A Cousin Came Calling

At the airport

As a birthday present, my sisters Katy and Jody gave our nephew R an airplane ticket to go and see his cousins!  It was such a fun time for everyone.  He got to go with us to the Gunnell Reunion too.  We hope to have more cousins come calling in the future.

Playing at the skate park by our house

Swimming at the rec. center

Rock climbing

Lady K showing off her skills

Little L conquering wall 2

Mr. M going for the upside down challenge

RB showed everyone up with his advanced skills (his mom is an avid climber)

RB brought some money and from the first minute the boys were scheming as to what to buy.  They ended up with some popsicles, ice cream, and sour candies.  I didn't control when they ate it and I am sure my sister would have had my head if she knew I let them eat it for breakfast.  Sorry Nettie, but it was so fun!

Cougar Run

Last Saturday our family participated in a BYU Alumni fun run.  Dad, Mom and the oldest three did the 5K and the youngest two did races on the track.  The 5K was fun because we were all together for a lot of the race, encouraging each other on.  Lady K was the first to come in for the family.  She never stopped and even beat her mother (which I told her was only because I was running 5 months pregnant, next time she won't be so lucky! haha)

Baby R was in a 100 meter dash with all kids 5 and younger.  She beat everyone and was so cute smiling the whole way and then at the end exclaiming, "I can't believe I got a medal, I never had one.  Everyone else has medals and now I have one...I can't believe I won!!"  Her excitement was so cute!!  J Man ran a 200 meter.  He started out on the outside lane and I told him to move in after the start.  I don't think he knew what I meant because he ran the entire curve in the outside lane.  He still beat everyone in his 6-7 year old age group and got a fun medal like his sister.  He sat around the rest of the morning feeling like he was going to puke.  Poor kid, I think he pushed himself pretty hard!!

It was an absolute dream morning for me.  I have always wanted to have a day like this where everyone in the family got to take part in some way in the events and it actually happened.  I have to thank Dad a lot because 5K races are not his thing but he did it to make me happy.  What a great guy.  I love all my little athletes.

The fam before the races

Baby R ready to win (she is in the middle with her fists up)

J Man in the outside lane where he ran the entire curve, and still won!!

Two first place medals, you two are amazing!!

After the race

Midnight Storm

We had the craziest storm in the middle of the night this week.  There was a tornado watch and four tornadoes were reported that evening.  We didn't have a tornado but we had an unbelievable hail storm.  There was a constant flash of lightning and hail coming down in sheets.  The streets were flooded with hail and water.  It was the craziest storm I have ever experienced and it actually scared me.  I wasn't sure if we should wake the kids and take cover.  These are some of the pictures we took the morning after when quite a bit had already melted.

Outside the girls' window

This drainpipe was working full time trying to drain all that hail off the roof

A pile of hail in the front yard

Our New Stomping Grounds

One thing we have missed a lot being in Colorado is our beautiful Oregon river.  We spent every summer day at our river for the last few summers.  Here in Colorado we have a lot of fun swimming pools but it just isn't the same.  We have been searching and have found two great reservoirs that have fun sandy beaches and open water.  There are a lot more reservoirs to be explored, but we are so happy to have found some new stomping grounds for the summer.

We had a fun time playing volleyball one day

Mr. M being buried alive

Little L and her cute friend

Colorado Cousins

We have been having a lot of fun spending time with some of our cousins on Dad's side.  We have gone swimming, to the beach and hiking.  We are looking forward to a lot of fun with them in the future.

The boy cousins enjoying treats at the beach

The girls (and J man)

Our fun hike day

Baby R and their youngest posing by a fun rock

Kings and queens of the mountain

The crew enjoying lunch

Cousins

We had a great visit with my cousin Brad, his wife Cassidy and their cute kids.  It was fun to reconnect with them.  We are so sad that they will be moving back to Utah soon but we were glad to get to see them before they left.

Cute cousins, they are only days apart

Brad and Cassidy's family

Last Day of SchoolM

The kids had a great last month of school.  They were able to make some good friends and more importantly, their teachers helped them to catch up to get them on track for next year.  Each one of their teachers was so patient and attentive to their needs and made the transition to a new school and new curriculum really smooth.  We love these great teachers!

Mrs. Kinder and Lady K

Mrs. Garner and Little L

Mrs. Thurston with Mr. M

Ms. Oaks (Reading)

Mrs. Singh, Mr. M's favorite teacher (Math)

J Man with Mrs. Miller