Weeee're Baaaack!

So we're back from Utah and it's time to update all our stuff. We had a great time, but are glad to be home.

Our trip started off with a bang. We had left at 4 am hoping they would sleep through some of the trip. They didn't. We weren't even out of the Phoenix Metro Area before we had two kids throwing up. Noelle only cried part of the way, so we're counting that as a win.

So, by the time we got to the I-15 I was glad to see it and was anticipating being at our destination shortly....


'Twas not to be.

About an hour and a half outside Provo one of our rear tires blew. Bryce managed to keep us on the road and safely pulled over. We had been in the 80 mph zone (going 90ish), so we were grateful to be okay. Our back bumper got a little beat up, but the car seems to have recovered. Thanks to the family that helped us with the tire!

Ahhhh...June

We are loving summer and having so much fun. So far we are thankful for Costco...

And for the Lovells, for inviting us to a great pool party and providing the waterslide.


Our kids could slip and slide and run around in the sun all day long. Isn't it fun to be a kid?

Ethan, Caitlin, and Mitchell.
My kids get really silly when they are having fun with their friends.

Avery was definitely not going down that slide. Good thing we had a little pool just her size.

And Noelle had her first swimming experience. Doesn't it look like she and her cousin, Tyce, are having a blast?

The great thing about having the kids preoccupied, is that the adults get to sit around and enjoy each others company. Even if we are all holding babies. Yay for adult conversation!

Becky and baby Tyce

Brooke and baby Lydia

Bryce and baby Noelle

I am so thankful for anything that will keep us cool and happy this summer. And for good friends to spend time with. We are also looking forward to a couple vacations this summer. It will sure be great while it lasts. I know it will be time for school again before we know it.


What is one to say about June, the time of perfect young summer, the fulfillment of the promise of the earlier months, and with as yet no sign to remind one that its fresh young beauty will ever fade.

~Gertrude Jekyll

Preschool Promotion

Caitlin's class had a prechool promotion ceremony today. Half of their class is going to Kindergarten next year and the others were just celebrating a successful year. Caitlin will be doing another year of preschool, so she got to wear a celebration hat. Which was great, because they slightly resemble princess hats.

Caitlin receiving her ribbon from Miss Kim.

Caitlin with her teacher, Teacher Julie. Caitlin loves Teacher Julie so much and she learned so much this year. We are so grateful!

Caitlin with one of her aides, Miss Tamera. Miss Tamera lived across the street from us when I was pregnant with Ethan, so it was really fun to see her again this year.

Caitlin with her other aide, Miss Kim.

Caitlin had such a great year and we are so thankful she has been able to be in this preschool program. She has worked hard and is doing great.

Good Job Caitlin!

Fathers & Sons Campout

Yay for the Fathers & Sons Campout! It's one of Ethan's favorite things all year. And it's fun to be able to have a girls night here at home. Although I think the teams are split up a little unevenly. Haha. Oh well, it's still fun to just be with all my girls. Here's Ethan after they set up the tent!


Bryce is so sweet. He knew I wanted some good pictures of the campout. He got me this cute one of both my boys smiling...


...when they really wanted to do one like this:


Good thing Mom wasn't there. She didn't know to be worried about her little boy with a gun (just a BB gun).


There was time for playing on rocks and exploring.


And time for playing with friends. Ethan was so glad that he had his dad and his good friends there to spend time with. They came home dirty and tired, but had a good time together. We love Campouts!

Cheer

Caitlin started cheerleading today. She was so excited to start and to get POM PONS! She just couldn't get enough of it. I'm not sure how I feel about it yet. Her coach is way into it. Like "competition, glitter makeup, high pony tails, and spirit fingers" into it. A little intense. And Caitlin will have to miss the recital because it's on a Sunday. So that's a little irritating, but I figure Caitlin will have fun no matter what. She's such a sweet girl.

Here is Caitlin with her little group of girls. Yes, my pictures are really bad. I've got to start remembering my camera when I go places.

Go Team Caitlin!

Mother's Day

I got this picture of me with my sweet kids on Mother's Day. It only took a dozen or so shots and only a little photoshop.

Much better than when I tried to take some "Mother's Day" pictures two years ago.

4 Months

Noelle was 4 months old on Monday. She had her doctor's appointment today and she is growing so big!

Weight: 13 lbs. 8 oz. (50%)

Height: 25 in. (75%)

She was our shortest at birth, so we weren't sure if she'd be tall like our others. So far she's doing pretty good, but still not as big as her siblings.

At 4 months:

Ethan: 17 lbs. 10 oz. and 27 in,

Caitlin: 14 lbs. 0 oz. and 27 in.

Avery: 15 lbs. 7 oz. and 26.5 in.

Noelle is rolling over (front to back) and laughing and cooing now. She is so much fun. And last night she slept 8 hours straight! Yay! Hopefully we can keep that up.

And in related news: My "Girl 3-6 month" box has gone missing. I can't find it anywhere and I've searched the house from top to bottom. I think it might have accidentally ended up with the DI stuff. I could just cry thinking about all those cute 3-6 month outfits that I might never see again. Plus, what is Noelle going to wear for the next three months? Woe is me. I guess I'll just keep looking.