Stopping to Smell the Flowers

Brielle just loves flowers.  She enjoys picking them and then giving them a good sniff.

It was too precious not to snap a few pictures.

Pretty girl.

Look Mom!

Smells so good!! 

Sometimes you just have to take a moment and smell the flowers (enjoying the simple things in life).

A Visit to Montana

It was time for another trip to Montana and a chance to spend some time with Oli, before he left on a mission to Kansas for 2 years.  The kids sure love spending time outside and playing with all of their cousins and family.

One of the first days being there it was raining at night.  Brielle just couldn't help herself and loved getting all drenched and soaking wet!  It was the cutest sight and so fun to watch her explore (we haven't had much rain in Idaho so it was kind of new for her).

She kept coming up to us and telling us that she was Freezing and wet, but she loved every minute of it!

We also went on a walking path along the Missouri River in Great Falls.

Playing on the rocks.

Brielle and Payton are such good buddies and love nature.

It was a fun little hike for the kids.

Payton, Kason, and Taylor hiding behind a large rock.

Emry and Brielle enjoyed getting to know each other better.

Sometimes it may have been a little too much!

Brielle loved watching and feeding the fish.

Part of our group.

Mckay helping Brielle feed the fish.

Grandma, Asher, and Payton.

Kenzie girl loved feeding them too.

Taylor loves Oli.  Oli will be missed by the kids, he will be a great missionary.

Brielle and Dad, walking hand in hand.

I love this little girl.

The little girls holding hands.

Then we headed to a park and played on the playground.

Kenzie loves the Monkey Bars.

The boys were showing off their skills.

Asher and Taylor having fun on the slide.

Brielle and Kenzie.

While we were there Payton got an early Birthday present from his grandparents.

The suspense was killing him!

He sure was excited to see a BB Gun!!  Payton was so happy and spent the rest of the trip asking adults to supervise him while he shot his gun.  He actually has become quite a good shot and was knocking down old cans.  I love that he loves to be just like his dad and is totally into BIG BOY things, although it sure makes him seem so grown up!

Oli, Grandma, and Brielle.

 He sure is a lucky boy with this new "TOY"!

Father's Day

I often can't help but think about just how lucky I am to have Mckay in my life.  I can't imagine having a better Dad for my children.  Each afternoon the kids ask me when their Dad is coming home, and cheers of delight can be heard when he walks through the door.  He is greeted with 4 kids and one lucky lady who just got a lot happier.  He completes us and makes us all feel safe. 

Mckay is the best of both worlds. 

He works hard, yet plays hard.

He makes me want to be a better person.

He lifts me up when I am down and is truly my best friend.

As a father figure, he comforts the kids when they are scared,

but plays and gets them laughing so hard they can't breathe. 

My greatest days are the ones spent as a family with my true love hand in hand.

We make a great team and can accomplish great things together.

Mckay with Taylor and Brielle.

Pretty lucky kids if you ask me!

Best Friends Forever!

Life is wonderful with you by my side.

On Father's Day we smoked a sausage roll wrapped in bacon and stuffed with more bacon, cheese, and jalapenos.  Then we had a BBQ with my side of the family and exchanged gifts with my dad.  I am grateful for the father figures in my life in addition to my sweetheart.  I have a good dad who taught me the value of hard work and loves spending time with the family and adores the grand kids.  My father-in-law who helped in raising my husband, and is a great example in my life.



We love you Mckay!!

Happy Father's Day!

Swimming Lessons 2013

The kids just finished up swimming lessons with their cousins again!  They love meeting up at the Caldwell Pool (the same one I Life guarded and taught swimming lessons at) to enjoy a couple weeks in the pool and grabbing lunch at the park afterwards.  For some reason, this year, swimming lessons just flew by and the kids were sad to see it come to an end.  It is so cool watching the cousins bond so well.  Right now they can't seem to get enough time together and have soaked up every minute they get together.  I hope all of my kids always stay so close to each of their cousins and cherish those built in friendships because family is everything!

This year the little girls sat it out, but they didn't seem to mind.  We debated signing up for a mommy and me class, but it wasn't offered at the same time the other levels we needed were.  Oh well, the little girls just liked playing together and watching the others.  They were happy to go to the park after and get a sack lunch.

Payton and Allyssa were in Level 3 together.  Looks like they'll be doing it again... it is a tricky Level to pass as they have a lot of advanced skills to learn.  They have become great swimmers and have a new love for the deep end!  It is kind of nice not having to head count as much when we go swimming.  Payton has become a great swimmer and loves to do his thing when we go so I don't have to worry much about him anymore.

Allyssa swimming to the side.

He now loves jumping off the diving board and swimming back to the ladder/edge all by himself.  He mentioned that at first he was a little nervous to do it without a noodle but now he loves it and has no fear!

Kenzie was in Level 1 this time and has gained a lot of confidence in the water recently.  She loves picking things up on the bottom and is getting good at attempting to swim and float.  Looks like she will be moving on the Level 2.  Taylor and Kaden were in Preschool together and have been exploring the water well.  Taylor will put his face in for a short time and loves to float around in his floaty.

I was a little surprised when Kenzie leaped from the diving board all by herself hugging that noodle tightly.  I love this picture and her little bent legs.

Swimming back with the help of her noodle.  I am glad that she is getting so brave!
Taylor did go off the diving board that day but I only caught it on video since the line was so long and he only got to go once.  I was planning on taking a picture the next time he jumped but he didn't get another chance before class ended.

 

Conveniently, after lessons they have a park across the street that serves free summer lunch to the kids.  It is another highlight of the day!  By the time the kids use up all their energy swimming around they are ready to EAT!

We never knew what they were going to serve but the kids didn't mind and ate what they could.

This is the life!

Yummy!

Sweet little boys.

Kenzie girl!

It was sure a fun couple weeks for the kids.

Payton has no fear now!

Payton in mid air diving!  He actually really loves diving now and has gotten pretty good at it.

He has always LOVED the water!

SPLASH!

Kenzie just went under to retrieve a toy.

Brielle was content with a snack and didn't mind observing her older siblings.

  

This is always a highlight for the kids during their summers and it is sad to see it end!