Summer Days

A couple of weeks ago we finally got some great patio furniture!

It has been so nice to be able to enjoy the back yard.

We've eaten outside almost every night. Last weekend we

even made Smores on the grill. Delicious!

Alex enjoys reading outside while

Peyton colors.

Family fun!

Happy Fourth of July

We started off the 4th with a hike to Battle Creek Falls.

 It was a great hike for all the kids.

Drew insisted on carrying the backpack and did a great job.

The boys have decided we need

to do a new hike

once a week.

Battle Creek Falls

E, Alex, and Drew

loved playing right near

the waterfall.

Peyton was a little nervous when the trail got narrow and steep, 

but hiked the whole way, 1.3 miles one way, without being carried. 

This may need to be a new 4th of July

tradition.

Happy Birthday!

Peyton had a great 3rd birthday!

He chose everything.  At first

he wanted an elephant party with a

doughnut cake.  However,

when we got to the party store

he changed his mind.

He chose a Choo Choo Train

party and

a baseball cake with

a choo choo train candle.

Look who's definitely a

big boy!

Way to Go!

Baseball season is officially over. Alex's team took 3rd place in the tournament which was awesome! Alex has turned into quite the hitting machine. He loved playing baseball! He had great teammates and wonderful coaches! After he got his medal, he told me how special the medal was to him. He's such a cutie!! Congratulations Alex!

Alex is a Hitting Machine

While the title might imply that Alex likes to whoop on his brothers, actually it refers to his BASEBALL skills. Yeah, Alex is a stud, he can do this all day long. See for yourself.

A New Boy

Before.....

AFTER....

He's so cute! I love the new summer hair cut!

A Trip to the City

Alex and Drew love big cities. Well, this past weekend we took a surprise trip to Salt Lake CITY. D was thrilled to hear there was a city near us. First stop, Temple Square.....

The boys loved all the exhibits. They especially loved all the water features.

D was so impressed with the Salt Lake Temple. He kept telling us over and over how it took 40 years to build.

After Temple Square, we headed over to the Conference Center. I never seen the boys sit so reverently...

We then went to the Church History Museum where they have a cool I am a Child of God exhibit. There were so many neat interactive exhibits.

We ate dinner at Tucanos which all the boys loved! Then off to spend the night at the Sheraton where the boys promptly changed into their swimming suits even though I would not call it warm.




What a fun trip and now D wants to know, "When can we go back to the City?"

Preschool Graduation

Today was Drew's graduation from preschool. He was so cute. While we were waiting for the program to start I heard him tell his teacher that he was coming to her class forever. Then when Mimi arrived he said, "Teacher, this is Mimi and she is going to graduate with us."


They put on a darling program.


Then each graduate received their diploma....

I can't believe he starts kindergarten in the fall!

Travel day from ... well you know.

Seeing how much I travel this really doesn't happen that often, but when it does it seems that it really hits the fan. Yesterday was one of those terrible travel days. It didn't start out well, with a 4:17 am wake up call from Delta telling me that my flight had been delayed until 10:30 am. Ok, so at least they called. I couldn't go back to sleep and I waited until it was time to leave. Half way there, another call, flight canceled. No reason just canceled and I was rebook through Oklahoma City, what?!?!? So I gave them a call and you would think that with as much flying as I do and the fact that I bought a full fare ticket would get me a good flight, but they claimed there was nothing they could do. Great, cross country in steerage...no worse, Regional Jet steerage.

Here is the view on the way back to the house.


So, I finally get to the airport and as I'm getting on the plane the flight attendant tells the people to please move into the rows to allow people behind to board. The douche in front of me mouths off to her. She thinks it me because she refuses to serve me a snack or drink during the flight.

After two hours turbulent h*ll on an RJ, with "Angry, I'll show him" flight attendant, I get to Oklahoma City. Hungry, thirsty, tired and just as I exit the plane, the snack shop closed. Enjoy the pictures because I waited here for the late plane that made me miss my connection to Alabama.

Downtown OKC.


The Terminal

That's my flight at the top, late by an hour and 10 minutes.

Look Mom no plane!


So, I finally get to Atlanta at about 10pm having missed my connection. I make my way to the hotel. I wait outside for a good half hour, board the bus and actually get to the hotel without problems!! Finally one good thing happens, I got upgraded to a junior suite. At least I will sleep well.



Ok, so today went without incident. Crummy prop plane ride to Dothan, Alabama and a 30 minute drive to Ft. Rucker.



I hope the way home is easier.

All Grown Up

The crib that all four boys slept in finally gave out yesterday, so Aaron took it down. We rearranged Peyton's room with the hopes that he would be excited to sleep in his "big bed." He did great! He went to bed all by himself and never once got out.

He slept through the night! This morning at 7:00 am I hear, "Mom, I awake!" I went into his room and there he was standing in his bed waiting for me to get him. What a cutie!

Nothing Much

I don't know where this last month has gone! Things here are good. We had a fun trip to Montana for spring break. In fact Drew asks almost daily to go back and visit Grandma and Tiger. He even throws in that he doesn't care that it is a LONG drive, just take him back! We started off the month with Peyton having a double ear infection and Drew a sinus infection. However, everyone is nice and healthy now. Alex and Drew's soccer season has started. Alex's first machine pitch baseball game is tonight as long as it doesn't rain or snow! Ethan is working on writing his autobiography for his 3rd grade project. It is due this Friday, so he has been working hard. I'll try to get back to more regular posting in May!

A True Gentleman

Lately anytime we go anywhere Drew insists on opening the car door for me. He then proceeds to say, "After you my lady." It is so cute! He gets really upset if I forget to wait for him to open the door and open it myself. In fact he makes me get back into the car! Chivalry truly is not dead! What a gentleman!

Easter Best

Just a few pictures of the boys on Easter! 

They're getting so grown up!

Happy Birthday!

Happy 9th Birthday! I can't believe it's been 9 years. 

The time has gone by so quickly!

Here are 9 things we love about you...

1 Your sense of humor.

You still giggle about throwing

Buffalo Chips at Tiger and

the stinky pool at Yellowstone!

2 You love to travel.

You've been to MANY places

and been on hundreds

of airplane rides.

You love seeing new places.

3 You are a wonderful

big brother!

Your younger brothers

adore you!

You are a wonderful example

for them!

4 You are my #1 helper!

You make life

so much easier!

5 You are always so

happy and cheerful!

You are so much

fun to be around!

6 You are a great friend

to everyone!

7 You are extremely smart

and a very hard worker.

Right now you say

you're going to be

a dentist or a surgeon

when you grow up.

8 You are a great athlete.

You love FOOTBALL, basketball,

riding your bike and scooter, 

and swimming.

9 You make everyone

around you smile!

We love you E!  Happy Birthday!!!