Father's Day 2012

 Happy Father's Day to my wonderful Husband!  He is an amazing Father and I am so glad he is the example he is to my children.  We got him a charcoal grill to celebrate and HE grilled for us today :)  It was quite scrumptious! Love you sweetie!

 The kids on the back porch enjoying the grill heat...in the dead heat of summer.

Side note. This is typical Tyler.  ALWAYS with a book in his hands and always nuzzled in a chair reading away.  It is SO dang cute; although we have our moments of please, please put that book away!  I love that he loves to read :)

Audrie's 8!

Yesterday we celebrated Audrie’s 8^th birthday!!  We had a lot of fun.  We went to Chili’s per her request (I think it’s the only restaurant my kids think there is on the plant).  Sammy quite enjoyed her food, although that girl always loves her food :)

 Then we went bowling.  There were a couple of times I was worried about the safety of everyone around sweet Audrie as she threw that ball.  It was SOOO funny.  Her technique is UNIQUE and slightly awkward (ok REALLY awkward), but completely entertaining.  When her turn she used the bumpers on the bowling lane and still almost managed to get the ball into the next lane, but I think she was using her left hand to bowl then...not really sure why, but it must have seemed like a good idea at the time!  HA!

 All of us girls minus Sammy.

 Sam wanted to pick up one of those balls SO bad.  She tried so hard, but just couldn't!  Look at that sweet face.

Tyler, as handsome as ever!  

Audrie in absolute HEAVEN.  I mean seriously that face just says it all! 

I adore this picture.  This captures all the sweetness that Audrie has.  She is such a loving, tender kind soul that is carefree and always wanting to have fun!  We love her to pieces and so glad she joined our family 8 years ago :)  Love you sweet Adriana!

True Texan!

 Well I am officially a true Texan!  I shot my first gun EVER.  They have always kinda freaked me out, but I did pretty well for my first time.  (My shots are in the black circle portion)  Andy took me on an afternoon date and we went to lunch and then he taught me how to shoot!  Super fun and we will surely do it again.  I knew I was a cowgirl at heart!  (Or should I say hick?)

Farewell Lyndsey!

 I was fortunate enough to be able to fly out to say goodbye to my sweet sister Lyndsey (below) who leaves for the MTC on Wednesday.  Sammy and I flew out leaving Andy and the rest of the kiddos behind, thanks Andy :)  He took care of the house and work while I enjoyed my time with my sisters, parents, nieces and nephews.  It was awesome!  Above is my sister Ali and her cute little Wade.  Tyler LOVES that he can look forward to some male cousin time.

 Here is Lyndsey.  I didn't get ONE shot of her and I together...that's what happens when I'm tired, I just don't think of the obvious.  So Lynds this is my tribute to you, you're such a hottie Sister Whicker!

A Darling shot of Wade.

 Poolside fun.  We had a great time swimming in the icy waters of the pool :)  HA!  Sammy even got in after a while.

 As many of you know we've had quite the month of May.  It started with strep, then lice, vomiting, a uti, fevers above 104 degrees, possibly mono and the flu...one starting before the other was over.  It has been absolutely EXHAUSTING.  So when we went to Utah I started breathing a sigh of relief thinking FINALLY we are over this month of mayhem. Well a couple of days into my trip we went shopping and Sam was seated on a bench.  I was trying on clothing and had my back turned for a split second and she fell.  I have always been known for my fast reflexes and this was no exception.  I caught her but something happened because she cried and cried and CRIED hard.  Finally after we got home and I noticed she wouldn't use her arm we decided to take her to the drs and get her checked out.  They took xrays and thought that it was probably broken, but later was deemed ok.  She still hurts when her arm is lifted, but has no trouble using it, so it is healing.  So the saga continued, but I think we are in a healthy holding pattern....hopefully!  But either way she is SUCH a cutie!

When driving home one day while in Utah, Lyndsey spotted Katie's dream car in a used car lot.  Immediately she called and told Katie and Katie immediately asked if they could go and test drive it.  Katie has Dad wrapped around her finger, and he took her out that evening...we all took a turn :)  Fun times!

I am the Louse-inator!!

WARNING:  If you have a low threshold for things of a gross nature, you may not want to read this post :)

I love this sweet face!  She's doing exactly what I've been doing all week, but my face wasn't so cute and I may have been professing a few words under my breath. HA!  We started off last week with ALL four kiddo’s having strep.  Then on Weds while doing hair I found some unwanted friends in Kaylee’s hair…yes, we found NITS and one louse.  In a frantic I called the school nurse to have Audrie checked…sure enough she had it too.  

The frenzy began.  

Laundering, treating hair, picking, combing, blow drying and repeating. One word.  EXHAUSTING.  Late nights followed with our new nighttime ritual.

Exactly a week later and several breakdowns later, I found a few nits in Sam’s hair and then the following night live bugs in Tyler’s.  Tyler was immediately was buzzed, per his request.  

Finally after 8 days of insanity we did get an Rx from the Dr and treated everyone (including myself despite my lack of bugs just to be safe!) in hopes that it is our miracle cure.  Fortunately after our daily combing regiment I have yet to see anything in anyone’s hair (knock on wood).  We will continue to comb and blow dry for another few weeks. 

  

Audrie has quite enjoyed our ‘nit picking’ sessions (which by the way I have a whole new level of understanding now.  No one will EVER be able to say “ nit picky” without a vivid image of lice coming to mind).  I am now finding it quite endearing.  She really loves being together no matter the reason.  I need to learn from her positive outlook J  Tyler on the other hand is SUCH a baby about the combing of his hair (which is basically nonexistent now).  He whines the ENTIRE 2 minutes it takes.  I think I get some sort of evil satisfaction out of it.  I know, I need to repent.  Hahaha J  Sammy is officially tramatized for life.  She will never let me comb or blow dry her hair again.  

Seriously, if anyone ever has to deal with lice please call me.  I now have a doctorate in the world of Lice, I am NOT kidding, I know everything.  They discust me.  And just for future reference (which I hope I will never need) the prescription was called Natroba, and cost us about $70/bottle.  Worth every penny.  2 bottles covered our entire family.

Sisters.  Notice our bedroom blanket.  Yes that is the strawberry shortcake quilt :)  We had to rotate through all bedding (nightly) the first week so we got to use all kinds of fun blankets.  Now we are just throwing our bedding in the dryer for 30 minutes every night.

  

And I know you love my headlamp.  Seriously the best way to do it.  Kids watch TV, I nit pick.  I remind myself of a picture of mother in this photo...can't quite put my finger on it.

We are currently nit/louse free, let's hope it stays that way.  I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy.

Kaylee's Preschool Graduation

 I don’t know if other preschools do this, but every one in TX that we've been do does.  They do this formal “graduation.”  They have caps and gowns and an official program.  It’s cute, but a little over the top; although there is one part that I always look forward to.  It’s the part when they have them come up for their ‘diplomas’ the announcer says what the child wants to be when they grow up.  Remembering Audrie’s desire to be “THE Queen,” I couldn't help but giggle to myself and wonder what little Ms. Kaylee would say.  Most kids said things like police officers, teachers, veterinarians, doctors, etc.  Then it was Kaylee’s turn and the announcer said, “And Kaylee wants to grow up to be a Mom.”  I immediately got misty eyed and overcome with the spirit.  This little girl may not understand what she is saying, but she knows what she wants to be and I knew how important that was.  She will understand that someday, but as for now she has her eye set on the prize!  The prize of motherhood.  It was a sweet moment.

Later as the rest of the children got their diplomas NOT one other little girl said she wanted to be a mom.  NOT ONE. 

I am SO grateful for the gospel and the teachings of the importance of the Mother’s role.  The importance of being a Mom, as a full time, professional job, because it is just that.  I hope that I am the example I want to be so they can see what a joy it can be! (a weakness I am still working on!)

 I can just see her as an adult in this picture!  She is such a doll.  Love you Kaylee girl.

Soccer Kids

This year both Tyler and Audrie wanted to do soccer again.  It has been a lot of fun seeing each of them improve and play their little hearts out.  I love watching them and as Andy can attest I am very vocal about it :)  I just can't help it!  I get really into it.  I know some of these aren't the best pictures, but I have yet to figure out how to do good action shots.  I will learn.