Summer Time and Cousin Time!

Lagoon Fun

 We were so excited that Spence and Mel moved here this summer. We've been playing so much with them and cousin fun is just so great!

Rattlesnake rapids was so fun for them (their first time). Pyper and I were soaked too at the end and we had similar feelings about riding that ride again anytime soon.

 Last week we went to Lagoona Beach with the Dorius Cousins. They all had a great time!

NEWSIES!

 I had tried and tried to get newsies tickets but they sold out so fast! Carlie and Robb had got them but unfortunatly Carlie got a terrible flu that day so she asked if I would take her daughter Olivia instead. HALLELUAH!

 The show was AMAZING. The dancing was INCREDIBLE! And spending time with Olivia was AWESOME!

Summer Hikes and Air Shows

 I've been trying to take the kids hiking though the summer to keep them busy and get them to enjoy the outdoors. We have had a great time and they love their cute little backpacks I got them!

 Mitch was out camping with the scouts when the airshow came so Dad and I went up on base. Max especially loved the airplanes and the show!

 We've been doing this fun running series that my friend Kristen Guymon puts on. The kids come each week and run a race (distance depends on their age). My kids didn't always come in first but they always did their best which I love!

Kids Running Series

Cherry Hill

 My kids BEG me to go to Cherry Hill. I always tell them no (it's expensive). However, their cousin Kate had a birthday party there that we were not about to miss so off we went. It was at night which cut down on cost and made things even better because the HERO aka DAD could come along. I was laughing so hard when he accidently came out of the slides and went backwards with Pyper. He did all he could to keep her head above water (She has serious ear problems). His face was priceless!

4th of July Getaway

 We enjoyed the 4th of July weekend with the Nielson clan up at my dads cabin. Their kids loved having Indy there and Indy loved all the attention! We boogied on up to Smith and Morehouse for some kayaking (Ellie's favorite).

Fishing with Grandpa and Grandma Dorius

I hope when our kids grow up and look back on their memories of Grandpa and Grandma Dorius they will think of fishing and East Canyon. Grandpa Larry loves fishing. If he has grandkids with him all the better. Each summer he spends his time in Alaska fishing. While he is there he send us these long text messages telling about his adventures and his testimony. We are so blessed to have such great Grandparents on both sides.

 Here is Pyper with her pole. Hoping for a bite.

 So Max was the master fisherman. He was seriously reeling them in. He was on cloud nine and Grandpa was so proud. All his success and glory was making his bigger sister Ellie go crazy!

Pyper liked the idea of fishing until the fish got too close. )

Ellie was beside herself that she had not caught her fish. We had been there a few hours and she was skunked while everyone else pulled them in. I sat and sat with her working the rod. Trying to teach her about patience. When she's not the best at something she struggles because she has a lot of natural talents. Literally just as we were pulling in the other rods and we did one last cast and pulled in a little guppy. She was thrilled!

A Word About Pyper

When Pyper was born we went back and forth about the names Pyper or Grace. Eventually we went with Pyper Grace. But for a full year I struggled liking the name. She was such a good baby who brought quiet and tranquility to our home that I thought we missed the target and should have done Grace (even though half the kids in the area are named that).  However, now that her personality is coming through she is definitely a PYPER!  In fact, we could have named her 'little tornado' for that matter the girl is BUSY!!!

 Here she is naked, of course. Covered in stickyness because she was sneaking so much raspberry jam. She is constantly in the cupboard looking for treats. In fact, I've stopped buying fruit snacks all together because this lady will climb to all levels to attain them.  She is always in my makeup which I try to secure. She has already painted our furniture and blankets with mascara, markers, and anything else that will create color. She is WILD!

 But with WILD comes much love. She is full of it and happiness. If she's naughty, she does it with a smile. If she's happy she does it with a smile. She always wants to be the one to say a prayer, loves following her older siblings and is starting to see the effects of teasing. Almost every morning she licks her cereal spoon and touches her brother with it just to hear him scream. Which he does without regret. I think she has a bit of her dads teasing personality.

One of her greatest attributes is that shejust came obedient. If I say "everyone get your jammies on, she goes and does it without being asked twice (even if she puts the shirt on bottom). If I say, It's time to go! She runs and puts her shoes on. The older two I have to ask 50 million times it seems but Pyper has always been my obedient (and wild) one. XOXO

Kindergarten Graduation!

How does time go so fast! My Kindergartner is no longer a kindergartner! Ellie is great. The best oldest child a parent could ask for, a huge helper, and full of ENDLESS energy. I got to go volunteer at field day with her and it was so fun to watch her interact with peers her age. We treat her like she's five years older then she is at our house and it was a good reminder to let her be little.

So they had this bouncy tunnel with water in it and El could hardly wait to run through it. 

 This picture makes me so happy. She didn't know I was taking it or she would have probably shyed away. She was so excited for her turn that she was literally bouncing up and down like the school girl she is.  It was so fun to watch her be her natural fun self. Her first field day was just blowing her mind!

 "oh hey mom, didn't know you were watching."

 Finally it was her turn!

 Honestly just smiles ear to ear the whole day.

 They also did a color run tunnel at the end. She (surprisingly to me) did not want to run though so she threw the chalk at the those running and I think she got more messy!

There she is on the top row of course. She and the girl next to her are a head taller then everyone in her class. Ellie is so beautiful inside and out.

Of course, her fans went wild! And I just sat and cried.

Ellie loved Mrs. Johnson. She learned so much from her and was one of the top educationally in her class. She loves to learn. Just yesterday she asked, "Mom, whats an Anarchy?" Mitch and I looked at each other puzzled. I said, "eh, hold on lets go ahead a google that definition so I tell you right!"

It wouldn't be a celebration if we didn't finish it off with some YOGOTOGO. The kids love frozen yogurt. What a special treat!

Happy 1st Year Preschool Graduation Max!

Max has worked so hard this year in preschool. He loved Mrs. Julie's Preschool and always came home with a big smile.

 Yes, He really is as sweet as he looks. Maybe even sweeter. Nothing gets me more then when he says, "I love you Mommy."

 The teacher had each kid say what they wanted to be when they grew up. I think he said a superhero. His voice just melts my heart.

 They had the cutest songs and I know Max knew them because he had been singing them in the car for days! But at the program he just decided to move his mouth up and down and pretend like he was singing. Oh, and he was ticked that I made him wear something besides a t-shirt and basketball shorts to his program.

 Such a sweet heart. I hope he will always be cool and hold my hand like he is here. XOXO

Yellowstone 2016!

 In May I got taken off of bed rest so the minute we could bust out of our house we did! We bought the Minnie Winnie motorhome and drove to Yellowstone.

 Initially, we planned the trip to be one just for our family. After me being on bedrest our family was in a bit of disarray. Anxiety was high with the kids as they worried about moms health and poor behaviors and the lack of ability to parent was showing through. We needed some bonding together time. However, we were blessed that cousins would also be in Yellowstone at the same time as us and Mitch invited Dean and Amy and it was great with cousins too! The kids loved sitting on top looking out the front window at the animal (much to my angst).

 Here we all are crossing paths with Vals family. Cousins sure love being with each other!

The Minnie Winnie's first picture debut.

Crazy haired Py all ready to shoot any bad bears.

 We did plenty of traveling through Yellowstone. Mitch was quite determined to see it all. I was a little reluctant because I was still taking it easy hoping to deliver a healthy baby boy someday. But I was grateful for his efforts. Ellie hiked to the top of this stair case with me to look at some geysers. I do love and admire her tenacity.

Ellie and Elise were quite the explorers. They did not leave each others sides.

 Here is a beautiful black bear and it's cub. This view is right out our campers window. They were so close to the road and just so adorable!

 We also saw this Grizzly Bear (and wolves, mtn sheep, fox, buffalo, elk, birds etc). It sure was cool to see but not nearly as cute as those black bears.

 I'll just go ahead and give Mitch 3 cheers for helping us on our vacation. He turns on MAN mode when we are in the mountains and takes good care of us. He makes sure the motorhome is working, that everyone is warm, and having a great time. We are so lucky to have him. However, I will say that when we are in the mtns we are all taking our lives in our hands when he is driving. I think he spends more time trying to spot animals then looking at the road. We don't fight much but this one seems to come up EVERYTIME a deer or something may be in the area! :)

In no time this family picture will be outdated by baby boy coming in September. Now, what to name him?