Some Fun in June!

End of the School Year Celebration

Every year we do something special with the boys to celebrate the end of school and the beginning of summer. This year we had a BBQ and campfire in the backyard. We roasted marshmallows and starbursts. Fun start to summer!

Taylor decided roasted starburst were the Bomb!!

Watch out for those sparks, Brayden!

My boys!

Table Rock Hike with the Schultz Family

On our way up to Table Rock.

The boys love exploring up at Table Rock. Here they are climbing in their favorite cave.

Cute pic of Taylor and Aubrey

The men...what more can I say.

At the top of Table Rock overlooking Boise...beautiful!

Parker with a new pet, Stinky the Stink Bug. (It didn't come home with us :o))

We did it! Here we are at the end, back where we started. Great company, great fun!!

Settlers Park

We discovered Settlers Park this summer! What a great park! Rock wall, oversized instruments, playground, water, snack shack. The kids were lovin' it!!

Brayden, at the top of the rock wall

Adam and Taylor getting a bucket full of water over their heads!

Nicole and Parker...a little hesitant to get wet.

Love seeing them getting along...it happens once in awhile, and here's the proof!

Uncle Ted and Aunt Sheila took Taylor and Brayden to Roaring Springs with free tickets they earned through a reading program at school. So, I took Nicole, Parker, and Julia for a special day in Lisa's pool. They had a blast even though half the day was overcast. It was fun hanging out with Lisa again. With her moving clear across town to Eagle we don't get to see each other as often. :o( We try to make the most of it when we do see each other. It was like old times...Brian's in trouble for not keeping his promise to keep Lisa in Columbia Village once they got married! Should've got it in writing. :o)

Pine Flatts Camping Trip with the McCarrolls

Love spending time with my family, especially with no cell service! Camping is so much fun... once you're there and all set up, that is.

Two peas in a Pod. These two love getting together. They're buds is what they tell us.

Parker attempting to give me a back rub to make me feel better after scaring me half to death! While Tol and I were setting up camp my mom and dad walked down to the Hot Springs. We thought Parker went with them. When they returned 15 minutes later Parker was not with them. My heart jumped out of my chest. Where do you start looking in the woods?! Everyone headed a different direction as Parker came walking into camp. I was so relieved, but it took awhile for me to calm down. He had tried to follow Grandma and Grandpa, but took a wrong turn and ended up by the river! I am so glad he was smart enough to turn back around and find his way back to camp.

Tol and Taylor chillin'

Craig brought up a small motorcycle (it's actually Levi's when he grows into it) to give the kids rides. Being the patient, awesome uncle he is, Craig taught Brayden how to drive and Brayden gave Uncle Craig a ride.

Love hanging out with my sister-in-law, Brandie

"Girls just want to have fun!" Brynlee and Lexie using Bart and Brandie's air mattress as a trampoline...they had a blast! Makes me want to be a kid again.

Bart and Craig became expert MRE preparers while in Iraq. So, they gave us a lesson and treated us all to MREs for dinner.

MREs have a main dish that is printed on the package. The rest is a surprise. Craig holding up a prized possesion...Skittles! The kids were super excited about this!

What are Taylor and Brayden going to get in theirs?

Brandie on the search for Peanut M&Ms. :o)

Papa Mac and his best friend, Diesel, waiting for dinner to be served

Isn't Idaho a beautiful place to live! We feel so lucky to have all of this so close by.

On their way to the Hot Springs; Brayden, Parker, Taylor, and Levi

A true gentleman...Parker helping his mom get down the rough terrain to the Hot Springs

Brayden loves to challenge himself. Here he is laying in the ice cold river for 5 minutes...Burr!

Love this picture of Tol and Levi...what a good uncle. Levi stepped in the river and hot springs with his hiking shoes. So Tol carried him all the way back to camp on his shoulders.

No camping trip would be complete without roasting marshmallows and our new favorite, Starbursts! Yummmmmmm!

Craig and his kids, Lexie and Levi. Looks like Lexie might have a little buzz from the Sprite! :o)

Eggs...anyone?

Brayden got the fire going in the morning. 1st time by himself! Way to go, Brady Bunch!

Tol taught the boys how to pack 2 car loads of camping gear into one car as Bart, Brandie and I watched...we were speechless.

"Yeah, I'm cool like that"

To end our trip we all went on a short hike down to the river...Parker led the way.

Great Weekend!!!

May 2010

Taylor's Growing Up

Taylor is officially a Boy Scout, no longer my little cub scout. He and his friend, Zach, recieved their Arrow of Light award in a ceremony at Pack Meeting. We are so proud of Taylor and his accomplishment!

Way to go , T!

Taylor and Zach with their Arrows of Light

Taylor and Zach with their Webelos leader, Brother Thacker

Taylor's 11th Birthday

Taylor's birthday happened to be on the same day as the School Carnival. After a great day at school, we ordered pizza and headed for the carnival. This year he spent the carnival running around with friends. He thought this was really cool. We met up at the end and went home to open presents, eat his choice of dessert (Sour Cream Lemon Pie), and watch his new movie he got from Brayden, "Fantastic Mr. Fox".

Fathers and Sons Stake Campout

The boys look forward to the Fathers and Sons campout every year. This year the whole stake went and held it at Pine Top. The boys and Tol had fun hiking, sitting by the campfire, and playing and visiting with friends.

Parker and his friend, Logan. I hope they stay good friends like Logan's dad, Paul, and Tol have.

Taylor and Brayden hiking.

Typical Parker...no shoes!

Brayden's 9th Birthday

Brayden's birthday was so much fun! He woke up on his birthday to his birthday couch full of some of his favorite things. When he got to school he had a special candy gram delivered to him during his spelling test (from Mom and Dad). The candy gram told him of a special guest that would be joining him at lunch. The special guests (Uncle Ted and Aunt Sheila) arrived right before lunch and brought cookies for his whole class and another special candy gram (from Mom and Dad). This time the candy gram clued him into a special treat at the end of the school day. Miss Hoover handed Brayden his favorite package of candy bars (100 Grand) along with donut holes for his class and the last candy gram (from Mom and Dad). This candy gram told of a special surprise awaiting him at home. When he arrived home he had an array of his favorite healthy snacks and was told we would be going to the YMCA to swim and out to his favorite restaurant (Red Robin). He told his grandma later, "This is the best day I have ever had!"

Brayden about to conquer the "big" slide at the YMCA

This year Brayden surprised me with his choice of dessert for his birthday. He chose key lime pie. Usually he's a cake lover.