Summer Date Night Finale

 Sadly we are all about to start taking off for summer vacations but luckily we got to squeeze in one last date night before we all split.  It's always tricky to pick a place because there are some "difficult" people in the group.  But with votes cast, we headed out to that BBQ place in Black Canyon City. 

It was fun to try a new spot with Jamie's special seating (vetoed), amnesia waitress, stray dog, "relations",  nuts, racks, dog ribs, and the saddest stories ever. 

But it all ended well because we hit James' favorite pie spot after.

And it was hands down the best pie anyone's had.

Don't worry Vals, we'll be making a trip back there again with you!

  I tried to get my payback pic of Jamie, but the camera wasn't cooperating...

and neither was she.  Impossible to get a bad picture of her.

Then we came home and watched the movie that I rented for the kids but accidentally left in my purse and took with us on date night.   

Sometimes my no-brainers end up working out just right:)

The Bright Side of NY

Was definitely having friends like these guys.  

And it has been over a year now since we've seen them, 

so we weren't going to let anything get in the way of this night.   

And it was fabulous as always. 

(Except for our kids who were honestly rotten.)

 Jake, Taylor, Bree, Jer, Me, Luke, Dennis, Angie, Tyler and Ryan

They have family who lives up here now so I'm thinking we're going to get to see even more of them now!

Maybe even start a Godfather tradition of our own.

Tuscon in October we can't wait!

Game Day-Pool Night

This summer, Thursday means Game Day and it has definitely become a favorite day around here.  

They are tackling pretty serious games like Acquire, Puerto Rico and Ticket to Ride.

And these boys do not mess around.

(unless of course, someone brings up a certain youtube video, a pro sport topic, an accusatory crush, or the taste of Takis: gross or not gross?)

On edge competition, I tell you.
It was a close game but Caleb took the title.

 These two did everything from Playdoh to Legos to Trampoline to Batman Wii 

(well, they tried).  

Luke and his PJ's.  I need to start enforcing a dress code around here.

 And the girls did nails and almost played soccer with the boys but took too long eating.

And after such a fun day with friends, they had one last request....

 NIGHT SWIMMING!

 It's become quite the thing for us around here lately.  

 There's something magic about having the pool lights on and the diving well all to yourself.

 And the ultimate bonus, look who showed up after his meetings!!!!

He officiated in splash contests, non-splash contests, races and all kinds of games.

Jer, you're AWESOME!!

And Jake found this GINORMOUS bug as we were leaving.

And believe it or not, pool nights are always topped off with hot cocoa at home.

Summer, you just stay right where you are!!!

Summer Checklist Here We GO

 Of course I started out this summer with ideas of all the fantastic things I would do with my kids. 

(hanging out and being lazy was chief among them and we have done that to perfection so far!)

We've done a bunch of other stuff and I have not been very good at taking pics, so this week I'm getting in gear and fixing that, so....

We've been dong a little math everyday to keep the skills sharp.

(And yes it's always smiles during math time HA!)

 Then we knocked out one of the things I've been wanting to do with Bree...sewing.  

She made a pillow for our missionary cousin, Kyle, and she did awesome.

 We're keeping piano going strong.  

Jake proclaimed that I never take his picture.  

He then ducked for cover when I tried. 

 And of course Luke could not let a sewing day go by with out giving it a whirl.

He LOVED it.  

The tools, the buzz of the machine, watching the material fly by and the needle go up and down... 

 What's not to love???

SUMMER IS FLYING BY!!!

Father's Day 2012

Started the morning with a delish breakfast and presents.  Ties and shirts, wouldn't be Father's Day without them.  And Breezy came through with a coupon book full of coupons Jer could use for an entire year.  

He's cashing in the "I will not fight with my brothers" one as we speak:).

(Thanks Brooke for shopping this idea with me!)

Then last minute, we decided to get the dads together for Father's Day Dessert.  

We let the kids play...

And the dads relaxed and had some serious male bonding time while us girls waited on them hand and foot.

(just checking to see if you were really reading...)

It was a GREAT day!!!

I'm so lucky to have the greatest guy on earth to be the father of my kids!  He is always dropping whatever he could be doing to play catch, talk to, read to, swim with, go to the park with, get slushies with, tickle relentlessly, or sleep out on the trampoline with these kiddos.

He loves them so much and thinks about them whenever he's not with them. 

We are so lucky to have you Jer!

WE LOVE YOU!!!

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!!

And Happy Father's Day to my Dad who is the most generous, thoughtful, funny, loving Dad a girl could ever have!!  

LOVE YOU DAD!

Dance Recital 2012

Breanna did Musical Theater this year and they danced to a Muppet Medley.  

She smiled the whole time she was up on stage and was the perfect performer.  

We love her!!!!

Young Women Just Dance

 Our Ward got split a few weeks ago, so we had one last party for all of the girls together.

All the girls had some pretty spectacular moves, but Taylor Beck was unbeatable!

 You should've seen the talent in this room!!!

 My moves need some serious work, but we had a blast. 

I'm gonna miss the girls that are leaving SO MUCH!!!

Sarah's Birthday!!!

I'm starting to wonder if a June 3 birthday might be just as tough as a Dec.27th....we were all going a million different directions with being sick and end of the school year biz and summer vacations. It seems like fate was determined to stop us from celebrating one of the most amazing people on earth's birthdays! 

But luckily we were even more determined and we were able to get in some serious fun with a pool day and a cozy lunch.

Loved this little lunch with one of the sweetest, most thoughtful, secretly crafty & chefy people in my world.  

I can say anything to this girl and it always feels like she just gets me.  I can't even say how much I adore her!  She saved me so many times this past year, taking Luke for me when I had to work.  She has helped me out so much and she never stops to think about herself.  Not only that, she has mad harp skills, water sport skills, garden skills, and running skills. And she is the best mom around...Breanna always comes home from her house so excited because Sarah let them help her bake something and Breanna always raves about how yummy it tasted. 

SARAH YOU ARE ONE IN A MILLION!!! 

WE LOVE YOU!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!

Troy the Graduate and Coop the Great is 8

Second boy from the left, that's my nephew, Troy.  Officially my 2nd nephew to graduate (he just beat Davin by a few days).

And his proud mom, my big sis, Natalie.

He sang a great song with the choir.

While these kiddos played and ate all kinds of treats at our feet.

Once again, our family definitely won for loudest and longest cheers for Troy when his name was called.  And you wanna talk signs?  No one else even came close.

Sawyer the future graduate...

Troy and all of his sisters.

And the greatest brother on earth giving Luke a ride to the car.

The next day we hit Nat and Stan's pool.

Then Cooper's Baptism!

Cooper's with my baby sister, Mindi and her hubby Jeff.

We are so proud of you Cooper!!!

We Love You!!

We left to go home right after the baptism and Olivia ran back over to the car for one last hug from Luke.  They are such good buddies.

Loved this quick trip to Cali and all the reasons we had to celebrate!

School's Out, Cali Here We Come!

 We made a quick trip back home and Jer caught up with his best buddies from high school, Mic and Matt.

 After a good night's sleep at grandma's cozy house....

 We made a run to Magic Mtn.  And guess who got to ride GoldRusher?!?!

 He was so excited, he loved it! 

But when we jumped back on to ride again, no dice. 

Ride operator decided to measure him and that did not end so well.

 I think he's supposed to be as tall as those red tape marks...

But on a happier note, can we just notice how there are no other people in line?!?!

We had the place to ourselves, it was AWESOME!

 Luke got his smile back driving the bumper cars.  

 Then we headed over to Roaring Rapids...

 I was the lucky one who got SOAKED on this ride.  

I was dripping wet the rest of the day.

 These guys stayed nice and dry!

 Our family favorite, the Ninja.

 And Jet Streamers...can't even guess how many times we went on these two rides.

 LOVE KIDDIE LAND!!!

Season passes:  Best purchase ever!

Thanks Grandma and Grandpa for being the perfect hosts!!!