Dishes Jake Style

One thing you must know about Jake...every job worth doing is worth doing unconventionally.  So when it was his turn to unload the dishwasher, this tower of clean dishes sprang into life.

And I liked it.

Until it moved to the kitchen table, then the kitchen floor, then the family room floor and hours later the dishes still weren't done.  That kinda made me bezirk. 

But I love him. 

And figuring out what makes him tick just might be a lifelong pursuit for me:)!

Luke's First Skate

Luke did great! He did not however like it whenever I went off to skate with Jake or Bree.  He might have pulled out the crocodile tears when I did that so it was a good thing that Mickey showed up.  It made Luke's day.  We even got to do the chicken dance with him. 
Another highlight: Breanna won the four-corners game.  Her prize was an already been used ticket to come back and skate for free.  She was so elated!

Loved this day with my favorite people!

Cutie Pies

My kids LOVED having Braelyn over for a bit last week.

She is so smart talking and signing, letting us know exactly what she wanted.  

She's adorable!

Father's Day 2011

 Started off with a French Toast Breakfast, a few presents and some sweet Father's Day songs at church.  Then came Jer's favorite roast beef dinner, and ice cream pie. Jer played with the kids all day in the backyard and then we watched his favorite movie, The Sound of Music. 

And I bet you'll never guess how this Father's Day is ending.....

Jer is the real deal. I love how he gets up early to take the kids to breakfast before work,  how he asks Bree to help him memorize the articles of faith (our only other early riser) in the morning, how he takes Jake golfing and how Jake always comes home with a huge smile and a bag of Flaming Hot Cheetos, how he helps them with homework during the school year, how he plays with them non-stop whenever he's free, how he'll come home from a long day and be the first to be ready to go to the pool with them and how he'll spend an entire week at scout camp and then come home and be game to sleep out under the stars the next night. I love how he teaches them to work hard and be kind, thoughtful kids. And most of all I love how patient he tries to be with all of them and how much he loves them!

You are an amazing dad Jer and we are all so lucky to have you!!

We love you so much!!!

Happy Father's Day!

(Love you Dad too!!!)

Dance Recital 2011

 Breanna took jazz this year and her class danced to "Get Up Offa That Thing", by James Brown.

She did an amazing job and didn't miss a step!

 Katie and Bree

 Georgia, Macie and Breanna post-show.

 She also took a Musical Theatre class and they danced to "Nicest Kids in Town" from one of our family favorites, "Hairspray".  She LOVED this class! 

And she got her 5 year trophy this year!

She has had her eye on the 5-year award for a long time now so it's a pretty big deal.

Yay Bree, you did it!!!!!

Elise, Kate, Erika and Breanna

Loved this weekend watching you dance your little heart out, Breezy. Loved yelling "Go Breanna" right before you came on stage and you telling me after that it made you nervous but I could go ahead and do it again before your next performance.  I love how being up there is so easy for you and how your smile is so sweet and big while you perform that there's no doubt you're loving every second. 

And I love how well you endured the green holding room this year and all those minis:) 

Already looking forward to next year!

No Pool, No Problem

Water is pretty magical around here.

Friends and Popsicles aren't so bad either.

Sarah

With the start of all the summer hoopla and everyone going different directions, her birthday kind of came and went.  And she was all too happy to just let it slide under the radar, but the rest of us were not having that. So we headed to Manuels for her favorite Green Corn Tamales. I think we were all in heaven.  It was a fly swatting, story telling, donkey riding, secret spilling, yogurt eating, puke dilema night.

Sarah you are one amazing friend and we love you!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!

Spinder rolled into town...

 and YAY! YAY! we had ourselves a mini-vacation.

Luke and Sawyer were best buds.

 Some tastey Robertos after a work-out at the pool.

 Penelope is the tiniest little peanut ever. She is so sweet. Loved having a baby around again!

Shakes and movie nite.

 Lots of down time just playing while the moms got in some good talk.

Definitely brought back some sweet baby memories.

 Then back to the pool.

Cooper was a little fish. After a few runs on the low dive, he decided to try the high dive.  He raced right off it the first time. No hesitation, no fear, he just went for it. 

 And Sawyer had not jumped off the diving board without someone there to catch him before, but he soon learned there are MANY rules at our pool (ugh!), so he was going to have to go on his own.  He was all for it, but Spinder was not 100% sure. So he got denied on Monday but after a few quick lessons in the shallow end from Mindi on Tues, he was ready to go.  He was smiling the whole time. So cute!

 Then Mani/Pedis, Bieber Fever and late night talks.

Two days was way too short! Hated to say good-bye! 

Love this girl and our new tradition though....can't wait til next time!!

Volleyball Closer

Natalie, Bree, Lexy and Georgia were all on the same team this season (Sydney too). The girls had so much fun together.  And now when we go to the pool the girls will end up at the sand volleyball courts.

Go Lightening Bolts!