My instagram activity has caused me to stop taking high quality pics and blog. But, summer is almost here and I want to get back in the habit.

Some of the fun we have been having:

Finally meeting Vivienne, who brought along Mylee, Mercer, and Elise to visit us through March. We had the most fun!

Being at the Temple for Ryan's and Vanessa's wedding was cold. That didn't stop us from having a great time.

Baseball is in full swing.

9yr old Damon's practice schedule: M-F 4:00-6:00

This was a little schocking to me. Also, Tournaments last through June 22, which means I am glad I procrastinated booking our family vacation. Very end of June it is.

New baby nephew and niece Lyrik and LaVillie. (Probably recognize these pics from my phone: further proof I need to take more photos.)

Christmas Fun!

It all began with lots of snow.

Reading and remembering the Christmas story is a favorite Christmas Eve Activity.

 However, it sometimes brings out the silly side. I think it is the pressure of being on stage. Even though by the end everyone is on stage and there is no audience. 

 I was really excited to get Damon and Tyler remote controll heliocopters. They both have wanted one for so long. Turns out they were both defective and the store was sold out. Tyler's has been replaced, but we are still waiting on Damon's. I'm hoping it arrives today so we can play with it before school starts.

 While visiting Temple Square, we also stopped at the City Creek Mall. Can't wait to go back.

While Ryan made friends with a man who wanted a sandwich and Diet Coke we played hockey with a chunk of ice. Then, back to the hotel for some late night swimming. We had so much fun.

Preparing for Christmas!

We have had lots of fun getting ready for the big day. On Sunday our little elf Claude was so nice to help make cookies.

Then he had a little fun toilet papering our tree.

 Since then however, he has gotten in to more mischief than I would have ever imagined. Not sure if he is as nice as I first thought.

Four Months? Too Long!

I can't believe how long it has been.  I've missed the bloggy world. It all started when we had to take our computer in and it needed reformating. Then we had to move the computer desk a couple times. Then we had fun things to do all summer.  Reinstalling, rearranging, vacationing... It led to more time on my phone and ipad and less time on the computer.  The more time went by the harder it was to pick back up. So instead of starting where I last left off, I am just going to start back up again and maybe catch up on our summer and maybe not. I will say we had lots of fun and spent a lot of time in our swimming suits, bike helmets, eating, fishing, boating, sleeping, snakes, and mustaches. Ok a few pics.

 Helmets

Boats

Both

Neither

Fish

Fish, Helmets, Suits

 Snake

 

Eating snake

Eating, biking, swimming, no helmet hmmm?

 

 

Sleeping outside

And, mustaches. (more mustaches to come)

Fishy fishy!

When Tyler takes Damon and I fishing all we catch is carp. 

When he goes alone, different story. If someone has a baby I can't get any details, but I know that the big trout is 21 inches, 4.5 lbs., and the bass is 16 inches, 2lbs. Hopefully next time Damon will get to reel in a big fish. Today he and I and a bunch of friends went from Constitution Camp to track.

 The kids are having a great time learning about our country. As you can probably tell, today my lesson was on checks and balances. I was surprised how much the kids, even the older ones,  wanted to get in the 3 headed eagle costume. I wish there were more programs like this one. There is so much, that makes our country great, that is becoming forgotten.

And track has been lots of fun, too. I love taking Damon to the same track I ran countless miles on during college. I'm glad we have a program here that gets the kids involved at a young age. We have had a busy, fun summer so far. Hope you have been having lots of fun, too.

Meet Harry

 Damon is a serious Harry Potter fan. For 'Favorite Book Character Day' there was no question who he would be.

 We made this wand with paper, hot glue, and paint. Click here for tutorial.

 On 'Future Profession Day' he was a basketball player, again.

And, he was also a man in a cape on 'Super Hero Day.' I can't believe 3rd grade is already through. Yay for summer!