Narnia Book Party

Throughout the summer, as a family we read The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe.  It was a fun and enjoyable book to read together and the kids were thrilled to have our party and watch the movie together.

Everyone helped to choose a few snacks.  The kids also enjoyed picking different characters that they would like to pretend to be.  Payton (Peter), Kenzie (Susan), Taylor (Edmund), Brielle (Lucy), and Gavin was (Mr. T.), I may have been the White Witch at times.  It was fun watching them role play and use their imaginations.

Ha!  Brielle picked this for her movie snack!

What a fun way to end our summer vacation!

A Camping Get-Together With Friends

We were invited to rent out some cabins with a large group of friends.  It was a weekend filled with good laughs, funny conversations, lots of kids and friends to play with, some friendly games of ping pong (I wish I would have taken a picture of that, Mckay was having a great time), some late night bike rides down the mountain in the dark, and memories made.

Gavin thought it was fun, until bedtime.  He thought he'd keep us up for a while.  Actually he didn't seem to be feeling himself and would flare up at night.  I think he was teething and maybe even getting an ear infection.

Taylor had a great time playing and exploring with friends.

Even though the nights were a bit rough, the morning brought for a better time.

Kenzie also had a great time playing with the kids and exploring in the woods.

Brielle could be found playing in the sandbox with friends almost the entire time.  She was filthy but having a blast.

Payton was having a great time, he and Taylor even attempted sleeping in the Tepee with the boys, until the sound of coyotes freaked the young boys out!

Oh my, the bees were out in full force.  Taylor got stung right between the eyes, Mckay got stung on the arm, and many others in the group were stung as well.

My little fuzz bucket.

We got Brielle inside and away from the sandbox to get a bite to eat.

Lunchtime!

What a fun time we had!

The kids had a blast and would often get big group games going.  It is so fun having so many good friends for my kids.

Making a fort in the woods.

There is nothing quite like good outdoor fun.

All that play made for some hungry kids.

Yummy!

Ha!  That face!!

Brielle is back at it!

Did I mention that she was filthy on this trip!?

Making memories.

Sweet Kenzie.  One night while Mckay and I were visiting with the other adults and our kids were supposed to be getting some sleep, Payton claims he saw a bat outside our cabin.  This freaked McKenzie out and when I went to check on the kids she was pretty worked up.  This girl is afraid of bats and can't stand them.

The kids also had a lot of fun having battles with Nerf weapons.

Oh to be a kid again...

What a life!

We are so blessed with many great friends and relationships!

Cookie Monster

Gavin has already developed a love for treats.  He is pretty good to sit on the counter in the bumbo while I cook/bake.  He is always up for any sample I send his way.

But when these no-bake cookies were sitting nearby...he thought he'd help himself...

Only to be disappointed when I limited his sweet tooth and moved them away.

Working Hard

As a kid I did a lot of weeding...

It taught me how to work.

These weeds, grrr, and we even sprayed a few times.  Our goal is to turn this area into a garden/play area with a fire pit.

One day Mckay promised to pay the kids if they did some weeding.  McKenzie was off playing at a friends, while Brielle, Taylor, and Payton were trying to earn a little money during Gavin's nap.  It sure brought back memories of my childhood!

A Ride With Daddy

Gavin sure reminds me of Payton when it comes to his love for a good 4-wheeler ride.  Payton was the same way as a little boy, and still loves riding and now driving 4-wheelers and golf carts.

A ride with dad makes for a great time!

Craft Time

My girls love to craft.  Guess they take a little after me!

Natalie, Brielle, and Kenzie making butterfly masks.

Looks like they are enjoying themselves!

Lowry Bridge

Another thing on our bucket list was swimming in a river this summer.  The kids enjoyed going to Lowry Bridge with some friends, catching crawdads, collecting rocks, having snacks, and cooling off in the water.

Brielle was in search for some rocks to collect.

Taylor was determined to catch crawdads and baby fish.

McKenzie was great to help with Gavin and also enjoyed swimming with friends.

Payton had a great time swimming around in the deeper pools.

Brielle loved putting the creatures in her bug catcher.

Activity Days

Now that McKenzie is 8, she can go to Activity Days!!

This is something she has been looking forward to.  I am sure she will have tons of fun eating up some time with her friends.

She made artwork out of seashells.

10 Months Old

Gavin is now 10 months old.  How could that be?  He now has 4 teeth and is working on getting around.  Although, with the help of his siblings he is able to get things he wants with not much effort on his part.  I'm sure once the older kids are back in school, Gavin will start moving more and more without their "Help".

Gavin is sure a pleasant boy and those brown eyes are so BIG!

Lady Haircuts

McKenzie and I were due up for haircuts (Brielle had already gotten one earlier this summer).  We ended up going together and getting them at the same time.  It made for a fun mother/daughter date.

Kenzie was pretty excited.

Hers turned out super cute!  I sure love my girls!

It is so nice to have a fresh haircut.

Summer Days

Oh how we love the days of summer.  It is nice to be able to spend more time as a family and take advantage of each other's company.  The kids have sure been loving playing in our pool...it has been well worth purchasing it.

One evening even Mckay decided to join them and they were thrilled.

It was fun to attempt a few tricks with Dad's help.

I bought this on sale for future usage.  It was funny to see the girls' reactions as they acted like they didn't know what it is.  Eventually, Brielle figured it out and thought that it was pretty funny.

Gavin is soaking up a little sun at the Choteau pool.  He has been a pretty easy going little guy this summer.

Kenzie, Taylor, and Brielle love going swimming and it seems like they get better and better each time we go.

Payton also enjoys swimming and hanging out with family and friends.  This summer he met a new buddy, Hunter, and they have really hit it off!