Cousins

We were so lucky to be in town at the same time that Nicole and Claire were visiting to. Raven was so nice to host all of us and our crazy kids (my crazy kids). We had lunch and then went to the park where we thought we were going to die in the hot dry desert. When we couldn't take it any longer we went back to Raven's and hung out for a bit more. The visit was way way to short but so so nice to see everyone. Kiegan and Claire took off just like they hadn't ever been separated. We miss all of them all ready. :(

Kiegan, Belle, Claire, and Calder


Claire, Belle, and Amelie

The boys with Calder

Buddies

I feel so lucky that my kids have such great cousins on both sides of the family. It's even better that they all get along so well. Mason was Belle's other best friend this trip. It was so sweet to see him play with her and love on her. She loves to be held by Mason. I love this picture of them together because you can see how much they really like each other.

I think this trip was especially fun for Tate. He is finally at the stage where he can really just play, no holding back, no being shy, totally himself. He really bonded with Jace and Josh this summer. It will be so fun to see them grow up together.

Tate & Jace

Tate & Josh

A Day at the Track

Pictures from Lincoln's races:

Lincoln and his cart

Grandpa Lyle and Belle chillin'

When Tony got back into town he took Kiegan and Jonah back out to the race track and met up with the Steel's. They all were able to jump in carts and race. The boys had a blast and loved the feeling of racing. The only thing I heard for the next few days was when do they get to do it again and can they be racers like Lincoln.

My birthday!

I had a great birthday! My whole family spoiled me. Tammy made me my favorite hash brown quiche for breakfast and also surprised me with birthday decorations. She sure knows how to make someone feel special. Mom and Linda took me out to lunch. It was so nice to hang with my ladies. Then I spent the day at the race track watching Lincoln race his go cart. This is not the kind of go cart you would typically think of, it actually looks like a mini race car. The weather was perfect and we all had a blast. My stomach would turn in knots every time he went speeding around one of the tight corners and his tires would lift off the pavement. He did an awesome job and took 2nd place. I'm so proud of him. To top the day off Shawn made me burgers for dinner. It was fabulous. I felt very loved. Tammy and Shawn gave me and Belle matching aprons. Tammy made them and they are oh so so cute! I absolutely love them. Wendi and Mom gave me a beautiful writing board and my wonderful husband gave me $$$$ to go shopping at my favorite store Thai Pan. I had many birthday wishes from family and friends. It was so nice. Wendi and I made a pact in January to go a full year without sugar. We decided since our birthdays are so close that we would celebrate them and eat sugar together. The plan was Wendi would have something little on her birthday, half way in between we would have chocolate cake together, and then I would have something little on my birthday to. The chocolate cake was fabulous but we were so sick. I wanted to die. It was horrible. I was so afraid to have more sugar that I didn't even have any on my actual birthday. Dustin did bring home some Divine donuts that I had a couple bites of later. Lesson learned: don't eat an enormous piece of chocolate cake with tons of frosting when you haven't had any sugar for six months. UGGH!!!

My birthday party!

Wendi, Tammy, Belle, and I in our oh so cute aprons!

My adorable board that I love so much!

Happy Un-Birthday!!!!

Another one of the coupons was to have an Un-Birthday Party! The kids loved this one. They drew names then we took them to the dollar store to spend a couple bucks on each other. We played games, had ice cream cone cake (the cake is baked in the cone and then a big scoop of ice cream on top, it was a hit), and exchanged gifts. It was a fun mini-party.
Tate was the winner! (We all think he peeked a little)

Jace and the ice cream cone cake.