful that it is possible to be together forever.



They really are 4 wonderful children with such sweet spirits.....I truly am blessed.

Living in Utah

We moved out to Utah the end of June for Luke's internship with Children's Primary Hospital. It has been a fun place to live. So much to see and do and we've made some wonderful friends already. I love seeing the mountains all around us. Every time i step outside the house my breath is completely taken away. BEAUTIFUL!


Our friends, and very close neighbors (we rent out their basement), took us to the alpine slide up in park city the end of this summer. What a fun experience to ride the ski lift up to the top of the mountain and then zoom down in a sled following a track. Ellary was so nervous as the guy at the top was telling stories of people going to fast and jumping track! We all had a great time.




Luke and i later made a trip back with the kids and decided to try the zip line. The kids waited at the bottom with some friends as they watched Mom and Dad fly down the mountain through the air.



We have also enjoyed several hikes and even horseback riding in the mountains with Luke's Uncle David. Now seeing the mountains while on a very high steep ledge on the back of horse takes my breath away for a completely different reason! I can't wait to see more of what Utah has to offer :)

The McConnell Family now has a blog!

Okay everyone....i am going to join the 21st century and start blogging for my family. I have been slow in the creating this and with the help of a friend of mine, I am finally getting around to it! I'm super excited. Hopefully more pics and posts to come soon!