Happy Birthday Ty... and a Baseball Game!

Here's the thing.  My son's birthday falls right smack dab in the middle of summer.  I mean RIGHT in the middle.  And you know what happens in the middle of the summer.  People go on vacations.  I can't decide if it bothers him or not... but we are usually not home for his birthday.  I tell myself that it's awesome to be in Bear Lake or California for your birthday... but I can't quite get a read on him.  Sometimes he seems fine with it.  Sometimes he has this look on his face that says 'I'd rather be home with my friends.' I'm sure I'll get WAY more of those looks in the future.  But.  It was another birthday on the road for my oldest.  Literally.  On the road.  We were driving to California on his 11th birthday.  

We spent the night at Grandma's the night before so that he could have his morning opening presents and messing around before we loaded everyone in the car.  It was a fun year for him- my parents found him a regulation flag pole (you know the kind that are on the golf green) for our hard.  He was pretty stoked.  

We celebrated his birthday dinner at PF Changs in Vegas... they have an awesome gluten free menu and Ty loves everything there.  

I'm still a little in awe that my baby is 11.  I find myself more and more impressed with the person he is becoming.  Not that I wasn't absolutely in love with the baby, the toddler or the kid... but I'm SO loving the pre-teen (most days).  He has actual conversations that are about more than his next meal.  He thinks about what college he's going to go to and what classes he might take there.  He is concerned about his cat.  He struggles with cursive writing in school.  He misses the art classes that he had at his old elementary school.  He looks for baseball training videos on YouTube.  HE LIKES A GIRL IN HIS CLASS.  I mean seriously... what the heck happened to the little boy that used to sneak grasshoppers home in his pocket?  

It makes me a little sad.  It makes me a little happy.  I guess I'm just confused.  

Mom's confused feelings aside... we were headed to California.  My favorite happy place of all time.  The sand has been calling for far too long.  

We started with a game at Dodger Stadium.  Ryan flat refused to cheer for the Dodgers.  The other two gave in and cheered for me... but Ryan... Oh Ryan.  

Of course... we have my parents to thank for this amazing trip.  I don't know how many families get together every year to go and play for a week.  It really is so fun to see everyone and just relax.  So thank you mom and dad.  We had an amazing time!!  And aren't they cute??

Like I said... we all got to go... I have missed living next to my sister this last year- so it was so fun to just sit and talk with her all week!!

We were originally thinking that Shaun wouldn't be able to go with us for the whole week- but his boss said "No way!  Go vacation with your family!"  So he did.  And it was awesome.

Kate was totally confused at one point during the game.  She over heard the announcer say that the bull pen was warming up.  She turned to her dad and said, "Wait dad... this is a baseball game... why are there bulls here??"  He laughed and laughed before he showed her what the bull pen actually was.  Too funny baby girl.

The triplets were so much fun during the game- they bounced from adult to adult all night long.  What kills me about this picture is how much Jackson used to RUN from Shaun.  When he was a baby- he would even cry when Shaun was around.  Now they share Cheetos so all is good in the world.

Too cool for school?  Or maybe just mom at this point...

I told Ryan that I wouldn't buy him dinner if he didn't smile for me.  I finally cracked him.  Food always comes first with Ryan.  Always.

What I love the most about this picture is that we have one very similar from the very first Dodger game we took Ty to... I think he was 2.  And he was sipping on a drink even then.

Loving Country Life

My mother may hate me forever for the title of this post- but its just true.  We are loving it here in our little piece of Idaho.  Summer has been so much fun- I am so grateful that my husband works so hard to allow me to be home with our littles during the summer.  Love you Shaun!!  

The sunsets here are to absolutely die for.  We have a little wooden deck that hangs out over the Snake River and I just sit and watch the sunsets each night.  It almost makes me want to take up yoga or something.  Almost.  For now- I guess I'll just sit and take it all in.  

Since baseball is over, the boys have turned the grass in our front yard into a driving range.  Pretty sure they outdrive me most days.

Hanging outside with my little gal... I think we were waiting for fireworks or watching stars.  I forget which.  Either way- it's time with my little so it's all good right?

We continue on with our cat-saga around here.  I swear they are like furry goldfish.  They just die.  Maybe we're doing it wrong.  Probably.  Now I feel bad for the cats.  Anyway- these are our latest additions- Luke, Leia and Mace.  Mostly I just don't want Ray to be alone for the winter.  I figure three more might give us some good odds.  Right??  Plus can you imagine if they stay around?  That's 4 mouse catchers.  That's some good kitties in my book.

We were also able to celebrate Declo Days not too long ago.  It's a big to do in Nottingham around here.  I was actually asked to be on the committee and I said yes... because... well- how else do you get to know people?  Plus it sounded kinda fun.

The Friday night- there was a movie in the tiny town park... Sandlot played while Ty and I munched on Reeses Pieces and rootbeer.  The other two were naughty so I sent them home with Shaun and I ended up on a date with my oldest.  He's kind a sweet.  I like 11.  It's not too old that you can't snuggle with your mom, but it's old enough to know that you don't eat all the Reese's without first offering to share.  Really it's the best of all worlds right?

The next day was filled.  And I mean filled.  I started the day with a 5K, which my sister in law was sweet enough to go SUPER slow with me.  We're talking glacier slow.  Baby steps people.  Anyway- We had breakfast too which was awesome to have someone else cook for a change!  The rest of the day was filled with games, a parade, a magician, lunch and food booths, musical entertainment and then the fire-fighters did some crazy thing on the lawn of the elementary school... I guess it's the foam they use to put out fires...?  Anyway- they let the kids run around in it all afternoon.  Kate thought it was awesome until it was time to go...  Then she wigged out because she had to be sprayed off with a fire hose.

 Did I say the boys were done with baseball?  I must have been talking crazy.  Here they are... playing baseball again.  Of course Ryan got a new mitt for his birthday- so they have been trying to break it in.

As the summer continues- we found ourselves playing with friends and Ty went to a Harry Potter themed party.  He went as Fluffy.

And here's one of the THREE baby bald eagles we have in our yard this year.  It was unreal- the other day all five eagles were out coasting- THAT would have been a picture to get.  But you'll have to settle for one sitting by itself on the deck.  The thing that kills me about these suckers is their wingspan.  They stretch out and it's amazing!

I also love living by family.  Yes, I absolutely miss mine, but it's nice to have someone.  We spent the evening a few weeks ago with all the Kidds down by the river.  We roasted hot dogs and marshmallows and let the kids play in the water.  It's a memory made for summer.

We're Number 1

Oh my goodness!! Best news ever... Ty's team won 1st in their baseball league!  What a fun year for this group of boys!

I feel like a broken record at this point- you all know how much I love little league and baseball in general... but it was seriously the highlight of my spring/ early summer.  And I love it when my boys are rewarded for all their hard work.  The first prize this year was a Large Sno-Cone from the Sno-Shack in town... WAY better than some dumb trophy that I am going to eventually throw away (just keeping it real people).

Happy Birthday to... RYAN!

I am going to admit something here.  I'm having a really hard time coming to grips with the fact that Ryan had a birthday yesterday.  And not just any birthday.  He turned 8!  Ryan can't be 8.  He's the little brother.  He's just a little menace.  A tease.  The pot-stirrer.  How can he be 8??

But it turns out... it happens even to the biggest of the little pills.  I am sitting here looking at these pictures and when I really look at them- I can see the growth in Ryan's face.  The changes his body has been making over the last year.  He's taller.  His teeth are finally coming in.  His (lack of) style choices.  I guess if you really look- Ryan is 8.  

Ryan's requests for his birthday were few and simple.  He wanted a new bike and he wanted to make his cake.  It took us ALL afternoon to make his cake.  He was VERY specific.  It had to be chocolate.  It had to have raspberries.  And it had to be layered.  It turned out delicious.

Ryan loves to help in the kitchen and surprises me with what he wants to put together sometimes.  Generally speaking it's usually in terms of dessert- when it comes to food- the kid just doesn't mess around.

To date Ryan loves:  baseball, messes, his brother, food and hugs.  He hates:  the Dodgers, blackberries and surprises.

We did come through for him on the bike- you can tell by his face that he is stoked!  And he got to pick out his own set of scriptures.  His first Quad and he was excited.  He sat down as soon as we got home with them and immediately started reading.  I was touched and again I had to admit that my baby boy is growing up.

Happy Birthday Ryan!  We love you!

And the Rocket's Red Glare

I love the 4th of July.  It's hot.  There is usually a BBQ.  Parade candy.  Fireworks.  And always a renewed respect for our Veterans and current military personnel who risk so much every day for our freedoms.  I just love it.  

We started our day with a parade in Albion (my kids have learned that ALL tootsie rolls belong to mom).  Gotta love a parade that is about 10 minutes long.  Long enough to get excited.  Short enough that mom and dad don't want to shoot themselves in the foot in order to get out of it.  Life is good right?

We spent our afternoon playing on the river with cousins- the boys loved playing on the boat and Kate loved jumping off the dock.  Personally- I was down with sitting in a lawn chair next to my sister in law... soaking up some rays and talking about nothing.

Our evening consisted of letting the kids light off some little fireworks- you know tanks, chickens, butterflies and smoke bombs.  Nothing too insane- but it lets Ty's inner pyro-maniac come out.

Kate hates it all and just sits on the side with her fingers in her ears whining for it to all be over.  She's a peach isn't she?

I couldn't even talk her into a damn sparkler.

Still though... I absolutely love these littles.  They are my whole world.

After dinner, we headed into Burley to the golf course.  We spread out our blankets and grandma brought glow sticks.  The boys quickly found buddies to play a quick game of football with.  And we waited for the show to begin.

Such a fun summer day- I love having my family to celebrate with!

Gettin' our swim on!

We have been spending our days at the pool... We're kinda regulars at this point.  But I SWORE when I had kids of my own that we would always be swimming.  So I'm attempting to live up to my 14 year old dream.  So far so good I think.  

Ty is a fish- he has always loved the water.  He has progressively gotten better each year and with each new round of swim lessons.  I thought about swim team this year- but the thought of driving him into town every morning at 6:30 kind of put the brakes on.  I know.  I'm a total wuss.  What can I say... I still hate mornings.  Maybe next year.  

Kate is just like Ty and lives for her time in the water.  She's getting pretty good too!  Her favorite part of the morning is when they strap on life jackets and jump off the diving board.  I think if her instructor would do this all day every day- she would be a happy camper!

Ryan is... well... Ryan.  I call him my reluctant fish.  He's not ever too excited about getting into the water- but now- halfway through the summer and 4 weeks of lessons later... he's actually kinda coming around on the idea.  He FINALLY passed his level 3 test (I seriously thought we were gonna be lifers there) and seems a little pumped about the new challenge in the level 4 class.  Maybe that was the secret... he was bored?  With Ry... who knows.  I'm just happy he's happy.

5...4...3...2...1...BLASTOFF

So yesterday, we had the most amazing opportunity!  We have a guy in our ward who's brother works for ATK, a contractor for NASA, down in Utah- just on the other side of Brigham City.  It's kind of hidden, unless you know it's there.  Anyway- they were doing a test launch of their booster that is going up in space (supposedly to Mars) in 2018.  AND WE GOT TO SEE IT!  

It was totally crazy.  We had to leave at 5 AM in order to get there in time.  Shaun was actually able to take part of the day off to go with us.  Yay!  

Here we are- you can see the red countdown clock behind us and the white thing WAY up on the mountain was the booster.  In front you can see the big screen that was showing us the engineers inside the booster as they did their final tests.

There were so many people there- Kate had to climb up on Shaun's back so she could see.  It's rough being the only shortie.

Ry was totally enthralled...

T minus 2 minutes and counting...

Brother Manning let us borrow his binoculars so we could see even better.

And... blast off.  They fired the booster and immediately you could see the white and orange followed by tons of purple smoke.  About three seconds later- the sound hit us.  You could literally see it "hit" the crowd.  Then it just shook your chest for the next two minutes as it continued to fire.

The boys loved every second.  What boy doesn't love a good "BOOM" and pyrotechnic show?

Afterward, we had a little time before I had to be back for piano lessons, so we took the long way around and went out to the Golden Spike National Park.  I've actually never been there.  Learned all about it in Mr. Thompson's 7th grade Utah History class... but I've never seen it.

Ryan was super-less-than- impressed at this point.  He was hot and hungry.  Not a great combination in Ryan.  So he was not at all helpful in smiling for pictures.  That's okay though.  I figure these are excellent blackmail pictures later.  Here they all are at the actual site of the "Golden Spike".

Ty and Kate walking one of the rails...

 Ry eventually joined them. Under great protest.

So that mom could have her picture.  They may actually all end up being like Ryan in the end.  Maybe I shouldn't take so many pictures... NAH!  I love it too much.  :)  I tried to help the little Bear out though and told them to make a silly face for this last picture... apparently Kate was the only one that took me up on it.  C'est la vie, right?

Seriously- it was such a fun morning and we were home by 1.  Whew!