Back to the Country

This year we spent two weeks in Teasdale.  The first week for me was spent cleaning out my mom's house.  We literally went through every bedroom closet!!!   I have  to admit that cleaning and organizing is a talent of mine.  I told my mom I'd much rather go through and clean out a closet than cook dinner any day. She thinks I'm crazy!!!

Meanwhile the kids kept themselves pretty entertained with the kitties, playing outside and every once in a while I'd take a ride with  the girls while they practiced driving the 4 wheeler up and down the road.  It also helped when Paula took the girls to a story time at the county library.  Looks like my girls were stars of the show.

 

We also met up with one of my favorite cousins Mary Jane who was in town with her family from Houston. I haven't seen her in years but she's as friendly and funny as ever.  We went with her down to Capitol Reef National Park and enjoyed the visitor center, a picnic and watched the kids climb all over a hill.   Here's a picture of all of our kids together. 

The hardest part about working along side my mom was having her pulled away with so many phone calls.  Man my mom is involved in so many things.  As we were organizing her projects that she told me she'd finish someday, I told her it was pointless to keep them because she's too busy and involved to finish any of these things.   One afternoon my mom took my dad, who was cutting hay, his lunch.   The girls went with my mom while I continued to clean out and were lucky enough to cut a couple rows with him.

 Friday the 4th came and we spend the day with most of my family at Sarah and Luke's house.  My kids loaded up their candy stash at the Richfield parade and then we went back for a BBQ and some slip and slide fun.  We ended the day having the kids paint matching flag shirts that they all wore to the parade the next day.

 

 

Saturday was the traditional Torrey festivities.  First the parade, then games for the kids,  watching the 4th of July program that my mom is always a part of and then the annual BBQ. 

 The best part of the weekend for me was having Bart around.   The kids love spending time with their dad.  Especially when he would take them on 4 wheeler rides!   

 With Bart gone back to work, the next week became a fun filled cousin week.  Ally and I both had our kids along with Bentley and Dayson.   Each morning we all set off for swimming lessons.  This year Allyson, William, Aaron and I took the mommy and me swimming class while the girls were in their classes.  Aaron thought the best part was playing with the water at the top of the slide.  He needed to be coerced from the water and then would slide the rest of the way down. 

 

 

 Both of the girls became expert high and low dive jumpers (High for Emi low for Jane).  Most of all they had a lot of fun and enjoyed their special prize Grandma Becky gave them when the completed the week.

When we weren't swimming.  The kids were enjoying each others company at their Grandma's house.  I read a saying that said "Grandma's house, it's where cousins become friends".  This was true most of the time unless a little toddler greed got in the way.

  

Emily enjoyed teaching Bentley how to use her rainbow loom

In the evenings when all the kids got restless we would load everyone up in the Can Am and cross the field to pet the horses.

One night Baxter drove by after he finished moving some sprinklers and stopped and gave all the kids what Ally referred to as "City Slickers horse rides around the corral"  The kids loved it especially Aaron who begged to get on with anyone who would let him. 

It may take my mom a full year to recover but we are already looking forward to more cousin time in Teasdale

Serious cuteness

While I'm on a roll of bragging I might as well include Aaron in the mix.     While we were at "This is the Place Monument", Aaron discovered a playground with a wooden kid sized train.  He was in heaven moving from one compartment to the next.  He stole the hearts of many as he moved from window to window sticking his smiley head out and while waving would say " bye bye" to anyone walking by. 

Even when I turn around to discover a huge mess from a yogurt that Aaron refused to let me hold, I just can't get mad.  Common could you get mad at this smiley face. 

I should have known he'd figure out how to open it!!!










Bart's as bad as me.  He has taken to calling him 'turkey feathers' when he discovers our mischievous boy into something. 

Quick as a wit and tough as nails

Emily's team may have seldom scored a goal but Emily showed me just how much heart she has.  Not only was she the first to befriend the others on the team but each week Emily was anxious to get to soccer and showed up with a smile ready to have fun and play.

 Can I tell you how fast Emily is.  When it was a loose ball Emily would take off like a shot and hands down always be the first one there.  Watch out Alta High's track team. 

Emily also sprained her ankle doing a cartwheel a day or two before her last game.  After she spend an entire afternoon swimming and was exhausted and still in pain from her ankle, I gave her the choice to stay home or go but she couldn't bare to miss the game and played with a lot of pain.  She didn't quit and showed us what kind of awesome stamina she has.    I'm telling you nothing is going to stop this girl from accomplishing her dreams

Funny photo.  Maybe Emily was doing a little pregame visualization?

Soccer Superstar

Driving home one night after Jane's 3 or 4th soccer game, Emily turned to Jane and said "you are a super star at soccer"!!! My confident Jane just beamed her contagious smile and said "I know".    To say the least Jane carried her team to victory most of the games scoring tons of goals.    One game in particular it seemed to turn into a one man show with Jane as the star.  I had to giggle when I heard a parent from the other team yell to his kid "As much as I'd like to see Pele score another goal "GET IN FRONT OF THAT GIRL".  Perhaps the best moment for me as a mother was when Jane was kicking the ball down the field with a team mate by her side.  When Jane was right at the goal ready to kick the ball in she stopped and passed it off to cute little Macey who kicked in her first goal.  Way to be team player Jane!!!! 

A few days ago we were in the car and Jane noticed a bumper sticker and asked  me what it says.  I responded "Alta High Girls Soccer".  I then said "Just think in a few years Jane when your in high school and playing soccer for the high school team I get to put one of those stickers on my car too."  Once again Jane flashed me her awesome smile and said "I know"!!!

(These pictures don't do justice for Jane.  Never hire a photographer who is also the excited cheering parent as well as the chaser of the 1 year old who thinks he should play on the team as well)

Jane with her Coach

Advisory

WARNING
The following posts contain a high amount of boasting from a very proud mama who isn't afraid to show it.    Please be advised that if this type of content causes your eyes to roll or stomach to turn, you may want to exit my blog immediately!!!

Just like daddy

I've got 3 kids that want to be just like their daddy!  Lucky for them they have a great one to look up too!!!

Here's Aaron and Bart ready for church with their two new striped ties.   Aren't they handsome!!!

Emily dressed in Bart's clothes

Jane dressed up in Bart's clothes

And why do they want to be just like their dad?

Well maybe it's because he sacrifices his own comfort so his little boy can sneak a little nap in a foyer of a rec center.

 Or could it be that even after he's spent all day painting Jane's room her favorite color purple, he still takes the time to read a book to Aaron

I'm sure it has a lot to do with the fact that even though he works an exhausting 10-11 hours a day, he still signs up to coach his daughters preschool soccer team.   I love this little team to death but a good handful of them require a lot of patience.  Bart was constantly redirecting  and convincing them that they really can't lay down in the middle of the field during the game.  Did I mention he did this after working a really long day. 

 

Well for whatever reason it may be.... he sure is our hero around here!!!1

A year of preschool

Jane just finished her year of preschool.  On to kindergarten next fall.  Here's some pictures throughout the year.   
 

 

Jane with Miss Debi after her Christmas program

Ready for the End of School year program

So happy to Graduate!!!