4th of July Party at Aaron and Kristin's

 

 

We had a great 4th of July this year at Aaron and Kristin's home in Hooper. 

 

 But first, here is a picture of our very first, original stroller when we had Eric.  My sister, Wendy and her husband, got this for us...let's see, umm...18 years ago?  Something like that and we used it for every! single! child!

 

It was such an awesome stroller!  We had it stored in the garage the last few years, and finally decided to let it go....such a sad day!  It's so dirty in these pictures (it wasn't always like that, I promise), but  it served its purpose.  Anthony and Wendy, thanks so much for giving us such an awesome stroller!  You definitely got your money's worth!  We loved this little thing!  sniff...sniff...

 

 



I will get to the 4th of July party, I promise, but for now, enjoy Dallin's 53 mosquito bites he received on his neck at scout camp this summer.  They looked worse than this at the time....these pictures just don't do justice!  Poor guy.  He was pretty miserable.

 



And now for the party!  Aaron and Kristin invited the Jones clan to their home for a barbeque, some fireworks, and great company!  We had so much fun!

 



Smile, Ryan and Malissa.  Good job, you guys!  :)

 



We forgot to have the little ones bring their swimming suits, but Jacob didn't care.  He just went in his shorts.  A little thing like that wasn't going to stop him (even if he did have to ride home in the car in wet clothes)!  Funny kid!

 



Cute Owen.  Man, these cousins are growing up too!

 

 



Spencer and Kyle.  These guys are only 2 weeks apart, and yes, Spencer is older.  Kyle will grow eventually, won't he?  (I think he's a little worried about it, but I keep telling him it will be okay)...he better get taller than me, or we're in trouble!  :)

 



Jacob and Sierra.  These guys are about 2 and 1/2 months apart, and yes, Jacob is older this time.  What do you expect from a short mom like me?  Oh well, that's life, I guess.  There are worse things than being short, aren't there?

 



We had a wonderful time playing with cousins and being together as a family.  Thanks, Joneses, for being such awesome hosts!  

 



Jacob's first cub country June 2012

 

Jacob was so close to his birthday in June (turning 8) that they let him go to cub country this summer.  He was sooooo excited and could hardly contain himself.  He woke up early the first morning, ready to go!

 

 

This is a picture of Jacob and his good friend, Vail.  They play so great together.  It's so cute to see them such good friends...

 



 

 

And here are a couple of pics AFTER the day was over.  6 hours of playing in the dirt!  Every boy's dream, right?  And he looked the part, for sure.  He was beaming when he came home and couldn't wait to go again the next day.

 

 



But I said, "You've got to have a shower first!"  :)

 



 

 

Look at those feet! 

 

 



 



 

 

Yep, he had a great time! :)



Salt Lake Jordan Stake Pioneer Trek June 2012

 

Eric, Brandon and Dallin were able to go on Pioneer Trek this summer.  Our stake president felt that the 12-year olds should be included this year, so that's why Dallin got to go.  This world is getting more and more wicked....even those young kids need some experiences to help them get through this crazy life.  Everyone had an awesome experience.  The first day, however, was quite an eye-opener.  It was REALLY hot and the wind was blowing, so the dust was almost unbearable.  Apparently ma's and pa's (and kids) were dropping like flies from pure exhaustion.  I think everyone was a little worried on that first day...and that was pretty much the consensus with everyone you talked to.

 

Luckily, it improved from there.  Eric had to give a talk in church after trek, and he told about the women's pull.  He did a really great job of describing what those girls went through and how the boys were having such a hard time watching them struggle.  The dirt was at the deepest part on the trail and the girls were getting stuck quite a lot.  I guess eventually the boys couldn't take it any longer, and started to help.  I think this challenge was one of the greatest ones on trek and I'm thankful my kids had the opportunity to experience it.

 

The kids came home on Wednesday night at around 10:00.  Boy, were they dirty!  And tired!  I was lucky to get a picture of each one of them....none of them were too happy.... 

 

 

Dallin's hat was completely destroyed....wow!

 



Even look at Dallin's hands.  It's probably hard to tell from this picture, but trust me, they were DIRTY!

 



 

 

And one last picture of Eric....his face tells it all.  "Mom, what are you doing?  I'm exhausted.  I just want to eat something and go to bed." 

Okay, got it!

 

 

Good job kids!  I'm so glad you got to go!

 



Swimming Lessons 2012

 

We signed Kyle and Jacob up for swimming lessons this summer...finally!  We've done it several times before, but it I've taken a couple of summers off.  We've gotten a pool pass the last couple of summers and just used that for fun.  I think it was because Todd got sick a few years ago, and it took awhile to get back into the swing of things....But, it's never too late, right?

 

 

Cute Jacob!

 

And Kyle is actually smiling in this picture.  Maybe there's hope yet.... :)

 



Way to pay attention, Kyle!  Awesome job!

 

 



Jacob is always ready for a picture, it seems.  I hope that continues into his teenager year, but I won't hold my breath....  :)

 

 



These next two pictures are just a couple I snapped of Jacob one night when he was sleeping.  I couldn't resist.   His teddy bear is wrapped around his neck....oh, that just melts my little heart.  I figure I don't have many more pics like these to take, so I'd better take them when I see them.  (And for the record, I can't STAND it that my kids are growing up so fast)!  sigh...

 



random end-of-the-year pics

 

Here are just a few pics I had that were taken at random times, but I thought they were cute, so I wanted to put them in....

 

 

Eric, Woodstock, and Charlie Brown, after the play...

 

 

Brandon and Cy Kitchens, performing at the Awards Assembly at Bonneville Jr.

Brandon standing for one of his awards....

 



 

Brandon, after the awards assembly....Look!  A smile!  Hallelujiah!  (It was probably because he was hanging around all those cute girls at the assembly)....  I'm on to you, son... :)



I just love this picture!  Dallin is so creative...he literally makes gizmos and gadgets all the time....In this case, a belt to hold all of his water guns....funny kid! 

 



 

 

And this is Dallin and Hunter VanBeekum, showing off their awards/trophies/patches for Math Olympiads!  Way to go, you guys!  So cool!