Carter Fun

We got lucky to have Uncle Ty and Aunt Christie join us for a week (a month or so ago). The kids LOVED having them. While Aunt Christie worked hard for the money, Uncle Ty worked hard keeping my kids happy and even helping me school them. It was awesome! Plus Kyle and I even got a double date with them, and I got a few documentaries in with them. I usually have to watch them alone and it was fun having real adult people in my house to learn with. I think they are hooked and are going to want to come watch more soon (just kidding, I actually think they might think my movie choices are a bit odd).

Here is just 1 days worth of fun.... I didn't pull the camera out too much.

Notice who is on top! I love it!

We got Uncle Ty to join us at the aquatic center, that i never go to because it stresses me out but with Ty's help we all had a great time!

While the little ones played with me and had fun in the little kid area, Kenyon and Avery enjoyed time with Uncle Ty doing big kid stuff.

Avery went first on the big inflatable...

Followed by Kenyon

and Uncle Ty.

Then they headed to the other one where Avery didn't know Uncle Ty was waiting to scare her. He really is so fun for the kids and seems like he actually enjoys it, like he's not jut trying to be nice. Look at his sneaky position. :)

We came to watch the big 3 for a bit.

Kenyon was in HEAVEN!!!!

Last year Kenyon was too short for the slide but this year he got to go first!

He LOVED it!

Uncle Ty has great water slide form.

And my little Avery was all smiles as well.

This picture is SO CUTE!!! I had to share it!

THANK YOU Uncle Ty and Aunt Christie for being so much fun! We LOVED having you stay with us and can't wait until you get kicked out again.

He's AMAZING!

Father's Day was super simple this year but I still wanted it documented on here.

Kyle had asked me to put the camera away for Father's Day but this was one of the few shots I got and I thought it captured some of the joy we all felt celebrating the fact that we have such an amazing dad in this house! The kids all put so much effort into their cards for him and it's getting to the point that no matter how good my ideas are, they seem to have the "perfect" plans already in store for him.

Every Sunday at our church, between services, they put out a table of food and everyone stands around, eating, snacking and chatting. For Father's Day I decided to make a "Donuts for Dad" table and it was a hit! I thought it would be a fun tradition to start and I think the kids agreed. I was busy keeping it stocked so Avery took this picture for me.

Well, that was it. But the simplicity of this post and these pictures do NOT reflect in anyway the feeling we all feel toward Kyle. He truly is an amazing father and I feel beyond blessed to be his partner in raising up our children to know, love and make known our Father in heaven. It's a big and overwhelming job at times but it takes a huge weight off my shoulders to know Kyle and I are in this together. :)

Carter Fun

We got lucky to have Uncle Ty and Aunt Christie join us for a week. The kids LOVED having them. While Aunt Christie worked hard for the money, Uncle Ty worked hard keeping my kids happy and even helping me school them. It was awesome! Plus Kyle and I even got a double date with them and I got a few documentaries in with them. I usually have to watch them alone and it was fun having real adult people in my house to learn with. I think they are hooked and are going to want to come watch more soon (just kidding, I actually think they might think my movie choices are a bit odd).

Here is just 1 days worth of fun.... I didn't pull the camera out too much.

Notice who is on top! I love it!

While the little ones played with me and had fun on the kid area, Kenyon and Avery enjoyed time with Uncle Ty doing big kid stuff.

Avery went first on the big inflatable...

Followed by Kenyon

and Uncle Ty.

Then they headed to the other one where Avery didn't know Uncle Ty was waiting to scare her. He really is so fun for the kids and seems like he actually enjoys it, like he's not jut trying to be nice. Look at his sneaky position. :)

We came to watch the big 3 for a bit.

Kenyon was in HEAVEN!!!!

and so was I.

Random Summer Moments

Cooking S'mores at Grandma and Papa's!

We LOVE Gavin!!!!

Swimming in San Jose... all time favorite!!!

We spend lots of time coloring or crafting at this table!

River Baptism! We love celebrating this day with our church family.

The boys did a service project for the girls. They made the cookies and practiced serving others. It was really cute and the girls were thrilled to get a break from school to enjoy their treats. Now, whenever Kaden wants a cookie he asks "can I make cookie for sisters".

Daddy BBQing moms latest recipe... Orange Thai Chicken... 4 out of 7 liked it.

Too much work for those kind of results!

Adia finally gave in and let my dad give Sierra to an amazing program that uses horses, therapeutically, to work with disabled children. It was such a hard decision but she knew Sierra would be great at it. Her only condition was that she gets to have KC and here she is riding her new horse for the first time.

Adia has been having recurring ingrown toenails since the begining of volleyball season. Here she is the day she got half of it removed. She was super tough for the 50 million shots they but in her toe.

NASTY!!!!

River day with Tati and Wellington. The kids sure love these Brazilians!

Adia did this project with the little ones. They LOVED it!

I LOVE that my kids know how to really ware themselves out...

I swear Adia wants to steal this baby from me.

One of the kids new favorites. I freeze a bunch of little toys in a large bowl and they get to use spoons to hammer them out. It gives me, at least, a good 30 minute break. It's been a big hit whenever kids come over too. I usually make a girl block and boys one!

Well, those were random moments but I've been SO BUSY. I'll post Father's Day, Uncle Ty and Aunt Christi's visit, the Grand Canyon and a few other highlights soon... I hope!

Mom CAN Do It!

This all started a couple Mother's Days ago. I had wanted to go to Tahoe to enjoy the day since it was too hot in EDH. I said I'd love to go for a walk with the kids. I was envisioning a cement path (like sidewalk) that goes through the beautiful forested areas with views of the lake. I have since learned those don't exist. Anyway, on the way there we saw signs for Horsetail Falls and Kyle says we should do that hike with the kids. He had heard it was beautiful and leads to a waterfall and it was about a half hour closer than going all the way into Tahoe. I was convinced and we pulled over to start my beautiful Mother's Day walk with the kids. Not long after we started on the very natural trail (meaning dirt, bugs and sticks), just a way past the stinking bathrooms, we arrived at a beautiful rock area with a gorgeous water feature (not sure what nature people would call it). After a good photo opportunity and a near death experience with a small animal on my flip-flop covered foot (and a bit of screaming and a bit of Kyle embarrassed of me) I was done and ready to go home. The kids and Kyle were annoyed because I guess we hadn't really started the trail yet. I insisted it was Mother's Day and I should decide. So with tearful kids and a frustrated husband we drove home silently.

That brings us to the day I conquered the hike. I decided it was a beautiful day, the weather was gorgeous and slightly cool (which I love). I told Kyle I'd like to do that hike again. He kind of laughed and then when he realized I was serious said "let's do it". The kids invited Grandma Jenny, Uncle Ty and Sarah. I wore shoes to protect me from the scary animals found all over the ground and we were off.

Now that it is over, I kind of laugh. It was fun. It was beautiful. I really enjoyed being out in God's amazing creation, with people I love, and would do it again any day - well as long as it was cool outside. Here are some pictures of what I conquered. And before you judge me too hard, know that I have hiked half dome. Did I love it? No. Do I think I might actually enjoy it now? Yep. Well, that is if I could physically do it, but the point is, if I could, I would. Of course, I'm not in the pictures but just know I had to be there to take them.

This picture was taken purely to make Grandpa Paul jealous.

We were a bit surprised but so excited to see patches of snow all over the place.

My HANDSOME boys!

Feelin' Proud

Sarah, the big sister that all the kids adore!

Love it!

Yes, Kenyon jumped in the freezing water... and yes, that is snow all around.

Aww... brothers are cute!

Adison was amazing out there.

She had a blast and looked gorgeous the whole time.

See, I was there.

THE END!

Avery's Piano Recital

Avery had her piano recital just the other night. She did a great job and it was fun to see her start the program off wonderfully. We are very proud of her and love watching her develop this talent. I can't wait to see how she uses it as she grows. Her teacher Mrs. Wanda is a beautiful woman with a heart for God and is so good with Avery (and Adia who she taught for a semester as well). Thank you Mrs. Wanda for being such a great teacher and thank you Avery for all your hard work!

Sorry the video is so dark but the lighting was bad and my new camera is AWFUL!

Happy Ascension Day

After Jesus conquered death, I love that he spent some special time with his followers, before going back home with his Father, where He belongs, seated at the right hand of God. It makes me feel so loved that after all that pain and sorrow, He was still willing to be with us. He knew they/we still needed their/our hands held a bit and He is always so willing to do that. I feel so loved and had to honor Christ's overwhelming love for us with my gang Thursday night. We had a very special time and the sky couldn't have been more beautiful. We found the highest hill near our home and we read the story in Acts 1. We talked about the power to witness, that Jesus gives us, we talked about how differently we might live if we knew He would be back this week, and we talked about people getting ready because Jesus is coming! It was wonderful and a new tradition for sure!

Kyle, getting ready to have a blast!

The beautiful sky we sat under that so perfectly fit the occasion.

Adison and her beautiful face and craft.

Here is Avery's. She said it is her praying to Jesus while she waits for Him to come back and looks up for Him. She also told me that if we knew for sure He was coming back tomorrow she would call every phone number she could think of and beg people to please believe in him. It was cute!

Happy Ascension Day!

(some people choose to celebrate it on Sunday even though it is technically 40 days after the Resurrection)

Next is Pentecost... still dreaming up a beautiful way to celebrate that HUGE gift we were given.