A Weekend to Remember

We just had one of the best summer weekends EVER!  I'm exhausted but so grateful for my incredible family who loves to spend time together.  These boys of ours love to go, go, go!  We started our weekend off with a 6:30 a.m. tee time for Randy and the boys.  I couldn't believe how easily the boys woke up to play golf.  They were pumped to spend time with their daddy on the links.  I stayed home with Sam and got ready to go boating later that day.

The wind was blowing and providing a bumpy ride for the tube.  Ever since the boys wrecked last year at Yuba Lake, they are a little hesitant to get back on the tube.  I had to keep reassuring them it was going to be o.k.

Someone needs to toughen these boys up so I suppose it will have to be me!  I was so excited to get out on the wake board that I through caution to the wind and jumped out in less than ideal conditions.  The water was white capping, but I was determined to wake board.  Unfortunately for me I took some nasty spills because of it.  The boys were so concerned.  It was pretty cute.

Carrots all around!  Such little nuts I have.  After my wreck, we decided to call it a day on the lake.  Stupid wind always ruins my fun.  The kids convinced us to stop at the pool on the way home.  We ended up getting home around 9 that night.  The kids insisted they wanted another early morning tee time the next day.  This time I got to take them.  I woke up really early to get my run in and thought the boys would be impossible to wake up.

Boy was I wrong!  They were bright eyed and bushy tailed.  They certainly have the golfing bug.

I can't believe how well Hank is hitting the ball this year.  He even managed to out drive me a few times.

Max just got some new clubs and he had some amazing shots as well.

I think they got their skills from their mama.  I can't tell you what a dream it is for me to be able to share something I love to do with my boys.  We had so much fun together.  Randy and Sam met us at the driving range after we finished and the boys hit 2 buckets of balls.  They can't get enough.  I love it!

We ate some lunch at home, relaxed for an hour or so and then decided to take advantage of the beautiful weather and went to the lake.

The boys were feeling much more adventurous this time.  Probably because they had their crazy dad on the tube with them this time.

I drove the boat and Sam took a little snooze proving that he is the best boating baby ever.

The water was glass so we ditched the tube and broke out the wake board.

The calm water was just what I needed to have a great ride.  I also proved to myself and the kids that I could do it.  Ain't no wreck going to stop this mama.

It felt so good to be out there, I had to let Randy enjoy some of that perfect water.

The boys love to watch their daddy jump the wake.  He's still got it!

Here he is again, laughing and loving boating life.

The kids are so helpful when I'm driving the boat.  It takes all my concentration to pull a wake boarder so Hank and Max take care of the flag and Sam like pros.

Max was busting out some hilarious dance moves on the ski tube.  Randy Jr. right there.

After 5 hours on the boat, Sam was getting hungry and tired of sitting around.  The boys wanted one more time on the tube and convinced Sam to join us.  He chucked his binkey and jumped on my lap.  He was grinning from ear to ear the entire time we were out there.  His giggle was contagious.  I had all 3 boys yipping and hollering with joy.  The boat's gas gauge was nearing empty otherwise we'd still be out there.  I swear my kids never get tired.  Their mom and dad on the other hand, were exhausted and still are!  It was so worth it though.  Great memories were made!

The following day, my mom invited Hank and Max to sleep over with Lucy, Isabel, and Jack.  That made it possible to have a little one on one time with Sam.

Randy and I very rarely get the chance to spend time with only Sam.  We went out to eat, got a snow cone and enjoyed all things Sammy-boy.

Meanwhile...

The other kids were indulging Jack's morbid side at the Highland cemetery.  These kids love their grandma and are so lucky to have her.  She is so sweet to have them sleep over like that.  They will never forget it.  We are taking advantage of every day this summer.  It might kill me but we aren't wasting one day!

Coach Pitch

Max just completed his coach pitch season.  I can't tell you how relieved I am he had a better experience than he did with T-ball.  He started the season off slugging and didn't stop.  He is quite the hitter!

He had a team full of sluggers and he kept up even though he was a year younger than most of the kids.  He never gave up, and he didn't walk off the field in disgust.  I'd say that's a successful season. 

One of my favorite things he would do when he was catcher was find a random ball nearby to tag his opponents as they ran in to score.  It didn't matter the game ball was nowhere near him.

I loved watching him run the bases with so much focus.  No one could get in his way!

He has learned so much about the game from watching Hank.  I'm really impressed with how much he's grown over the past year.

Guzzle, guzzle, guzzle...

Here are the Gray Thunder Clouds!  Yes, that is the team name they picked.

Max must have missed the memo to do a silly face.  This is the first team Max has been on without Randy as his coach.  I'm really proud of how he handled himself this year.  He really listened to his coach and always tried his hardest.  I think it was good for him to be out of his comfort zone a little.

Here are a few of his fans this season.  Jeri, Griff, Karen, Jenni, and Lennon also cheered Maxi on. 

I mean it's no wonder this kid has so many fans.  What a little stud!  I'm sad the season's over so soon.  I love to watch him play.  We're one step closer to real baseball!

Father's Day

Happy Father's Day to the father of my children!  Randy is truly the best.  I've never met a more self-less, fun loving, and present dad.  When he plays with the boys, he really plays.  I've learned so much about being a parent from watching him.  He's a natural and his patience amazes me.  These boys have no idea how lucky they are to have him as their daddy.  They adore him in every way.

This was my first attempt at a Father's Day picture.  Sam wanted to recreate child birth, haha!

After Randy spent the morning golfing with his dad, my parents hosted a BBQ at their house.  We had s'mores by the fire after dinner.

Hank had a little chill going on so he grabbed one of my moms cardigans.

The combo of the Mohawk and the cardi is pure magic.  Hilarious!

Sam couldn't stay out of the fire.  Good thing my mom was on hand to protect him.

Now for my daddy.  I'll first discuss his role as my kids grandpa.  He has just has much dedication to them as he did to me when I was growing up.  I will say he is much more laid back and patient now though.  He seems to really enjoy spending time with them.  As they get older, I can see such a tight bond being formed and it makes me so happy.  He loves to watch them play ball and Hank wants him to be his baseball coach next year.  Can you imagine?

I'm so proud of my daddy this year.  He has made some awesome personal goals and really invested in taking better care of himself.  He's down nearly 50 pounds and feeling better than he has in a long time.

After dinner my mom had us all go around and tell our favorite memories of our dads.  I immediately got emotional.  This man has my heart.  I've always been a daddy's girl but as I get older, my love and respect for him only grows and I feel like we're closer than ever.  The main theme of my memories of my dad is him always being there for me when I needed him the most.  From the state cross country meet, to hard times after having babies, to hospital stays with my kids, to Hank's nail biting games, and everything in between.  He offers comfort that no one else can give me.  My daddy makes everything better, always has, always will.  I couldn't love him more.  I'm the luckiest.

Let the Summer Begin!

Summer is here and we are taking advantage of every opportunity to have fun.  I told Hank months ago he could get a Mohawk as soon as school was out so that's just what we did. 

Nothing like sleeping in a fort in your room.  It's like camping but with no bugs and air conditioning.  Genius really.  Sam was beyond pissed I didn't let him sleep with the big boys but I knew no one would sleep if I let that happen. 

After a great appointment with Dr. Swinyard and a lower A1C (yay!) we discussed taking a break from the pump and going back on shots for the summer.  Since Hank is constantly playing sports, swimming, and boating all summer long the pump is being taken off more than it should.  His sites have a really hard staying on as well.  Plus, he's getting tired of being connected to a device 24/7.  He is doing amazingly well with the shots and able to give himself injections.  After he took the pump off he said he felt free!  If he can feel free with this stupid disease, I'll do whatever it takes.  

We've hit up the splash park a few times.  This day just happens to have been Jack's 5th birthday.

There isn't a shortage of cousins this summer.  They are my kids best friends and I wouldn't have it any other way. 

Speaking of Jack, it was so great going back to Bear Hollow to watch this little dude in his preschool program.  I've missed Miss Molly and preschool life.

Bear Hollow's past and present students.  Apparently you have to be adorable to attend this preschool.

It's so important to me to teach my kids how to support their family.

They wouldn't sit through 3 hours of dance for just anyone!  They love their cousins and I'm so happy they were able to support them.  The girls did incredible.  I'm a very proud auntie.  I love Sam photo bombing in the background.

 Now, back to the splash park!!

Sam could have stayed there all day.

My summer isn't only consumed with my kids.  Natalie helped me pick out and plant some beautiful plants for my deck.  With her help, I might just be able to turn this thumb of mine green!

I've also had some great nights out with these gorgeous friends.  I'm not great at taking pictures when we go out.  We're too busy laughing and talking for that.  I'm so happy to have reconnected with these long time friends.  We have some good times ahead of us this summer.  I've also been putting myself out there and making new friends with some really cool girls.  My social calendar is filling up fast!! 

Speaking of social calendars...Hank's is becoming quite full as well.  Alec and Isaac are such great friends to him.  This is them at the Real Salt Lake game.

They had the best time.  They've had sleep overs, toilet papered the neighbors house, gone swimming and boating together.  I'm so happy Hank has such awesome buddies.  By the way, when did Hank turn into a teenager?

See what I mean?

I took Hank and his friends to a nearby fishing hole the other day.  They didn't catch a fish but had many stories to tell.  Isn't that the point of fishing anyway?

Here's Isaac's first time out on the lake.

As a matter of fact, it was all of our first time on the lake this year.  The wind really put a damper on our outing.  I can't wait to get out again.  I'm itching to perfect my wake boarding skills this summer.

I just wish I could get Hank excited about wake boarding.  I think he would be awesome at it. 

He just completed golf camp and has the bug bad!  In fact both Max and Hank are pumped about golf this summer.  I couldn't be happier about it.  I can't wait to get out there and play with them. 

We've spent a good amount of time at the pool.

Got to love the action shots!

Sam loves jumping in to Hank.  There was one time he jumped in and Hank didn't know he was jumping.  Good thing Hank was right there to save him.  I don't think it scarred Sam too bad.

A few carrots and a cuddle with dad seemed to make him feel better.

The after swimming treats are a must.

While I'm on the topic of eating, this is my latest Costco purchase.  Why is it my kids eat so much more in the summer?  Randy's going to need to sell a lot more insurance!  This cart cost me 300 bucks!

We've had some unseasonably cool weather so Hangtime came in handy.  Grandma Jackie might have had more fun than the kids!

Biggest mouth ever!

Then there was that one time Grandpa Curt put on Hank's hat.  Ha ha ha!  I have grand plans of my dad teaching me how to fly fish this summer.  The only problem is time.  How do I have time to do all the fun things I want to do this summer?  There just has to be a way to cram it all in.  I guess that means my laundry will be behind and my house won't be as clean as it normally is.  It's worth it!  This is the best time of the year and trust me we are going to live it up.  I can clean later.