Mr. Personality

Aren't the two's supposed to be the "Terrible Two's?" If they are, something's wrong with my kid... because at age two, Ashton is absolutely delightful. Seriously. I love this kid! Yes, he makes messes for me continually, but more often than that, he makes me laugh! My mom came to visit yesterday and got to spend a little more time with Ashton than usual... and her comment was:

"Well, isn't he Mr. Personality?"

Yep. He is.

Here are a few 'out take' photos of Ashton from our recent family photo shoot that didn't make Facebook.

Summer Fun with the Groesbecks

While the Groesbeck family was in between homes, we got to spend a fun weekend with them up at Grandpa & Grandma Luke's cabin in Island Park. The evening we arrived at the cabin, we found the Groesbecks in the back on the lake. My kids were so excited--they literally shed their clothes at the entry of the cabin, dressed in swim suits in record time, and cannon balled in the water before I could unbuckle Ashton out of his car seat. The cabin neighbors very generously offered the use of all of their boats--and they had tons! The kids played for hours--switching from one boat to the next. I think those few hours just might be the funnest two hours my kids have had all summer. They were in paddle heaven!

Kenna & Grandpa Luke

Carson & Jane Ashley

Julianna & McKenna

Cute Kyler

A boatload of cousins makin' memories!

Jana, Ashton, & Me

Jaden & Jake

Kenna & Kyler... kayaking together!

So many boats in our little cove... so much fun!

Grandpa & Jaden

Fourwheeling around the loop!

Ashton would have done this all day!

He really believed he was driving that thing!

A few days later, we met the Groesbecks again at the new water park in Rexburg. For the kids, it was like Disneyland. For me, it... wasn't. The park was so packed--it HAD to be at capacity. This made it really hard to keep track of the kids. Plus, we went during Ashton's nap time-so he cried almost the entire time and refused to get in the water. He stopped hollering to pose for the picture below because he is seriously photo trained, but once I pressed 'click' the hollering started right back up where he left off! A migraine was setting in by the time it was time to go home, but Kenna, Kyler, and Carson had a blast with their cousins, and that's all that matters!

Ashton deserves an Oscar for playing up this fake smile.

He was soooo not happy!

Buddies

Can you spy Carson?

The one activity all day long that brought sleepy Ashton true laughter...

The older Groesbeck kids--Jessie, Jake, Josh, & Jaden--were amazing with my younger kids. They played and played and played with them--always making them feel special and loved. Usually, older kids have little to do with the younger ones, but the Groesbeck kids were not that way. I was so impressed with my sweet nephews and nieces. I can only hope that my kids grow up as kind as Jana's.

The entire weekend felt bittersweet--playing, laughing... and all the while knowing that these times would be few and far between in the future. Nonetheless, we'll take the bitter with the sweet. We were so grateful to spend a special weekend with the Groesbecks!

Jan's Goodbye Party

I have five sisters. Twenty years span between us. We are in different stages of life--three are grandmothers, four have elementary aged children, two work full time, one has 10 children, one runs a store, one runs marathons, one is an impressive cook, another teaches music... but underneath all the hobbies and jobs... we share a common thread... a thread that is unleashed when we are grouped together...

We are TOTAL GOOF BALLS!

I can't tell you how many pictures I have that resemble something close to this:

I just love being with my sisters. Whenever we're together, I forget my weary-stress-filled mom duties as I get lost in an atmosphere of laughter. With our large families, it's rare for us to be together all at once, but those few opportunities are truly cherished.

Well, we were crushed when we learned that those opportunities would be even fewer with news of our sweet sister Jana moving to California. So, how do sisters show their grief and lovingly say goodbye to their parting sister? By scaring the living daylights out of her, of course!

Yes, weeks went into planning a proper kidnapping attempt to give Jana a surprise night out on the town. With shower caps, goggles, silly string, bubble-blowing guns, and Mission Impossible music in tow, we caravanned to Twin Falls to show dear Jana just how much we cared! However, as we entered the city limits, you can imagine our rage when we discovered that Jana's husband was unable to keep our shopping-loving sister detained at her house. She was totally thwarting our plans! As we stewed in the parking lot car over what to do with our uncooperative victim, we decided to rely upon the only tool we had:

Lipstick.

Well, after re-scheduling our pedicure appointments twice, we finally got the call that it was time to go get what we came for! We were pretty surprised when Michelle whipped out her son's wrestling out-fit and Mom obediently put on her assigned kidnapping out-fit after refusing to do so for weeks. And we were off...

Behold:

The Scariest Kidnappers Ever!

With the Mission Impossible Theme music blaring, we burst into Jana's kitchen--showering her family with silly string and demanding "the blond woman... and any cookies from the kitchen!"

Jana was confused by the strange looking people running through her house with her sister's voices, but when she finally realized that her mom and sisters had gathered together in honor of her--she was shocked, touched, and totally willing to leave her groceries on the counter at a moment's notice. Let the partying begin!

We kicked off the night with pedicures for everyone!

We felt so pretty!

Afterwards, we went out for dinner, frozen yogurt, and then headed to Sister Lori's house for a Sister Sleep-over. Lori was a fantastic host--stocking the fridge with our favorite drinks and even leaving candy boxes on our pillows! After watching a fun movie, our oldest sister, Michelle, pulled us together for what she called--a "roast" on Jan. But in her oldest sister wisdom, Michelle gave Jana the most beautiful advice about change, blooming where you're planted, and letting your light shine--no matter where you are.

Well, Jan's road to California has been a long one... but as Michelle predicted, it hasn't stopped Jana from being the amazing person she is. After a week in California, homeless, and staying in a stranger's home, I called Jana--only to find that she was babysitting the neighbor's children she had just met while one of their family members was in surgery. That's Jana. Letting her light shine.

I will miss my sister with whom I connect with so strongly, but I really am happy for her ward, her neighborhood, and her future friends. They are so lucky.

In a thank you letter to all of her sisters, Jana wrote: "Thank you for taking the time away from your families and sharing the weekend with me, giving me reason to laugh, more calories to burn, lifting my spirits, giving me strength, giving me hope, and reminding me how blessed I am to have eternal sisters and eternal friends, no matter how many miles away I am."

4th of July 2011

Since school is starting back up in a few weeks and I've only written one summer post, I thought I better get crackin'! I especially couldn't overlook our Fourth of July--because it's my favorite holiday!

Idaho Falls may have miserable fall/spring/winters, minimal entertainment, and the lamest swimming pools in existence, but there's one thing that Idaho Falls does right: The 4th of July! You would think that Boise, the State capitol, would have us beat... but as a former Boise-ian, I can attest that Idaho Falls knows how to throw one fantastic patriotic party. This is probably due to the fact that the local Melaleuca empire funds the entire bash-but hey-whatever the reason, it's a great time!

We always start each 4th bright and early at the parade. The kids love collecting all of the flyers, coupons, and advertisements. They don't care what it is---it's exciting to get something! And I have taught them the fine art of screaming like an idiot for the candy-giving floats. We haul every year! I especially love the feeling of pride and comrade that a small town parade brings. It's so much fun!

Saluting Ashton.

Isn't this the cutest picture ever?

I love this picture because it is real.

There's always one kid who won't oblige Mom for a picture.

Doesn't Carson know I have a blog to write! ?

Much better. There's nothing a little bribery won't fix.

After the parade, we headed to Party Central (Aunt Brooke's house) to BBQ and enjoy fun in the sun! Check out this monsterous homemade slide! The kids were in slip-n-slide heaven!

Kass & Ky

Surf's Up!

Watch out girls...

...someone's up to no good!

Surprise!

Chocolate grins!

Matching Grams & Gramps

Clever Aunt Brooke filled dozens of water balloons which entertained us for hours--only to reuse the balloon scraps for this patriotic craft. How cool is this?
You know you've had a fun day when you're children pass out from exhaustion during the ear-drum blowing fireworks and sleep through the entire thing. Yes, truly a wonderful day.

Baseball Times Three

Every summer, our month of June means one thing: BASEBALL!! This year, we had three kids playing, so that meant 27 games in 28 days (not to mention all the practices in between). Many games overlapped or occurred during our work schedules--so Justin and I felt like we were juggling while the kids played baseball. We sat through rain. We sat wrapped in blankets. We watched from the car. We laughed with Grandma and Grandpa Stevens. We missed our kids greatest moments while gabbing with friends. We lost baseball mitts and gloves. We ate snow cones. We got sunburned. And we cheered. A lot! Though it was sometimes tough getting the kids to every practice and game, once there--it was relaxing and fun. I really do understand why baseball is called "America's favorite past-time."

MCKENNA--McKenna (aka "Mikey"-her baseball name) loves baseball more than any other sport. She's been lucky to have Suzanne Prestwhich as her coach for the last three years. Suzanne kept the girls laughing and has taught them so much. Because the girls had to pitch this year, they sometimes practiced four times a week! Like years past, Kenna played catcher--but also tried out pitching this year. It was a little stressful for me to have the entire game relying on my child's pitches, but Kenna did great--striking many girls out with her powerful, fast pitch.

KYLER--Kyler wasn't sure he wanted to play baseball this year, but he miraculously got Suzanne for a coach as well--so of course, he had a great time! Kyler usually played first base and prided himself on being speedy fast! He was a great hitter and even hit one ball clear to the back fence! It was nice that he didn't have to play with a broken arm like the previous year. This was the first year that things were really starting to "click" for these boys. By the end of the month, these boys were really good. After doing years and years of tee ball--it's exciting to see your kids finally "getting it" and playing serious ball!

(Ky is front row-3rd from the right)

CARSON--Carson played tee ball and loved being on a team with all of his preschool and ward buddies. Carson likes to make his own rules, so I was a little worried about him--but thankfully he complied with most everything, and stopped talking long enough to make it around the bases. To Carson, getting a drink and treat after each game was without a doubt, the best part! Like always, his unique and oblivious ways kept us all laughing.

Through My Son's Eyes

As a young girl, I would often fantasize about my future family... all of my sweet little girls. I had a long list of girl names because I, of course, would have lots of daughters--like my Mom. Fast forward 15 years--and here I am... storing bugs as pets on my kitchen counter, digging rocks and snail shells out of Levi pockets, and way too educated about super heroes and weaponry. I have to admit, though, raising boys is easier than raising girls. (At least, at this stage of the game.) I've learned a lot about boys, and one thing that I know for sure, is this:

Few things are as fascinating as a little boy's imagination!

I received a gift from my son today--and it illustrates a boy's imagination so perfectly, but to understand this gift, you need a little background. Let me back up a bit... In May, we seeded our yard, and that means that we have weeds. Yes, we have grass too--a few blades of them--and also a few millions weeds. My planters are huge and unfortunately void of trees, plants, and bark for now--so yep... They're full of weeds too. I work on them everyday, but by the time I finish weeding a two by two foot square, the area I weeded the day before is weedy again! Those darn weeds grow... well, like a weed!! I'm afraid that those weeds are taking over more than my yard... they're taking over my sanity! When I look out my window, I swear I can hear the weeds laughing at me. When I close my eyes at night, I see massive weeds with huge fangs devouring my house... which of course leads to dreams filled with singing and dancing weeds! I even have a green "weed" blister on my right index finger which is seriously ugly.

Well, this morning, I weeded and weeded and weeded only to see minimal progress. I staggered into the house feeling sweaty and defeated, but my discouraged thoughts were suddenly interrupted by Kyler's eager face.

"Mom! I have a surprise for you!" he exclaimed. From behind his back, he whipped out this little Lego creation, and presented it to me.

At first glance, I saw Princess Leah gripping a machine gun from his Star Wars Lego set... but then it clicked. "That's me, isn't it?" I said. Kyler was so delighted that I had recognized his intention. "Yes Mom!" he said enthusiastically. "I call it: Mom Versus the Weeds!"

Yes. Only a boy's mind would conjure up an image of his mother taking down weeds with a lethal weapon. Perhaps I could use a little of this mental imagery to my advantage. I'm sure weeding would bring even more satisfaction if I imagined those scrawny weeds screaming in agony while I ripped them from the Earth. I'm going to try that tomorrow! With a mental machine gun and my son's confidence, surely I can win the battle of the weeds!

Seeing life through my son's eyes is much funner than seeing it through mine... just one more reason to be thankful for the wonderful boys in my life who teach me so many, many things.