a view from my porch...

I was walking through my house and from between the blinds I saw the most beautiful colors in the sky. I called my family out to see it. The sunset was amazing. I had to capture in on camera. Of course my pictures don't do it justice, but you can see the beautiful pinks. It was a great reminder Heavenly Father put us on the earth to enjoy life.

Summer Fun!

The spray park here is a really fun, FREE, place for kids to get wet. We love to go there. There are all kinds of ways to splish, splash, and spray. There are always lots of kids there, but it never seems too crowded. My only complaint is the lack of shade for the parents. There are plenty of benches, but you are sitting in direct, HOT sun. I have to go get my legs and arms wet to be able to stand it more than 5 minutes. I am not sure Heidi really enjoyed it much. She liked to watch all the kids have fun, but I had to get her wet to make sure she wasn't getting too hot. She complained a little about that. I slathered sunscreen on everyone, I sure love the smell of that stuff. No one was very happy to leave (besides me). At least we can go there often!

The kids after the fun.


Heidi in her new swimsuit


Another shot of chubby, sweet Heidi


I can't stop taking pictures of her!


Cutie Christian, he loved it this year.


Megan and Ethan getting Heidi wet


Click on the picture to enlarge it and see if you can find my kids :)

shoppin' cart mama

I got Heidi one of those things you put in the shopping cart seat to protect the baby from all the gross germs covering every inch. Jared was quick to point out that I never used one with any of our other kids so why is she so special. Well, for one thing, she is sitting in it a little earlier that the others and another reason is I just want her to have one! Besides, what is wrong with a little disease prevention even if it is my fourth kid that I really make an effort? I went to babies r us and they didn't have any PINK ones so i got this one. I have to say I am unhappy with it. It fits walmart carts perfectly, but it doesn't fit in Target ones and it definitly doesn't work in restaurant high chairs. So I am returning it tonight and I will either exchange it for the black and white one or look online for a pink one somewhere...

ROLLERSKATING!

Megan went to the Skateplex for a field trip the last week of school and she has been begging to go again. So last Saturday we packed up the kids and went as a family. We got there, paid, and got everyone's skates on. Megan chose rollerblades and we got regular ones for Ethan and Christian. My kids can't skate, I just have to say it. I think they spent just as much time on their feet as they did on their bums. It was great fun though. By the end, Megan actually looked like she was skating a little instead of carefully walking in skates. I rolled Christian around on the carpet because he had no hope on the wood floors. Ethan kept trying. I think after a few more times he might get it. We enjoyed crap for dinner courtesy of the concession stand... nachos, corndogs, candy, soda. It was great. I think we might go again, but eat dinner at home first.



Ethan fell about 5 times before I could get the shot above LOL!


Megan "skating" Her arms were out working so hard she kept coming to sit down saying her arms were tired LOL!


Dad helping. I made Ethan stay on the wall after I found him sprawled out on his belly in the middle of the path everyone skates. At least there weren't many people there.


Christian mostly stayed by us at the table. He got brave and walked around on his skates near us. He only had to be rescued by a stranger once.


Heidi played in her stoller for a few minutes and then wanted to be held. She fell asleep in Jared's arms and slept through the crazy loud music. Cutie pie!

Megan's Awards

Megan had her 3rd grade awards on June 4th. Awards she got...

A Honor Roll
Good Citizenship
Choir Participation
Third Grade Achievement

She also was commended on the Reading and Math TAKS tests.
Reading 94%
Math 100%

She also participated in the TARGET program for the gifted and talented.

I am so proud of her. She is a very bright and disciplined student and I hope she keeps it up through the years.

Notice how short she is amongst her classmates LOL!

Ethan's Graduation

Ethan graduated from Kindergarden on June 4th. I am so proud of him! Kindergarden isn't like it used to be when I went. I can't believe he can read and do math. It is crazy. He really did a great job this year.

Ethan getting his diploma.


My handsome grad.


Yummy cake. I love it that they got them a cake to celebrate.


Struttin' his stuff...


Ethan and his friend Brianna.


Ethan and Mrs. Abston


Ethan, Heidi and Me


And of course, Christian and Cassie :)


I really am proud of Ethan and his accomplishments. He had a great Kindergarden year and he learned a lot. He is so excited for First Grade!

End of the Year Parties

Ethan's end of the year party was a beach theme and I remembered my friend Valerie had made the cutest cupcakes that looked like a beach so I signed up to bring cupcakes and copied her. I think they turned out so cute! Please notice the waves I made in the blue frosting :)


All the little cupcakes. Another mom brought some pudding with graham cracker crumbs on top with an umbrella, too. The kids loved all the fun themed food. Someone brought leis, too.

The room mom did such a great job, she had a lot of good ideas. She brought beach balls for all the kids and they passed them around the room and signed them. Everyone got to take a fun momento home with all their friends's names on it.


Ethan and Mrs. Pruitt. She took over when Mrs. Abston had her baby.

Ethan and Mrs. Abston. She was such a cute teacher and her baby is so sweet, too.

Christian and Cassie. How lucky are these two! They get to tag along and enjoy all the fun!

Ethan and his friends.

Megan and her 3rd grade teacher, Mrs. Walker. She is very pregnant. Due in 2 weeks.

Megan and Leah. The 3rd graders got to enjoy the courtyard and have blizzards for their party. There were games and face painting. I think they mostly just enjoyed hanging out with eachother.

Good friends everywhere.

Eating their Blizzards.

The third grade.

Christian brought his cupcake from Ethan's party outside to finish.

Ethan was being silly pretending to use his miniature umbrella, so cute!

Heidi was perfect as usual. She went along in her stroller and enjoyed watching all the kids.