Last Day of School!

The last day of school is always much anticipated in our household!  We love our summers together and the break from a schedule for a while.

When I walked to greet the kids after school they were thrilled to begin our summer break!  (Actually, Taylor was MIA and ended up walking to a friends place for a birthday party that wasn't really supposed to begin until later that afternoon, so we tracked him down and snagged a few pictures.)

Can't wait to spend some time with all of these cute kids!

They were happy to see that they were given new bike helmets at school that day!  (Brielle has recently gotten one too, from the sponsors at Frontier Family Practice).

After school that day, Mckay headed to the temple with the youth for their annual temple trip. While the kids and I started a new tradition (thanks for some of the ideas Misti).  We headed to Great Falls and each of the kids (except Gavin this year), picked out a book to read this summer from Barnes and Noble.  Then we hit up Old Navy and they also picked out some new flip flops for the summer!  Along with some other shopping, we had a blast together, before Taylor went to the movies and pizza for that birthday party.  It was a great way to kick off our summer!

Let the memory making begin!!

McKenzie's Un-Birthday!

Last week I ran some cupcakes to Kenzie's class for her un-birthday.

She was excited to share her treat and have a small early Birthday at school!

Trick

Mckay usually tries this stunt with all of our kids.

Gavin was really loving it this evening!

AR Field Trip and Gavin is Now Sitting UP!

Time for another AR Field Trip.  The school kids worked hard in order to go.  They were looking forward to the day of going to the Children's Museum, lunch at the park, followed by some swim time at the Morony Natatorium.

Brielle will be grateful to see these guys more and we eager to get going on our Summer Bucket List!

I was making the Bucket List poster while Brielle was making her own poster and Gavin was sitting up on his own for awhile when he was entertained by the markers in front of him.

Now with a few ideas we are ready for SUMMER 2015 to begin!

Memorial Weekend 2015

Hooray for a long weekend!  We worked hard cleaning the outside and inside of our house on Friday and Saturday.  We also were preparing for a BBQ with Jared, Summer, and their family while they were in town for the weekend.  We smoked a pork tenderloin amongst other things and it turned out great.  We are definitely going to have to make that again sometime soon.

Then Sunday we spent the day relaxing and hanging out as a family after hitting a graduation party.  We also stopped by Swensen's to check out the "new" boat.

The kids were enjoying some trampoline time with their dad.

I love this crazy bunch!

On Memorial Day we ate chunky monkey pancakes and headed to Swensen's to help them with the water line.  Then we ate lunch and began packing up for a day trip at Gibson to try out the boat.

Mckay, Gavin (who is not very excited about being snug in a life jacket), and Kenzie.

Brielle and me on the boat ride.

Payton and Taylor were eager to get fishing!  Actually all of the kids were!

Not long after this picture, we were flagged down by another group of people who needed a new battery for their boat.  Our boat was having a little trouble of its own so it ended up being a helping trip and a trial run for the boat.  It was still fun and made for an adventure altogether.  It sure was beautiful at Gibson, then the dark clouds started rolling in and loud cracks of thunder/flashes of lightening appeared.  I love watching a good storm...but not while sitting in a boat on the open water.  We headed back to the cars and basically got back just in time for it to really start pouring!  We are ready for school to be out and enjoy more time together.  Only a few days left!!

Selfies

I found these on my phone...

Looks like Payton wanted to take a few selfies with Gavin!

It is pretty funny!

Cute brothers.  Gavin is curious with his tongue sticking out!

Sharing is Caring

The other day we were running a few errands with the little kids, while Payton and McKenzie were helping Grandpa at his house.  Brielle was so upset that she couldn't stay and help Grandpa, but we promised if they were good we'd get them a treat.  Upon checking out at Walmart, Taylor and Brielle spotted some Whoppers that they wanted and agreed to share.  Another argument began as they both wanted to carry them out to the car.  Their solution came as they both thought it was a super idea to team carry it.  It was quite the sight as they were both holding hands while gripping the Whopper box.

Oh kids,  At least they were willing to share!

Advancing to His Crib

Gavin has been the third wheel in our bedroom for quite some time.  He has been sleeping in his bassinet on my side of the bed.  It has been convenient to have him near for late night feedings and such, but all things come to an end.  I was hearing him when I think he could have worked through a few of the wakeful moments on his own.  With Mckay in the middle Tax Season, I wasn't about to make any changes quite yet.  In addition, we are now on different levels from the nursery in this house so we were worried  we may not even hear Gavin if he woke up (not the case).  So we started small and just moved him over to our master closet first.  It was a pretty easy transition, but he was sometimes woken up early due to the kids getting ready for the day.

After a rough night or two from teething, it was time to make the switch!

Gavin did awesome in his own room!  It has been a smooth transition thus far and I think we are all getting better sleep as well.  Question: Why do I always feel guilty making these sort of changes?  Although, I am thankful after the fact.

Gavin Loves Swinging

After library, when the weather has been nice, we have been heading to the park for some fun in the sun and to visit with friends.  

Lets just say that Gavin adores swinging!  He lights up and smiles from ear to ear while swaying back and forth, with a few giggles!

Pure joy!  If only I had one of these in my house...

Another Trip to the Cabin and Gavin is Now 7 Months Old

Ahhh, the kids love it at the cabin and are always eager to go there when we get a chance.  Even if it is just for one night.

It was a bit rainy that weekend but we still had fun hanging out while Dick and Mckay worked on some of the framing in the new cabin.  We are all so eager to get it done, it will be wonderful to have more bedrooms up there when larger groups are up for a visit at the same time.

Gavin melts my heart and I know I always mention his hair...but it is unlike any of my other kids and whats not to LOVE!  He is really starting to jabber and interact now that he is 7 whole months old.  He is a great eater and loves to try new foods (although he put up with green beans, they were not one of his favorites thus far).

Brielle's Random Rash

One evening we noticed that Brielle was suddenly starting to get really red and blotchy cheeks.  After checking out the rest of her body we noticed that she also had a weird rash on her tummy and back.  We slept and monitored her in our room that night after giving her some Benedryl (I was racking my brain with different things she may have been exposed to lately).  That morning things seemed back to normal but about midway through the day she began flaring back up again.  It was so weird and unpredictable, as it would come and go.

Sweet girl just kept saying that she was allergic to "sumping".

At times it even looked like hives.

And it seemed to be spreading to more of her body for a 2-3 day period, as it would go away and then flare back up again.

One afternoon, I ran her to a little clinic and they didn't seem to really know either.  Although they mentioned that there was a rash going around and that the child would break out with a fever and get sick a few days later.  So I needed to watch for that.

As bad as it looks here, it just got better not long later and that was the end of that.  Yippee for no sickness/fever to follow.  But it was a little concerning and very random.

Brielle's First Swimming Lesson Session

Brielle was thrilled to be starting swimming lessons with her friend Charlotte beginning in April.  It was held Tuesday afternoons for 6 or so weeks.  It was a day we looked forward to and we would run errands and finish up with some time to learn and swim in the pool for Brielle.  Gavin liked to nap during her lessons and actually Brielle had a tendency to fall asleep in the car on the way home.

Grabbing a quick lunch before lessons.

She was sure excited!!

Blowing bubbles.

This teacher was amazing and really pushed Brielle to do her best (although she only taught a couple of the weeks before an injury required her to have a replacement teacher).  Not to worry though...Brielle gained so much confidence and had a blast each week.

Love that sweet little smile.

She really enjoyed going down the slide.

These pictures were taken over the coarse of the session.  Here is another exciting day for a swim!

She is actually trying to make it back to the edge of the pool without her teacher's help.

Way to go Brielle!

McKenzie got the privilege of tagging along with us one afternoon.  After running a few errands we hit up Sam's for lunch.

We brought McKenzie's swimming suit along (just in case they let her swim).  She was excited and a bit nervous when she got the OK!

Gavin was all worn out!

McKenzie did great just jumping in a class that had already been going on without her.

Ha ha!  My silly little girl!

Having a blast during free time!

I enjoyed spending this time doing something just for Brielle!

She has improved so much in the short time she had.

Brielle is really becoming more comfortable in the water now!

This face says it all.......PURE JOY!

I think she went down this slide like 30 times on the last day.

I sure do love my little girl!

Family Vacation to Lagoon

Earlier this winter when we heard that Allyssa was going to be competing at Lagoon for clogging championships, we made a decision to join with some of my family and make a trip out of it.  We showed the kids a few videos and pictures of some of the rides there and they were beyond thrilled.  It couldn't come fast enough and the kids were telling everyone who would listen to them about their upcoming adventure.  When I went to the school to make arrangements for their absences, the teachers were already well aware of the trip because the kids were all just so excited!  Payton's teacher's only assignment for him was to keep a journal of his trip and report it back to the class when he returned.  He took this seriously and it will be something special he will be able to look back at and cherish when he is older.  I loved reading it myself!!

The first night we met up with our good friends, Jared and Summer.  They arranged for a sitter for the kids while we went out to a nice restaurant.  It was great to be able to catch up with them and stay with them for the first evening.

Their older kids were already off to school by the time we thought to take a picture, but they picked back up where we left off and had fun together.

Taylin and Brielle were cute little buddies together.

Then that morning we headed to IKEA to meet up with my parents and the Dudley crew!

We ended up putting some of the kids in the child care while we did some fun browsing.  Then we got the kids for lunch there, before heading to Temple Square.

It is always great getting these kids back together again!

They all love each other so much.

Temple Square holds such fond memories in my heart.  I think the kids have picked up on that and enjoy being there as well.

Gavin was a trooper to sleep on the go when he needed some rest.  He was amazing on this busy trip and we were so thankful for that blessing.

My parents were also married in the Salt Lake Temple.

Followed by my sweetheart and I.

It is a beautiful temple!

We also watched the film "Meet the Mormons".  The older children and adults especially liked it.  It was a neat experience to have as a family.  No one warned me I may have needed a few tissues.

After that we headed towards the hotel to check in, grab some dinner, and stop by Walmart for some lunch items to have at Lagoon the next day.

Well...we woke up to rain.  We geared up just knowing it would be a wet day and we were determined to make the most of it.

Allyssa competed in most of her clogging before the rides were even running.

It was fun to see her talent and watch her do her thing!

Trying to stay dry in ponchos and garbage bags: Mckay, Payton, Taylor, Kaden, and McKenzie.  But excited nonetheless.

I love this picture of Brielle.  She was a little dare devil!  On one of the first fast rides the next thing I noticed with her sitting beside me was her little arms raised high above her head enjoying the thrill!  It was hilarious!  I was so impressed at how many good rides they had for children and adults.  All of the kids were bouncing here and there from ride to ride as we would quickly check if they were each even tall enough to ride in the first place.  They each had a buddy and were in heaven despite the almost constant rain.

It was fun acting like kids again and going on some great roller coasters with Mckay and the kids.  Wicked was one of our favorites, although we made Kenzie sit this one out because it was pretty scary and she was barely at the height limit.

Taylor, Mckay, and Brielle having fun!

The rain didn't seem to hold us back and we didn't have to wait long in lines because of it, so all in all I'd say it was a wonderful day.  We warmed up in the hotel pool and ate at the Olive Garden for Mother's Day dinner that night.  So fun!

All the while we were already dreading the goodbye the next morning.

Silly girls.

Cousins are the best!

It was a blast going on this trip together!

They sure are getting older.

Such a sad goodbye!  Breaks my heart.

Looking on the positive side...we are already counting the time until we can go back to Lagoon.  The kids were all die-hards and Gavin was catching up on sleep and staying warm and dry almost the whole day in his stroller/car seat.  The kids were all such troopers and watching their reactions was priceless!

 

When I recently got together again with my mom, I got a few of her pictures that I'd like to add in.

Kaitlyn and Brielle enjoying lunch at Ikea.

Taylor chugging his milk and Kaden ready to eat.

More of the clan.

Ready to make another memorable weekend.

Cousin time on Temple Square.

Yes, that would be Brielle's pink legs!

Watching Allyssa perform at the clogging competition.

Gavin was a dream baby at Lagoon which was so helpful and made for a smoother day.

Oh how I LOVE those dark eyes!

Saying that the kids had a great time would be an understatement!

Ponchos saved the day, it was wet all. day. long!

Getting ready to say our goodbyes.

I love that they are so close, goodbyes are hard but it makes me that much more excited to get together again.

 

It was a wonderful weekend with family and friends!