SCHOOL

We're back at it. Again. These kids just keep getting bigger, and I try so hard to keep them small.:) Here they are, the sassy, I am late nearly everyday 8th grader, the I like scary t-shirts cuz I am big now second grader, and the I am not going to cut my hair til the last day of school fifth grader.....

The first day back was uneventful. Everyone was on task and I remembered to make the sack lunches. I even got a fist pump and a "That's my man JENN!" from Nick when he found out I bought white sandwich bread for the special occasion. 

After school it was all talk about seating charts, lunch times and who is in whose class. It's gonna be a great year!

CRAZY

So all the kids plus the Porters thought it would be SO FUN to dress up, hold signs, stand on the side of the street and yell to the cars passing by. They made a game out of it to see who would get the most "honks." After a couple of costume changes and a whole lot of work, the boys team won. Way to go guys!

SWIM

Summer swim is well underway! The kids are enjoying it, as always, and doing really well. We have decided to take a few Saturdays off this summer so we can to do camping as a family!! 

                  The boys at a meet 

          Liv snuggling Maisey after a long practice!              

SLEEPOVER

My kids have sleepovers with each other since we don't do them with friends. And we don't have air conditioning so clothes are optional. What a perk!

PORTERS

There is a family in our neighborhood that are like family to is. Rarely does a day go by that we haven't been at a practice together, met up at the gym or had each other's kids over. Tim has been known to show up with pizza and the kids to hang out while Allison is at work. We bail each other out multiple times in a my given week. They are simply THE BEST!!! They are moving to a nearby neighborhood soon and I am honestly in denial. I hope we continue to see each other as often as we so now! Examples below.;)

The boys chillin in our basement during a tornado warning about a week ago. Cael said this was the best tornado shelter EVER!

Summer Pyramid. Barely.

Nick and Brady cuddling and giggling like girls for an entire afternoon.

And my friend Allison, when I asked for a pic of her new sunglasses.

IDAHO

The family all met up in Preston for our 8th Annual Fourth of July Party. It is always so much fun. Our agenda doesn't change much from year to year...... Swimming, family softball game, ice cream, bowling tournament, gun range, Eye of the Liger Fun Run and a whole lot of games, laughing and staying up really late. Chris' scavenger hunt has yet to disappoint and all the kids claim it is the very best part of the week. I didn't take too many pictures this year and just enjoyed our time with the family! Below, Ben and Kitty had fun on Grandpa's water slide, Noah taught me how to eat an Oreo off of a fork, Uncle Pete became the official family "Meat Master", and we were all pretty excited to find out that Jackson had left his beloved tank top behind when he went home.:)

CAMP

Top 5 Reasons why we camp:

1. The weekend lasts forever.

2. Everything tastes better over a campfire.

3. Life is quieter without electronic devices.

4. Conversations are meaningful when everyone is sitting in a camp chair.

5. The kids go home happy and kind to one another.

MICRO

This kitchen remodel is wearing on all of us. Especially when it comes to meals. Tonight's dinner was completely microwave-made. Scrambled cheese eggs, sausages, toast and fruit. Olivia was brave to try it and said, "Wow, mom. This is actually better than I thought it was going to be." I agreed. Not too bad, little microwave.

HELLO KITTY

A friend of mine brought these Hello Kitty Crocs over for Kate yesterday. Totally made her world!! This morning she woke up and opted to wear undies, shoes, and a smile. Her very BEST shoes, of course.:)

PARK

This morning Kitty had and I hit the park while the big went to swim practice. She was so happy to play first thing in the morning. She is a perky little cutie and  I think her choice of clothing made the experience even cuter. Love this child.

FATHER'S DAY

Our annual Father's Day taste-test involved a whole lot of candy bars this year. Chris did really well, almost as good as he did last year with the Doritos tasting.:) The kids, as always, had a great time and cleaned up all the left over candy bars. 

BATGIRL

Look who found the boys' superhero dress ups.......

AIRSOFT

This kid saved a little money and this is all we heard about for nearly a week. Airsoft this, Airsoft that. Constantly. We finally agreed to the purchase and Nick was SO happy! Within days, all the boys in the neighborhood had new guns and a whole lot of "warring" had started.....

SICK

Last Monday, I took Liv, Ben and Kate in to be tested for strep. They were all feeling yucky and I thought they had strep. In fact,I was SURE of it. They all got a spurt of energy and we messed around in the room while waiting for the test results....

Strep? Nope. The doctor ordered Popsickles and ice cream for a week until this virus is gone. ALL the kids loved that!!

CAMP

Cub Scout Day Camp in pictures......We had such a great time! Ben and Kate came along for the little kid camp while I hung out with the boys. Can't wait to go again next year!

MOVIE DATE

We hit the theaters today for a friends Birthday party and saw "How To Train Your Dragon 2." These cute kids are always a fun date!

MAISEY: SIX MONTHS

Fabulous First Grader!

Look who is the Fabulous First harder of the week! Ben is always fabulous so really, this week is no different. But he DOES get to bring home Melvin moose for the week and write in Melvin's journal about all the awesome things they do together. Watching football, wrestling practice, etc. etc..... It is going to be an exciting week!:) Thankfully, Ben remembered way before his mother did that his poster needed to be turned in on Monday and had it all ready to go, all by himself......