And summer has begun...

I grew up with a basketball hoop but I know how often it was used - not that much really!  I'm glad my boys love it - ESPECIALLY Danny.

My miracle pictures - they are all looking and smiling - AT THE SAME TIME

SURPRISE!!!

I knew that Boyd and Kandi were coming to Utah - but Shayne did not.  We set up a little surprise at the local Del Taco (because that is where we usually go for Taco Tuesday at Cole's incessant request).  On this night - I "gave in" and demanded that Shayne go too.  He was ready to mow the lawn and thought I was being really weird to make him stop mowing the yard and go with us.  I pretended the kids at me at my wit's end and I just wanted to get everyone fed FAST.  It wasn't about the food - I just knew who was waiting for us!

Later that week we had a little barbeque with Boyd and Doug's families.  Fun Times!  Just not enough pix!

The little ones - 

The boys oohing and ahhhing over Shayne's Garbage Pail Kid collection -I'm sure it's worth hundreds (of pennies).

One other little photo op with Mindy, Kandi, and Sammy

Laughing till I cry...

Hunter spent a week at Scout Camp and on one of the nights we went up for Family night.  There was this rope - and most people tried to get across it.  Danny ROCKED it and went all the way across - 2 times!  He had blisters (he wished he had brought gloves).

Cole on the other hand, does not ever do the expected.  So, he climbs up on the top and says, I'm doing this the EASY way.

Oh my - I wish I had video of this.  Maybe it's a "you had to be there" moment, but I was laughing SOOOO hard when he stretched out to go ON TOP of the rope, because that was definitely easier (determined by him).  And then - he couldn't move.  There was no way he could do this - he was stuck and didn't know how to go forward or down.  Finally a neighbor jumped up to help him down safely.  His mother was laughing/CRYING and simply enjoying the entertainment.

 

Cole is 11!

On the odd-year birthdays, the kids get to pick a special date with Mom and Dad.  Cole begged and begged for ComicCon and the closest event was almost 2 months before his birthday, but that is what he wanted.  He missed some school (he was not disappointed) and we had a great day together.  Cole dressed up as Dr. Who (in case you aren't a Dr. Who fan and don't recognize all these photo ops for a Dr. Who lovers).  

There were AMAZING costumes everywhere.  People go all out for this event.  The people watching was the best part!  This was a favorite of mine.

Cole's birthday morning - 

Shayne made him a bunch of gummies - all Lego inspired 

Birthday Cake time! and gifts too 

We gave him Mtn Dew.  I knew that was a great gift because I don't buy soda!  And they were ALL HIS.  He loved it. 

On Sunday we had another family birthday party and we made his special Portal Cake (a favorite video game)

Love these two!

All about Cole:

He loves to ask deep questions such as "would you rather be only able to only see or hear?"

He loves Mtn Dew and Cafe Rio Sweet Pork Salads

He REALLY, REALLY loves Cafe Rio Salad

He doesn't eat breakfast food unless it's HOT.  He usually fixes leftovers from dinner for his breakfast.

His best friends are Connor, Adam and Chris

He loves to create in the Lego room - for hours

He does have really long hair, but on rare occasion he'll ask for a haircut

His favorite part of school is recess and science

He loves to cook and create meals and make them look good too - he never does things the expected way either (surprise spices abound)

When he grows up he wants to be a Lego Designer / Scientist / Engineer / Cartoonist 

Some people wear their hearts on their sleeve - I think Cole's personality permeates the room

We sure love this boy and are grateful for the life and love that he shares with us.

May - another whirlwind

I feel bad that I'm blogging so many months later - but I want these pics noted and hopefully someday put into a book for our family to enjoy.  Here are some highlights of the month - 

My boys (no, I didn't ask them to match, it just worked out that way)

Cole participated in Hope of America - a fifth grade tradition.  Can you see him? 

Yup - he's RIGHT THERE! 

We got out our bikes and went for a bike ride to celebrate Cheryl's birthday!  I pulled my niece (Rachel) in the bike trailer and she was a great little helper by taking our picture for us...

Try #5...  or somewhere around there!

Cute little Rachel

This was the first ride of my summer of biking!  It makes me HAPPY! 

Then there was a hail-storm.  Yup, in May.  I was grateful to have my car in the garage right as it started to pound down! 

Going out to our favorite family restaurant (Mi Ranchito) to celebrate Grandma.  The boys filled out "about Grandma" papers and they were hilarious.  I just love that you can see the laughter in this picture!

Enjoyed lazy afternoons with buddies

(Corban, Anzer, Skyler) 

Danny got a REALLY COOL OUTFIT!  from his 1st grade teacher for finishing a huge reading packet.  He is really excited for Halloween this year.

Finishing up our co-op preschool 

Another bike ride with the girls - 

me, Julia, Chanin, and Cherae 

Preschool Graduation took place in our backyard - they were so stinking cute!

Some snuggles - Papa, with son and grandson (Gabe) 

This might be a boring picture - but I wanted to remember how my Leapfrog Magnet is a magnet for children - that's why I keep it up.  Soon enough Gabe will come looking for it too! 

Love these two! 

Wrapping up the soccer season for Danny

April in a nutshell

My favorite kids under my favorite tree on the Y campus.  I love this Magnolia tree.  It only blooms for a few days and I remember LOVING those few days as I walked into my 2nd home - the HFAC (music bldg) when I attended college.  I had to bring something to campus and we happened to find the tree in its splendor - so I made my kids take pictures with it.  They were thrilled - of course (yes, I'm being sarcastic).  But I did reward them well with a meal at the Creamery (and Papa came too!)

April flowers.

Skyler, Corban, & Anzer

"We're getting married, to girls - not each other!"

My shoe was missing - for weeks.  I don't know if this was an April Fool's joke - but this was the last place I looked for a shoe.  I guess I hadn't made muffins in a while!

Putting that Lego room to use! 

Welcoming our newest nephew - Gabriel!

Finishing up the chapter of co-op preschool in my house.  This was the best activity ever - shaving cream and making new colors...  sometimes I felt like I was a really good teacher.  Thank goodness for Pinterest and internet!

Abby 

Skyler 

Corban

Griff

Danny's patriotic program  - these things always make me tear up.  I'm so sappy!

Weather is getting warmer and b-ball games are ON!

And one last pic of preschool - I love this picture.  I love the hand prints all over the table.  It was a great year with Skyler and his friends.