Fall Birthday Boys

I love parties but having several right in a row can add up in many different ways. We go back and forth each year between family parties and friend parties. Honestly, I kind of confused myself and can't remember what was what this year so we just did one big party somewhere in the middle of all of their birthdays.

The Little Gym has a great rewards program that lets you actually put your points towards something you want to use...in this case a party that was paid for with points. FANTASTIC!

If you're in Chattanooga, Brooke, is "IT" when it comes to working with your little ones at the gym. She was so engaging and fun and still managed to keep control over 20 bouncing boys ages 3-8.

My boys had a blast and we decided that it would be a great idea to ask for book donations instead of gifts. These kiddos have so much and sometimes at birthdays and holidays it just feels excessive and wasteful to add one more toy to the mix. They were actually excited about the idea and we get to deliver them this week while they're on fall break to the children's hospital. I'm really praying for them to have a good experience and see how blessed they are to have such healthy bodies and countless other blessings.

They also helped me make some fun party favors. Little gift boxes filled with gum balls that they decorated with foam stars. Easy stuff they got to do and enjoyed at the same time. Here's to a great year of even numbers...the little men are turning or have turned

8,6, & 4!

Love you, boys!

pool pics

please, no

He got into my jewelry and was acting all gangsta' on me. Please no.  Not now.  Not ever. 

feelin' good

We had our niece, Amelia, with us for a while this summer.  I loved seeing all of this healthiness going in to her AND she really liked it.  I found the recipe inspiration over at Sister's Cafe.  I adapted it a little.  I do a kale/spinach water mixture then add vanilla protein, frozen strawberries & bananas, a little apple juice, ice cubes & greek yogurt. 

It's not Kutter's favorite drink but he'll usually get a few good guips down.

Hard to see...pic is from the phone again. Didn't want to forget about Karson's D1 Rookie training this summer. It was a really great program for him. It helped him develop better agility, form and body/core strength. He went from not doing any pushups to several really good looking ones. He went from an interesting run (we affectionately called it the giraffe and attribute it to a big growth spurt) to a competitive sprint. The overall atmosphere motivated him and all the little bros...Kooper would have done it too but was in a cast.  The littles could often be found doing their own workouts and sprints on the sidelines while waiting for the hour to be over...loved seeing that competitiveness in them and that they love to push their bodies athletically. 

go dolphins

We had so many friends do swim team together this year. It was like one big swim party all summer long.  Good times with the Mountain Shadows Dolphins!

casting off

The big cheese for a cast coming off. I think I was more nervous for him over the next few days with it off though. I just knew he was going to trip or fall and re-break it. Thankfully not. And he also got a haircut the day it came off too. There was no way I was risking him getting itchy hair down in the cast when it was on...he complained about it enough with just the hot weather.

2 more weeks

Aw! The poor face of a boy who had to have a cast on for 2 more weeks (this was months ago, but I'm still playing catch up). He did get a swim cast at least and was able to survive our crazy heat a little better. We're almost 5 months post break now and he's been going at it full strength for quite a while.

quick trip to grandma's

My grandma was very sick a few months ago. It was scary to me. Out of all my extended family, she is the one I have always been closest too. We have similar interests, she's always been interested in what I'm doing, she was my confidant in college, and I've always admired her and her love story with my grandpa.  So when I heard she was sick, I wanted to get there as quickly as I could in case I did not have another chance to see her.  As is usual for me trying to get out of Chattanooga, it did not go easily at all...we'd finally gotten Kooper's elbow diagnosed as broken, there was tons of end of school stuff going on, and my flights to get out kept getting canceled.

BUT, I did get there...eventually. 

My boys haven't seen my grandma in years but the one thing they remember is that she made jello with them.  Sure enough, she had plenty in stock even though I didn't bring the boys. 

It was close to the end of May and it snowed.  Crazy Utah weather. 

We got to attend church together while I was there.  This was so special to me.  I got to hear her voice.  It's quieter than it used to be but still just as lovely.  She was a singer back in the day.  It's in the genes and I'm thankful I got to sit beside her and reflect on that.  I cried most of the way through the first hymn in gratitude for her being in my life. 

I got to spend some time with my mother too.  Even though we see each other often it's usually with lots of little boys around.  Not that I'm complaining but it's totally different than one on one time with momma.  We had fun and might have gone shopping a time or two...or three and maybe even as soon as I landed in Utah. 

I got to spend an evening with my gorgeous friend and college roomie Melissa and her cute family.  Her hubbie, Curtis cooked us the best meal.  Don't you love having those friends who you don't get to see often enough at all but when you do it's like you've never missed a beat?  I sure do! 

Ok, I think it's weird to put my own picture up here.  Honestly, I'm not trying to show off anything other than the light (I mean could I really be bragging here...hey!  check it!  I have a big nose!).  Anyways, I snapped this as I was leaving Melissa's house after an evening of laughs.  I was pulling out of her neighborhood and the sun was gorgeous.  Just made me think of how blessed I was.  I had a husband at home who loved me and knew how important it was to be with my grandma and take care of all the kiddo business, I was thankful for the knowledge I have that families are eternal, I was thankful for friendship and all that brought so much light and happiness into my life. 

kindergarten evaluation

Fuzzy picture from my phone. BUT, I was overcome with a little emotion at Kooper's kindergarten evaluation. He did such a great job. He used his manors and only looked to me once or twice when he was unsure of himself. Waiting for him to start kindergarten was a good decision for us. I've ready studies and reports lately as to the pros and cons of waiting to start. There was one really good article about why it was good to start them early BUT one of their arguments I disagreed with was that by holding them back they actually earn less in their lifetime because they miss out on one year of earning potential. REALLY? That's a reason to start them early? Maybe for some but for me I feel like society is just pushing them to grow up far too fast.

As I sat watching his evaluation, I reflected back over the year. There was probably a handful of days where we went head to head and I second guessed myself about not starting. BUT, then I remembered all the sweet moments we'd spent over that year working on our homeschool projects, playing games, exploring outside and was thankful to have had that time. SO. VERY. THANKFUL.

Grandpa's Staples

My Grandma was quite sick a while back.  My mom headed out to help her for several weeks.  So, my Dad was left to his own devices. These items are considered "necessities" to my Dad when he's flying solo. 

many more videos to come

No need to even click on this video if you don't want to hear my crazy voice screaming.  Kyle had to miss a few swim meets this season so I HAD to record the races, the boys also enjoy watching themselves and they wanted to be sure all the relatives saw them swim...so you've been warned.

This was Karson's final 25 free.  He placed 2nd out of the meet for 7-8 year olds and his time was 19 seconds and change...can't remember but I'm sure Kyle can comment and remind my mushy brain.  I'm so proud of all of the boys (yup, even Kutter competed this year).  They didn't complain one time about going to practice and we went EVERY DAY.

Karson even told me yesterday that he missed it (it's only been over for 3 days (yes, i began this post over 2 months ago)) and wants to swim in the Olympics.  We fully realize he's only 7 but the potential is there for him to do it.  Time will tell if the dedication and ambition are as well.  

Would that not be awesome?!  

2020, baby!

1st day of summer

We celebrated the first day of summer vacation with birthday cake for breakfast(we were late celebrating Kyle's bday).  We made this awesome peanut butter and chocolate cake.  Try it.  It's awesome and so not healthy. 

back in june

Kutter & me waiting for Karson to get his Cub Scout Tiger award.  I take the snuggles any time they are offered from this silly boy. 

eb ball park randomness

Spring ball at the EB ball fields:

Dog the Bounty Hunter was in on the action. 

One of our last games it was super chilly. Kutter and I took a break and headed for hot chocolate. I couldn't snap the picture fast enough because he had his legs totally crossed and was sipping away. Made me laugh.

the BIG summer project

I've had some drafts saved FOREVER that I just haven't gotten around to posting.  We're talking all the way back to spring.  Our major project for this year has been our back yard.  Here's the before:

No grass.  Lots of leaves.  Rotten retaining wall with snakes.  Not so awesome. 

So we called in the big guns to tear this baby up.  (well, not the new deck kyle built...he's becoming quite the craftsman, by the way.  just wait till i post his latest project). 

One guy who quoted our new retaining wall said we could build it ourselves.  After 3 days of watching them excavate, I'd have to say that man was crazy. 

This is what happens when you almost cut the fiber optic line for the neighborhood! 

Progress.  LOOOOVE it. 

Almost...

DONE!  It's gorgeous.  We love our backyard.  I even have useable space up there at the top of the wall.  My vision is to fill it with huge hydrangea bushes.  Now that it's finally starting to cool off, it's probably time to get planting. 

Kyle built a great playground for the boys right where the mulch is.  The shade hits the whole backyard in the early afternoon, all the trees give a great breeze and I'm so glad we did this over all 

the other inside projects I had in mind.