sam + socks + plasma car =

Better late than never, right?

Our trip to Northern California was amazing and eventful.  We had some interesting things happen
1.  Airline lost Jeff's drivers liscence.  2.  One of my children (who will remain nameless) didn't make it to the restroom in time (# 2)  uh-huh that's right.  3.  Scott got bread stuck in his throat and had to go to Urgent Care.  4.  Rental van wouldn't start.  5.  Major car sickness from the children.  6.  Left our stroller at Pebble Beach.  7.  Got an amazing amount of sea glass at glass beach.  8.  Held a banana slug.  9.  Saw the most incredible trees ever.  10.  Golden Gate Bridge  11.  Swam in the freezing cold ocean (only 3 crazies did that)  12.  Ate delicious food.  13.  Kaylees dreams came true and she got to go to the Charles Schultz museum.  14.  Drove the Pacific Coast Highway.  15. Rode a trolley.  16.  Will got to go to the Scoobey Doo Place.  17.  Bought a bunch of junk in China Town.  18.  Came home exhausted!

cousins

oh man i found the jackpot of pictures on Jordanne's camera. this whole series just made me laugh. the goggles, the facial expressions, dirty shirtless boys. gotta love it.

the last two are my fav's.

happy birthday kaylee dear!

kaylee was born 12 years ago today........wow! i can't believe she is in middle school and young women's. she is such a good girl and we are so proud of her.

kaylee's birthday breakfast from dad, smoothie and donuts.

12 things i love about kaylee:

1. she is the best big sister. (her little brothers adore her)

2. she is a good student. she always does her best and works so hard.

3. beautiful green eyes.

4. kind heart, she is a good friend to everyone and has A LOT of friends.

5. she loves to read and is a major book worm (just like mom)

6. she is an awesome artist, another love we share.

7. even though we argue about hair, i love that she still lets me do it....

8. dedicated. she is a great example when it comes to reading her scriptures.

9. she reminds me alot of her dad. ;)

10. responsible. (great babysitter, now if she would be responsible with a clean room)

11. i love to watch her swim. she is really graceful.

12. i love that she is such a good example to her brothers and is such a good kid. she always tries to do her best and has such a strong testimoney for a 12 year old. she is amazing.

Little Learners.......FINALLY!

love this kid Will has been waiting patiently (not really) for school to start. The others kids have been going for almost 3 weeks and it has been killing him. He was so excited this morning that he actually ate breakfast (hasn't been happening around here lately). On the way there, he said "FINALLY, i get to go to MY school."

school has started......ughh!

the kids started school august 15th (6th-graders) and 16th (everyone else). this year i just wasn't ready. we had a great summer that went by too stinkin' fast. the kids got a long great (i'm not sure how we lucked out there) and played well together. i also really enjoyed my free awesome babysitter. kaylee is the best big sister. andrew started 3rd grade. so far he is doing really well. i went in last week to talk to his teacher and she asked, "has he always been this good?" "i can always count on andrew to be attentive!" way to go andrew!

kaylee started middle school (sniff, sniff) i am excited for her and terribly sad at the same time. she is really loving it so far. (am i really old enough to have a kid in middle school?) now we just need will's school to start, everyday he wants to know when he gets to go the "little learners"!

Example

Dear Grandma,
I had a great childhood. Growing up next door to you and Grandpa was so much fun. I loved you even when you spanked Josh and me for being so naughty. I loved your chocolate cake. I loved doing dishes with you. I love that one time you raced Melanie and me (and I was shocked at how fast you were.) I loved sitting with you at church and getting tickled with a pen. You taught me how to tie my shoe. You always see the best in people. I loved looking in the stands and seeing you at my basketball games. I loved when you taught me how to make your chocolate frosting. I love your hands. I love you. Thanks for being one amazing woman and example to all of us.

cutest picture ever, taken by my neice briann

Durango Mountain

will and daddy going down the alpine slides, the kids LOVED it.the bungee tramp was a hit for kaylee and andrew. andrew even got brave enough to do some flips. kaylee surprised me, this is not usually her kind of thing.

kaylee climbed the rock wall. she is pretty good at it. those long arms and legs come in pretty handy.

it was a great 4th of july weekend, thanks nannie and poppie for taking us on another great adventure.

Silverton, Colorado

we went to silverton for the 4th this year, i was a little worried how will would do, he hadn't fully recovered yet. he was a trooper and did great.

the fireworks in silverton are amazing. i would recommend going some day. you could feel them, and they echoed through the canyon. way cool.

kids are amazing both sam and will fell asleep through the show. i am not sure how they were soooo loud.

i was grateful will was able to go. i used it as motivation for him to get better. and it worked, he would take his medication and drink lots for me.

they say it's your birthday.....

happy birthday sam! i can hardly believe this kid is already a year old.

we couldn't love him more.

this kid can pound the food.

he is a little fatso.

he loves his brothers and sister.

he thinks its hilarious to slap your head.

starting to walk, but prefers crawling.

he loves to give kisses.

says all gone, uh-oh, dadda, bubba.

loves balls.

loves his bed and blankeys.

cha cha cha

will has always been fascinated with birthdays, cake, candles, parties. it is his favorite holiday, even if it not his. but, it's even better when it is :) he got to celebrate his 5th birthday party in montana.

5 things i love about will:

1. i have never met a kid who loves to laugh as much as will. he has a great deep belly laugh. (he also has a really annoying fake one).

2. his imagination. he can entertain himself for hours with anything. seriously. just give him a packet of ketchup and a fork and watch for yourself. it's amazing.

3. he is so affectionate. he loves to cuddle and kiss. he's pretty darn sweet (when he's in the right mood).

4. he loves "bad" guys. he always wants to be the bad pirate, the joker, darth vador, or a mean guy. (wait.....maybe i should be worried?)

5. he loves his brothers and sister. he is (usually) really sweet with them.

andrew got baptized

on june 4th, 2011 andrew was baptized by his dad in belt montana. we had lots of family there, which we loved. we are really proud of andrew, he is such a good kid with a tender heart.

grandma peanut and grumpy

(we were happy grumpy was up to coming that day, he had shingles)

scott, janna and jordanne made the long trek to montana to be with andrew.

grandma and grandpa grapes

andrew sure loves his uncles matthew and michael. we were sure happy that their families were able to be there. it was a fun and crazy week.

we had some other families there with us too. it was fun to have aunt becky and uncle dave, elly and her family, auntie nae and zoie, and the uricks. we had pancakes after (andrew's choice) he loooooves grumpy's pancakes.

"I'm in love with Montana. For other states I have admiration, respect, recognition, even some affection. But with Montana, it is love." - John Steinbeck

i couldn't have said it better. it is bitter-sweet to come home. i already miss it.

preschool

for the last day of his "mommy and me" preschool, we took the kids the the fire station. will loved it. it was cute to watch how closely he was observing the firemen. will finished out a year at "little learners" playing a bunch of fun games. he can't wait to go back next year, especially since his buddy asher will be joining him.

will has grown up a lot this year, and made a lot of progress. he still learns in a different way than most, but i am sooooo happy to see that he can (and will) learn.

piano recital

kaylee finished up her 5th year of piano. she is getting pretty good. if only she didn't complain about practicing. ;)

Honor Choir

kaylee participated in honor choir this year. this girl loves to sing. we enjoyed watching her perform.

1st Place

andrew won 1st place for 2nd grade. his picture turned out awesome. he called it "fall tree" (this is his 3rd time winning first place.)

kaylee won every year she entered except this year, and she didn't even place.

she was a good sport, and her picture was actually really cool.

MS run

we ran the ms run again this year. andrew ran it in 19:15, and kaylee ran it in 23:41. scott ran the first half with andrew and i ran with kaylee, then andrew was ready to take off so i went with him, and janna finished with kaylee. it was a good run. next year none of us will be able to keep up with andrew. he's a fast little bugger. thanks for the help nannie and poppie.

soccer superstar

andrew is so fun to watch play soccer. he has a love for the game and really caught on to a lot this year. he has figured out where he should be. (as well as where everyone else on his team should be, and he tries to tell them where to go.)

he is a great passer as well as an amazing scorer. this past weekend he was asked to play in a tournament. they played a few girl teams. (that was kinda interesting.)

i will be glad to have some saturdays back, although i will miss it. i am becoming a crazy soccer mom. (let's just say, if you were to sit next to me you might be embarrassed by the crazy screaming lady.)

.

(notice the tongue) yup he totally gets that from me. that's what we do when we consentrate.