What they say and do

I've been wanting to post a few little things that Skye and Cole have said or done - I'm sure I'll forget if I don't write them down!

Skyler:
"I y'am!"  (when I ask him a question)
"thank youuuuuuuuu"   (it's sooo sweet, and very drawn out)
"I do it!" (especially when climbing into the car and his carseat, he'll get down and do it again by himself if I lift him in)

Our conversation in the car last week:
"Mommy, I not big. I little.  I no s'tache."  (mustache)
me: I don't have a mustache, how do you know I'm big?
"You taaaaall.  I no s'tache, I not big."
(PS how many men around Skyler have a mustache?  None!  That had me laughing!)

Cole:
The big boys were babysitting one morning.  When I returned, there was a hole in Skyler's shirt - a burnt hole.  My conversation with Cole -

me: Why is there a hole in Skyler's shirt?
Cole: probably from fireworks.
me: What?  Fireworks?  You aren't allowed to play with fire or fireworks when I'm not here!
Cole: We didn't play with fire!
me: Well, yes you did - it takes fire to light fireworks.
Cole:  No, we didn't play with fire.  I know I'm not suppose to do that.  We used a magnifying glass!

Little sweet spots from my summer

There were lots of bike rides - and I found a new favorite spot down the road from me to watch the sunrise.  

I made REAL Fried Green Tomatoes with Michelle - yummers!

More bike rides - with Shayne.  This was one to Dog Lake.  Love hanging out with my favorite person.

Bike rides with my girlfriends too - Jenny, Sarah, Susan - only wish I could have done more.

I hosted a "clarinet ensemble party" - filled up my house with my students practicing in small ensembles.  Then we performed for each other.  That was mama-bear pride just filling me up -  I loved having the house full of clarinet music!

I harvested a new crop - cucumbers.  And now I have MANY jars of pickles to enjoy.

And here is an amazing sunset from the East bench.  Love where I live.

Cowabunga, he's 6!!!

After the family vacation, we celebrated Danny's 6th birthday at home with a few of his friends.  He was able to take them to Cowabunga Bay - a waterpark relatively close to us.  It was AWESOME!  His friend Ryan told me "it was the best day of his life."  We're lucky Danny has so many great friends and that he had such a great day with them.  And just for the record - the whole going to a waterpark for his b-day was definitely due to the fact that his dad is the deal man.  He scored a bunch of passes by donating canned goods at a food drive.  Yeah, it was a Shayne-deal!

All about Danny:

When he grows up: I want to be a normal dad (direct quote!)

Favorite part about being 6: I can do bigger stuff

Favorite vacation: Yellowstone

Favorite foods: Candy.  Or the candy chicken pot pie (my April Fool's joke)

I asked him a lot of favorites and the general answer was - I DON'T KNOW!

Danny is constantly in motion - an bottle of energy!  He loves to play with friends, ride his bike, and play at the park.  

He's a very sweet and loving boy!  Keep the fun times coming!  

We are FAMILY! (you have to sing it)

I had arranged a family reunion for my family in Island Park.  I did all this two years ago!!!  And the day arrived that we were going.  Can I tell you - it was AWESOME.  The cabin was fantastic, the activities were great, and most importantly - I was with all my beloved family.  I'm so lucky for each of my brothers and sisters and especially for my parents.  I love to be with them - ALL OF THEM.  Of my 500+ pictures, these pics will have to suffice to show the fun and love.

Our cabin and a few random pics

Big Springs

Yellowstone 

We had two days in Yellowstone - but to make it easier on me - I'll just group the pics together.  

A family photo op - wait, who's that extra person jumping into the photo!?!

The crew

A buffalo versus a Prius... fortunately, he walked beside it.  He did cross 4 or 5 times in front of Brian's car though!!!

Early morning bike ride - just Shayne and I

Do you see the Mama Moose and her baby?

The hidden lake - Ben and Jenny had friends that told them about this amazing gem.  I'm SOOOO glad we went!  It was gorgeous - and the canoes were great fun too!

Is Cole drowning in that life preserver?

yes, it was freezing, but we did it!

That Papa is one strong man...

Our special day - just my parents with the 5 kids went to the Idaho Falls temple, where we did Temple Work for our family.  We invited the in-laws, but someone had to stay with the kids!  One of my favorite parts of this day was the car ride - just the 5 siblings together talking about growing up, teachers, and whatever came up.  We didn't fight once.  We decided it must have been our parents that caused all those fights when we were younger and traveling by car across the US.  (ha ha ha ha)  

We celebrated Danny's 6th birthday...

All because these two fell in love.

This is the picture I've dreamed of since I had Danny - I KNEW that there were going to be 4 little heads next to mine in my "mommy and kids pic" - I finally got it.  Thanks Devri for the great pics!

If only our modern conveniences included a teleporter to visit everyone more often!  Love you all so much!