Madden's birthday

Starting School

London is in year round school so she was supposed to start Kindergarten in July.  We were actually on family vacation so she missed 3 days that her classmates didn't. 

 In a two week period London started school, lost two more teeth, and learned how to ride her bike without training wheels.  These are some major events, people! 

 

 The day London started school, she probably asked me like 20 times if it was time to go yet.  She was beyond excited.  

 

I took so many pictures of her getting ready and then riding her bike to the neighbors.  

 

This is the picture of Madden when London left. 

 

After a month of school, he's FINALLY quit crying every morning when she leaves.  Poor boy loves his sister.

  But, Madden did have his birthday to look forward to so, I think that helped a little to say, "Hey! Do you know whose birthday is coming up?" It was a good distraction anyways. 

 

 Madden had a very mellow, pleasant birthday.  We celebrated his, Danny's, and Olivia's birthday on a Sunday.  

 

Lib's is in Alaska so, we couldn't really spend the day with her and that was hard because I miss her so much.  But, I was happy to have German chocolate cake, thanks to Emily!  I love it so much.  

 

Madden was so thrilled with his gifts from my mom that he wanted to open the car tracks right then.  We told him we would do it at our house so he promptly went around saying his goodbyes to everyone.  It was so funny.  

All those poor kids were so excited to see his gifts and he just wanted to leave!  Look how sweaty those kids were too.   We did one thing before we went to my parents' for dinner and that was a visit to the hospital.  

 Tyler's brother, Todd had a new baby boy the day before and we were going to visit our new nephew.  There's nothing sweeter than a brand new babe.  

 

See London itching to touch that baby?  Now look behind her and look at my baby sound asleep.  

 

Yep.  The kids slept through the entire visit and Ty and I didn't have to heart to wake him!  

 We knew that he'd have a party at Mom's later and would probably be worn out.  Here's the kicker though, this is him earlier that day right after church.

  I have an assumption that maybe he's not sleeping in his big boy bed in the basement most nights...hmmm..  So I guess you could say the months of July and August have been ridiculously busy.  

We had also celebrated the baptism of my niece, Mia.  Which, btw, is nuts.  I can't believe she's 8.  

The day before the baptism we visited Tyler's friends that were in town.  It was awesome. 

 Madden was kind of sold on the baby in group.  

They kept hugging each other which was so dang cute.  

We tried to get a picture of all the kids that we have and that was even more mind blowing!  

 

They played so well together and our friend's Melissa and Mark were the best at playing tag:) 

 Joe and Naomi are our other really close friends that came to visit.  We sure miss everyone who ditched UT.  

Here are the three boys that brought us all together.  How handsome.  I've got to say I'm pretty much ready for things to wind down just for a little bit.....

Here's a video of London's 3rd tooth being pulled out.

Time Flies....

As your kids grow up.  I used to have at least an hour or so of free time when I could update the blog, or write down the things that have gone on during the week. 

 (Just a little picture of all the kids watching a show on a laptop.  They all had identical faces the entire time.)Well, apparently I had one day in two weeks with only two hours of free time.  I chose to take the kids to Cherry Hill instead of work on the blog.  But, now I'm so behind that it's discouraging!  We, of course, had our family vacation in July in McCall and absolutely loved it.  This year, I spent every morning running in the mountains and enjoying time by myself.  Then during the days they were packed with our usual vacation delights. 

 

The grandkids were continually changing cars everywhere we went.  

 

Luke rode with us the rest of the way to McCall from Boise and he and Madden promptly fell asleep.  

 

I don't even think I saw London this whole trip because she rode with Dean and Mary. 

 

 Sunday was our usual family picture day and a little hike. 

 

 I love to see this picture of Mom and Dad with all of their grandchildren. 

 

 Look at that legacy!  

 

The kids all did great on the hike. 

 

 Unfortunately, we ran out of water. 

 I seriously underestimated the magnitude of my children's thirst when their overheated. 

 

 Oops.  

 

London was pretty tired at the end because she walked the whole way.

 

  Luckily Madden fits perfectly on a pair of shoulders, but Londie is just too big.  

You can see how red their little faces got.

 

The second hike we went on was Boulder Creek which is absolutely beautiful.  

The kids did great, again!  But, London fell like fifty times.

At least Ginger was there to sing her every thought and action to make us laugh. 

 She even got London distracted from her own aches. The little kids played in the mud and ate it as well.

 

 It's stunning to reach the top of this hike and be shocked by all of the water surrounded by these mountains.  

 

Dean gets in the ice cold water every year and usually Danny and my cousin Trenton do as well.  

 

Madden had to try it too but, really he just stuck his feet in.

  So cute. 

This year we took the kids rafting and honestly, it was probably the funnest rafting year ever. 

 London and Madden were hilarious. 

 

Madden hated the water and would say, "No big bumps!" Whereas London laughed hysterically over every wave and jostle. Gabe was in our raft too and he got a kick out of London's giggles.  But, the raft guide did say that in all of his years, Madden was the youngest to every sneak onto a raft.

 Madden was also a wimp on the jet skiis, 

but....this year he actually caught on to the fun of it.  

 

It took a couple runs but, he was begging me to go faster....but, no turns.  

London just volunteered to go out every time.  She was such a blast.

Good day.  

 

Canoe day was also a really fun day. 

 My only qualm about the trip was that we had four days in a row of early wakings, 

which meant Emily and I were up even earlier to exercise.  

 

I think I was in a coma on canoe day because we were so tired,

 the kids were ALL grumpy, but it was still so much fun.

 London really surprised me this trip.  

She loved rafting and wanted to try cliff jumping. 

 

 They found a small rock for the kids and London totally jumped off. 

 Dean found a rope swing

 and London was so excited to try it. 

 I was a proud Mama when she jumped THREE times!

 

  The boys got to go golfing or fishing so the ladies actually got an afternoon to ourselves.  We went knick-knack shopping and had lunch. It was so fun because I seriously have an issue resisting flea market booths, jewelry stores, and girly bric-a-brac.  I have issues.  The family even stopped for me on the way home for me to check our a flea market!  

 

Mom was so great to make some special moments for us.  She had a "fudge walk" where the kids would walk around to their Uncles and be taught something about the Armor of God.  

 

Then each Uncle would give them a little ingredient.  At the end they were able to make their own fudge!  

 

They also had water Olympics on Mia's birthday with prizes and everything. 

 

 Very appropriate for the opening ceremonies of the Olympics. 

Once again, Madden didn't want to join in the activities. 

 Instead he peed on my legs and the Brigham came over to see what I was yelping about:)

 I think the best finale for our vacation was going to Fuddruckers on the way out.  

 

Kids love arcades.