Lula's bath

Lula is getting so big. Bath time is still her favorite part of the day. She screams when it is over in protest!

We all love having Dory around. If I am out with the kids they say, "I want to go home with Dory." or After Dory leaves Chloë always asks where she is. We are very blessed to have found someone who helps me, but also loves the children so much that they can see it.

Pigeon vs our Costco cart

So we are in Costco and there is a pigeon in the back of the store. I stop to show the kids the bird and then we continue on our way.

Then Sam said, (very innocently)

"Why did you not run over the bird with our cart to kill it?"

I am glad I have at least one boy!

Labor day weekend

Labor day weekend had a great start. After Daniel made pancakes and homemade syrup for us we went out to wash the car. Sometime later I came into the house and found Sam helping us put the syrup into the bottle after it had cooled. He did a pretty good job, but the still was a big syrup mess on the floor and counter from him trying to transfer the syrup with the ladle.


On Monday we went to the stake Breakfast and bike rally. It was a lot of fun.


After naps the kids and I went to Mandy's house and rode our bikes around their street. Olivia and Miles are still great friends.

funny family

birthday wishes

She is 6.

Thanks, Spence, for helping light the candles!

We had a great day and a relaxing dinner.

Erla and Carlos (just back from his mission to the Dominican Republic) came to celebrate with us.

It took 4 years, but it was bound to happen. Someone (Aaron) broke a window while playing football in the backyard. Oh well.

Olivia's 6th birthday

We had a great birthday weekend! Olivia really loves her new bike.

Olivia's first day of First grade

Olivia is a pro at doing new things. The first day of First Grade was a breeze. She loved it!

Good Luck, Olivia. We love you and know that you will shine brighter than ever. You are a wonderful daughter and a great friend to those you know. You have the gift of joy that you can use to make others feel good around you! Go get 'um!!

picnic

Andrea invited us to go to the park with them for one last hoorrah before school starts tomorrow. We had a nice, easy lunch and the kids tried to fly kites, but there was not enough wind. The weather was beautiful!

here puppy, puppy

This little backpack is a glorified lease to keep kids close at hand. Chloë loves to wear it and let Sam & Liv walk her around. It is hysterical to see!

what does Sam love

Sam loves BIG pieces of watermelon. I will have to scan another picture similar to this one of Sam when he was a baby!

Sam also figured out how to climb this wall in our front patio. He will just sit up here and look around. It is so cute.

Lauren's first birthday

The kids got out the playdough and ended up making Lula a birthday cake.

They were both very cute. Lula wanted to play with them.

After our cake-making party we opened gifts. Barbie got each of the kids a present to celebrate her birthday. The kids had a great time opening the gifts. Chloë was especially excited. Thanks, Mom and Happy Birthday to You!

you're right!

A few months ago my mom was in town visiting. We were driving down the road and she told me to slow down b/c there was a flashing sign on the side of the road that said I was going 15 (more or less) over the speed limit. I told her, "The sign does not say how fast over the speed limit is, it just blinks the speed you are going to get your attention." My mom said, "Alright, but I think it said how fast over the limit you were going." Of course, I disagreed and the conversation was over. Then later that day I had a vision that she was right. So I told her she was right and that I was wrong. My mom thanked me for acknowledging it.

Well, a few days ago I told Olivia not to put the butter in the microwave for too long or it would melt. She said ok and we kept cooking. Then out of no where she said, "Mom, I know you are right, I just heard what you said and I know that you are right!!" I thanked her for acknowledging my knowledge about butter and quickly remembered my conversation with my mom.

It all came full circle. I am grateful for all that my mom has taught me. It must have taken a lot of patience and humility to raise me. Especially because I was always right, and according to Olivia I am still right!

discovery museum

We went to the museum today. It was one the first times I took all four kids out to play (other than the park) by myself. We did pretty good.

HPTB summer baseball game

It was an AWESOME afternoon for a baseball game.

Daniel's firm once again hosted this great event.
Here are some of the people in attendance.

We had a yummy dinner and way too many treats while we watched the game.


You can sort of see our fresh churros. We walked way out to the first base out field to watch them make the churros. It was SO GOOD. Super hot and still wet in the middle!

Father Daughter campout

The father daughter campout is something Olivia looks forward to all year.

She and Daniel both had a great time. The had dinner, which consisted of hot chocolate for Olivia. Then some of the dads shared campfire stories.

MY BABY

Growing up I was the baby of the family. I did not mind that, but I have always told Olivia that since she was my FIRST baby, she would always be my baby.
Well, my baby has lost her first tooth. Daniel was a little upset by the whole incident. He thought she was too young to be losing teeth. Olivia did not seem to be phased by the event. And I was just shocked. Apparently, she was climbing into bed (the top bunk) while holding her bunny stuffed animal in between her teeth. She fell forward on her pillow and out popped her tooth! It was no big deal for her!

The next day we made her a special pillow for her tooth so the Tooth Fairy can find it. She and Chloë really like the pillow we made.

What do you do...

What do you do when it is 115 degress outside? Play with grandpa, eat an apple, or swim. Chase and Andrea came down while the rest of their family was at boys camp.

Or when it is hot, just sit and eat an apple!

We did not want to leave Phoenix. Sam and Olivia cried for 30 minutes because they were so sad! Sam and my dad became good pals. (the popsicles did not hurt the situation)