Annie's Birthday

 We kept Annie's birthday pretty low-key this year since we had kinda big things (like having a baby) going on that week.  Anyway that was the plan until our future part planner got wind of things and things started to snowball a bit.  She decided on a luau theme for the fourth year in a row.  What can I say?  It makes for a good summer party. 

We played some traditional games like hula hoop contests and potato sack races.  'Cept we used Thomas the Tank Engine pillowcases instead of potato sacks since they are less scratchy.  And also since we don't have potato sacks on hand. 

Claire and Ben and Kaden raced anytime there was a break in the action.  That Claire's a competitive little thing!

 We also played a few non-traditional games that don't really have names.  In this one, you had to knock a ping pong ball off a golf tee using a squirt gun. 

 Look!  Josh wins!  (Cole was an oh-so-close second, but don't feel too bad for him - he pulled through in the hula hoop contest.

 This game was pretty simple.  You got a prize if you could throw the frisbee in the laundry basket.  Kind of a gimme, but heaven forbid someone not get a prize.  Sheesh!  Children these days...(okay, it's my own kids that have issues with that - we're working on it).

Oh, and there was cake too!  Annie had very specific instructions about the cake - strawberry, two layers, purple frosting, blue writing, and pink flowers.  Check, check, check, check, and check.

 You gotta blow hard with six candles...

And there were presents.  Oh boy were there presents.  She was rather spoiled.

 

Happy Birthday, Annie Rose.  We have just loved the past six years with you in our home!

Molly

 We interrupt this summer's streak of not posting about anything we've done to introduce you to our latest adventure:

 

Meet Miss Molly Abigail

Born : July 11, 2013

Weight: 6 # 4 oz.

Length: 19"

She's a teeny little peanut, but we are all certainly smitten with her.  Welcome to our family, little one.  We couldn't be happier to have you here.   

 

  She was pretty sleepy the first day or two and Floyd was awfully hopeful that we finally have a baby that sleeps, but I told him not to worry.  I have my ways - I'm certain she'll be keeping us up all night right along with the rest of them.

 

And now a little warning for you, Miss Molly.  I'd watch out for these siblings of yours.  They are crazy!  Especially that little Ben.  Don't let the dimples fool you - keep an eye on him:).

 

 

The Ranch

 One of the first things we do every summer is head to Grandpa's Ranch for a cookout.  We made it over Memorial Day weekend this year, which is a perfect time for a visit.  The kids wasted absolutely zero time racing up the hill to the old pioneer house and combine.  They love climbing around that place.  Not that it's really a great place for kids - there are lots of rusty nails and falling apart machinery and the house could blow over with a stiff breeze. 

 Annie was monkey of the day.  She kept clambering into all sorts of places and then would call out to the big boys who would then drop what they were doing to try and follow her.  She's a wiry little thing.

  

I hardly see Cole when we go to the Ranch - too many places to explore.  

I kept a pretty close eye on this little guy since he was sporting a brand new cast - I was especially on the lookout for ticks since I didn't think one burrowing inside for three weeks until the cast was removed was a great idea.

 Happy Girls!

 Handsome Boys!

 

 Grandma Donna got to join us this year, which always makes everyone happy.  Her great-grandkids adore her, and with good reason.  She plays right along with them.

 Just as we were ready to leave, the full moon peeked over the mountains for us.  What a great ending to a beautiful night.

We love the Ranch.  Thanks Grandma and Grandpa!

East Canyon

 This spring, the kids were all pretty anxious to go fishing and kept asking Floyd when we could go.  Floyd had a little repair work on the boat to finish up, but they were so excited that one night we headed up to East Canyon to fish from the shore. 

Little Petunia (who is actually not so little these days) is rarely caught with a fishing pole in hand.  She has other interests it seems. 

The weather was lovely and the kids were happy, but the fish weren't biting.  Darn shore fishing.  Luckily, the boat is fixed so we won't have that problem anymore.  Phew!

The Wise Old Owl

While we were visiting the Newton Cemetery this weekend, the kids spotted an owl.  Pretty soon, we realized there wasn't just one but four giant owls in the pine trees at the west end of the cemetery.  Usually, I don't get quite as excited about birds as some members of our family (*Cole*), but it was really cool to see the owls.  We watched them for a bit and snapped a few pictures of them.  At least one was a Great Horned Owl; I'm not positive about the others. 

  

 

There are a lot of myths about owls.  Some ancient myths said they were good luck and others said they were bad.  Who really knows, but it was awfully cool to watch them that evening.

The Day My Heart Broke A Little

Sigh. He just keeps growing.

Last week, Ben had a "Jump Start Day" at preschool.  He doesn't start preschool until the fall, but all the kids get to go have a little tour and meet their teacher and their class and scribble on a paper and have a snack.  Ben was super excited about it.

And please note that the above sentence says he "was" super excited about it.  The excitement died about two days before when he innocently asked if I was going to stay and I told him no. 

That was not the answer he was hoping for.

Somehow we convinced him to go anyway, but things got pretty ugly at drop-off.  He cried so hard that he puked all over the driveway and in the end, his teacher invited Annie to stay with him.  Annie was thrilled and told Ben she would be one of the teachers and help take care of him.

I spent a pretty nervous hour waiting to pick him back up, but Annie must have done a good job cause he was back to smiles again when I picked them up and he was also very proud of himself for being so brave. 

So in the end, it all worked out okay...but it might be for naught, cause I'm not at all convinced that I'm really going to be able to send that little guy to school once fall rolls around.

Roastin'

 We had our first campfire of the year the other night - hooray for warm weather!  Somebody realized that sunglasses keep the smoke out of your eyes, hence the ubiquitous shades. 

 It was a perfect night - the weather was warm the S'mores were messy, and the smiles were big.  I could use a few more of those kind of nights.

 And this one, the new scout of the group, made some big-time summer camping plans.  He's a bit excited -- but then, he assigned me to a tent with Ben while he gets to share with Dad and Annie, the two people in our family who actually sleep.  I'd be excited about those sleeping arrangements if I were him too. 

As it is, I'm less than excited about sharing a tent with this little monkey.  He's not much for sleeping.