our summer trip - part one

We hit the open road early Saturday morning. Excited for the experience, but nervous for the drive with four boys. Luckily plenty of naps, paper to draw on, travel bingo to play, treats to enjoy, and a tablet to play on kept these four boys amazing little travelers. 

We headed to the lovely Caldwell Idaho to visit some of our favorite people. Grams and Gramps G. They are the most gracious, fun hosts. We love being able to spend time with them. 

 And if you've never had Gram's farm cooking, I'm sorry. It's delish. 

The other favorite part was getting to visit the poor farm. (as Gramps calls it)

Poor or not, our boys think it's pretty cool. 

 Gramps' brand for the cows. I thought it was pretty cool.  

Yes we had a great time.

Then we hit the open road for our next destination. 

fourth day of july

We had a good fourth. A sleepover downstairs under a fort. (just the three older kids) Parade with plenty of candy. Root beer and oreos. All American apple pie. Lots of red, white, and blue necklaces. Finished reading the second Harry Potter as a family. Fireworks.

 

 

This is such a great place to live.

we kinda really like this guy

  a lot.

He's a great provider, protector of our home, loyal husband, devoted father, continual learner, and a man who is always trying to be a little better. 

He's also the fun and patient parent.

(the boys like this picture...it looks like daddy is a big giant) :)

 and june is our month to celebrate him since it's his birthday and father's day all in the same month.

Another thing about Justin is that he hates surprises. If I were to ever throw him a surprise party he said he would walk through the door and then turn around and walk right out. So no surprise 'party'. 

however...
Justin parks his car at one of the park and rides and then takes the front runner to work. We decided to get lots of balloons and tape them all over his car with a sign. We were so excited. We parked a couple stalls away and hid behind the van waiting for him to come home. As we watched him get off and walk towards the parking lot, I noticed a lot of people getting off with him. woops, didn't think there would be that many people. He had an oh-my-goodness-i'm-a-little-embarrassed-smile on his face. I told the boys when we jump out to say surprise, don't be too loud, we don't want to draw any more attention to this already obvious embarrassing situation. He survived. And now I think deep down inside, he's ready for a real surprise party :)

The rest of his birthday was enjoyably uneventful.

 We are so incredibly grateful for this man in all our lives. We kinda really do like this guy.

This was the boys card to daddy this year for father's day. 

goodbye school year 2012-2013

School has been out for a few weeks now, it felt like the middle of summer by the time they got out.

This year has been a big growing year for both the boys. Physically, emotionally, spiritually, and mentally. We are proud of the hard work these boys put into the year.

Especially with their homework.

I loved getting to come in and volunteer in both boys classrooms. Especially fairy tale Friday. I have been so impressed by the amount of work their teachers put into each child. I am hoping each of our younger children get those same teachers. (I brought my camera to school on the last day and just as I was getting ready to take pictures of the boys with their teachers, my battery died.)

The programs were spectacular. There is something about watching those kids up on the stage singing their hearts out that may just bring tears to my eyes. Even if it's during 'Must be Santa'

Can you spot Taylor? One of the only kids in a blue shirt :)

Now we are shuffling through the stacks and stacks of paperwork and artwork that they brought home and we're filing them away.

Can't believe they are done with 3rd and 1st grade.
Now bring on summer.

love these four boys

I know mother's day has come and gone. But I'm okay to think about how much I love being their mother everyday.

Having four boys can be somewhat exhausting at times. Probably not any more than anyone who has four kids in general. But I'm not sure if girls are dragging in every cool rock they find outside. Not sure if they drag legos is every single room in the house. Not sure if they are wrestling each other everyday. I just don't know. Are they? 
But I'm okay with all that boys bring because I really kind of like these boys. I just can't imagine it any other way.

Whenever we are all out running errands, I get at least one comment like this...

"wow you have your hands full"

"oh, I'm sorry"

"you need a girl"

No, please don't feel bad for me. I am so happy. I would never EVER trade one of these boys just to have a girl. 

Would that be tacky to tape a sign to me that says that??

but then sometimes I get this comment...

"I have all boys. It's great."

On another note.

I sometimes feel like I am failing as a parent because our boys aren't in every extra curricular activity. They didn't go to pre-school. And we don't take our kids to every theme park around. I know *gasp*. For some reason, they get excited to jump on the tramp, play in the sandbox, be creative with what we have at home, read books with mom, and make treats together. We will be having one of our first big family vacations this year....and it's not to Disneyland! I know our boys are happy, but again, I still feel at times that people look down on us because we aren't giving our children more.

Then I read a fantastic article in the ensign last night!

For one year, they chose to forgo dance and sports; instead they prepared meals, learned Primary songs, visited museums, and played outdoors. “Our children were able to feel the Spirit … because we took the time to stop and listen,” Amy says. Their children may not be the top sports and dance stars, she says, “but they have a testimony of the Savior.”

Love! Love! Love! And that is my goal as a mother.

I also hope that I can discover who they are, what their talents are, and then help each of them grow into the man that they are meant to become individually. Thank goodness Justin is my partner in this!

 And while I am discovering and trying to do my best, I hope that they feel my complete love for each one of them.