Cant fall asleep?

We found the perfect solution.
Now I will certainly be struck dumb or leprous for saying that, but its true if you are 4 and had a long, hard, emotional weekend.
Just crack open your scriptures and try to follow along.

Truthfully I am grateful for scripture and for a prophet, more than I can say.
T. doesn't know that he is holding the most helpful book on raising a family ever created.
How I am blessed to be alive in a time when I could be not only literate, but in possession of as many books of scripture as i want, is wonderful to me.

Summer hot dogs will never be the same

Our sweet Izzy left us today. We will never understand why some accidents happen but we know it wasnt accidental that she was a part of our family.
Izz we will miss your sweet doggy face and never forget your adventurous friendly spirit.

Red-sunburns, White-homemade icecream, Blue-chalk appendages?

The 4th of July really means barbeque, swimming and fireworks with hordes of people we love.

You should have seen this kid try to walk, so determined.
5 hours later and she still screamed when it was time to leave.
Thanks so much Uncle G. and Aunt S. for sharing your pool with us every year!
N. died (maybe of boredom, more likely of lack of sleep too many nights in a row) before the sun was close to setting so he missed the family sparklers and fountains.
Pops are always a favorite. S. squealed almost every time one was dropped or smashed.
We finally found his weakness, you know like superman and criptonite.
T. is scared of sparklers.
He saw a kid the night before at the city display of fireworks that had one in each hand.
He was in awe of the "fire hands".
Watching fire hands and having fire hands are a lot different though.
Good, I say, one less pyro in the family
Fourth, Family, Fun!!!
Does anyone actually enjoy the whistling fountains?!

I just love these kids, cant help it, I mean, check out that face!

Outdoor pool in N.Utah....

..comfortably usable about 8 weeks out of the year, 2 of those while school is back in session. Although it seems a not so smart idea to build, it sure is a lot of fun to use!

N. eyed the straight shot slide last year but didn't find the courage till this year to try it. Now of course after an entire afternoon of repeated "up the stairs and down the slide" he says its boring for him.
Z. thinks she'll try it next year, that is, if it really is boring.

The daredevil streak in T. keeps mom on her toes at the pool.
If it weren't for the height requirement he would be running up the slide stairs with his brother. He did like the twirly, slower slide but had to push himself along with his hands for optimum speed.
He continually talked S. into following him from one pool to another, one end to the other.
Mom of course had to follow along quickly.
Isn't the pool a place for moms to get tan while sitting at the side of the kiddie area, resting? Definitely going to bring daddy along next time, he likes chasing kids more than resting.
(He would argue this point, while chasing them)

The highlight of paying 5 bucks a piece to swim is the other 5 bucks kids beg you to fork out for the shaved ice. Student budget means sharing, which means whining and in S.'s case a full temper tantrum.
Even with the short season and the outrageous cost, a day at the pool and shaved ice can't be beat.

Summer+Siblings

Looks can be deceiving.
They might all sit close to each other in a small area, but not because they enjoy one another.
If one kid lays on the hammock then they all think they have to lay there too.
They're jealous. (As for their cute smiles, not spontaneous, its a trick we work on and also otter-pops make them feel happy)

5 minutes later.
See what I mean?
It looks cute but you should have heard all the "I'm squisheded!" and "Higher" ""SLower!" "Stop" "Don't Stop!!" "Mom he/she wont blah blah blah blah".

What I do like about the pictures I take of them space-hogging is that eventually I forget the sound of the shrieks and howls and all I see are their cute faces all together. It reminds me of how blessed I am.

They may be noisy and obnoxious sometimes but my family is certainly the best part of my life!

Grandma Tractor

Easy to hug!
Waving goodbye till next trip........