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.

The Division Champion Cardinals

I mean come on!! This picture is just too much.  I appreciate his cheesy grin and cute little booty popping pose more than I can say.  It is perfection.

The cardinals had a incredible season.  They went 9-1 and ended up being the division champions.  They came so far over the course of the season.  It ended up being the uncanny ability of nearly every player to get a hit that put us on top.  Hank and Hunter shared in the pitching and catching responsibilities.  I was so impressed with Hank's ability to make plays and always have his head in the game.  Although our tournament play was a little brutal, we still managed to make it to the state tournament in July.

Hank really battled on the mound this year.  He had some ups and downs but never gave up.  It takes some real courage to put yourself in the most intense position in baseball.  He handled it like a pro and made some ESPN worthy plays sliding and diving for foul balls.  

When Hank was playing catcher, I feared for the poor kid running home from third.  Hank would sacrifice his body to stop a runner from scoring and had some pretty amazing success.  No one was getting past Hank!

Perhaps the most improved aspect of his game was his hitting.  He was our lead off hitter all season and for good reason.  I'll have to ask his stat taking grandpa, but I'm pretty sure he had a 9 game hitting streak.  His confidence at bat was awesome to see.  He walked up and got a hit on the first pitch most games.  

I can't discuss the season without mentioning his most devoted fans.  His little brothers came to every game this season.  Sam and Max love to watch Hank play.  They look up to him so much.  I couldn't believe how Sam just sat on the bleachers with me and really watched the game.  He's going to be a ball player for sure.  Max watched about half of the game and then had to resume his responsibilities as the master of the playground!

These two win the prize.  The last game of the season was not for the fair weather fan.  It was freezing, and windy, and we ended up blowing a 6 run lead and losing in extra innings.  Oh and it didn't get over until 10:30!  They stayed through it all which is not surprising since they came to almost every game this season.  Having them there meant the world to me and Hank.  

Of course Hank had many other fans throughout the season.  Lucy and Isabel managed to take a break from their rigorous dance schedules and catch a few games.

Of course Jeri, Scott and Griff came to many games as well.  I can't say it enough, Hank's grandparents are the best EVER!  The Jones', and the Royster's were also cheering Hank on anytime they could.  I know how hard it is to get to these games when it's your own kid, let alone your nephew.  I appreciate it so much. I'm so sad the season is over.  I look forward to these games and can't get enough of watching my boy play.  Something tells me I'm not going to have a shortage of games to attend over the course of his life!  I'm so proud of my Hank-man!! 

Prince Sam

Oh to be adored as much as Sam.  This little dude gets the royal treatment around here.  Whatever Sam wants, Sam gets.  Simple as that.  He insists on either Hank or Max getting in the tub with him and they drop whatever they are doing to join him. 

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They especially love washing his hair and making crazy hair do's with the shampoo.

What's that Sam?  You want chocolate cake for dinner?  Done.

How about some chicken for dinner?

Only if it's from Chick-fil-A.

You want to wear Ninja Turtle jammies all day?  Why not.

How about a nice healthy breakfast Sam?  Oh you want Lucky Charms...ok.

You want to get in the pool with Wax?  O.K. buddy, is the water warm enough for you?

Lately he's been requesting either Hank or Max read him a story before his nap and bedtime.

So of course that's what happens.

He kicks and screams when Randy and I brush his teeth but for some reason he will let his brothers do it.

So again, that's what usually happens.

Whenever we have a birthday party to go to, Sam is right in the middle of opening their presents and blowing out their candles.  Everyone just lets him do it too.  Probably because they know if they don't, they will hear his deafening scream.

After all the drama and money involved with getting his teeth fixed a few months ago, I'm sad to report the fillings have already fallen out.  I was physically ill about it.  He didn't even do anything drastic to lose them.  They simply fell out.

In true Sammy form, he'll continue to rock the snaggle tooth and manage to look adorable.  I can guarantee I won't be dumping anymore money into those teeth.  That is unless he asks me to, and then I probably will! 

Sam even has the cutest girls in the neighborhood catering to his every need.  The other day, Kennedy played baseball with him for an hour and then drove him around in his power wheels while he laid back and ate an otter pop.  When Lennon comes over, she does whatever he wants too.  She came downstairs one night when they were playing and said "Annie, Sammy doesn't feel very well".  It was the cutest thing I've ever heard a little kid say.  He was milking it too, pretending to be sick so she could take care of him.

This kid, has everyone wrapped around his finger and I'm sad to say I'm the worst one!  I can't help it.  We all love our little Sammy-boy.  Such a little rat!

Killer Bees!

The Killer Bees have had such and awesome season.  Bless Randy's heart for coaching these kids.  He is such a positive, fun coach.  The kids really learned how to play together this year.  It's been so fun to watch Max become more confident and aggressive.  

Here he is in action...

He's such a stud!  I'm so proud of him.

Hank was on the sidelines every game cheering his bro on and offering advise even though Max didn't ask for it.  Got to love big brothers.

Kate, Sarah, and Izzy came to his last game.

Grandma Jeri, Grandma Jackie, Grandpa Curt, Grandpa Griff, Colby, and Jenni also came to many of his games during the season.  My kids support system is pretty unreal.

Way to go on an incredible year of soccer Max!  I love to watch you play!

An End to Another School Year

After our camping trip, the kids had one final week of school before summer break.  I can't believe my little Kindergarten baby is nearly a 1st grader!  I became so emotional during his end of year program.  Once the kids graduate from Kindergarten, it's never the same.  Max is so ready to move on, I just wish I was as ready as he is.

He knew every song and every action during the program.  I know I'm biased, but he is the cutest Kindergartner at Snow Springs!

He's not too cool to embrace his grandma.

He also has the most beautiful and supportive grandma's cheering him on.

Mrs. Mower was such a fantastic teacher for Max this year.  She is sweet, kind, and loves her students.  Max learned so much this year and is so prepared for 1st grade.  I can't believe what a good reader he is.

Max definitely earned a snow cone the size of his head!  Way to go little buddy!

I'm so mad I didn't get a picture of Hank with his teacher, Mrs. Budge.  Last year was rough so I've be pleasantly surprised by his teacher this year.  She has challenged Hank and made him like school again.  He did so well in every subject but math continues to be his forte.  He's got a little group of "math nerds" in his class that have surpassed the rest of the class and do work they shouldn't know until next year.  I really hope his teacher next year continues to challenge him. 

Hank had the responsibility of holding the Reduce sign in their program.

Anyone who knows Hank knows he hates singing and dancing in front of a crowd.  He did it anyway but let's just say it wasn't his favorite memory of 3rd grade!  Grandpa Curt, Grandma Jackie, and Grandma Jeri all came to watch him perform.

I volunteered to help with field day, and was less than impressed.  I remember field day being the event of the school year.  It was competitive, there were ribbons, and it lasted all day.  Snow Springs Elementary doesn't roll that way.  I was super bummed to be in charge of the hula hoop/jump roping station. Can you say lame?

Here's what Hank thought of the hula hooping station.  He wouldn't pose for a picture with his friends and pretty much acted way too cool to acknowledge his mom. 

Good thing I ran into this drowned rat!  Isabel will always give me a hug and pose for a picture.

I think my sadness this past week is mostly because me kids won't be attending Snow Springs next year.  I've grown attached to that school over the past 4 years.  The entire office as well as Hank's diabetes aide have told me how much they are going to miss seeing him every day.  We had a great system in place but unfortunately will have to start over at the new school next year.  I am not a fan of change but it is a huge part of my life right now so I may as well embrace it.  Let the summer begin!!