Miscellaneous June Pics

Rad-dish Kids Club

For her birthday, Eden received a subscription to Rad-dish kids club.  Each month she receives a box in the mail with recipes, a new kitchen tool, cooking tips, etc.  She has LOVED this.  We try to incorporate one of her dinners at least once a week.  She enjoys it so much, and it's been fun to try new things - like veggie summer rolls, homemade gnocchi, chocolate crepes, and many others.  It's been fun having her in the kitchen with me and I really enjoy watching her develop a love for cooking.

Funny things kids say....

Eden had spread a whole bunch of bird seed on the patio and flagstone in the back.  Brad told her that he didn't like it because it hurt his feet.  Her solution?  "Dad, you should get used to walking on rocks."

Mom: "Bentley what do you want for your birthday?"

Karly: "What will he get? Envelopes?"

Mom: "Bentley, do you want envelopes for your birthday?"
Bentley: "ummmmmm... yeah, if they're full of money!" Then after I started laughing he said, "Oh, and really nice notes with it too." 

I got to take Bentley on a date to get ice cream and to the arcade.  On our way home he said, "Mom, someday I want to take you on a date in a really fancy car. Maybe even a Bentley since that's my name."

Olive quoting Mary Poppins  "super cali fragolostic make me alidocious"

Karly quite often likes to copy everything Olive does.  Depending on her mood of the day, sometimes Olive loves this, and sometimes she can't stand it.  We were having a bad day and Olive was so frustrated that Karly was copying her so I was trying to teach her that she should be flattered because it means she is so awesome that Karly wants to be just like her.  Olive's mood immediately changed and she said, "Yeah mom! When Karly copies me it's really good because she learns new words. Karly say DEPENDENT."  ha ha funny random word choice for her to pick because I asked her and she doesn't even know what that means.

We went to the theater to watch the new movie "Hotel Translyvania 3".  Karly was getting a bit antsy, but the movie suddenly got a little intense so she was finally sitting really still as she watched. After the part passed she said, "Whoa, that was really dramatic."

I was in a rush to feed the kids before Brad and I left on our date, so Ramen noodles was on the menu which, in my defense, we rarely have around here.  Karly took a bite and said "wow, mom, dinner is actually good!"  Thanks Karly.


I only like to use the DVD player in the car for road trips, or random exceptions like trying to keep the toddlers from falling asleep in the car.  One day Karly really wanted it and the conversation went like this:
K whining: "Mom turn on a show. We want the show!"
M: "No Karly, I can't."
K now excited: "Yes you can mom! You can do hard things!"

These kids bring so much intense joy in our lives.  How boring and sad our life would be without them.  As a quick update on us - Brad is still serving as a High Counselor with the assignment of Self Reliance and Young Women.  He loves being with the youth.  He continues to dominate the world with his career and says that his business is like an engine building game, which is his favorite type of game, and he is good at what he does.  We are very blessed.

I am still the relief society activity chairman, planning all the parties, and I was also recently called to teach the 9/10 year old primary class.  They are a fun group and I enjoy being with them, though I do already miss being able to attend Sunday school and Relief Society. 

Plans are now in full swing for our new dream house.  On my birthday actually we picked up the finalized technical drawings from the architect.  We cannot wait to bring this dream to life!  This will be a busy year for us and a big change for sure.  We are excited.

Eden's Birthday Party

Finally, just a few weeks after her birthday, it was time for Eden's birthday party!!  She had planned it all herself and was so excited for her friends to come hang out.  She had a pajama party with breakfast foods for dinner. They played a lot of games and then they decorated pillow cases to take home.

Lydia Pickett was really helpful for Avery as Eden lost focus and took the pie to her face. :)

She got so many great gifts from her friends.  Eden is very fortunate to have a great group of girls in the ward.

They all had a stencil for their names and then they drew whatever their little hearts desired.  They all turned out really cute.

The birthday treat was chocolate donuts with a scoop of ice cream on top.  Yum!

Thank you to all the cute girls (and our favorite cute boy in there too) who helped celebrate our 9 year old Eden!!  So fun. :)

Slip N' Slide Buddies

In order to not get pulled into the play, or distract the play, I often have to spy from the kitchen windows to watch what's happening outside.  I love it when I see things like this.  My best and favorite moments of motherhood come when I watch my kids genuinely enjoy being with each other.  I can't get enough of the smiles on their faces.  

Thanks for the ride brother!!

"Park Restaurant"

Some of the parks around town have a free lunch for kids during the summer.  We check the menu and if it's something that sounds good, we will make an outing and enjoy playing at the park, or swimming, and then grab their free lunch.  I (obviously) LOVE this.  The kids call it "The Park Restaurant".  We like to frequent this "restaurant".  Thank you Albuquerque!

Lizard Ladies

Bentley's First Novel

Bentley has been doing a lot of reading lately which is awesome.  He recently received a book that had short stories, activities and journal prompts.  It also had a section of blank pages for creating your own story and it really inspired Bentley.  We talked about what makes a good story, with characters, different settings, a conflict or plot, etc.   Then he began writing his story which has since turned into a novel. He worked hours upon hours on this story he was writing.  He would do a little bit, or sometimes a lot, every day for about a week until it was finally finished.  I couldn't wait to read it, and I was so impressed!  It made me laugh and I loved the little insight it gave me into his cute mind.  It was about two friends going to school and playing.  I loved it, and I loved watching his dedication to finishing his first story.

Well done Bentley boy!

Happy Father's Day

We love celebrating our great daddy on Father's Day!  The kids really enjoy doing special things for him, like breakfast in bed and lots and lots of treats.

Before church we had to pose for a picture to capture this awesome daddy with his four biggest fans. So cute!

After church, grandma and grandpa joined us and we got to celebrate grandpa too.  They both opened their gifts, we had a yummy stake and potato dinner (with "Dad's Root Beer"), and then finished the night with cake.

I am so grateful for my own dad who was, and is, such an important person in my life.  I love that we live close and can be together often.  

I am so grateful for Brad and the amazing father he is for our kids.  Really, he is the best dad.  The kids know they are deeply loved, and in the process he helps them truly enjoy life and remember the importance of having FUN.  Happy Father's day!

Baby Darth Vader

"Come to the dark side mom!"

I know her dark side - it's not fun.  Let's stay away from the dark side, k?

Swimsuits and Crafts

Pro of summer: they spend a lot of time in their swimsuits which cuts down on laundry.  The con: they spend a lot of time at home being creative which makes a lot of big messes.  I'll take it though.  I love summer and having our house full of friends and fun.

Mommy's Birthday!

I had such a great birthday!  I was extra spoiled that day and had so much quality time with the family.  It was the best.

It started out with sleeping in, which is always a good day for me.  When I came down the kids had the table covered in cards and Lego creations.  It was so creative and cute.

That morning I wanted to go on a little hike so we went out to enjoy the sunshine and hike up the volcanoes.  

We saw two very big snakes along the way which was a major birthday bummer!  The kids were so intrigued though, which I guess turned out to be fun after all as long as they were slithering in the opposite direction.  I couldn't quite relax as I walked though because I didn't want to come close to another of those!

The view point from the top was awesome.  We ended up spending a lot of time up there just soaking it all in.

We had a lot of fun with our shadows on the way down.

We went home and had lunch and then spent the afternoon at the swimming pool.  It was perfect after our hot, snake filled hike.

The afternoon wasn't without all strange creatures though.  The girls found and followed this praying mantis for a long time.

That evening we opened presents and enjoyed dinner and ice cream cake.  It was a great day and I felt very loved and spoiled by my sweet crew.

And also - a happy birthday to grandma Justice today too!

Thank you family - I love you! Happy birthday to me!