It's offically Summer Break..

The Annual neighborhood.. Live wElle  5k run.  It's a great way to start the summer and remind me that I need to get my body in gear!  These cute boys were all rockstars though.

 I made Jake, Luke, and Gavin run the 5k... they were happy because they got sweet running shirts.  They all finished and Jake actually got a PR.  last year he got 26:48 and this year he shaved 2 1/2 minutes and got a 24:14.  Taylor also PR'd and got a 23:34.  I did not PR but I think I am getting close to being back in the game.  I got a 24:43.  Jake was THRILLED to beat his mom!  dang it.  I got to step up my game. I can't let the 9 year school me yet. :)  Luke and Gavin just ran for the fun of it and finished 42:06 and 42:18. 

 Sam and Nate had some excitement in their race.  There was a little mass of 0-4 year olds and Sam tripped some one that then tripped Nate which then resulted in a mini dog pile.  So -- Sam and Nate didn't win anything this year, but they were just glad to get out of the race alive! :)

 Nothing makes a better start to a day (and a summer) than a family 5k run. 

 Well... maybe a quick swim in the river can top it.  Sure glad we have that four wheeler so they can drive the 2 blocks to get wet.  Taylor was right -- such a "need" for this four wheeler. How did we live with out it? :)

 Our Labor day fun didn't disappoint either!  We drove to Heber and had sunday dinner with James and Charlie (Taylor's brother and nephew from California), Adam (another brother) and Famiy, and Justen and Jackson (another brother and nephew).  We had A LOT of boys around... and so, we played a lot of ball.

These pictures are of the uncles and Grampa playing kickball with the boys.

Grandpa pulled out the train and took the boys for several rides...

And Grammie made her famous cookies for all to enjoy!

And... we haven't finished our start to summer yet.  We tried out Hang Time as a family for the first time and were not disappointed.  The boys LOVED it.  Dodgeball, dunk basketball, and foam pit acrobatics were awesome.

 

Nate got into the action - above

 Sam was a little reluctant at first, but finally warmed up and joined the dodgeball fun - above

 

Here's to an exciting summer ahead... I'm sure!

School is out! YAY..

We didn't have too many last day of school programs.. Weird, but nice!  Luke did have an international dance assembly.  It was held in the schoolyard and each grade performed a dance from a different country.

 The first grade was the Mexican Hat dance.  The whole assembly was very fun.  And fortunately, the weather was GREAT!

 Luke and Miss Chen.  Miss Chen is headed back to Taiwan, so we won't get to see her next year.  It has been a great year learning chinese, and hopefully Luke will continue to excel as the years go by. 

We also had Mrs. Shaffer (for English) who we LOVE, Lucky for us, she is in our ward. :)

Below is Jake with Mrs. MacAfee.  Jake has LOVED her and thinks she might just be his favorite teacher yet!  Jake did field day for his last week activities.  They had the theme of the "olympics" and each class got to be a country and "run the torch."  Jake was chosen out of his class to be the runner of the torch.  It makes me SO happy to know he is well liked and nice to kids his age. 

Sam was SO excited to get his end of year book from Miss Stephanie.  

He walked around with it all day!

 

We loved miss Stephanie and will miss her next year!

And, poor Natie... didn't get a fun last day of school, just 5 cavities that needed to be filled.  

Yes, I know that is a lot of sugar he must be eating to get those holes. Parent of the year goes to me because not only did Nate have 5 cavities, so did Sam... ugh.

But look how cute he is in that chair!

Our primary presidency is SO great.  They planned an Ice Cream social at the bus stop.

What is better than no school AND ice cream?

  Nate can't think of anything better for sure!

 And -- of course we had our annual, last day of school buzz cuts.  Unfortunately, the neighbors didn't know if their kids were at my house they would be shaved... but they'll get over it.  Hair grows fast, right?? :)

My sister had to come up today to figure out BYU stuff for her son Breckon.  Since school was out, we got to steal Gavin for a few days!  Let the fun BEGIN!

He's home....

Taylor just got back from a 2 week trip to INDIA

 This was the longest he has EVER been away from us. 16 days to be exact. (only 10 days for me since I went to NYC to see him before the India travels).  The boys could not wait to see him, and waited very impatiently at the airport for him to come down the walkway.  Turns out... Taylor fell asleep on the plane and was the last one off (when the stewardess woke him).  I guess that is expected when your flight is 28 hours long!!

I think Taylor was pretty happy to see all of us too!  Thank heavens for Skype.  Taylor was able to stay in pretty good contact with us.  We just plop the computer on the kitchen counter and eat breakfast, say family prayers, sing happy birthdays right while he was there and he could see us and we could see him.  It was a blessing for sure!  But nothing is like really having him here wrestling and hugging us all.

WE MISSED YOU!!

Poor Taylor, came home with some intestinal bacteria from India and had to go to the insta-care because he was so sick. 

He is still debating if any amount of money is worth his traveling misery.  But we are so grateful he provides so well for us!!

A few pictures from the "kids" camera....

I let the boys use my old camera and I got a few portraits I wanted to add... For your viewing pleasure, and mine.  I love these boys.. and this time of life.

 I wish I could freeze time.  

I absolutely love this stage of my life.  Everyone is potty trained and can basically help themselves, but they are still little enough to cuddle and tickle and keep them close! 

Mothers Day

I am so grateful to be a mother.  This year especially since I have just had my 3rd miscarriage in 8 months.  One would think I would be upset or sad, it just makes me more and more grateful for the wonderful boys I have.  Of course, I'd love another baby... but these boys sure make me smile almost everyday!! :)

 Taylor was in India.. but it wasn't so bad.  He was thoughtful enough to get my nephew to aide in some last minute shopping.  I got beautiful flowers and a gift card to the spa! yippee for me.  And I love having kids in school because the teachers have them make the cutest cards. 

 Look at these cute faces!!  who could want anything more.

 They tried to make me pancakes in bed with out any help... but it was taking so long that I had to get ready for our 9:00 church or we were all going to be late.  That's why I have jewelry on in bed. :)

 I had to get a picture at church of all of my cute boys and me for mothers day, because I didn't have a dad to take it today, and borrowed a church member!

 Sam had a very cute program at school and sang all sorts of cute songs.

We love Miss Stephanie and are glad that Nate will get to go to her preschool next year.

I didn't get a picture, but Taylor's parents had me up to Heber and it was so relaxing.  I didn't have to cook dinner or clean up the house.  The boys had cousins to play with and we just sort of laid around all afternoon.  Ahh... just what the doctor ordered after a long week without hubby. :)

Piano recital and Rugby game...

Our Lukie... such a stud.  He had a piano recital and did awesome!  He has been practicing the song for almost too long and I was worried he would just slop through it, but he did great! He was the only student with his piece totally memorize.  He did pause for a few seconds at the beginning because he forgot how his first song started, but then he played right through it all!

 He played well...

 And gave a great bow at the end! :)

Her

Here are all the students that take with him.  As you can see he is quite the ham.  I guess while the families were coming in, he impromptu told some jokes to entertain all.  He started with, "while you are waiting, I'll share a Japanese Joke with you."  WEIRDO!

While Taylor and I were in NYC Jake and Luke got to be ball boys for the NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP RUGBY GAME.  They were beside themselves stoked!

the best part is that BYU WON!  they were the underdogs and came up on top with a "time run out, and still kick a field" goal kind of play...

Just one week before he got asked to be a ball boy, he had decided to do his oral report "the great brain report" on Rugby.

Luke actually knew most this stuff before the report, but Taylor helped him refine and research a little.

UGH... I'm trying to keep them all away from this body beater of a sport, but I think it might be in their blood.

I'm not giving up yet! :)

Jake is 9.. and some other fun week events

We can't have a birthday without breakfast in bed!  Jake was comfortably asleep in my bed while we cooked up a mean breakfast burrito and sausage.  I let them pick what they like... and he is my meat boy for sure.  Good Morning birthday boy!

 Jake wanted to take soda and rice crispy treats to school and we got a good shot with the littles who totally disrupted the class when we took the treats in.

 Poor Taylor picked a bad week to head out of the country... But fortunately, we have SKYPE.  We talked to him everyday at least once and the kids LOVED being about to see him.  We let him be a part of the party.

 We made a cake and lucky for Jake is buddy Carter brought a case of mountain dew for him!!  he was stoked.

 We don't do themed parties after age 8 and he can't invite the 16 friends he usually has.  He got to choose 3 friends and took them to IRON MAN 3.  Yes, I let my child drink mountain dew AND watch PG 13 movies.  This was definitely NOT in my parenting projections.  :)

 Jake had a great birthday week.  He played for the championship and WON in his division for club soccer.

 Coach Christensen and Coach Earl are miracle workers.  They took a group of boys (many who hadn't really played soccer -- jake) and turned them into champions.  We are excited to play again with them next year.

Jake LOVES his team.  They had a team party the next night and Jake won the "hussle meister" award.  The coaches love him because he is a smart player and never stops running.  He plays defender and even if someone gets past him, he usually can run back and still defend the goal. 

We have loved being on the older team because is means we get to play with Ryan our across the street neighbor.  They are so fun and it's SO nice to have someone to carpool with.  Although Ryan is tall... you can see what a little munchkin Jake is in comparison.  Good thing he has heart and plays to the fullest each time.  Otherwise, his athletic career might be kind of bleak!

 This picture is why I love boys... I would never be able to pack around a girl to all these games.  They just take care of business when and wherever they please.  I kind of close one eye and pretend I don't know, but this was soo funny, I had to document it.  I think I need to teach him about being a little more discrete  in the future.

 

And although this was a few days after his birthday, I thought I would post here how cute Jake is as a nerd.  It was nerd day at school to remind them to "boost up there pants" and ride in boosters/seatbelts. :)  He was SUPER nervous he would be the only one dressed up, so THANKFULLY, Luke Franks came dressed up too and I got a picture.  whew.. close one dude.

 Wow.. I can't believe how time flies!  I am so lucky to have him as my oldest child.  he is just one fun kid.  He can have adult conversations and understand most any thing we say. He even laughs at our jokes and cracks his own from time to time.  We sure love him.  I love having a buddy that I can totally trust to choose the right.  He is a little example to me all the time.  Happy 9th birthday!