Happy Birthday Alex!

Alex opened all of his presents this morning from mom and dad and grandma and grandpa. He was such a happy kid ALL morning long! He loved getting phone calls from Grammy and Grampy and Aunts and cousins and we put together some of his Legos. He played and sang and was the happiest I've seen him for a LONG time. It was awesome! In fact, after I found the legs of one of his Lego dudes he started chanting, "Kristi Rocks, Kristi Rocks!". Smart kid! Tonight we are going to the Mayan for his birthday dinner and tomorrow afternoon is his friend party. It should be a lot of fun.
Alex, I think you are the cutest, smartest, sweetest, funniest little dude I've ever met! I'm so happy you were born 6 years ago and that you were ALL MINE from day 1! Love you man!

Samantha soccer 2011

Andy was asked to be a line-judge-flag-holder-dude for a game. As you can tell, it was fascinating.

Big smiles!

Intense goalie!

Cute girl, and silly boy falling off a chair in the back.

I think Samantha has enjoyed soccer this year. It's been fun to see them learn offense and defense and play like a sorta-kinda real team instead of just a huddle of kids. Samantha loves to be goalie and she's a fast little runner. I just wish her attention span lasted more than 5 minutes!

Alex's first day of Kindergarten! (Hallelujah!)

Alex started afternoon Kindergarten today and we ALL were excited! I requested morning K because I knew with afternoon all I would hear in the morning was, "is it time to go yet? when does school start?". Sure enough, that's how our morning went! Oh well, hopefully he'll get used to it. Sounds like he had a great day! Andy was able to take a lunch break, see Alex off, and take me to lunch. It was awesome!!
Proud of you little dude! Love you!

First day of 2nd Grade!!

Isn't she gorgeous!!???!! My big 2nd grader!

Yup, they stole the camera

And, yup, they are strange children!

Dear Samantha,

You are in time-out right now for over an hour and you are screaming and banging on the walls just like you did yesterday, and the day before that, and the day before that. You have called me "awful" and "rotten", and the kicker - "a not fun mom". But guess what? Someday, you'll have a kid JUST LIKE YOU, and you will call to complain to me, and I will laugh, read you this post, and then offer words of encouragement (just like my mom has done to me). For the record: I do NOT like to punish you. I do NOT find it fun or amusing, but you give me no choice. My advice: LEARN FROM YOUR MISTAKES!!!!

Love,
Your awful, rotten, no-fun Mom

Samantha's 7th Birthday!

Grandma and Grandpa gave her a Barbi nail design printer which worked freakishly well!
Even I did my nails!

Grammy gave Samantha a Gramps ring (my grandpa made jewelry which we love and treasure). We are going to take very good care of it!

Cheesing it ready for dinner and a movie!

Sleepy birthday girl.

This was her big gift from mom and dad - an art desk with supplies. She has loved it!! And, the desk was mine when I was a kid, so it's ANCIENT!

Playing after lunch on Saturday with the cousins.

I think Samantha had a great birthday! We love you Mantha-Moo!!

Grammy and Samantha's Family Birthday Party

Abby's "surprise" face. My most favorite!

It wouldn't be a birthday party without some tears!

I love you Abby!!

Hangin' in the shade.

The kids playing Kick the Can.

I'm sure Grammy was ultra pleased to have a Hello Kitty red velvet cake.

Caleb played basketball by himself for a hour.

Lemonade Stand

I'm pretty sure this cute little girl and her sign made everyone stop. Plus, Alex went knocking door-to-door telling all the neighbors about our lemonade stand! It was a hit! Lots of fun and we made $31!

4th of July

So many fun things to do in Kami's backyard!!

BAZINGA!

My favorite picture of the day! I baked 500 cookies for a wedding and Andy was helping me take photos. He's a creeper!

A few family pictures in Hawaii

After a day at the beach and some Shave Ice.

Squished in a submarine.

Please don't let these sweaty people steer the submarine!!

After a lovely breakfast at a lovely hotel.

Neighbor Playdate

Before Hawaii the kids had a play date with the neighbor kids. The older girls decided that they wanted to make cupcakes and decorate them. Whatever keeps them happy!!