Just the Short of It

December 2012

Mike got to go visit with Rob, Kristi, and his parents in December.

Spring 2013

We love it when cousin Max visits.

#1 turned FIFTEEN. Our neighbor made the amazing cake.

#2 attended the statewide Duke TIP recognition because he scored high on the SAT (taken in 7th grade).

Here's the medal he received.

#1 discovered war hammer.

#4's indoor soccer team

I fell in love with this picture that my Grandma Hazel painted, and Mike framed it for me for Mother's Day. I still smile every time I see it I smile.

I loved this project that #3 did in art at school, describing themselves and then using the words to make a self portrait.

The Brown Family (Mike's sister, Kristi) came to visit us for spring break.

We spent a good bit of time walking and playing at the park.

#5 is still Mr. Social. Here he is with one of his bestest buds, Cam.

We invented a new game. Dad says something like "arrange yourselves youngest to oldest left to right." We all have to move into place without touching the ground. He somehow always makes mom move the farthest.

#5 had some special time with dad.

Dad took #s 1 and 2 to visit Nana and Pops on their church history mission. They had the time of their lives and learned a lot, too.

They even got to visit with Sandra and Jessica. Jealous much? Why, yes. Yes, I am.

Apparently #4 felt some need for extra protection in his room...

Dad took the boys on the church Father Son campout. #5

#5 learning some baseball tricks from his friend, Michael.

#5 receiving his soccer trophy

We had a chance to send Dad away overnight to have some personal time. Between teaching seminary (a scripture study class for high schoolers at 6 am!), his work, and our crazy family, he rarely gets a minute to himself. He made it extra fun by reporting by text pictures on his activities. Mooyah is his new favorite restaurant hands down since we started eating gluten, soy and (mostly) milk free in the spring.

January and February 2013

Our boys love to cook. They each check off easy recipes as they learn them so that they won't have to subsist on soda and snickers bars when the go to college. Of course, they may do so anyway. But they won't HAVE to. #5 is learning how to make shepherd pie.

I frequently find #3 and his Dad chatting or sharing a little down time together.

#3 got spiciest car for his third year in a row, thanks in part to our cubmaster, Andrew Gordon, who was a terrific friend and leader for Noah. (For those of you counting with me from the last post, that's 11 pine wood derby cars the boys have designed, Mike has helped cut, and I've helped paint. ONLY 5 LEFT--unless the powers that be have one right after #3's first birthday in scouting and right before his last like happened with #1...).

#3 and Braden at the Pine Wood Derby.

#1 at a band concert after his performance on the tuba. He earned most improved musician award his freshman year!

#2 worked to earn his Cinematography Merit Badge. Here, Josh and #3 are prepping to film his video.

December 2013

#3 really enjoyed his basketball team and was especially good at guarding and rebounds.

#5's favorite part of indoor soccer was throw-ins.

#2 made it through another science fairs!!! Just count to yourself the number of science fairs, pine wood derbies, and puberty talks a mom of five boys has to manage...smiling? At my expense? I thought so.

Our visitors from the North Pole. How we enjoy their visits!! #s 4 and 5 still believe whole heartedly and love to talk about why it's silly not to believe and how it couldn't possibly be parents.