Justin's Birthday

We just wrapped up our long stream of birthdays with Justin celebrating his August 26. Ryan is our only one who does not have a birthday in the summer months. It is quite tiring having three birthdays in 16 days, especially when you throw in the starting of school also. Justin made it easier this year because he decided not to have a "kid Party" so he could get a dirt bike like Tyson. He has really enjoyed having a bike of his own so they can ride around together. He already had a flat tire, but we learned slime works well. Justin got to have breakfast in bed, and had one of his favorite dinners at home before Grandpa and Annabell came over for cake and ice cream. We had to do it all pretty fast because Jeff had to help out at the temple and Emily had Young Women's. We love having Justin in our family. He is a great older brother to the two youngest and a good younger brother to the two oldest. Justin also got to have cupcakes at school. This is something new for me to do because my other two have birthdays in the summer so I don't get to do it. Justin had a great day!

First Day of School Celebration!

Emily, Tyson, and Justin all had their first day of school yesterday. Emily was very excited to start back up, but the boys weren't quite as excited. I was worried as usual, but I must say it was much nicer sending my oldest to her second year of middle school instead of her first. Everyone came home with a smile on their face, so I was happy. Tyson, my one that likes school the least has a great teacher and all of his friends in his class, including 6 LDS kids, so he couldn't be happier! Justin's teacher seems really kind and she likes to make learning fun so it should be a good year for him too. Emily thinks all of her classes will be good and she has one friend that is in all of the same classes with her except one so that is nice. Here are a few pictures of them on their first day.




That evening we decided to start a new tradition, since they get to hear about rules all day the first day we decided to have a no rule, no manner dinner to celebrate the first day of school. We ate outside on a tarp and had spaghetti and watermelon with no utensils and root beer and straws so they could blow bubbles and do what ever they wanted. It ended in a big food fight, and I tried my hardest just to keep quiet and let them have fun (it wasn't easy!). We had pudding for dessert. Buried in the pudding were 4 skittles; they had to use only their mouth to get them out. Tyson won this competition.



The last thing we did before cleaning up is have a marshmallow, "chubby bunny", competition. Everyone had to see how many big marshmallows they could fit in their mouth and still say chubby bunny. Jeff won this with six marshmallows. The rest of us didn't last long!

This was a great way to end the first day of school. I am thankful to my friend for sharing the ideas on her blog, so we could start this tradition.

Abigail turns "2"

Abigail turned 2 on August 20. She was very excited for her birthday, and enjoyed the whole day. I have never had a 2 year old so excited about their birthday. She seemed to understand what was going on and enjoyed every minute of it! She got dress up clothes, shoes, and a crown. The entire day she kept telling all of us she was a princess. She also got a stuffed dog that you dress up and can take places in it's carrying case.

She also enjoyed the cake the kids talked me into making her. It was a castle cake that I decided when I was done was much too complicated for a two year old, but at least right now she remembers how much she liked it, and with pictures I can at least help her think she remembers it in the future!


It is hard to believe our baby is two already. She is at one of my favorite ages. A lot of people don't like the 2's, but I love them because it seems to be the age their personality really starts to develope.

Happy Birthday Tyson

Tyson turned 10 this week. It was his "golden birthday" (turning 10 on August 10). He opted out of a birthday party so he could get a bigger gift. We surprised him with a dirt bike. It isn't a gas operated one, but a battery powered one. We weren't sure how good it would be, but it has ended up being fantastic, and I don't have to worry quite as much about safety. It goes about 17 mph, is very quiet, and can't burn you.

Tyson loves chocolate and wanted an all chocolate cake, so as you can see from the picture he got his wish. We love having Tyson in our family. He is the one who always keeps us laughing. We love him! Happy Birthday Tyson!

Our Big Trip

This year for our big trip we decided to go to California. It was packed full of fun from beginning to end. We started at Jeff's sister Kim's house. We enjoyed visiting with them and the kids enjoyed getting reacquainted since it had been a long time since we had seen them. We also got to see Kyle and his family. While we were there in Stockton we went to one of their parks and zoo, swam in their pool, and went to a minor league baseball game. We also went to the Jelly Belly factory and Six Flags Marine. It was all a lot of fun. The highlight for Tyson was getting a foul ball at the game.




After Stockton we headed to Yosemite. We had rented a privately owned cabin and it ended up being fantastic. We were inside the park so we weren't spending too much of our time driving, and it was a beautiful setting. I love the mountains, and Yosemite is incredible. The water falls were beautiful, the hikes were fun, and the trees were amazing. The Onines were able to spend one of the days with us up there. We all had a wonderful time. Everyone loved the hike to Vernal falls. I missed out on this hike because I took the little ones home for a rest. My favorite part was seeing the grove of Giant Saquoia trees. Here are a few pictures from all of the fun.







We ended our trip at my sister's house. We went to the beach, to a Giants baseball game, and ended the trip with an evening at "Wicked" in San Francisco. Everyone had a wonderful time. The only thing that was hard to get used to was how cold it was there. I thought I had come prepared with sweatshirts for everyone, but we needed winter coats at the game! I think the kids had the most fun rock climbing at their gym and riding their dirt bikes. My mom and Aunt Marie also came out. It was fun to see them, and we were espeically grateful for my mom be willing to babysit while Jeff and I took Emily to Wicked. I had forgotten to bring the charger for my camera, and by the end of the trip the battery was low, so I didn't get very many pictures, but here are a few.





We had a blast in California. It is wonderful to see new places and things, but even better when you can see family too! Thank you to the Onines and Lawrences, and thank you to Mom and Marie for coming too. We left California exhausted from all the fun. I was thinking to myself, "I need a vacation to recover!"