Wednesday, October 7, 2015

One of my favorite days every summer is when Todd takes the day off of work and we all go to the beach. It always ends up being the perfect day. The weather was just right. The sand was warm. The waves were big enough for the big kids to boogie board but not so big that they made mom too nervous. We made our very best sand castle yet! Good enough to where some random tourists were stopping and taking some pictures of it. And on our way home we at delicious pizza and got Rita's Italian Ice for dessert. Can't think of a better way to spend a summer day in Southern California.

 We were trying desperately to make a moat around the castle, but it really wasn't working once we tried to fill it up with water. But we had fun building it and that is what counted!

 This sandy little princess was out cold while we waited for our Pizza. There is something so perfect about their little faces when they are sleeping. 
 One of my other favorite parts about the summer is going to the summer nights at the zoo. This kids love it. The night is warm but not hot. Then animals are out for feeding time. And our dear Conner....well, he appreciates it more than anyone! Every year they have this show where 3 people dress in Kangaroo costumes and do acrobatic tricks on a trampoline. This kid LOVES it! It was all he talked about all day before we went. And it was the only thing he was worried about us doing while we were there. Pure joy. Since then I get at least 3 or 4 "Kangaroo Shows" at home where He is the Kangaroo and does tricks in the backyard. He has already asked me exactly what it takes to be a "Kangaroo" at the zoo some day. If he stays this focused I have no doubt he will accomplish it!

 These little swimmers! They all did so good in swimming lessons this year. Conner is completely swimming on his own and doing it with ease! Kellen is getting so good at side breathing and working on perfecting his basic strokes. And Makenna has advanced to learning things like the butterfly stroke. We will most likely be putting her on the swim team next summer! I love watching these kids succeed!
Because we love the night time zoo so much we went back the next week with Grammy! We had so much fun! And we may have also set the record for the most people to fit into the photo booth at the zoo!

 Another new activity around the house this summer was created by the boys. They both apparently have imaginary girls that they are marrying. So they set up and decorate for a wedding. They make cards for "their girls". They wrap wedding presents and make plates with food that are the snacks at the wedding (since they don't have a cake). Conner one day even made a big letter T to stand for the Temple since they were not able to go to the temple yet for their pretend weddings. It was the sweetest thing. Sometimes all the wrapping presents and making snack plates gets to me, but then I stop and try to just think of the sweetness of it all and soak it up, knowing that it won't last for much longer that these two brothers will enjoy having imaginary finances together that they are pretending to marry. All I do know as a fact is that the ladies that do some day end up with one of these two boys are lucky beyond their wildest dreams. Both of these boys have such big hearts and have been planning how they will treat their wives when they were 5 and 6 years old! 


Sunday, September 20, 2015

FIVE!

5 years with this little boy! It has gone by in a flash. But I also can't imagine my world before he was in it! He is such a funny kid. He brings so many smiles to my face each and every day. He can be wild and full of adventure, showing off his new tricks and doing shows for me and finding ways to give me a heart attack one minute. And then the next minute he is all cuddles and love and one of the most sweet and sensitive boys I know. He loves ninjas and superheroes just as much as he can't resist hugging and smiling at any baby he sees. He is such a great balance. And just such a good kid. Conner, even though you are my wild number 3, the one that Really made our world crazy, I wouldn't have it ANY other way. We love you to pieces! You are amazing and perfect just the way you are!
How could 5 look any cuter than this?!
 For his Birthday this year Conner picked a few friends to come with us to Chuck E Cheese for pizza and games. Conner, Eric, Carter and Collin. All of us movies were pregnant together so it is pretty darn cute to see them all being best buddies now!
 Conner and Carter are birthday buddies, so it only made sense for them to get to blow their candles out together! Happy Birthday sweet boys!


 Kellen and Peter...buddies since they were in diapers! Love these boys!

 The whole crew at Chuck E Cheese!
 It is our tradition to let the birthday kid pick dinner on the day of their birthday. Conner chose to go to our favorite whole in the wall mexican place that we call "Hot Burrito". We then came home for presents and cards. Carys was the cutest sister EVER while Conner opened his gifts. She was all hugs and smiles and excitement and kept saying "I am so proud of you!" to Conner! It was the sweetest thing ever and Conner just really soaked it up!
 5 dollars for his 5th birthday and stickers from Grandma and Grandpa!
 Best Friends....even if they won't always admit it!

Probably the most Conner Appropriate gift ever. This explains Sooooo much!

Thursday, September 17, 2015

 As our final activity us adults were able to leave the kiddos at home with a sitter and go zip lining as a double date! Oh my gosh it was amazing! I have never done anything like that and it was great. So much fun and the perfect way to end what was a great adventure the whole week up there.
 So much of my time with my sister is now spent trying to entertain kids together. So it was a blast to be out with her just playing and having fun together! And just for the record, on the zip line where we got to race each other I TOTALLY worked her!

 I wish I could put into words just how much fun this trip was and how close we all grew together throughout it! 

 One moment that will never be forgotten.....Kip laying down and doing the Angry Walrus dismount on the final zip line. 

 On the way back home Kellen talked....literally non stop, almost the entire way back! For such an introverted kid at times he can certainly be one that has a lot to say. I know that for Kellen this was a trip that he had anticipated for an entire year. This smile just sums up the fun he had!
And if you asked Carys what she thought about driving to and from Idaho (or as she would call it  "hi-ho") "It's hard work!"
Amen little sister. But so worth it. Until next time!

 The Robinson's love to play rough outside. One of the reasons Idaho is so great for them....the trails and outdoors are right out their backyard. So when you are with the Robinson's you get to play like the Robinson's. One of our last days there Kip took us out for some quad action and riding in the commander with the kids. 

 This was my favorite part of the day. Watching the two big brothers holding their little sister tight and holding her hand to keep her safe. She was really loving the whole thing, despite the look on her face here. 


 The littles hanging out and getting dirty. Love seeing these two girls together. They are so cute!
 Gosh I love these good-looking boys!
 This picture is quite possibly one of my favorite pictures of Carys....ever!
 This girl is wild and crazy and messy and I love it!


 Makenna has gotten so good with babies. And she loves to be looked up to and adored by them. She really is a great oldest kid!
 Quad rides with Auntie Rah Rah! My kids are so lucky!

 Cousins in the wild.....the way it should be!