Perfect Summer Sunday

One Sunday after church, we headed for the hills to have a picnic.  It was perfect.  I can't believe we didn't think to do it sooner.  We had such a good time, I can't wait for next summer so we can repeat!

Demolition Derby

Who knew my kids would love a good demolition derby?  We went last year and had to go again this year.   Of course they have carnival rides and other things going on to take your money, we have always avoided them, but we gave in this year and it was actually really fun to see the boys having fun with their friends.

Family Reunion 2011

We had a family reunion this year and it was such a fun time!  Especially for all of the cousins who got to play and play and play!

 As always there was lots and lots of yummy food!

 Crafts for the kids...

 Where did all those girls come from and how come I didn't get any?!?

 One major highlight for the kids was the amphitheater.  They spent a lot of time practicing their moves and preparing a "show" for us that they were all too embarrassed to perform:)

 In true Grandma fashion, she brought presents for everyone!

 My grandma with her oldest (me!) and youngest grandchildren.

It was a lot of fun, the only thing I would do different is leave my air mattress at home, because boy were they noisy every time you made a move.  Other than that, it was perfect!

A Little Relief

Today is the first weekday in just over a month when no one has had football practice in our family.  In fact we had nothing tonight and it was a welcome relief!  I thought oh, "let's go miniature golfing as a family," and I even suggested rock climbing, but my ideas were abandoned as my boys said, "mom, we are gone every night for football, we just want to stay home!"  And so we did.  We did absolutely nothing.  Cookies were made and eaten, football was watched and even played a little in the yard, and ramen noodles were for dinner.  It was lovely.  

Growing Up

A while ago I picked up some deodorant for my husband at the store.  David was so disappointed when he learned it wasn't for him!  He wants to grow up and he wants to wear deodorant!  So I bought him some at the store as a special treat and he is so happy.  This morning he came into our room, Kirk and I were laying on the bed.  In all seriousness he says, "Mom, Dad, do you think I should trade the Saints defense for the Giants?"  He plays his first fantasy football game today.  He is for sure his father's son when it comes to sport statistics and his ability to remember them.

Last night as I was tucking Tyler in bed I was telling him how special he was and talked about his special talent to make things.  He made a literal stick figure of his teacher, for his teacher.  He wrapped a pipe cleaner around the neck for a scarf.  I told him that I thought he would be a great builder someday.  He replied that he wants to be a farmer.  He said that when he was at grandpa's field his eyes didn't itch around the horses, but when he got around the alfalfa that's when his eyes itched, so he still wants to be a farmer.  He should have been born on a farm, for reals, it would have suited him much better.


Ethan is in fourth grade and that means he gets to play the recorder.  He has taken that very seriously and plays a lot.  Consequently Reggie is scratching at the door to go out a lot.  Ethan has got great study habits in all aspects of his life.  This school year he has been recognized for his abilities in different areas.  He has been selected to participate in special programs and receive special awards.  It makes my job so easy because he is so self motivated and does take things seriously.

Jacob is the most easy going in our family.  He just rolls with the punches and doesn't get in much trouble.  Just like David he loves wearing deodorant but he is just a little boy at heart.  He has always been so good to play make believe things with Tyler.  He has always been the most fascinated by video games and by far the most competitive at them.  He loves to play with other kids and gets along with all of his brothers.  Since moving downstairs and getting a big room to himself, he has taken great pride in taking care of it.  

Each one of my boys is growing up so much each year.  Just watching them play football I can't believe the growth from one year to the next.  I need to be better at blogging and recording more of the small events around the house.  

Fantasy

My husband thought it might be a fun idea to do a fantasy football league for my boys and some of their friends.  We had a live draft here at our house and it was quite the ordeal.  A lot of the boys came prepared with players' names and positions all ready to draft.  It was pretty impressive to see the effort and thought put in by these little boys, also kind of funny.

 In between picks, the kids continually checked the computer to see stats and who might be available.

 Kirk kept track of it all, I don't know how, it was a lot of stuff!

 I love both of these serious and thoughtful expressions of Ethan's as he studies his team and thinks about who to pick.

 This guy came prepared with his picks all printed out from the computer and a clip board!

It was a fun night and I know the boys are having fun with the fantasy!

I Finally Got To See

David and Jacob started wake boarding when we were in Lake Powell this year with my family.  Unfortunately I was never in the same boat it happened.  We went to the lake a couple of times, but finally I got to see them wake board at Yuba.  Both of them got right up and did such a good job!  I was so happy for them.  David has even mastered going in and out of the wake.  I can't believe how much they are growing up!

The Haunted Cabin

For the longest time I have been feeling like there was nothing to blog about.  I wasn't sure if it was just because football took over our lives and I am in survival mode or if life was just really boring.  Once in awhile something funny would happen, like when Tyler got in trouble at school for "making excessive burping and farting noises," but I really didn't want to write a whole entry about that, even though I found it totally hilarious and of course completely inappropriate!  Then my brother asked to borrow our camera, so I emptied all the pictures off and realized there are lots of little things I still haven't blogged about.  So here we go!

We spent an evening with friends up in the mountains and it was so much fun!  Tyler has found a harmonica buddy!!!  I love those sweet little faces.  I even like the noise Tyler makes with his harmonica.  Too bad he disassembled his last week.  He could use a new one for his birthday if anyone wants any ideas;)

  

We roasted hot dogs and later made smores and heard stories about haunted cabins...

Then we went to the haunted cabin and the haunting husbands did a great job of scaring me!

It was a fun night and we made great memories!

Fun With Friends

My long lost friend from Texas came for a visit!!!  We took the kids on a few adventures and had a great time catching up.  I need her to come back because we never got a picture of the two of us:(

 We took the kids to This is the Place and they had a blast!  It will definitely be getting a repeat visit from our family.  I had no idea there were so many fun things for the kids to do.

One of the reasons college was such a valuable life experience (besides the obvious, education) is because of the friends made along the way.  I am so grateful for my friendship with Nicole!  One of my regrets is not keeping in touch better, with Nicole and many others.  If I could do it over, I would put more effort into maintaining friendships.  Getting married, moving away, and having kids makes it difficult, but not impossible.