summer's here.

it's officially summer and the fun begins. Today, for example, movie at 9:45 am...all you can eat popcorn. Costco for sample time and a few necessities. Swimming. naps and "PUNCH OUT" on the Wii. Swimming again and dinner with friends. Ay-yayay...I'm exhausted :)

We have a graduate on our hands, folks. Payton officially graduated from Kindergarten last Thursday and it was "his" very own day. The program was very cute and he sang out wonderfully. His school song to the tune of "Puff the Magic Dragon" runs through our heads ALL day long! He got his diploma and they announced what each kid wanted to be when they grow up. And what do you know? Payton wants to be a UFC Fighter! A big thank you to his dad and BJ Penn for that one. After, we had cookies and said good bye to friends. Then he chose Charlestons for lunch {he loves their SALAD silly boy...} and then home, swimming again, bikeride in the rain {me on the pink cruiser, girls in the trailer behind Mike) and then Bahama Bucks for a Bahama Mama Rama...our favorite!
Good times with my favorite people and oh, so proud of our boy.

Sydney, too, finished her first year of pre-school and we are equally proud of the progress she has made this year. Her teachers say she is just so confident (like she really lacked in that area) and she is learning to write so well. She is also an ARTIST by nature and creates, creates, creates. She is the biggest mess-maker of all time. But I love her. We call her Sydney Kate Commando lately (for obvious reasons that we will not discuss...)

Avery has enjoyed all of the festivities. She is walking like a pro and is on her feet the majority of the time now. She is a sweet girl and is loving the pool and eating popsicles.

Here are a few pics to enjoy.

help please.

I have a one year old that I am struggling to find good things to feed. Do any of you have suggestions on things to feed these little ones? I know this is my third time around, but I am at a loss :) Thanks.

one final birthday post...

I know, enough about avery & her birthday already ;) but I wanted to post a picture of her 2 cakes. Her birthday was the 14th and even though we weren't having her party & her "real" cake til Friday, Mike was insistent that we do something and this is what he came up with. All Avery really wanted to do was touch the flame anyways and truly, I think she liked the first one better! Love you Aves.

Gangsta' Bling...

We had a fun little birthday party for our Gangsta' Aves. The chocolate cupcakes were the best part of the whole night ;) {Kate's recipe and the best things I've had in a while!} Avery was a sweet little one year old. She didn't love the cake thing, though. she ate a few raspberries off the top and then said "All done!" over and over til we took her out. She is so funny. It was a great time, swimming and all the kids. THanks everyone for coming and celebrating with our gangsta.

birthday photo shoot

5/14/08

One year ago, I was blessed with another beautiful baby girl. I love this little one so much and cannot believe she is a whole year old. How lucky we are to have enjoyed her days, her sweet little person. She is a blessing to our family. This past year has literally flown by. I look forward to the years to come but I have to say I am a little sad to watch my baby grow. She is such a good girl, she loves her mom and dad. She adores her brother & sister. She is talking so well and toddling around on her tiny feet. I love you Avery May. I hope you have a fun gangsta party tomorrow and know that one year ago today, you made your mama very happy. I love you baby girl. Happy Birthday!

Mother's Day.

It's been a lovely day. Many, many notes and drawings from my kids. They are quite the little artists. And a sassy swim suit & cover from Mike :) Good day. church was nice, always is when those little voices sing! loved it. So sorry about the previous post, by the way...it's pretty graphic. He is on the mend. We are just glad he's home and not hurt worse than he is.

I am reading a book by Elder Holland and have found so many good passages in it regarding parenthood and motherhood. A whole chapter is devoted to mothers. I loved every word. But this is the quote of the day. It rang true to me as I sometimes feel overwhelmed at the undaunting responsibility of motherhood. Not to mention the ever dreary world we have to raise them in. I simply love these words:

"Our children take their flight into the future with our thrust and with our aim.
And even as we anxiously watch that arrow in flight and know all the evils that can deflect its course after it has left our hand, nevertheless we take courage in remembering that the most important mortal factor in determining that arrow's destination will be the stability, strength, and unwavering certainty of the holder of the bow."

I am thankful this mother's day for my mother. For her unwavering certainty and her example to me throughout my life. I was blessed to be raised by parents who led by example and I never doubted their love for each other nor their devotion to the gospel. I hope to do the same.

California Race

After 4 months of preparation and over a thousand miles of training, here is how our epic mountain bike race ended.