Our New Toy....

This is our new summer fun toy! Bryce brought it home today. He and Jesse set it up but since it was already about bedtime for the babies we let everyone play in it for a while. Usually you attach the hose and water is on all the slides and pools as well. I'll post pictures of that tomorrow. It was a blast dry! Everyone had a great time.
I even had to jump in and join the fun, too!
This picture is cute. The kids had so much fun. I had to grab the video camera so I could capture all the giggles. I'll have to post some more pictures after we get the water going in it!

Father's Day....

Ok, I know this post is a bit late, but I have thought so much lately about what a wonderful father our children have! Each one of them has a special relationship with their dad. He is such an amazing person and I am so lucky to be parenting with him. When each one of the kids were babies, he always got up with them at night with me. When the twins were born we had to feed them every three hours around the clock. They continued this routine for 8 months! Bryce was up each night for every single feeding! I don't know how he did it and worked the next day. He has supported our children through all kinds of lessons, attended all their dance, singing, theater, etc. programs, coached Jesse in baseball and basketball as well as scouting camps, etc. He jumps in and helps whenever anyone of them needs it. When any one of the kids has a sensitive issue they need to discuss, they know he will be there for him, listening and offering his love, support and priesthood blessing upon occasion. He is sensitive and strong and each one of our children adore their father. Halle is going through the daddy's girl phase right now and I know that Bryce is eating this up! (Of course, Megan and Melinda have never left this phase!) I am so blessed to be married to such a wonderful man. I love him with all my heart.

PS To Ordinary Days.....

...swimming will definately be added. We all had a blast. As long as I have extra arms to help with the kids who were all over the place! They loved the water and had no fear. Aren't summer days fun???!!!!

Ordinary Days (ordinary?)

The past few days have been ordinary. As I sit here and think about what my ordinary is I decided to write about it! Monday both Hallie and Jesse had a Dr. appt. I packed up all the kids and off we went! Megan was already there because Micah had an appointment right before ours. She stayed and waited and there we were - 2 adults, 1 very helpful 11 yr. old and 5 babies! That's ordinary for us! Megan is potty training Kolton so she was back and forth to the bathroom. Jesse and I sat in the office and tried to keep our herd tame! We pulled all the goodies we could think of out of our black bag to hopefully keep the kids out of the garbage can, magazine stack, cupboards, etc and from opening and closing the door. Goodies, like juice, fruit snacks and animal crackers. I felt panicy when the goodies were gone. Reading stories to babies in the ever so facinating Dr. office doesn't hold their attention for more than 30 seconds! Dr. Zollo came in (he is so kind, gentle and patient) Hallie was given her checkup and objected loudly to the entire ordeal! I have never seen her cry like this for the Dr. She usually doesn't mind at all. She sat on my lap almost the entire checkup. By the time we left the Dr.'s office we are all pretty drained! (maybe frazzled is a better word!) Pizza was our dinner tonight. (pizza is pretty much a staple around here!)

Other ordinary days include park visits, old disney cartoons on youtube.com, outside play and walks, drives in the car, playing with toys, puzzles, games etc., favorite stories which are Green Eggs and Ham, Chicka, Chicka, Boom, Boom, and the never old Frosty the Snowman! (of course, I have all these books memorized and can recite them in my sleep!) Speaking of sleep, that is something that is not as ordinary around here as I would like! With summer sun being up so much later, everyone goes down later! The summer sun that goes down late is also up early like our crew! Mornings use to be all mine! I have always been an early riser -- until lately! ;o)

It's going to be warm today and I just might try the neighborhood pool! Hmm, I wonder if swimming will be added to our ordinary summer day fun! I'll let you know!

Although my days are definately busy and most of the time I wonder where they went, I could never imagine my life right now any other way. I love my family, my life and all my ordinary days!

Weekend Fun, Pony Express Days and the Ryan Shupe and the Rubberband concert

Saturday was Eagle Mountain's Pony Express Days! It began with a parade in the morning so I packed breakfast and off we went. The kids were delighted. Many of the people in the parade were throwing candy so that quickly replaced the breakfast I packed! That afternoon, we headed over to the park and there were all kinds of rides set up there! All the kids loved this car ride!
Hallie, our little charmer!

Kolton-what a cute expression!

Nathan and Joshua our future hot rodders! (hmmm, two boys with driver's licences at the same time? Now that's a scary future thought!

While we were waiting in line to ride some boats, Nate disappeared! YIKES! We quickly looked around and then found him! He was on the boat! He climbed in with a little boy and was riding in the back. Before we knew it, he was crawling over the seat in the boat to ride in the front seat because he wanted to ring the bell so......

Here is Nathan in the backseat and....






Here is Nathan in the front seat now, ringing the bell!

The rest of the little ones on the boat!

H

Kolton and Hallie back in the cars!

Jesse with Micah!

Vroom! Motorcycle fun with Kolton and Nathan!

Our sweet, little Micah!

Melinda and Joshua on the Merry Go Round!

Guess who?

It's Jesse!

We laughed our heads off on this ride! (Mary, Jesse, Weston, Megan)

This is how we get around! We call it our baby limo!

We all had a great time!

Friday night, we got sitters for the babies and the rest of us went to the Ryan Shupe and the Rubberband concert. It was at the Sandy Amphitheater. They put on a great show and we enjoyed it so much. Of course, we had to pick up their new cd after the show. (we missed Grandpa this year! We ran into him at this concert last year! Here's to wishing him a speedy recovery!)

This Date Was A Blast!

Just a quick post on tonight! Bryce and I went on a Dune Buggy tour for Eagle Mountain's Pony Express Days. It was sooo much fun! It lasted about 2 hours. We will definately do this one again!

A Family Picnic In The Park! (It doesn't get much better than this!) Also, HiIlary's and Brian's wedding and the end of school!

Today it is summer! Our weather has been crazy this year going from very cool or rainy days and then back again to warm and sunny! Today was a warm, and sunny day! We did have a little rain this afternoon but only sprinkles that was followed by a beautiful, double rainbow! The entire family decided to eat at our neighborhood park. We picked up KFC and spent the evening playing together. It was so much fun. Have I mentioned how special and wonderful my family is? Each one with their unique personalities. I am truly blessed and I can't think of a better way to
spend a family home evening!

We celebrated Brian and Hilary's wedding on Saturday. The temple ceremony was beautiful and the weather for their party was great. Everyone had a wonderful time that evening. We are so excited for them and welcome to the family Brian!

Jesse was happy to see school wind out. They had a fun field day and he received a special award

for exceptional academic performance for the past 3 years! Hooray Jesse!