Proud Mama

Jamison received an honor eagle at school on Friday. This is only given to students who average a 96% or higher in their combined english and spanish scores. Only 5 first graders got it, so I am a proud mama!
Hug from Miss Irene
Jamison with his trophy
All the first grade honor eagles

Boys and their Toys

I am surrounded by boys and I should be used to it by now because I had six brothers. Even so, I at least had my sister and mom to talk to! Now, it is just lonely me surrounded by boys! Don't get me wrong, I really enjoy boys. I love how if they get hurt, they only cry for a minute then they are over it. I love how they are not dramatic about things. I love how they can get in a fight with a friend and be best friends again after 2 minutes. I love that they only need shorts, a tee shirt, and flip flops for a complete outfit. But, it sure would be nice to have some sort of femininity around here! But if you have boys, you have toys.. Here are some of my boys favorites!
This was Jared's birthday present he HAD to have- what is it you may ask? It is a spear gun to kill poor little fishies with... and here is his first victim:

After I took this picture a friend of mine said I will have an automatic ticket to heaven.
Another love is motorcycles and four wheelers:

Jamison on his little honda xr50, he is already learning to ramp and all I am thinking is "please don't get hurt, please don't get hurt"
Another toy of ours is the four wheeler. Ryder has to wear his goggles "just like dad". I enjoy this toy too although I almost ran over my poor baby Kason with it. I wonder what will be the next big toy obsession?????

COUSIN BABIES

We took a picture of these four babies who were all born around the same time during christmas

Tanner looks like a baby giant at 3 months compared to the newborns! Tanner, Bridger, Kate, Clara
This weekend they had a baby cousin reunion and we had to get their pictures again, aren't they all just sooo cute??

Bridger, Clara, Kate, Tanner

Unexpected Father's Day Gift

About 5 months ago, our dog, Echo, disappeared and we haven't seen him since. Then, Sunday morning we were eating breakfast and I saw a black tail swish by the kitchen window. I said to the boys, "Is that Echo?". I was joking, but I took a closer look and sure enough it looked just like Echo. I yelled to Jared, "You have to come see this, I think Echo is back!!" Jared ran to the door and confirmed that it was indeed Echo. I can't believe it and it all happened on Father's Day, a great gift for Jared who truly loved and missed this dog! Jared thinks he must've been stolen and finally got away and came running home! Even I, a non-animal lover, am happy to see him home again.

This is what we saw while eating breakfast!
Jared with his present and cool tie the boys made at a primary activity
Happy to see his dog again!
Ryder even gave him his cereal he was so glad to see him!

God Sent An Angel To Watch Over Me

He worked through the day so that he could provide,
He taught me to pray as he knelt by my side
He guarded my childhood and all through the years,
he echoed my laughter, he calmed all my fears,
In the arms of my father, I came to believe
That God sent an angel to watch over me.
I am singing this song in church on sunday and I love the words. It is originally a mother's day song, but I changed some of the words to make it fit better for fathers because there are virtually no father's day songs. I took this picture a few days ago of Jared and the boys. He was putting them to bed and it turned into a wrestling match. I thought about how much I loved Jared and how great of a dad he was. I thought about how thankful I am for my wonderful life, husband, and boys. God really did send an angel to watch over these boys. Happy Father's Day Jared!

I'm a big boy now!!

Much to my astonishment Ryder is making HUGE strides in potty training this week. I can't believe it because just last week I would have to pin him down to put underwear on him and then he would take them right off. He had no interest whatsoever. So, I was thinking, he is really into ownership (as most 2 years olds are) and told him "these aren't your underwear, I will give them to Kason, their his" Wow did that work wonders, he immediately said, "no not Kason's MINE" I used the same psychology about his potty seat and now he has been wearing underwear and using the potty for almost a week now! He even tells me when he has to go. This is a great relief as I was changing 2 babies diapers around 12-15 per day. Here he is proudly on "HIS" potty seat eating a ice cream cone going pee, I know this is not too sanitary, but whatever it takes, right???? Also check out my new bathroom tile, I have completely remodeled my 50 year old bathroom, more pictures to come later (as soon as Jared puts up that darn light fixture!!!)

Goodbye Cody!!

We said goodbye to Cody on Tuesday morning as he has graduated from the Academy and moved back home to Ohio. We had fun being parents of a teenager and the boys all absolutely adored Cody. It was a great preview of what is to come- worrying where they are past midnight, dates with girls, figuring out if they were really going where they said they were going! They were sad to see him go and so was I! He is such a great kid. Here are some pictures of his last day!

Last meal- shrimp tacos and consume with Jesse and Axel


The 5 "brothers"



Jamison is sad


Kason not so much!