Family Reunion part 1

July 2nd, 3rd and 4th

The weather was perfect.

Thursday, we drove to Page and stayed overnight. Friday we woke up early and headed up to Logan. Ty and Paige watched Tom and Jerry over and over and over. . . . and over.

Jeff promised the kids that the first one to sleep that night would get a dollar under their pillow. They all got a dollar. I'm not saying that Jeff's a pushover, but if the shoes fits :) I stayed up until 1:00 with Kelly. We talked and laughed and it was really great. The tiredness hit on day 3. I felt like I had been hit by a truck. It was well worth it.

Oh how they've grown from those days in Memphis.

On the 4th, we got dressed in church clothes to drive to Blackfoot for Anna's baptism. Everybody was there together for the first time since who knows how long.

We barbecued after the baptism, and Corinne made snow cones for all of the kids with Anna's little birthday snow-cone-maker.

Then it was on to Mom and Dad's house for a little swimming . . .or maybe a whole lot of swimming. A few strange fish were spotted.

Then came the fireworks. I didn't attempt to take pictures of the show. I just enjoyed it. The preshow events were captured in full glory!

Fathers' Day/ Birthday

As you can see, these two above are completely OVER having their picture taken. I have to sneak up on them. I didn't want to. I just wanted to sit in my nice warm chair, so there you have it.

It was a great weekend last weekend.

With a little bit of this

And a little bit of that

And a 32nd birthday - - I'm not saying who, that wouldn't be lady-like.

(his name starts with Sh and rhymes with Maine)

A Father's Day celebration with two great dads.

We love them bunches!

(one of them wasn't my dad, BUT I get to see him soon!)

Dentist

Today we discovered Mo's future occupation. I'm not one to force my kids into a box, but if the shoe fits. I mean, maybe she won't want to be a dentist, maybe she'll want to be an elf, but I think the photos speak for themselves.

She was pretty sure that Tyler needed an exam

"Hold still, this won't hurt a bit."

As you can see, she's also obsessed with hygiene. She'll brush with whatever is around. . . even a hairbrush if need be.

She's also ready to show off her pearly whites at the drop of a hat.

And there they are in all their glory. I lovingly refer to her as "hobo teeth" on occasion.

She definitely is not cut out to be a receptionist. . . I mean, her phone skills are lacking. Here, she has mistaken the puppy for a phone.

Whatever she decided to be, I'm sure she'll be successful. Just look at the support system she's got going on here. They love her to no end.

And this picture is just to show you that photo shock CAN happen after a mom has taken an insane amount of photos over a kids' lifetime.

(most intelligent looks in the world:

courtesy of Tyler and Mo)

Hermit Crabs

Let's just say you (Tyler) win the proverbial lottery and get to bring home your classroom hermit crabs. You might be in a situation if you have one of

these:

As it turns out the above pictured subject + 2 Hermit Crabs . . . .

just might =

I'm just saying. . . . .Poor little crabs.

I've sworn to protect through the summer.

Summertime

I LOVE summertime! . . . even though it's 105 here today, we consider these the dormant months of the year. (Except swimming) I've started giving the kids summer piano lessons, they have to do their chores and practice first thing in the morning. I've also incorporated 30 minute reading time in the afternoon. The kids have been great these last couple of days. Monday, they cracked down and helped me clean the house. Yesterday, we went grocery shopping. Today, Paige is at a friend's house, and Tyler has a friend here. Morgan is in a nap.

I love that we are on such a loose schedule and that we can put them to bed at any time. We have some fun trips planned for the summer and it really keeps them excited.

Here are a few shots from Memorial Day weekend.

Avoiding the camera as usual

Going after her favorite snack

Savoring her favorite snack

Cooling off and headed for the preteen years

Her latest little chant. She crawls and makes this noise.

What a ham.