Four Jingle Bells

 We decided we weren't going to be alone on the 4th of July and invited some friends (Hodgens, Kriters, Robisons) from church over for swmming and bbq.  I was a little nervous because we usually don't do big get togethers, but it turned out awesome.  As you can see from Spencer's face, he was pretty excited!  This is Spencer's friend Adam.  They are both big John Deere fans, so of course we are friends. Adam's mom, Melissa was so great when we moved here and I was a hormonal nightmare.  One Sunday, Blake was helping passing the sacrament. I was so tired from moving and being pregnant and Brooke was being her usual fun self.  I took her in the mother's lounge and cried my eyes out.  Melissa walked in and I was so embarrassed, but she was so understanding.  I am glad she walked in then because she took pity on me and now we just love that family!  Here is what William did during the 4th of July.  Hey, growing takes a l...

 Happy morning smile  William sandwich  Brooke potty training saga continues. Her face says it all.  She was about finished then decided she hated the potty and I was just to exhausted to push it.  So, here was sit in between stages.  She is dry after naps and can go on the potty, but she isn't ready to jump on the band wagon.  I guess I can be patient longer....I guess!  Making faces with William.  He is very interactive! Hailey was on a picture kick, which was pretty great because I got to take some pictures with the kids  Me and my boys.  Spencer is zoned out to Kung Fu Panda.  I am freakishly tan from all the swimming!  Beauty right down the street  I am so amazed at how old Spencer has started to look recently.  He is such a thoughtful boy and full of teasing! Which can get very old, but he keeps us laughing.  He is all boy and busy as can be.  So busy that when he ...

 I tried hard this summer to keep the kids busy without too much tv watching.  Do you know how hard it is to keep a 7,4 and 2 year old busy in a small house while taking care of an infant? Well, I'll tell you. The house was messy and we ate a lot of hot dogs!  We did manage to make some crafts.  These were puff paint things I found on pinterest.  They were really cool after we microwaved them.  Then the kids ate them.  I don't know why.  They didn't taste good!  Kinda like unsweet pancakes, but they had a great time.  Spencer used all the green happily.  His favorite color.  Brooke being cooperative  Hailey is a crafting over achiever.  I walked in the playroom one day and found Spencer just reading away.  I love that he loves to read.  I have tried really hard to get the kids to love reading.  Spencer hated it when he was younger and would never finish a story or look at books. ...

 Every Monday, in the summer, this area has free activities.  We went to the botanical gardens one week.  It was so amazing and worth the trip!  We didn't even get to see all of them.  There was a scavenger hunt for the kids and they were able to see all kinds of fish and birds.    They fed the fish  I thought that waterfall was awesome!  Obviously, Spencer did too!  The inside area of the gardens.  On the outside, there were a lot of other gardens, but I couldn't get the kids out of the play area to check it out. The play house.  There was sand/fossil pit too and a butterfly garden.  The kids loved it.

 We have gone on a lot of Sunday drives exploring our new area.  There was this park at the end of a cul de sac.  Nobody was there. I don't even know if anyone knows about it, but it is amazing!    Pretty girl. She is such a ham!  Proof I was there with a very grumpy William.  Yes, I am wearing a pac man shirt.  Yes, it is Blakes!  Neat creek  Spencer checking out what's down there.  Typical Hailey flower pose  A marsh.  Pretty dang humid and buggy, but really neat!   We are so grateful to live in such a beautiful area with nature and open spaces.  It is such a great place for kids.  So much exploring.  And it makes me appreciate our Heavenly Father so much and His love for beautiful things. And yes, out of towners, we will take you here!