"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!