Family Fun

Family Home Evening brings out the best or worst in me. I don't know about the rest of you but there never seems to be an in between. Last week was a good one. (well for me anyway) We made carmel apples and the kids were in heaven. I layed in bed that night explaining to my husband that if I were that patient all of the time I think that the whole family would always be happy. Jane and Charlie

Maggie, Jane & Charlie
preparing the apples

success with the popsicle stick

It was a good night

Beach 2011

Sadly, we were only able to make it to the beach one time this summer. We went in September and the weather and company were perfect. Simply, we love the beach. Love it. Charlie, Jane & Maggie
Charlie, Christopher, Ainsley, Ben

Mike and Charlie

Charlie, Jane & Mags

on the couch that mom made

One stop at Planet Pizza with the Yanz family.

We couldn't resist the sign.

nickelodeon day of play

We went downtown to DC and celebrated with Nickelodeon for their "get active"

Day of Play.

They had set up in front of the White House and you could join in many different sports and activities. We did obstacles, tennis, hockey, soccer, hula hoop, dancing and football. Mike, Maggie, Jane & Charlie

Charlie and Dad
We got to see Big Time Rush!!
It was the highlight of the kids day for sure.
Jane was on top of my shoulders when the band came out and she started yelling, "Kendall! Kendall!" I couldn't stop smiling it was fun to see her so excited.

Patrick, Miss LeighAnne, William
(we ran into our neighbors that we love)

William, Miss LeighAnne, Jane, Maggie and Mike

Janes Quotes

Jane "Mom look at all of these ladies wearing buttoonies" (bikini's)

"I'm going to go pout on my nose"

"What?"

"Mom, it's a polite way of saying I need to go potty."

I didn't bother correcting her because it's funnier when she does it her way. She says it all of the time now. I still laugh when I hear it.

Getting out of the shower my daughter was staring at my beautiful bottom. I knew it was coming and she said, "mom how come your bottom is so big?"
"well, because I ate too many cookies when I was little."
She took my answer and then I could see her processing it. Suddenly panic struck her face as she said "did I eat too many cookies?"

"sewiously?"

In church during the Sacrament Jane grabbed two pieces of bread and popped them into her mouth. When I gave her the look she leaned over and whispered, "but I really wanted to remember Jesus two times".

"My hands are always trying to make me not modest. They keep picking out the clothes and putting them on me."

Charlie's Funnies

Charlie built a fort out of the limbs that his father cut off of our trees. Charlie and Patrick using their sniper rifles on me

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Something you never want to hear your first grader say to you......

"Mom guess what I learned from a 5th grader today in the bathroom?"

It was safe.

Just personal bubble making.

No gadgets necessary.
He is much more willing to wash his hands now.

So through the grapevine we heard the greatest story about our son and one of our sweet babysitters. And it goes a little something like this....
"Sally" the babysitter takes our kids out on a walk. Charlie runs away from her. She can't find him.
Turns out that he returned to the home. Grabbed his Dad's ipad and then ran back like a secret agent and recorded the babysitter looking all over for him. He went from tree to tree and thought that he was hilarious. She finally saw him and got after him and then deleted his recording.
Oh how I wish we still had that recording. "Sally" never mentioned the incident to us. I would have been mortified. But as long as I pretend that this story is about someone else then I think it's hilarious.

And last but not least...

"Boys don't have boobs Jane, we have abs."

Preschool

Today was Maggie's first day of preschool. She has been ready for a while now and she went without any hesitation. She will attend a three hour class twice a week.

This is one of her high school teachers, Taylor.
Maggie and sweet boyfriend Nate


William and Maggie

She calls W her best buddy.
They love to play and fight.

So here are some of Mags current quotes.....

"Are Grandma and Grandpa in my heart? Cause I feel them in there."

When I don't give her what she wants her comeback is always....

"okay then you're not invited to my cheerleading party."
(i'm not sure that she knows what a cheerleader is)


Some of our friends decided to crepe paper our house. In the morning Maggie looked out the window and with her potty mouth said, "Holy moley. Holy cwap. Holy moley cwap."


"I know vat. I already knew vat. I know everyfing."

VBS

The kids were invited to Vacation Bible School. The theme was Beach Blast and it was true to its name. I think this was the first church experience that Charlie would look forward to. Of course that did have a lot to do with the fact that they played sports outside. Jane did a fish craft to remind her of when Jesus fed the multitude.
Charlie made a treasure box that says "God's promises are my treasure"
Inside there are different scriptures.

Maggie learned about baby Jesus and was able to hold and take care of little baby dolls.

At the end of each night the kids gathered for singing, dancing and a "wrap up the evening" story.

Gracie, Jane and Maggie

Someone and Mags

So there was a very favorite song that none of us can get out of our head. Here's the chorus for you.

uh uh uh A Admit to God that you are a sinner.

bu bu bu bu B Believe that Jesus is Gods only son.

su su su su C Commit yourself to the Lord above and ask him to fill you up with his love.

When you become a Christian hope is easily found cause when you hit rock bottom you'll land on solid ground.

Shake and Drowned

I was standing in my kitchen when I heard a loud noise. I thought it was the dogs above me in their kennels. I started up the stairs and then stopped on the landing. The loud noise stopped but my house was shaking. I stood still trying to comprehend what it was. I looked out my window to see if a huge gust of wind had hit. Nope. Then I ran back down the stairs to find Maggie sitting on the toilet. I pulled her off and held her close. She thought I was weird.

The teachers at the elementary school were great.Charlie and Jane were unfazed and after the quake they were out in the field until it was time for the buses. I think they were outside for a couple of hours. No school Wednesday as they had to inspect the local schools for damage.

The epicenter was about an hour from our house. The event made for some great neighborhood talks.

So to keep things exciting we are awaiting Hurricane Irene. She's expected to attack us late Saturday night. The prediction is for 105 mph winds. Who knows? Mike prepared by mowing the lawn last night. And I prepared by going to Costco and buying a big box of Ghiradelli brownies. Yep, we'll be just fine. Maybe no power for a bit. But just fine.

Back to School

Back to school is awesome. Charlie started first grade yesterday. New classmates, new teacher and his very own desk. We are excited for all of the things he will learn this year.

Cooper, Patrick & Charlie
I think Charlie has spent the whole last month with these boys. They are good kids and all live close enough to play, play, play.

Today Jane is beginning her kindergarten adventure. She is lucky to start her day with her best friend Carys.

Jane and Carys

Jane, Mike, Charlie & Maggie

Jane wasn't scared. Just excited which made the good bye's easy. Had she been scared then I probably would have broken into tears.

Maggie and I will begin our very own adventures today.

Last But Not Least

Back to Utah where we had a cousin swim and my sisters house. Julie (my niece) and Jane

She will be the one who receives our children if we die. This is not a joke. I'm dead serious.

(and for the record that is our official last will and testament.)

Momma and Kevin (nephew)

He will want me to say that he is my most handsome nephew but I will not say it without compensation.

Fortunate for us Mary brought Mom down so we could see again. She braved the cousin swim but was probably sweating bullets.

Taylor (great nephew), Mary (sister), and Mallory (niece, she just might be one of my favorite people to spend time with in the world.)

Dad finally joined us and we went to stay full time at Grandma and Grandpa Croslands.
The girls robbed some of Grandma's manikins of their hats.

Jane and Maggie


Grandpa Ivan and Maggie on our July 4th celebration

Grandma Helene and Mags
We partied with the Croslands until I'm certain that they were saying, "seriously, just go home already." It seemed that we had a barbecue every night.

Uncles Andy and Matt

They came the day before we left. We don't get to see them enough and I'm always left wanting more time with them.

Charlie, Uncle Richard, Baby Boston, Jane Grandpa Ivan and Mags

partying at Aunt Leslie's. Boston is the youngest grandchild and he just celebrated his first birthday.

Ada and Uncle Richard

This is the only picture that I got of her. She is the first Great Grandchild in Mike's family.

She is a delight.

She's posing with her Grandpa (mike's brother)

Kate and Charlie

Charlie thinks that Kate is his cousin. They share the same Aunt Anne and Uncle Richard but not related. Kate lives in China and Charlie thinks that is so cool. Every time he sees that something was "made in china" he thinks its awesome.

Jane, Aunt Anne and fake cousin Abigail

Mike and Charlie

We had a great time out on the boat with family. The trip was another great success. Back to real life.