Our Family Boating Party

 So last Saturday our kids begged us to go boating.  So here are some highlights . . .

 Shelby, Josh, & Jessi were the first to dive in.

 Joaquin popped right up on the wake board, what a hottie.  He wowed us all with his tricks.

 Believe it or not, I even got up on the wake board!  I don't think I wowed anyone except myself for still remembering how. 

 Jessi rocked the knee board first. . .

 Halle was our happy co-pilot. . .

 Josh couldn't be outdone by Jessi so he popped right up on the knee board too . . .

 Shelby was even braver than her siblings by showing us her "no hands!"

 And last but not least, we had to talk Quinn into the knee board - but she did it!  What a woman.

To finish off the night we pulled our 5 gorgeous kids on the tube.  It was an epic boating day!

Shelby's 6th Birthday

 Shelby picked out a fun butterfly cake & we were so lucky to have the Showalter cousins here for her birthday that we made 2! 

 Shelby, Jade, & Grant. 

 Aunt Kristin made it the best party ever by buying everyone a present.  She said since they live in New York & thye're never around for birthdays, she wanted to buy a little presents (she's going to be the favorite Aunt!)

With summer always comes Quinn's begging for kittens.  This year's no different and so here are Apollo & Zeus.  Very fun playful brothers & you can see Quinn is elated!

The Wizard of Oz

 This summer Quinn & Jessi were in their first play, "The Wizard of Oz."  It was lots of late nights, lots of make up, & even more hairspray.  They both loved it.  Here's a shot of my munchkin, Jessi in green behind Dorothy & Glinda.

 Jessi was also a flying monkey but sadly that scene is pretty dark & they wore masks so I couldn't even tell which one she was.

 My Quinn is in the middle back.  She was a fantastic citizen of Oz.  She danced, sang, & sewed up the scarecrow.

 We took the family to see the play & Halle really didn't like that mean green lady.  Quinn loved her!

Here's my cutie with her 3 messy buns & crazy face paint.

I love running . . . and running . . .

 Me, my sisters Emily, Lisa, & Maria.  My sister Emily & I finished the Utah Valley Marathon!  Lisa & Maria ran the half marathon (in hindsight I'm thinking they had more fun).  Emily & I finished in 4 hrs. 12 min. - which I thought was just awesome (we averaged 26.2 - 9:30/miles).  The course was hilly, it was windy, & I couldn't even talk the last 6 miles (it was all I could do to breath) but I'm so dang proud!

 Here's a picture of us right before the race started.  Me, Emily, & Cindy (Emily's sister-in-law) all wore matching shirts.  Aren't we so dang cute?!?

I'm glad this picture looks like we are smiling, because I was almost dead.

 

After sitting for a good 10 minutes, eating & drinking I could actually pose for pictures.

 As if that wasn't enough running - lots of my family decided to make up a team for the Northwest Passage Ragnar Race.  12 runners, 2 vans, & 200ish miles - what a race!  Doug & Lisa borrowed a motor-home that Maria, Jason, Andy, Mary, Joaquin, & I all carpooled in to Washington.  Other than the AC not working, I loved the trip. Amy, Troy, Emily, & Nate met us there. 

 Joaquin wasn't afraid to sport some compression socks - and a farmer's tan.

 Here's all the amazing women (Lisa, Maria, Me, Amy, Mary, & Emily)

April & May News

 This April & May have been so crazy happy busy that I haven't sat down to blog them yet.  So here's a quick review.

 Women's Conference - it changes my view on life every time I go.  This year's lessons:

1.  My children are my best investment.  Don't think of them as "taking" time but what God's given me time for.  (A great lesson to remember before the back to back field trips in May)

2.  People are more important than paperwork - especially Joaquin.  Sounds basic but hard to remember when I just have this one more bill to pay . . . 

3.  Be excited to build a new home - it's not just one more thing to do.  It's what we've saved & dreamed of for 15+ years.  

Joaquin & I were so happy to spend a few days together in San Diego, CA with the NAPA 5 Star program.  We loved visiting Mission Beach, Balboa Park, & eating dinner/touring the USS Midway. 

 We had fun dropping by Shoshone Falls with the kids on day.  I haven't been there since before Quinn was born - wow!  So beautiful and only an hour away.

 So here's the start of our field trips.  I really did enjoy them this year, I'm not sure if it was from the new insight I received at Women's Conference or the fact that I only had Halle to tote with me.  Maybe a little of both.

 Fish Hatchery with Josh highlight?  He found inch worms that every boy in the 1st grade envied.

 Ross Park Zoo with Shelby?  There is a big brown bear right behind them that was pretty cool but Shelby & Halle loved the treehouse.  We really are going to have to build another one.

 Jessi had a great AR Water Party we loved visiting.  She the massive slip n slide.

 

This was after the Hillcrest Elementary Reading Celebration.  Halle had waited 2 long hours before she got a turn on the jumping house, but oh was it worth the wait!

 I had a home builder we are thinking of using encourage me to get on Pinterest & start "pinning" pix I like of kitchens, bathrooms, windows, etc.  Well gee, ok.  Here were some other great ideas I've used - the cool messy bun & hair twist and teacher appreciation presents (rolo's with a hershey kiss)

 It's official, my sister Lisa & her family came with us to the Monster Truck Show this year and she said I was the nicest Mom in the whole world to have endured this not just once but twice!!!  Josh & Joaquin just loved all of it but the rest of us love about the first hour is all (it lasts for almost 4).

 Shelby was the best singer in her Kindergarten Program - we could distinctly hear her voice above the others :)  My favorite part was when she would tilt her head shyly after each song & courtesy like she was thinking, "All this clapping just for me?  Thank you!"

 Quinn did a fabulous job at her piano recital.  She played "Evening at the Symphony."

 Last but not least, we adopted a baby rabbit for a week.  Our neighborhood has about a dozen wild ones that run around.  Grandma Donna caught one & surprisingly didn't want to keep it.  So like every animal we've ever owned, talked us into it.  Luckily the kids got so tired of cleaning up poop from all over the house (and I mean all over) that we relocated it to a farm.  Ahhh.

Spring is Here!

Even if the weather keeps shifting from warm to cold - my family is determined it's spring.  Halle loves driving the famous Escalade - although steering is still optional, so I have to be walking next to her.

 Shelby just loves her bike & boy is she fast!

 Our neighbor has a dog (Paige) that my kids just love.  It's the perfect relationship - pet for about 5 minutes, go home.  Ahhhh.

 Last weekend we went to Glenns Ferry & had a blast with cousins.  I know it's hard to see but we have Jade, Josh, Shelby, Jared, Jaysen, Quinn, Jessi, Halle, & Jentry all squeezed in the hot tub.  Wow!

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 Joaquin starts the love of motorcycles young.  Halle would cry and follow the dust of whoever took off.  We even started potty training Halle with the promise of a 4 wheeler ride.  Powerful Potty Treats!

 Jessi is quite allergic to horses but you'd never know it.  She pops a Claritin & calls Aunt Jamie begging for horse rides.

 Josh found a best friend in Jared.  Whatever motorcycle, dune buggie, or 4 wheeler Josh wanted to take for a spin - Jared sacrificed and went with him.

 I just loved this picture of Donna with Shelby & Zoe.  She's just so dang happy in Glenns Ferry!

 Jessi passed Aunt Jami's test of riding solo and right away she wanted to give rides to Halle.

 This is Jordan, Quinn, & Jacey getting ready to make us a yummy treat.

 I asked Kade to snap a picture of me so I could prove that I was in Glenns Ferry.

 Zoe was a little timid at first but she finally caved to the peer pressure of Halle.  They loved the Dune Buggy.

 I just love being with this man!

 Here is Shelby, she's just so proud to be old enough for the motorcycle.  Mom still tries not to be nervous - she is a tad accident prone you know . . .

Joaquin & Josh chillin on the swing.  I wonder how many pix I have on my blog of this very swing - from rocking babies to sleep, to chatting with Donna for hours, and even snuggling with Joaquin.  Lots of great memories on this swing.  I can't wait to have one of these on the porch of our new house.