totally tubular...

While we were in Arizona Mike and Annie were nice enough to take us out on their new boat a few times. We had so much fun...

{click to enlarge}
The kids (and Bill) loved tubing and I love watching them (I don't quite trust Mike with my life, but I am willing to let him at the boys!). Seeing their facial expressions and limbs flailing about is hilarious (the wrecks are pretty funny too!).
the older boys really got a beating ride! Everyone tried their hand at surfing or wake boarding - it was fun to see all the success! Mike (the expert surfer) was nice enough to take all the kids who didn't have enough body strength yet - they thought they were pros! Thanks again Mike and Annie for such a fun trip! Can't wait to do it again!

dirt vs. boy...

Reagan was able to have his first experience at Cub Country this summer. Cub Country is a scouting program where the boys get to go to a day camp in the mountains. The first day he went to dinosaur camp and the second was super hero camp. They always come home covered, from head to toe and everywhere else, in dirt - and with the biggest smile you have ever seen! Reagan was a little nervous to leave the first day, but comforted himself by saying, "I guess I have been away from my family before??" (ya- like everyday at school- now go!) He couldn't have been happier when he got home, covered in dirt and with the dirtiest band-aids you have ever seen. He said he had 7 injuries (3 falls) BUT - he didn't cry once!! (that's my boy!) Figuring they must have been walking on some rocky terrain, I asked him if anyone else fell. "nope, just me!" (ok - so, that's my boy). He was instructed to take a bath and peel off every disgusting band aid - which he did and then put the same clothes back on - boys! When he came home on day 2 I asked him how it was. He said, "I wouldn't say if was fun - I would say it was TERRIFIC! That is a more advanced word. Oh, and no injuries!" Then he was off to shoot his brothers with his new rubber band gun (after a bath of course)!

holy party, batman...

After staring at the clock for hours and hours and even asking me if he could just move it to the 3, the time finally came to PARTY! Wesley couldn't decide between a batman, superman or costume party SO we combined all of the themes. We decided last minute (I think I have changed titles from "spontaneous" to "procrastinator") to have his party on his actual birthday. With this last minute decision came some last minute games like batman, batman, ROBIN (duck, duck, GOOSE) and "save the stuffed animal" (the kids favorite)! Cupcakes were next followed by opening presents (we had the present manners talk before hand - I told him that he needed to say thank you for every present - he said ok - then I said, even if it isn't a present you wanted, you say... and he said, "no thanks" - no wes, you still say thank you - he responds, or they will be sad and leave? - that is where we just ended the conversation - don't want to give him any ideas!) with lots of noise and running around in between.*click to enlarge*
I am glad his friends came over and he is finally able to be 5! At the end of the day, I asked him what was his favorite thing and he said EVERYTHING!

happy birthday to poo...

Today is Wesley's 5th birthday!!!
He has been waiting and waiting and waiting for it to be his birthday! He can't believe it is actually here. This morning when I sang happy birthday to him he said, "but I am not 5 yet". (he wont be 5 until his friends get here for his party and don't try to argue with him!!) 5 things I love about Wesley...
#1 - his charm. He (usually) knows exactly when to quit misbehaving and to turn on the charm. He for sure knows when to say "I love you mom, your so pretty."
#2 - the way he takes care of his little brother. He loves to play with and baby Chase. He is very protective of him and is the only one who can take away his toys.
#3 - his made up language of bad words. He is always calling his brothers a "cahookie wookie" or "fordons" and adding assorted potty words to the end of his sentences. Although he doesn't enjoy bath and body works grapefruit soap being pumped into his mouth, he can't seem to stop.
#4 - his imagination - all he wanted for his birthday this year was... a batman costume, a spiderman costume, a godzilla costume, an ironman costume... He loves to play. He will even play house with his girl cousins ("you be the mom and I will be the killer guy" or "you be the mom and I will be the dog") I am a little nervous for kindergarten next week when he has to put learning into his schedule - his above mentioned charm will probably be put to work!
#5 - he makes me laugh. He makes us all laugh. His eyes are always sparkling (in a mischievous sort of way). He adds so much to our family - our days wouldn't be complete without him!
Happy birthday Wesley (stinker face)!

are you there blog? it me, dede...

Well, we are back from our home away from home - the scorching, blistering, sizzling, sweltering place, some people call Arizona! Although we already miss it, we are glad to be home! I feel that we have managed to pack the 27 days we call "summer" with as much excitement as possible (and we are not quite done yet!!). I am anxious to share and journal all that we have done. But, before I start reliving the past few weeks - I will share with you a few things I have learned...
#1 - Just because you are closer to the sun in Utah, doesn't mean the (much hotter) sun in Arizona can't leave a mark - my crimson shoulders will attest that the sun is the sun and you should always wear sunscreen if you are going to be sitting at the pool all day!
#2 - If I had a maid service my kids would like home better. My boys (especially Wesley) LOVE staying at the hotel - they never want to come back home. Their toys are all at home, their x-box, their friends and their beds YET, they never want to come back - which leads me to assume, they aren't missing their chores!
#3 - A last minute vacation is awesome! I like to think of myself as fun - but spontaneous might not be in my horoscope. We decided late Monday night to go and on Tuesday we were off. Even though I left the house with one diaper, no wipes and no sunscreen (luckily we weren't going camping) it was great to just pick up and go (and cheaper - I didn't buy anything in preparation!)!
#4 - My face sweats. I know it is gross. I have never experienced that much moisture dripping off my face before. Maybe a little upper lip moisture while exercising, but never puddles just from walking to the car. I have a whole new sympathy for Whitney Houston. Before I go back to AZ in the heat of the summer, I am going to figure out where she gets her hankies.
#5 - If you are packing on more weight than you should be...don't let anyone take a picture of you wake boarding. It's not pretty. I will share one picture (and only one) of my wake boarding experience - enjoy!

so , I lied...

I am not back. We thought that life wasn't crazy enough, SO we took an impromptu trip to Arizona. Driving in at midnight, breathing in the 98 degree air, I wondered if it was such a good last minute decision. Was I thinking correctly? Should I have just taken a nap? Is family and a tan worth AZ in July???
I say YES - so I will see you all soon!! (promise)

i'm back....

sorry
we have been B.U.S.Y!!!
in the last two weeks we have had...
4th of July celebrations
Reagan's baptism
a trip to Bear Lake
a day at Lagoon
a baby shower
a family reunion in Heber and
family staying with us!
Things are starting to settle down (after another family party here tonight) and I will start posting all the fun things we have done!! For now, I will give you a little sneak peak...

finger lick'n good...

dinner and a bath
(seriously - that cupcake was his dinner and that dirty pool was his bath - not my best parenting moment -
he's not complaining!) ahh - summer!

what time is it?

Summertime
It's our vacation
What time is it?
Party time
That's right
Say it out loud
Yesterday was the last day of school, but Reagan wasn't singing this song (and that is not becuase he hasn't seen High School Musical - because he has - and he liked it - no matter what he will tell you)! He has been dreading the last day of 2nd grade because that meant it was the last day of his favorite teacher and the last day at his school (next year - which is in 3 weeks - we will go to a new school because of boundary changes). While everyone else in the carpool was celebrating on the car ride home, Reagan was on the verge of tears (actually, I am pretty sure a few leaked out!)!

We have been so lucky to have such an awesome teacher for Reagan this year! She was so supportive of him, always pointing out his best qualities. Because of her, he wanted to work harder, faster and be his best! We will both miss her! To help cheer him up, I had him call his cousin - who is on his way here right now!!!
He can't wait!!
So now my boys are done with 4th and 2nd grade - wow!
What time is it?
Summertime
School's out
Scream and shout (outside!!)