A big week for Carter and a sneak peek into Mark's big day!

     First, this photo is just too good not to share.

This 'stud' was waiting at home to help unload groceries!

      Carter has had a very eventful week starting with his birthday.

Happy 11th birthday to Carter.

First gift of the day, new shirt and socks.

Thanks G & G Baker for the card and cash, always fun. And we especially loved this birthday card!

New Xbox 360 controller.

A DRONE! He's been really enjoying this gift.

     Cake and ice cream will be served Sunday evening for both Carter and Mark so don't judge me for no birthday cake photos, they're coming next time.

Then it was off to the races. Our cub scouts had a Cubanapolis and all the boys had a blast.

Then the boys received a fun package from 'down under'. We sure enjoyed the treats and the boys loved their hand written notes from their cute Aussie cousins.

Then BAM! Welcome to your 11th year with a buckle fracture on your left wrist, Carter. 

   The funny thing about this break is Isaac had a near identical thing happen about this same time two years ago and wore a cast to the Hope of American program and now Carter will be in a cast for his Hope of America program next week. Irony/coincidence. His trick on the monkey bars didn't go quite as planned.
     Then we got an early start to celebrating Mark's 16th birthday. Per his request he passed on a party and just opted for dinner at Texas Roadhouse with us and his buddy Mason. I for one was more than happy to spend a few bucks on a delicious dinner verses a few bucks and a lot of hassle on a 'Sweet 16" birthday party. We've raised him right!

He wasn't happy to get on the saddle at first but when they handed him a bag of peanuts and a coupon for a free appetizer he changed his mind about the saddle 'ride'. He was hoping for kisses from all the waitresses while he was riding the saddle but I guess that's not part of the package.

And this little cutie knows what gear to wear for lunch and has an interesting choice in pillows during her naps.

     We'll save the rest of Mark's birthday celebrations for next weeks post because I have a feeling we're going to have a bit of a photo over load. It's been a busy and crazy week and we all survived!

Baby time!

    We had the privilege of watching our newest niece, Elsie, this week and it's been so fun and she's such a sweet baby.

Charlie is quite enamored with her cousin and no longer wants her doll while she has a live doll to play with.

She really is so sweet!!

     And Greg and I also enjoyed a Harley ride to the top of Suncrest the other night! The only problem I'm dealing with now is I want to take the Harley all the time and Greg doesn't! Either I need to learn to drive it myself or use my powers of persuasion more seriously!

What a VIEW!

     So those are our weekly highlights!

The girls & a boy

     Kayli has been dealing with some toenail and foot fungus issues for quite awhile now and we finally got around to dealing with it by seeing a podiatrist this week. She had a portion of her big toenail removed and has begun taking a prescription to kill the fungus that is plaguing her feet. It was also the first time she's ever had her blood drawn. She definitely wasn't a fan of any of the procedures but is hoping her feet look and feel healthier soon. Kayli also has a new job working at a clothing store in American Fork that hopefully will provide more hours/money and she also has applied to UVU for this coming fall.

She wasn't happy I was taking photos.

    And Charlie is just cute and silly.

Falling asleep watching a show can be interesting.

Who needs a doll for the doll stroller when Charlie can use it.

     I also need to share how fun McClane can be. I've never had a kid who's always thinking and discussing things, he's quite chatty and very observant and detailed. Today we made a quick run to Costco to buy a couple bags of these delicious cookies we have discovered and on the way home he had the bag open beside him and had decided he was only going to eat a few before getting home but then I heard him say, "They smell so delicious, I'm going to have two more." He cracks me up!!

I LOVE this cute kid!

   

Spring break 2016!

    Be prepared for photo overload! We had some really fun times in Oregon for our spring break and Kayli and Isaac had a great time at Disney World.

    We started our time in Oregon helping out at my sister Ann's new house. We didn't do as much as we hoped to but they did allow us to do a little moving and cleanup in the yard.

This is Ann and David's newest house and a few photos of the inside. I was just a 'tad' bit jealous!

The kids had fun riding around on the four-wheeler and helping create quite a bonfire with all the scrap wood on the property.

4-wheelers and fresh eggs.

    Smalls also got a much needed haircut the first day we were in Oregon.

Greg doesn't like it so short but I wanted this haircut to last as long as possible and at least now we can see his eyes.

     Of course we spent some time at grandmas house hanging out and also at the park.

Grandpa and Charlie were fighting over the baby doll.

Fun at the park and we even ran into my cousin and her kids.

Snuggles before bed.

     Unfortunately, Greg also spent some time at the chiropractor due to his back going out after overworking it. We're pretty sure it was a combination of reading water meters, the long drive to Oregon and then helping with the moving and yard cleanup at Ann and David's. Greg did think about going to the chiropractor before our trip and now he knows that he should have definitely gone before because it definitely would've prevented his back going completely out.

Thank goodness Dr. Jeff Harmon was available to see him three days in a row.

    Luckily he did get in a few rides on the motorcycle with some of the kids before his back went out.

Greg looks pretty studly in all leather. ;-)

    We went to Ashland and visited Lithia Park and also went and visited my sister Marie and her husband Jeff and their three cute kids in Eagle Point.

Charlie

Here's the five kids with us on our trip. 

Trying the 'fresh' Lithia water. No one was a fan.

Mark showing off some climbing skills.

Carter 

McClane

Brock

This is where Marie and Jeff live. 

The kids enjoyed their visit with cousins even if it was a very short visit.

I finally got my hands on cute baby Brigham.

Brock was able to travel to Ashland in style thanks to his grandpa flying him over in his airplane.

     Brock, McClane and Charlie really enjoyed playing with their cousins chicks.

     And I have to share this photo even though this isn't my daughter but she is my niece and sometimes you're just this tired.

I can't believe she was asleep like this and even stayed asleep while her mom drove over their gravel road.

     Then it was time for Mark, Carter and myself to get an airplane ride. Unfortunately things didn't go smoothly but it was still a fun attempt.

That top photo is of the train that was going by when we first got to the airport.

Carter went first, lucky for him.

     Carter's ride actually went fine but when it was time for Mark's ride the engine didn't want to start.

First it was just him getting in to see if he even would even fit. He did fit.

Grandpa spun him around on the tarmac and said, "There's your ride, Mark, how was it?" Who knew he wasn't kidding.

A few minutes later the plane was back in the hanger with it's guts exposed. Hopefully it will be a quick fix and we'll get rides at our next visit.

     Then it was time to load up the motorcycle in preparation for our drive home.

Carter wanted to ride back to Utah like this.

     This is where Smalls liked to lie while driving home.

     And I'm also going to share a few photos that Kayli has sent me of her and Isaac enjoying Disney World.

They seem to be enjoying themselves.

     I would have to say all of us had a pretty fun spring break. And I'm not afraid to say I'm especially excited about our new motorcycle and its new home in our garage!