Memorial Day--Part 2

 Saturday was a beautiful day so after the temple and before family pictures we hung out outside and enjoyed the beautiful sunshine. We had a nail painting party and even painted Shera's nails (that's the dog :).

 The kids had a grand time jumping on the tramp, digging, and entertaining all of us. This is my niece Grace who is so darling!

 Sunday afternoon we ate some delicious gyozas (we made 175 and they were all gone--so crazy!!), the boys chilled in the office, Emily made some delicious cookies, and enjoyed all the babies that were there, including a brand new niece, Mackenzee.

 That evening we headed out to the cemetery to visit my grandparents and cousins that are buried out there. 

 The crew that came.

 My parents.

 Luke practicing his reading skills. He loved all the headstones since they had so many new words on them.

 My boys just checking out a headstone.

 The kids favorite thing was checking all the bushes for bird's nests. Sarah thought it was fabulous and found several.

 Luke showing off his bandaid. Henley threw a rock and hit him right between his eyes. He was pretty sad but thought it was a great battle wound after.

 Grace and Emerson loved the angels. They would pet each one and talk to them. So cute.

These are the gorgeous flowers we took to leave at the graves. Love me some peonies and some Kathryn!

What a great opportunity it is to visit and remember our dead. So grateful for these people that gave their life!

 Sarah, Kathryn, and Katy convinced their aunts to have a braiding party Sunday night and they were in heaven with matching hairdos.

Then Monday morning before leaving for home Aunt Emily took the kids to pet and feed the neighbor's horses. My kids were in heaven and thought it was pretty awesome.

What a fun weekend we had with the family. So nice to be together!

Memorial Day Weekend--Part 1

Last weekend we took a road trip up to the McIntyre homestead. The kids were very excited and after a little car repair (radiator hose replaced--not too bad considering that gal has 295,000 miles on her) we finally got on our way.

 Friday night we had a hot dog and s'more roast in the backyard. Mmmm so yummy and so delicious.

 Sam talking with my sisters. 

 Luke being silly with a few cousins..Heston, Katy, and Bentley.

 Saturday was a busy day. They are always so excited to get up and watch tv (because Grandma has cable). So they hang out in their pajamas until I make them get dressed but they love lounging all morning.

The adults too off for the temple to be with Natalie (my youngest sister who was going for the first time since she is leaving on a mission to Paraguay). My kids stayed at Grandmas for most of the day and did awesome. Nothing was trashed and they were still nice to each other after 6 hours--good job guys!

 It was so nice to be in the temple with her, plus it was our first time seeing the Boise temple since it's been rededicated. So beautiful inside!

 All the family that came to be there with her.

 The sisters!

I have this terrible problem with closing my eyes in every picture we take. It's a running joke in the family and since I closed my eyes in all the ones we took together this is the one you get!

Afterwards we ate lunch with her at her favorite restuarant, Chilis. Then it was home to get ready for family pictures. Yeah!

Random ipod photos and more...

A funny thing Sarah told me the other day:

She had been playing at her best friend's house all day and they had made peanut butter cookies together without any help from the friend's mom. I was asking her how it went and she says this:

S: "I corrupted a lot of the cookies."

Me: "Do you mean you ruined a lot of the cookies?"

S: " Oh yeah I meant that."

So, so funny!!

 Sam loves taking pictures of fun signs we see. This was a batch they he found in the local jr high. He thinks they are absolutely hilarious.

 The rest of these were taken by Luke. I'm embarrassed by the end ones but hey the perspective of a child is awesome. Did you know that they all know by how our buts look. So true--it's at their eye level!!

Showcase

It's that time of year again--"Showcase" for the kiddos. Seth doesn't have to participate the other three do. 

Kathryn DID NOT want to go and she hides out in the back so hardly anyone can see her. She dislikes the dance they had to do but she survived and is very glad it's over!

 Luke on the other hand was very excited to go to his performance. He did fantastic and I am always so amazed to see so many kindergartners recite poetry and sing several songs all on their own.  But boy is he growing up!

Sarah class sang a remix of "call me maybe" but it was all about the circulatory system. It was super cute and fun and they did a great job.

 Then they had a little graduation ceremony for the 4th graders since they are graduating from the Grammar School and will next year be in the Logic School (5th-8th grades). This is her receiving her medal from her teacher, she had the biggest grin on her face!

What We've Been Up To...

 I had a great Mother's Day last Sunday. So grateful for these kiddos that made me a mother! I was spoiled by them and by Sam and had a wonderful, relaxing lazy day. 

Sam and kids made me a wonderful dinner (bbq chicken and roasted veggies) and a delicious lime cheesecake. The kids made me some spectacular homemade coupons and cards and I absolutely loved it.

 Spring/summer is here so we have spent many hours outside on the deck enjoying the sunshine. We have roasted marshmallows already this year and spent many hours reading outside. Above Sam is taking a nap and Sarah is working on a play she is writing for her and her friends.

 Kathryn and Seth with their book of choice at the moment.

 And Luke just wanted to hang out with the fire and not do anything but throw more sticks on it when we are roasted marshmallows. 

 Several days in a row we had temperatures in the 90s so for family night last week we headed to Dierkes Lake to cool off and enjoy the sunshine. 

 Waiting to go home--such cute kids!

 And finally---the kids love to play with the laundry baskets. This is another fhe. Seth was teaching the lesson and they were intently listening to him while sitting in the baskets.