Summer 2013 week 3

This week I started our summer schedule.

 I have a chart for Coopers homework, and the boys both have chores to do in the morning.

When they get the chores done they get to pick an activity out of a baggie.

 There are a lot of different activities and this week they picked:

 Monday: red box, with treats, and a guest. We rented Escape from Planet Earth.

 Tuesday: ride on the carousel. The carousel was closed, so we went out for ice cream. and Cooper trimmed his "Grass Man"

 Wednesday: I had a Dr's appointments, and physical therapy, so chores didn't get done and they were pretty crabby, so no activity.

Thursday: They picked soccer in the backyard, it was a lot of fun.

 Friday: we went to the splash pad and hung out with some friends.

 Cooper is doing great with his homework, and I love spending one-on- one time with him doing homework each day.

 I also got my pottery wheel and sundries all set up in the garage.

Summer Snow 2013

This conference was my anniversary present from Nick.
I spent the week of June3-7 in Manti with my parents and drove to Snow College everyday to attend this workshop.
My Parents were so very generous and watched my boys, so Nick could stay home and work.

 I really needed it, and it was wonderful.  I spent everyday, watching demonstrations, collaborating and making pots.

Joe Bennion was the presenter, he lives in Spring City Utah and his website can be found here.

 Each day Joe would tell stories, experiences and share quotes about how he became who he is as a potter.

I made a huge amount of work this week. And I only kept the ones that were "great".  I am quite proud of myself. My work is on the bottom shelf and the second from the top.

Awkward Picture, May 2013

This is the Massage table at Physical Therapy. (yup, still have to go 2X a week)

Jacks quote:

"There is a hole in this table"

In Just about an Hour Nick and i are leaving for Vegas for the weekend.

then when I get back Thursday My Mom, (who is watching my boys), My Boys and I are going to Manti for the week, so I can attend a Ceramics Workshop at Snow College in Ephriam.  So Excited!!

Be sure to scroll WAY DOWN. I added like 10 posts today!!

Cooper is 6

For Coopers birthday this year, I decided to let someone else do the party so we went to the local Mini-golf, kiddie kart, arcade place.

First the kids rode the kiddie karts.  This is the last year they will even want to do this, the ride is a little slow! But a couple of the kids were too short for the bigger rides!

Then we played Mini Golf.  I had 4 of the Kids and Nick took the other 3.

Here is my group.  They were all over the place.  I was worried someone would get injured, cause those clubs were SWINGING!

And Nicks Group.  Everyone standing Patiently, waiting for their turn.

 There was an indoor Soft Play area.

Then of course the Arcade!

The party package included 15 tokens for each kid.

The saddest part was, when they exchanged their tickets for prizes, some of them only had like 20, and some had 98, or even 260+ (he got the jackpot)  so I felt kind of bad :(

 But everyone had fun!!

 They also got Pizza and a drink, and a little room all decorated just for Cooper!!

 Cooper made out like a bandit!! His friends were very generous and he got a lot of great new toys!

 Happy Birthday Cooper!

 I Loved doing the party this way.  and when you figure up everything, Cake, Food, Decoration, Activities, Goodie bags, it was so much cheaper to go somewhere else,plus i didn't have to clean my house!!
I am really glad Nick was able to come for the Mini-golf portion.  He really is a great Dad and role model for my kids!

S'mores

To wrap up our visit, we went out on the back deck with just grandma and grandpa and toasted s'mores over their "fire table"

I think I like these quiet Family moments the best.  Just sitting, talking together and enjoying each other.

And the sky was GORGEOUS.

Family Dinner

Since we don't get to visit very often, we had a big Family Dinner at Nicks folks house.

We have NEVER had a dinner go so smoothly.  

The kids all played SO Well together.

Even Jacks and "Baby" Karl

The Big Kids Table

 "Operation: Recover the Helicopter"  Austin got one of those little remote controlled Helicopters and Lisa Promptly flew it onto the roof.

 Once it came down, the kids all had so much fun with it, and they were even really good about taking turns!

 It was so nice seeing them all playing together, and loving each other.

 I wish we could see them all more, but for now, the occasional Family Dinners will have to do!

4 Birthdays and "50 Dollars"

Both of Nicks brothers have may Birthdays, Andys' is the same day as Jacks, and Matts' the day before Coops, so we had a big Party.

With delicious chocolate, chocolate cake. (Coops choice)

 Presents from grandma

 Money from grandma.

The boys were so excited, I don't think they have ever gotten money for a gift before.

And I was trying not to freak-out about all the germs they were smearing on their faces!

 This is my new favorite Jacks video, telling me how much money he had. ( It is clearly $20 not $50:))

We got Cooper a Razor Scooter, and he loves it!  He is doing really good with his balance, and even figured out the brake before I told him about it.

 He is so cool! 

And such a good product advertiser!

We rarely get to do Birthdays with Family, so this was really fun for my boys.  And Jacks is insisting that it is his birthday again!

B Family reunion 2013

This weekend we drove to Roosevelt for a Family Reunion.   This much of the family hasn't been together since the year after Nick and I were married.  They used to get together for this HUGE Thanksgiving Party every year.  In fact that is where I first was introduced to Nicks family, a week after we got engaged. It was so fun.  Nick has a lot of cousins. and I love watching him interact with the boys he played with growing up.

 Our Family was in charge of breakfast, so we got there early.

Poor Jacks had a rough time to start.  This is the face we saw for most of the morning.

Then he got treats!

Nicks Aunts had some really fun things for the kids to do.

They dug through sawdust for prizes, played a ring toss with Soda bottles, and broke a Pinata.

There was also a Beanbag tournament for the adults, and I forgot to take pictures cause I was too busy cheering!

It turned out to be a really fun day.

Bro-mance

 Jacks and his Second Cousin Beckam hit it off at this reunion.

They were tick as thieves...
and also big bullies.

There were other little boys their age that wanted to play with them, and they would stand on top of the slides yelling down "No, Kid, NO". And telling the big kids that they (the big kids) would have to go to time-out!
It was so funny, and sad.

Amy Beckams' Mom said he is not usually like that, and neither is Jacks, but together, Watch out!

They were the cool crowd, and soo cute together.

 Cute little towheads

 WATCH OUT!

This is why sometimes I wish we lived closer to family, any family.