Flips

We got a trampoline this summer so the kids wouldn't complain that there was nothing to do when I kicked them outside. It has been so much fun. The boys play all kinds of games including dodge ball (with Grace right there in the middle of it all) and their newest one is called Rob. Tom explained that one of the boys throws the ball over the net and the other one has to jump up and block it (like in baseball - they got robbed of their homerun). They also love to turn the sprinkler on underneath and jump cause it's so dang hot and muggy outside.

Tom and I both were jumping on the trampoline this weekend and the kids are dying for us to do flips so we both did them. I was a chicken and worried about breaking my neck so I jumped, landed on my knees then flipped. Maybe next week I'll do a real flip. Sorry no pictures of that crazy sight.

First Day of School 2011

I can't believe that my kids are now in their 3rd week of school and we haven't even reached Labor Day. Here are the kids on the first day. Jack in 8th grade, Josh in 5th grade and Kade in 3rd grade. I can't believe how fast time flies.

Kade's Baptism and Megan's Blessing

Last Sunday was pretty busy for us. Kade was baptized, Megan was blessed, and the kids received their father's blessings (since school started the next day) all on the same day. What a great way to spend a Sunday.

Clark and Cala were able to be there. Since we live so far away from everyone now, it was nice to have some family there. Jack is getting so big. He is standing on a little curb for the planter so he really isn't this tall but it only made him a couple inches taller. At the beginning of the summer, Jack was excited to be the same height as me and now look at him. He is going to be one tall kid. Kade really wanted Jack to give one of the talks at his baptism so Jack gave the baptism talk. He did such a good job.

It makes my heart melt to see my baby baptized. I can't believe he's old enough.
Kade so desperately wants to be Megan's favorite brother. I think it's fun that they could share this day.



I think Megan looks a lot like Kade and Grace. These next pictures could have been Grace.

A Little Ladder

The other day, I walked into our living room and it smelled like something was burning. I walked all over the house trying to figure out where the smell was coming from and then what was actually burning. It took me awhile to figure out that it was our ceiling fan. Too bad our ceilings are so tall. Tom assured me he could do it.

This was quite the project. First he tried doing it himself. Then he enlisted Jack's help. They had two smaller ladders. Jack was holding the new fan (which is the heaviest thing I've ever felt) over his head while Tom tried to reach the wires. He was hoping to just attach the wires at the end of the pole that hung down, but that didn't work. He finally had to rent a 14 foot ladder from Home Depot to reach the ceiling. I'm glad it wasn't me up there on that thing.

Kade is 8

I can't believe that Kade is eight years old. I kept asking him what he wanted for his birthday (meaning a present) and the only thing he kept asking for was the ice cream sandwich cake. Being the bad mom that I am, when I went looking for candles, I couldn't find any. Finally on the top shelf in the way back of the cupboard I found a box of candles, but there were only seven, not eight. Kade didn't seem to mind though.

We got Kade a new bike because his other one was way too small. I don't think he was thrilled with this. He was afraid to get on and ride it. We made him do it and within a few minutes, he was fine.
Grace and Megan in matching outfits. I need to get a sewing machine and learn how to use it so I can make cute little outfits for them while they're still young and will let me dress them.

Grandmother and Grandfather visit

It was so nice to have Tom's parents come visit and help out with the baby and kids. Everyone was so excited for them to come visit. Thanks for all your help!!!!

Megan is still working on being happy when awake.
One night, Clark went into their room and found Grace in his bed. She decided that she needed to sleep in there with them. She got her own little bed on the floor and was more than happy for her slumber party.