Backyard Fun

Eli took quite a liking to Monopoly this summer.  He BEGGED us all to play with him EVERY. DAY.

So we spent a lot of time doing that.  I figured that with adding up the two dice and counting spaces, it could be considered math practice. :)

We mostly spent time outside this summer, though.  We've enjoyed finally having a backyard that is big enough to really play in (although it's still pretty small - what's with small lots these days?!)

Alden has taken a sudden liking to baseball.  We went to DI and got him all equipped for under $10.  He's looking forward to getting to play in a league in the spring but in the meantime he gets a lot of catching and batting practice in with Dad in the evenings when Dad's on a rotation with decent hours.

 Jaron.  Haha.  Who knew I married the world's best dad?! Here he is skipping like Gracen, making her giggle to no end. :)

 Dodge ball is another backyard favorite.

Man, I wish these pictures weren't blurry.  Please let the summer fun never end!

This Toddler

I think I've enjoyed each one of my toddlers more than the last.  Sure, toddlerhood is full of big opinions and little ability to express them, which adds up to a lot of frustration for little one and momma alike but, man, they're just so cute.  The way they toddle around.  The way they look all pot-bellied in a diaper.  The way little things like trucks and trains and dogs and new little physical feats are such big things.  Love it, especially this 12-18 month stage.

Reed just loves balls and cars.  He also loves to be outside.  He likes walks but has started bailing from the stroller unexpectedly so now he gets buckled in.  He laughs at everything and LOVES his siblings.  He is happiest when he is being included and most sad when their bedroom doors are shut to him.  Reed doesn't say much other that "Mum" at this point but he waves bye-bye and night-night, shakes his hands to say "no more", and nods or shakes his head "yes" or "no."  I love it when he can't find me in the house and walks around saying, "Mum? Mum? Mum?"  :)  He greets Jaron home from work with wide open arms and a big smile.  

 One day we all had popsicles in the backyard.  Reed was just too cute when he lost the last of his.

 I chose to capture the cuteness instead of helping him.  Good thing Gracen saved the day.

Family Pictures

Our sweet friend Marie kept offering to take some family photos of us.  I kept saying "Sure, let's find a time." And then suddenly we were moving away and had to do it NOW.  Since Jaron had already packed his clothes, I scrummaged around to find what would match the TWO shirts he had left out for himself (geesh!) and we up and went to the train depot when Sunday afternoon.  Marie did a great job and we're grateful to her for these!  It's been since Saba that we had a family picture done!!

I can't believe it - all the kids are LOOKING AND SMILING in this one!!

Trampoline

Best thing we EVER bought!

Sometimes Jaron says it's hard to say yes when they ask him to jump every evening, especially after a particularly long shift.  But sometimes I also think he likes it as much as the kids do. ;)

Sweet little Reed wants to play SO BAD.  Sometimes the kids are good and don't jump for a few minutes so he can run around on it but Reed isn't allowed when the big kids are just jumping.  Poor little guy who wants to be big SO BAD.

 CUTE.

Funky Weather

This area has been keeping us entertained with some wild weather this summer.

We've had a few good thunderstorms...

 ...which we took advantage of playing in.  Our neighbors must think the crazies have moved in.

 Then we got a couple of wicked hail storms.  During the first, the kids and I were on the freeway driving back from Boise.  It was a crazy, slow drive back and we were grateful to make it safely.  Jaron got a few pictures of what the storm looked like back at the house:

 The second storm only lasted 15 minutes but transformed our front yard to this:

Needless to say, much of the area's crops are toast and ours and the surrounding counties declared state of emergencies to get some help for the farmers.  So sad!