M, T, Mc, K & L

Wednesday, August 26, 2015

Summer Lovin' Had me a Blast

Summer is over. We survived. About August 1st, I was pretty sure that extra hours had been added to our days and that bickering children are the result of too much sunshine and chlorine absorption. We spent LOTS of days swimming, at Thanksgiving Point, playing with friends, going to swimming lessons, riding bikes/scooters, going to movies, going to Target, eating Chic Fil A, and just figuring out life without Alex. Summer was short and long all in the same breath. Felt like it would never end but, I will miss the days at the pool and bum suntan lines on my babies.

Fall is already sliding in- I can smell it in the morning when I open my sliding door. I won't miss the lack of schedule, I won't miss the fear of sunburns, I won't miss telling my kids they can't have Ramen for lunch every day. I will miss the carefree days. I will miss the late night movies (anything after 7 PM). I will miss the bleached out blonde hair of my summer kids. Adios, Summer 2015!

Father's Day with Papa

Cousns are the best.

Kingston, Brielle and Rock at their first swimming lesson. K actually got in the pool and cooperated.

Mimi's pool- K double covered with floaties and a tube

Every day K would bring me "damn de lions" from the yard.

Forth of July sparklers

Watching "Little Rascals" and actually being nice to each other.

We had our annual Brotherhood Reunion- Mark and all of his high school friends with some flashback pictures. These dudes are genuinely good and wholesome people. We love their families and the positive examples they are in our lives.

Bules, Blackhurst, Nguyens, Swalbergs, Johnson, Johnson, Johnson, Walker (Nelson). Salt of the Earth.

Babies!

Tuesday, August 11, 2015

Life is the bubbles

I was super excited to take Mc to her first play- Little Mermaid at Hale Theater. When I first told her that we were going, she was kind of confused that we wouldn't be "playing" and she didn't seem too interested in going (Kingston was all about it). So that night, we had Red Robin for dinner, a shake for dessert and settled in to our 2nd row seats (thanks, KSL). She LOVED it- the stage presentation and actors were awesome! She said the eels were her favorite (dudes on roller blades). She was so excited for what would happen next and watched intently the whole time. That was the best part!

At the end of the show, we timed it perfectly to meet Ariel- Mc had drawn her a picture (see below) and was excited to give it to her but, when she saw her, got a little star struck and made me do it. I love doing Mommy/Daughter dates with my girl!

Drawing Ariel a picture.

Mc, me and Pepper (our life long travel buddy).

One (and some change).

And sometimes, you turn one and mommy doesn't post it until you are 13 months. I guess with no nanny and real life/summer craziness, a month late was as good as it was going to get. Your one year birthday seemed to come so quickly and felt like we got gypped a few months in between. It seems like you have always had 8 teeth, you could always eat an entire PB & J sandwich by yourself, you have never used bottles (we are all sippy cups now), you always slept through the night, you have always been the favorite with your siblings, you have always loved to dance, you have always loved your baths, you could always climb the stairs, always "walk" using everything as a support, you have never been a newborn, you were never a teensy tiny baby and we could never imagine life without you.

You had two birthday celebrations, two cupcakes. Lots of presents, lots of smooches, lots of smiles. You are an angel straight from heaven that blesses our family every day. We sure love you, Littles!

The hair before the hair cut.

After hair cut.

Giving Mimi loves.

"Sharing" your birthday car with your brother.

Road rage.

Friday, July 24, 2015

the Gorge 2015

Flaming Gorge 1993

Fast forward to 2015, bigger trailers and older kids. We ventured to the same spot again over the July 4th weekend. I can remember still- watermelon staying cold in the stream, dirty kids, campfires and freedom. This trip wasn't much different except it was my own kids and my parents were the grandparents.

While we aren't campers by nature the lure of a roof and toilet hosted by my parents, wasn't such a bad idea. Mc slept in the tent with the Thomases while Mark, the boys and I stayed in the trailer. The weather was excellent- except for the downpour on the pontoon. Late night campfire movie quoting, lots of treats, playing in the dirt, trips to the lodge, chasing chirping squirrels from the campground at 5 AM, and being phone free for a few days.

Mc had a blast with Brynlee. They made a secret hideout and hid bones, flowers and bugs there. She loved to explore, go fishing and sit by the fire. It was fun letting her stay up late, having her sit on my lap and telling stories about Grandma MaryAnn's cat Ted and how he became so mean. We made flower crowns, colored, watched movies and played.

Kingston loved the dirt and was the first to fall in the stream and get his only pair of closed toed shoes wet. He was perfectly content to wear his flip flops the rest of the trip. He loved finding sticks, eating nothing but junk food most days and being able to roam free. He had a new fishing pole from his birthday and loved to fish! I learned to just put him to bed in his clothes for the next day so he could just get up and head out without making a fuss in the morning.

Enzo was a trooper! We thought (about an hour away from the Gorge) that we had forgotten the Pack N Play and the Shopko (the only store for miles and miles) didn't have one. Mark did remember to put it in the truck and Mom (bless her heart) brought the highchair so we were set. He did well to nap in the trailer and took a snooze on the boat too.