August 2014

At the very start of August we made a trip to visit John's family. He was in charge of their family reunion this year. We had planned to have it at our house, until it became apparent that Grandpa wasn't going to be able to travel. And, why have a reunion when the patriarch (and thus Grandma, and several others) couldn't come? So, we moved it to their place. Everyone was super kind to pitch in and let us use their houses and help plan activities. And, John's brother-in-law who is a bishop, arranged it so Caleb and Levi could get baptized there. I did a whole post on that earlier. We stayed at John's sister's house and our kids love it there. They rode scooters and bikes, roller skates, played ball, pretended to be super heroes, you name it, they did it. Their cousins are great.

One afternoon of the reunion another of John's sisters let us use their slip and slide and trampoline, it was fun! Ellie wanted nothing to do with it, but the other young kiddos - and even a teenager and 20-something cousin - had fun.

Back at home, a kind couple in our ward let us come pick cherries, as many as we wanted. We picked 26 pounds, and she'd already had 7 families over to pick! Plus what they picked for themselves. And there were still more after we left. So, we pitted a lot of cherries. Thankfully I have some good helpers. We canned some and made jam.

And Ellie painted.

During August we went to the cheese/ice cream factory with Daddy (his first time), to a park or two, to the train park, bowling, to a National Park where the boys became Junior Rangers, hiking with friends, and back to the cheese/ice cream factory with the same friends. And we rode our bikes on more, longer rides. We even went on a few 5 mile rides! School was supposed to start near the end of August. But, there was a little problem with the bathrooms in every school being torn out and not finished, so, they delayed school for 2 weeks! So, we had even more time to have fun.

July 2014

July was spent teaching Barton to play the piano,

helping cook,

being cute,

swimming at our aunt and uncle's pool,

being Garfield,

and celebrating two boys turning 8!!

We also got to help celebrate Grandma and Grandpa's 50th wedding anniversary! We had a reunion at the same time and it was so much fun. Because the anniversary party and reunion were at the beginning of the month, this was the first time ever that Levi and Caleb did not spend their birthday with their Grandma, with whom they share the big day. They were sad about that, but had a fun birthday at home. They're so excited to be 8, to get baptized, and to start Cub Scouts!

June 2014

Ian graduated! They had a 5th grade graduation, and he did it, finished elementary school. I can't believe middle school is here already! Ian is ready, though.

We started our library's summer reading program. The boys like to take turns reading to Ellie, which is great for me, since she wants to read the same book, Pooh's Easter Egg Hunt, every single day. But, she pretty much has it memorized now, so she's starting to read it to us!

The first time Ellie has drawn on herself. This may not seem like any big deal, but for a girl who has had some sensory issues with her hands, not wanting them to get wet, dirty, or even wanting someone to hold her hand, it's a pretty big deal. She also wants to hold my hand a lot more. I used to just have to hold her arm.

Happy Father's Day! And, happy birthday to Daddy! We love him!

I love Ellie's ringlets!

One morning I came out to the living room and this is how I found Caleb. It was only about 7am, he said he got up at 5am and came out to read. Apparently, that's a little too early for him :).

May 2014

The baby geese and ducks at the pond near our house. It's so fun to see them each spring. Then they grow up so fast! We had grandparents here visiting and took them to the pond.

Ian had a "People Fair" at school, as kind of an end of elementary school project. They researched a person they were interested in, wrote a paper, created a power point presentation, and then presented it to a group of all the 5th grade students and parents (only a few parents, they were assigned times so there wasn't a huge group of adults). Ian chose Meriwether Lewis. He also had to dress the part. He do SO well! He gave his presentation without even seeming nervous at all. Way to go, Ian!

Ellie got sick :(. She put herself to sleep a few times over the few days she was sick. Thankfully she recovered without having too much difficulty. I'm so thankful she's never had to go the doctor when she's been sick. Each time, I prepare myself to have to take her in for dehydration, but we've been so blessed (and usually she receives a priesthood blessing) that she's been able to keep hydrated through her illnesses.

There was a free fishing day at the reservoir near our house. So John decided to take the boys. There was equipment for them to use, and they ran into some kind campers who let them fish near their site, and who cleaned the fish for them! They each caught one or two. They brought them home and fried them up for lunch.

Lots of reading going on. Ellie's moved on to chapter books already :).

Ian's second overnight boy scout campout!! He was so excited. Daddy went with him the first time, but couldn't this time, as he was taking Levi to visit John's brother, for his niece's wedding reception. So Ian went and had a great time! Levi had fun with just Daddy, and Caleb enjoyed being the only boy home for a while. He said he wanted a break from Levi. But, it didn't take long before he was moping around, wondering when Levi was coming home, because "Ian doesn't want to play what I want, but I know Levi would." As much as he says he gets annoyed with Levi, he loves him so much. They're best buds. And Ellie? She was confused as to where everyone was most of the weekend.

April 2014

Levi and Caleb are in their last Cloverbud (4-H) year. They went when they were 5, 6, and now 7. Next year they'll be too old. But it's been a lot of fun for them. This year one project they did was sew their own felt pirate hats. They did a great job!

We were getting out swim suits to see if they still fit. Ellie was so excited to wear hers :).

Ian's project....can you tell what it is?

Happy Easter!

Ian is trying to play a typing game, where you have a race car that races dependent on your typing speed/accuracy. Ellie was being helpful.