Holy Cow!

How did we miss this one?!?

We've got Zucchini & Squash coming out our ears!

And this is just what I pulled out of our garden today! So next time you come over... take some home with you!

1st day of school

Today was the 1st day of school for the kids.

CJ was beyond excited about starting kindergarten. We met his teacher yesterday at kindergarten orientation and got to play in his classroom for a bit and see where his "cubby" is. CJ's favorite part was the "geometric wood blocks", he made lots of different things with them. This morning (after the initial "i don't want to wake up, I'm still tired.") he got dressed for school and packed his snack and waited patiently for his sister and mom to finish getting ready. He didn't like that Ashley got to go to school before him (he is in pm kindergarten) and as he waited at my work he kept coming over to my desk and asked "it is time for my school yet???" He finally convinced me to leave for school a 1/2 hour early so he could be at school. Surprisingly we weren't the only ones to show up that early. He was all smiles as he waited in line to walk into the classroom with the other kids. I cant wait till after school to hear how his day went!

Ashley has her first male teacher this year, Mr. Delgato. She is really excited about her new class, she has cousins that have had "Mr. D." and she is happy to have him too... though she is extremely nervous about the snake he keeps in his classroom. She let her weird mom and little brother walk her to her classroom even though she already knew where it was. I controlled myself and didn't embarrass her with big hugs and kisses that her friends could see (i did all that at home before we left...) And when the bell rang she strode confidently into class. My little girl isn't little anymore!

CJ Jumped off a diving board for the first time!

We went swimming at Crystal's house yesterday and CJ decided he wanted to jump off the diving board. Well technically... he sat on it and gently slided into the water, then he wanted to jump in and we counted to three like 20 times and each time he said "no..wait... okay count again" and then he said "mom, can you just push me?" so i did (and it was fun to do!). After a few times of that he decided he wanted to land in the inner tube, and he said that was the "funnest way to do it". My little boy is getting so big!

"Ashley! you only counted to "2"! I wasn't ready! you don't get to push me again! Mom, will you do it?"

Evans Family Visit

The Evans family came to visit from St George Utah and stayed with us. Ash & CJ were so excited when they drove up that they dropped what they were doing and ran outside and greeted them before they even had a chance to get out of the car!

Is there anything better than waking up and being with your cousins?!?

Hayden & CJ playing with the light sticks from Gma Lynette. Thank you Gma, the gift bags were a big hit with the kids!

Ash shared her quads with her cousins. First Tyler rode by himself up and down the driveway and then Ashley took Hayden for a ride.

Aunt Karen took Ash & CJ along when they went to Pixie Woods.

The train ride @ Pixie Woods.

(Karen is a brave girl! To willingly take 5 kids age 8 and under to a theme park is a daunting task... and the kids had a blast! Good job!)

Cousins are the best!

G-Gpa Smith's birthday dinner at UJ's Restaurant.

Aunt Karen is the Best! Ashley and Karen had a cooking date where they made a chocolate cup-marshmallow creme-strawberry topped dessert thing that was to die for! Ashley loved the one on one time with her Auntie.

Independence Day Fun

This year for the 4th of July Me, the kids, and the Evans went to celebrate at Jeff & Tami's house. We swam, bbq'd, and got sunburned. It was so much fun!

CJ resting for a moment. (he looks so relaxed)

Ash loves swimming!

CJ & Grandma Stone cuddling in the hot tub.

(or as i call it the "spool"... a spa as big as a pool)

Me & Genevieve

Ash coming up from holding her breath under water. She can do it a long time!

CJ, Tyler, & Hayden swimming in the spool

Ash carrying Bailey

I think its time to get out of the pool! This is CJ's foot after swimming for about 6 hours straight. He only got out to eat lunch (and the wicked yummy dessert Ashley & Aunt Karen made), the whole rest of the time he was in the water. I've never seen a foot so "pruney" before!

Thank you Jeff & Tami for sharing your backyard with us!

Fathers Day Fishing

For Fathers Day this year the kids and I took Mike fishing. We started on a river close to a trout hatchery (and we hiked with all our gear through brush and weeds and thorned berry bushes) till we found a beautiful spot and fished for a while.and after a while of catching nothing we drove to Lake Camanche's south shore trout pond in hopes of having better luck. After about 2 hours Mike caught this beautiful rainbow trout. This fish only cost me $200! With the cost of fishing poles, tackle box, supplies, licences for both mike and I, and the parking & fishing fees that is how much i had invested in that one silly fish.

Our favorite fishing guide

Ashley was determined to get a fish, and listened to every piece of advise that her dad gave.

CJ after "catching" a fish that was big enough to snap his line before we were able to get it onto the dock. He was so proud!

This was my first time fishing. It was wonderful. If i can just get over my squeamishness about actually touching the fish. Goo, they are just so slimy and wiggly! It was a great day and we are already looking for another excuse to go...