I'm DONE!!

     NINETEEN years ago I began the diaper phase of my life with only a two month break in between my two oldest and that's it, (that's 988 weeks or 228 months) but as of Monday, June 13 the diaper phase has come to an official END!! My baby isn't a baby anymore! There are no words to express my happiness and relief over the end of my diaper era.

Loved these diapers but I won't miss them!

    As for the rest of our week, we had another successful tent city and a fun surprise from the Smith family who came down from Idaho. They made it in time to watch the last half of the outdoor movie in the backyard. My only photos were of the kids being spun by their Uncle Josh but then I accidentally deleted them. But with the surprise arrival of Melissa and her family we finally got an updated family photo, minus a few bonus cousins, which also allowed us to get an immediate family photo update.

Nearly everyone was looking at the camera, which is pretty impressive considering there was no one behind the camera.

McClane wasn't his most cooperative self but over all I thought our family photo turned out pretty cute.

In order of birth all the cousins! (Again, minus the bonus cousins, but what are you going to do?!)

      Throughout the week Greg and I had some fun touring a handful of the parade of homes in our immediate area. There were houses with bowling alleys, full basketball courts, soccer courts and amazing kitchens, home theaters and master suites. Here are a few photos of some of my favorite things.

This outdoor pool was incredible and the view of it from inside was quite impressive!

With a bowling alley you must have a full on locker space for the shoes and balls. I love this metal design.

And the metal railing in this house was my absolute favorite and an awesome combination of metal and wood.

Super cute 'cubby-hole' playhouse.

This bedroom wall was the last straw for Greg, he's finally ready to do this in our bedroom!

Seriously cool ceiling looking up from the basement stairs.

And how cute and fun is this 'under the stairs play-niche'?! So awesome!!

This was not a 'parade of home' but a cool modern house near on of the 'parade of homes". (This is to inspire Ann & David)

    I also took the five youngest kids swimming at the Payson pool where we met up with most of their cousins, aunts and uncles. The kids had a blast!

      And guess what?! Greg is officially out of the doghouse! We picked up this sweet jacket this week so "Happy Father's Day" to me!! Bike rides all day, every day now we've got our matching leather!

Used but barely worn. It was just what I wanted.

You can't really tell but the Harley is written with a bit of bling and this jacket also has the reflective stripes on the sleeves so it's safe and cute!

And this was a fun date night to Taco Amigo with the neighbors for the BEST fresh strawberry milkshakes I've ever had!

       Now we get to look forward to a bit of a slower week and weekend.

Poppies and water

     The poppies in Lambert Park have been amazing this spring! Greg took a few of us to see them Saturday afternoon.

This is what's left of the old homestead of the man whom Lambert Park is named after. 

    Greg took me on a night ride to the top of Suncrest Saturday night.

Top - The view of Salt Lake valley and bottom - the view of Utah county.

     Then the kids had the best time playing in the irrigation water that was flooding their cousins yard in Springville Sunday afternoon.

     Then there was napping at the counter after crying about the gardening gloves not fitting right.

Charlie was asleep, McClane was just being cute.

    We've also had our first movie night with the neighbors in our backyard this week and we're currently in the midst of Tent City with the Kmetzsch family but it's too dark for photos. Here's to more summer fun in the coming days and weeks!

Kayli's 19th birthday and a little more.

     It's hard to believe that Kayli is actually 19 and a year has passed since she graduated high school. She is currently working at a little retail store in American Fork and is talking about college in the fall and possibly moving out with her girlfriend and finding a little more independence. I don't know if I am 100% ready to let her leave because it has been quite convenient having her around to help with the kids in the morning but I don't fault her wanting to experience life on her own.

Tinkerbell chocolate cake

Everyone but Mark was around to help sing and celebrate.

And what's a birthday without a stop at the puppy barn to 'scratch' the puppy itch.

    As for the rest of the week in order of occurrence; Isaac got his bottom braces put on. The poor kid was stuck in this contraption for nearly an hour but was a very good sport about it.

     Greg and I went on our first of many rides up the Alpine Loop. The steep drop off's on the side of the road were a little scary for me but the scenery was beautiful.

    Sometimes eating Cheetos is just this exhausting!

     And much to Carter's relief the cast is finally off. He did get nicked with the saw but it was worth it to have his arm free!

     So that wraps up our first week of summer break 2016! With the two oldest working full-time I'm not sure how much we'll do outside the neighborhood but I'm sure we'll find something to occupy our free time.

Last week!

      This was the last week of school for the kids!

   

McClane's last day was Monday and it was circus day with all the preschool teachers dressed up like clowns. McClane's preschool teacher was AMAZING!!

    It was also a shopping week and I couldn't resist purchasing these two darling swimsuits for Charlie for the upcoming swim season.

She was more than happy to try them on and model them for me.

    Carter was finally awarded his Arrow of Light and Webelos badge.

I was playing a lot of roles at this pack meeting. I can honestly say I played a big part in Carter earning these awards as his mom and also as his Webelos leader for the past nine months.

     We got to watch Elsie for a few days this week. She is really starting to move!

    We've also spent some time hanging out on the front porch this week.

     And Greg brought home a cute little visitor this afternoon at lunch.

Cute BUNNY! The dog/Smalls wants to get the bunny SO BAD!!

     It's hard to process the idea that school is really out for the summer but I'm sure reality will hit come Monday. The first few days are always the worst so lets hope everyone survives!

Some stuff

     One of the two eaves has been painted!

I think it looks pretty good!

     And while the painting was being done in the front this is what was going on in the backyard. Don't be jealous but..... WE GOT A POOL!!

Really this pool is just Mark's size.

   If you're really feeling rich you might be able to find one just like it at Walmart for a whopping $8.98! It may take some time to save up for it but it is well worth it because the fun is endless! Unfortunately, for us, we have a boy that lives with us who is the ultimate destructor and before the weekend was over our very coveted pool was destroyed by bricks being thrown through the bottom of it. We're hoping we can save up for another one before the summer is over but only time will tell.

      Isaac had a choir concert this week. He doesn't like to admit it but he does love to sing and is kicking himself for not trying out for the boys chorus for eighth-grade. Hopefully he will mention his desire to his choir teacher in hopes that it's not too late.

Isaac's second from the top about six kids in.

     And Charlie and Smalls got quite snuggly the other morning. These are moments that make all the aggravation of this small dog worth it.

Sweet!

     So that's our week. 

P.S. I want to tack on a public Happy Birthday note to Jackie! I hope you have a fantastic day! Love and miss you more than you know!

Not a lot of photos

    This week has been far less eventful than the past few weeks. There was a kindergarten physical for McClane, a second grade program for Brock, work for Mark and not much at all for Isaac and Carter and of course we rarely see Kayli so we rarely get photos of her but of course I took a couple random photos of Charlie.

He was the bravest getting three shots!

He's Mr. Smiley!

An emergency shift for his buddy, he looks thrilled to be there.

Snuggling baby Elsie and playing Batman.

    This song was most relatable and worth saving for Brock who has a tendency to lose control. He may have learned this song at school but he hasn't put the message into effect in his personal life.

    So that's our week. I would have mentioned Mother's Day but it turned out to be a bit of a bust! Maybe in a few months I'll be comfortable talking about it without showing bitterness and resentment. I can give you a hint though, Greg got this for himself the day after Mother's Day so even though I wasn't thought much of 'gift' wise, at least I can say Father's Day is already done!

Happy early Father's Day to Greg! Enjoy wearing this once you're allowed out of the DOG HOUSE!!

Mark is 16!!

     It finally happened for Mark! He's 16 and legal to drive and date! He's done plenty of driving but is too busy working to date for now. He's officially employed with Subway and Alpine City.

Here's a few photos from our week of celebrating.

Thanks G & G Baker for the card and cash. These kids love the tradition!

New Xbox controllers and a new car stereo.

A day at Lagoon, starting with bumper cars.

It's hard to get photos when you're so busy enjoying the rides.

A new, fun, fast and short rollercoaster. Charlie didn't love it but we still made her go on it twice.

The carousel was definitely the favorite for McClane and Charlie.

Swings!

Back to the carousel.

These two topped the day off with a ride on the newest and CRAZIEST rollercoaster at Lagoon, the Cannibal. Do yourself a favor and checkout the youTube video on this ride. It's intense!! I loved it but have no photo proof that I rode it.

       Lagoon really was fun and everyone was well behaved and content with the rides they were able to go on. My kids were a little shocked at how much their mom loves going upside down and fast! It was a fun day and a great way to spend Mark's 16th birthday even if it wasn't on purpose.

Sunday photo shoot!

Mark and his balloons, a day late but still a fun tradition.

Finally time for cake!

He might be a 'little' handsome!

It's official!!

A fun ride up the canyon for Greg and me. Greg's finally starting to get into this biker business!

A. F. canyon, and Tibble Fork as pretty as ever.

Twenty year anniversary for Hope of American program and it was Carter's turn to participate. McClane and Brock weren't sure how they felt about the length of the program but over all they had fun.

It was easy to spot him in the crowd with this cast!

A short and sweet mother's day program at the preschool this morning. McClane is so cute and a I found out he's a great little winker!

Not his first day of work but the first day I remembered to get a photo of him in his Subway uniform.

     So that's pretty much the week's highlights. We also had a fun Cinco De Mayo gathering with several neighbors in our backyard last night but I was too busy visiting to take any photos but it was a fun night. We're definitely looking forward to the weekend rain or shine.