Where to Begin? Triple G week I guess...

Well, it's been so long since I posted anything that I guess I'll just try to highlight a couple of things that this family has been busy doing. We started out the summer with Triple G week up in Eagar.

We had a terrific time riding 4 wheelers. It was perfect weather, just slightly overcast and started raining as soon as we were finished! Isaac and Cassie wanted a photo op.

The kids never got tired of playing games. This was good because it rained a lot. It was great to have the kids finally old enough to be able to pull out a game and play it.

Another time filler was letting Katie and Makenli learn how to make a denim quilt. Thanks Aunt Marci for sharing your expertise!

Talk about an awakening from the nice, warm water in the Valley! This river water was COLD but it sure didn't stop the kids from playing in it. We walked away colder and eaten by mosquitoes, but the kids loved it!

And then there was the watermelon... Who can have beautiful weather in the country without watermelon? The seed spitting contest was sure to follow...

Does this look like the bonfire we intended to roast marshmallows on? Well, we had to let it burn for a little while, but eventually we did get to have a hot dog roast and the smores were just right!

One of my favorite parts of triple g week is the visit to the cemetary where Poppy talks about respect for the property and of course all our ancestors who are buried there.

We wanted to help Grammy put out her flags in anticipation for the 4th of July. I love everything about this week! The chance for cousins to be together, the great weather, but mostly, I love the chance to be reminded of where we come from and who we should try to be like!

May... The crazy month of softball, piano recitals, graduation and anything else we can fit in!

Uncle Brett has finally graduated from High School! He may not look happy in this picture but my camera wasn't working and the tribes were restless.

We had some really nice weather for watching Katie's softball games. This one just went a little long... 10:30 p.m.! (Bryce)

Trying to keep a 3 year old happy when it's that late is a little tricky, so we took a lot of pictures that night! (cassie)

Katie had to take a bathroom break from the game.

Seth's piano recital was fun. It's great to watch how much he grows every year.

The greatest piano teacher! Thanks Lisa!

Happy 3rd bday Cassie

I can not believe it! My baby has turned 3! And yes, we are in the middle of those "tragic threes" but at least for this day and this picture, she's happy. Birthday breakfast of pancakes... with candles, of course!

So, these may look like Birthday brownies, but don't be fooled. It is browine "cake". In other words, I wanted brownies but she wanted cake so this is the result.

Time for gifts! She loves dolls and dress up. A girl in every sense of the word.

Oh, the joys of watching the attention be on a sibling... Happy birthday Cassie!

Gila Valley Temple

We had the chance to head to the Gila Valley temple open house this weekend. We wanted our kids to go thru it before it was dedicated.

Other than a cranky daughter, who wouldn't look at the camera, (not naming names, but you can see who it is...) it was a beautiful experience.

It's not every day that a new temple opens and one that is so close so we drove to Pima, stayed overnight with my brother and sister in law (thanks guys!) and then got to see the temple on Saturday.

We really are grateful for the blessings that temples bring into our lives. We can't wait for the dedication and that our 3 oldest can be a part of that!

So you had a bad day???

Cassie sure did... and this is a picture of it 3 day later! She decided to ride her bike under the trampoline and Isaac decided to not quit jumping...

The result was a disasterous bruise... and a broken nose??? What do you think?

She didn't let us put ice on it for very long and so the swelling has been terrible.

She sounds like she has a stuffy nose which I'm sure will go down as the swelling does. It has not been fun...

A Day at the park... before it heats up!

So, before things get too hot around here and I'm really hating life, I decided that I should take the kids to the park. Actually, I like to do it because it gives me reading time, but the kids don't know that!

After Cassie's broken nose...

This pose didn't last long. Doesn't Cassie almost look in pain?

Took Jenna and Logan with us this time. It give both Cassie and Isaac someone else to fight, I mean, play with.

We love digging in the wood chips... especially when they are someone else's toys!

I just needed proof that I do sometimes let my kids out of the house... Just in case they ever wondered!

Isaac's preschool graduation

I sure am going to miss this kid when he goes to Kindergarten next year...

Welcome to our presentation. We're so glad you came.

Talking about my favorite book, Chicka chicka boom boom.

Me with my teacher Mrs. Dieu.

The best part of the whole show... dessert! He loved being able to just sit at the table and eat as much as he wanted. I eventually had to drag him away with just a brownie, chocolate chip cookie, package of Buddy Bars and a package of pop tarts in his hands.

Easter time fun!

Easter is always a low key, but fun time of year. I love the spring time around here. Beautiful weather, allergies, and kids who love candy. Life just doesn't get better than this!

David hates his cast, but still managed a smile for the camera.

Seth, Bryce and Katie trying to find the special egg... (the one with the money in it!)

Isaac found the beginning treats from the Easter bunny and is headed out for the eggs. I refuse to be too told I'm too old to hunt for easter eggs! Katie was not to be left out!

Bryce taking a time out to smile for the camera.

It's a little tough to hunt for eggs on crutches but David did not let his broken foot slow him down any!

First we go for quantity, then we'll try to actually find some eggs... Cassie, Isaac and Seth.

Seth's got it all figured out. Go where no one else is.

It's a race to get the egg... Isaac versus Tiny. Guess who won???

Imitating the easter bunny or what? Ok, well, maybe they just were in the Easter spirit for bunny ears. Either way, one more fun holiday with lots of candy down. Time to focus on the true meaning of the holiday...

Happy 9th Birthday David!

Birthday morning brings the best gift of all... getting to choose your birthday breakfast!

David's top choice for this year was crepes... famously made by his dad.

Hooray for the presents! He is so excited to have a tied tie instead of a zip tie. I'm happy he's still willing to wear BYU!

Of course, with the change in age comes the Cub Scout rank advancement to Bears.

But the mother of all gifts for him this year was the Green Machine. This kid just rips up the road on this thing. Happy 9th birthday David!

Happy 9th Birthday Bryce!

It was LDS night with the Suns the night before Bryce's 9th birthday so we thought it would be fun to get him tickets to go with Clint. Besides, for only $15 each, we got way more than we paid for!

After the game they got to go down on the floor and shoot a free throw.

All the boys together... Bryce, David, Jacob, Colton, Skylar and Seth

We decided we'd be brave and ask the coordinator of the event if they could do anything special for Bryce's birthday. I was hoping for the Jumbotron, but we got WAY better. They let all the boys go down into the fan tunnel where all the players run out. Bryce got to hi-5 Steve Nash. He couldn't contain his excitement!

Birthday morning breakfast of champions... pancakes. He was more excited about helping to make them than to eat them.

And we finish off the day with molten lava cake. Compliments of Clint. It's sure lucky they have the dad they do or they might end up with boring birthday cakes and presents. Happy 9th birthday Bryce!