Flying With Grandpa

Mark's dad is a fanatic about airplanes! He's been flying for over 30 years and has built three planes by himself. I think it is pretty amazing! He is so passionate about it and the best part is, he enjoys it so much! He's even cruised up to Corvallis to visit us in this little RV6 plane. It's quite a nice ride. This was Nick's lucky day...a spin over the valley sitting on Mark's lap. He loved every minute of it! I also got to go for a ride. Such fun! I keep waiting for the day Mark tells me he wants to get his license. I always tell him NOT until our kids are grown and he has a HUGE life insurance policy on him! I would be so nervous! It's in his blood so I know the day will come.

The boys taking off...

...back on the ground safely. Phew!

Three generations right there!

Fourth of July Weekend!

Logan Fireworks

Oh, how I love to go home to Utah for the Fourth of July weekend celebrations! I love being with my family, running into old friends and seeing my kids with their cousins. It's the best time to be had.

Meeting in our usual spot on the USU campus lawn to watch the fireworks. The wait begins....

My gorgeous pregnant sister and her hubby. Love you guys!

Macy and Luke being silly with their glow sticks! So glad we had those to entertain them. Thanks, Mom!

Cutest kid ever! Cole!

Hyrum City Parade

Monday was the Hyrum parade! Always a favorite. Our kids got tons of candy. The weather was perfect and our seats on mainstream were awesome.

Nicholas and Karlee figured out early on that if they waved & looked cute they got thrown candy. They waved the entire parade! They had quite a stash afterwards.

Barbeque at the Parent's House

Back at my parent's house, we had an awesome dinner. Grandpa put up the inflatable water slide. Kids were in and out of the hot tub, jumping on the tramp and playing soccer. Oh, and we can't forget the popsicles. It was a HOT one!

The grandkids (minus a few).

Cousins: Preston, Cole, Tyson, Nicholas & Luke

My new nephew, Jonnie...

...and niece Vivian. I was lovin' on these babies. So sweet!

Nick and Tyson were BEST of buds!

My favorite picture of the day: Tyson showing Nick and Karlee what he wanted for his birthday from the Fisher-Price magazine.

Hot tubing in 90 degree weather! Only when you are a kid is this fun.

"Yeah!" for summer!

World's Greatest!

WORLD'S GREATEST DAD!

You're looking at him! He's the BEST!

Thanks for all the fun and laughter you fill our home with and Saturday morning crepes! We love you so much!

Dance Review

Karlee had her first dance show at The Little Gym. She was SO SHY about getting up and dancing in front of everyone. You couldn't blame her though! We were all sitting right there.

This is Karlee sucking her thumb and twirling her hair right before the show. She only does this when she is really nervous.

Dancing with a partner. She made it about halfway through the song and then ran over to me and sat down.

All the girls in her class in position. Karlee just stood there and would not dance. I think I had to bribe her with ice cream JUST to get her to get out on the floor.

After the tap and ballet show, we went inside to the gym. Karlee started to warm up and actually joined in and showed us her skills. Here she is being SILLY for the camera! Sometimes, I don't get this girl! She is so funny to me!

All the girls receiving their dancing medals! She had such a CUTE class! All of the video is on my video camera...so sorry, Mom! But trust me, you didn't miss anything . I was proud of Karlee anyway! She is so sweet!

Goodbye Kindergarten!

Today was Macy's last day of Kindergarten. It was very bitter sweet! When I picked Macy up from school, she grabbed on to me and broke down in tears and sobbed, which made me cry because I know how sad it is when something you know and love and have grown so much in is ending. We have absolutely LOVED Mrs. Lashley, Macy's teacher, this past year! Oh, my goodness! She is the sweetest, nicest, most lovable person ever! She has helped us through some rough patches and has offered us so much support and encouragement. She has the biggest heart and sees so much GOOD in every child. Macy has adored her and we feel so blessed to have had her for a teacher! I am so grateful there are teachers like her out there that put their heart and soul in to their work. These teachers touch our lives and change us for the better. Thank you, Mrs. Lashley! We adore you!

Now.. summer can officially begin!!!

A Love Note

Love

Macy

Mom is the best mom ever.

'cause she makes me breakfast.

She makes it the very best day.

and I love her.

Macy brought this note to me the other day. She had written it all by herself and just because. It completely melted my heart. She wrote one for Mark, too, but he took it to put up in his office. They are such sweet words when your children tell you they love you (even if practically every word is spelled wrong)!

Memorial Day Weekend

Mark and I needed to get out of town this weekend and do some serious playing! Nothing rejuvenates us like a trip to the coast. Mark was craving some clam chowder from the Chowder Bowl and Karlee wanted to "go to the beach" so we left town. Our first stop, the Oregon Aquarium where Max the seal was celebrating his 21st birthday! There were all sorts of festivities including face painting. We stood in line for 45 mintues! Yes, it was worth it...for them.

This looks like a mug shot! Why isn't anyone smiling?!?!?

Okay! Some smiles.

Second stop, the Chowder Bowl for Fish'n Chips and Clam Chowder. YUM! Then down to the beach to play in the water (which was freezing). Karlee was the only one playing in it. Macy was off collecting seashells. Next, we drove up to Lincoln City to hit the outlets and grab some Tillamock ice cream. On the way back, we stopped to watch the sunset and waves crashing in Depoe Bay. So beautiful! The kids fell asleep on the car ride home which is always a sign of a good, long, fun day! It was the perfect break from our ordinary, everyday lives and a way for us to fall back in love with Oregon (since we've had way too much rain this year to have much good to say about it). ;-)