Summer Cousin Fun

We've had a busy summer hanging out with family and friends. I am so glad we have so much family close and that we can hang out as much as we do. We went with Grandma, Daddy, Aunt Aubrey, Uncle Darrell and their girls to see Toy Story 3 on Monday. It was more packed than Eclipse, but very worth it, fun memories. These babies may as well be siblings, other than the fact that they look nothing alike. Livi is about the sweetest little thing, I love her squeezing her cuteness.

Another bonus is living so close to Brian's family and our cousins super fun pool.

Lukey is coming out of his shell and is now loving the water.

Cousin swimmin' fun, doesn't get much better than this!

We had so much fun visiting with everyone for the fourth of July. Here are my cupcakes. I made some from scratch from a Martha recipe. I may not eat 'em, but they sure are fun to make.

Elizabeth and Avery came over to play and they kids got to decorate their own cupcakes while I was creating.

Good Times.

Silly boys ate more frosting than cake, and loved every minute.

Mini Jeff and Avery, four and half years later. Such cute little babies.

Lighting the sparklers on the Fourth.

We ate well and played hard and enjoyed the fireworks in the back of the good ol' red truck.

Between swimming, sport camps, movies and playdates the summer is zipping by. I can't believe three weeks until school starts. What a fun year!

A Dad of Daughters

All of my favorite recent pictures of my dad involve him with my boys. He is such a wonderful father and grandfather. At family gatherings you can usually find my dad outside at the "kids table". He is just as fun with them as he was with us when we were little. My dad has always been patient and sweet as he has watched me grow as a wife and mother. He has a way of being supportive even though I may not always do things his way. (Even though, I usually end of figuring out that his way would have be a lot easier!) I love that he takes the time to teach Brian things and that he just pitches in whenever he can tell I'm a little overwhelmed. We miss him so much when he is working up north and can't wait to see again. I truely feel so blessed in many aspects of my life, and the parents that I have are no exception.
Happy Father's Day Dad.
I Love you and miss you.

Third Annual Memorial Day Weekend Part I

Well we started out in tents three years ago, had a few babies and this year we ended up here: When you go with five families it is a great time!(and helps with the cost) Everyone had a bedroom with plenty of outdoor room to spare. It had a great view and an amazing kitchen.

"Smore faces without Henry family picture"

At the slightly creepy Alpaca farm. The guide provided a little TMI for my taste, but it was a fun time. They are really soft. The boys liked feeding them.

Lukes on the crazy high "kid" zip line.

Reading the "important" news

Telling jokes by the fire. The kids are so funny at this age.

I love this little boy!

Sweet little friends.

Third Annual Memorial Day Weekend Part II

Chillin' on the deck while the boys were shooting things.
We didn't catch anything this year, but it sure was fun trying.
Jeffey ate this up, look at that face!

Ben cruisin' down.

The mom's on the Ranger. Later the next night Kim A took us for a crazy ride in the dark, what a way to let go after taking care of kids all day! (PS I love how I have sunscreen in my hand, always the sunblock police)

Shooting stuff. (I tried once, and that was enough, guns still make me nervous)

Brian trying the "big kid" zip line.

A very flattering picture of my ride.

A look from the bottom. You climbed this ladder, got strapped in and jumped. I was so nervous, I hate heights like this. The tree was swaying and there is a few moments where you aren't strapped in at the top. Thanks to all the men who made sure I tried it and made it safely across. Once I was clipped on I was great and had a blast!

Henry, and Mommy, loved all the helpers this weekend, he got so much attention. He was such a great baby.

Even though we didn't catch anything, I think nothing compares for Ben to fishing. He is so patient and loves to sit by the water holding the pole. Papa would be proud.

It is so fun to get to know our friends kids. I love watching them play together. The next generation!

All those little girls made sure Henry had a great time.

Eating lunch at the lake.

Emilee and Ben kickin' it in the back of the Ranger.

Such a happy baby. Personally, I don't think they come any cuter.

This crazy kid is hilarious right now! He makes us laugh on a minute to minute basis. He got in the van after the lake and told me "Chow, baby"

Jeffey loved being outside and chasing friends all weekend. Playing in the water and the zip-line were among his favorite things.

Sweetie boy.

I love this one!

All in all, it was a great weekend. We missed our friends that had sick kids and had to leave early, the a/c died on the way home and I was battling strep the whole time, but it was worth all the effort. I love that we will have these memories for years to come and that I didn't have to wear make-up at all! We love our friends and can't wait for next year.

Jeffey's Done Pre-K

Jefferson finished Pre-K last Friday. We love this program and Jeff is the second family graduate. He has mastered all his letter sounds and writing them. He reads his BOB books and know about five sight words. He worked very hard this year and we are so proud of him. He is a great friend to his buddies and is excited to be in Kindergarten next year. We love you Jeff, great day for Pre-K!

This lady has been straight from above! We love her so much. She has taught both Ben and Jeff and Brian and I marriage classes. I am always amazed at how much she expects of the boys and how they rise to the occasion. She loves each of my boys for there different strengths and helps them with their struggles. We feel so blessed to have her as part of lives.

This is another incredible lady that has also been with us both years. She has two little boys and turtles, which makes her a big hit with our family. She has brought the turtles to school a couple of times for everyone to see. Lukey can't wait to be in her class in two years.

Jeffey and his buds. He has such great little friends. He loves them a ton.

William, Todd and Jeff.

Ready to say his part.

Getting his alphabet book. Again I cried. They seem like little babies when they start and I can't believe he will be in Kindergarten six weeks! We can't wait to watch you continue to learn and grow. Great job Jeff!

Ben's Last Day of Kindergarten

Ben with his wonderful teacher at the end of Kindergarten. Ben did such a great job this year. He had a wonderful little report card. He mastered 200 sight words and is reading Level J books at home to us and his brothers. Last family home evening he read us the scriptures. It is so neat to see him learn and grow. I shed some tears when they sang their cute songs and told what they loved about their parents. Ben said he loved that his Dad played the Wii with him and that I jumped on the trampoline. We love that he tries his best at school and is a good friend. They get a green bracelet for good behavoir each day at school. He stayed on green all year so the last day mom brought him a milkshake with whipped cream and a cherry on top. He was one happy boy. Great job Benjamin! Great Green Year.
(I also shed some tears of joy for making through the longest year ever. Dragging four kids into the school is not a ton of fun, but we did it. I am so grateful to all the other moms for helping in the classroom and for his great teachers for their gentle reminders when I wouldn't have forgotten something important)