Summer Lovin'

With one month of summer already down (depressed sigh), we are really trying to cram in a lot of fun stuff. This last weekend, we went to Vernal to see Jake, Hannah, and their girls. They just moved into a new home, and we wanted to check it out and spend some quality time together before baby number three arrives. If you are looking for a great place to go, Hannah's house would be a perfect option. I feel pretty bad about it, but she spent most of our time together fixing us yummy food. The peach pie was DELICIOUS! Thanks a bunch! On Saturday we ventured to the Flaming Gorge area. It was fun to be out in nature together. Jake and Hannah were in the Dam Gift Shop with all our girls and their own. People were quite surprised to see them with so many children...all of them cute girls. They were quick to correct them that they were not all theirs. We got a good laugh at what they might have been thinking seeing them with six girls and Hannah being pregnant too. Ha ha. Maybe someday Jake and Hannah, maybe someday.




Enjoying our tinfoil dinners, corn bread, and watermelon supper in the campground. I love this kind of stuff. Summer is the absolute best!

Despite the look on Claire's face, can we just say that she REALLY enjoyed the watermelon?

Here are some fun pictures outside Flaming Gorge Dam and a couple at the base of the dam where they let you feed the fish. Good times. And the higher-ups at the Flaming Gorge Dam should be very pleased with at least one of their tour guides. She took her position VERY seriously and knew pretty much EVERY detail one could ever know about the building and functioning of a dam.





We got to have a cousin party in the backyard last week. The kids had a great time on the tramp and in the pool. Each of them took turns being the swim instructor. Pretty sure they learned some new, mad swimming skills.





Mallory turned 5 this month. Here she is with her slightly ghetto cake. She wanted a flamingo party with flamingo cupcakes, but changed her mind the day of her birthday and wanted a flamingo cake. The kids took on the decor of this cake and enjoyed eating it as well. I cannot believe she is going to school in the fall. Time is going by so quickly.

Perfect

We had such a fun day on Monday. We took the kids to Lagoon and had a great time. The weather was perfect and so were the crowds. The girls had so much fun on all the rides, and we had so much fun watching them on the rides. We forced Libbie to go on a few rides she did not appreciate, but with the bribe pay-off of $1 I think she's forgiven us.

Smiley

Chubby and cute for sure.

Just a Joke

The title of my last post (May snow brings June...) was just a little jab at the less than desirable weather we've had this spring. I didn't actually think it would snow at the end of May! But, much to my dismay, we awoke to about an inch and a half this morning. Say it ain't so...

Mallory and I went on a fun date to a place called Color Me Mine. You get to pick out pottery and paint it. Then they fire it for you, and you pick it up a few days later. We had a great time painting together. She loves her plate.

Friday night Libbie and I were able to attend a mother/daughter activity at church. We got to wear matching outfits (our Aggie gear), make necklaces together, and we got to do one another's hair crazy-style. Lucky for me, Libbie hasn't quite mastered "the elastic band" so my hair wasn't too crazy. I think I may have stumbled upon to new hair-style for little girls though. Ha ha. I know I'll be seeing all your children with this do.


Mia and Mallory had their dance recital on Saturday. Mia took tumbling/cheer this year. It was so fun to see her perform. She did a great job and had a fun time being on stage.

Not to brag...okay I am bragging...but Mals did sooo good at her recital. She nearly brought me to tears with how well she did.

May snow brings June....????

Welcome to the Jaren show...again. He's sure growing up in a hurry, chubby fingers and all. I even gave him his first hair cut last week. Apparently I cut off all his fine, straight hair and now he's sporting a cute curly do. I think he looks so handsome and mature. I just thought how ironic the shirt he's wearing in the photo below is, since the space program is becoming nearly obsolete (right Mom). What type of world do we live in when I kid can't aspire to be a Rocket Scientist? Well anywho, enjoy the abundance of pictures of this little guy and a few of our little girls too.

A blurry little smirk, but it's the closest to a smile I've gotten.



Claire is quite the character. Not sure it's a good thing she's becoming more verbal. Trying not to create too much of a mental image, but the other day I was getting out of the shower while Claire was hanging out in the bathroom (not a moment of peace I tell you). She looks at me sideways, which I really try to prevent as much looking as possible, and she questions, "Your bum?" I reply, "Ummm, yep, sure thing, my bum." She says frankly, "It's bigger." Indeed my friend, indeed.

Aunt Cherie made Jaren this darling hat and sent him the outfit to match. It finally warmed up enough for him to wear the clothes so I thought I better take the chance to snap some photos before it decides to snow again. He looks like a little angel.



Mia could hold him for hours. The girls are such good sisters to him.

Jaren looking spiffy in his Sunday best.

When Denice was here visiting last month, we headed over to the Tulip Festival...one of my very favorite places. It's just sooo beautiful. Here the girls are in the Secret Garden.

Jaren loved his first Tulip Festival.