IDENTICAL TWINS (5 years apart)

Jeremy and I were looking at pictures of Jackson as a baby and cannot believe how identical he and Crew are. The bottom 2 picture here are of Jackson at about 6 months. It's just like having him all over again!

First Day Of School

Oh, the mixed emotions of your first born heading off to the world of public education. This was rough for me. He was thrilled to get to ride his bike to school with all of his friends in our neighborhood, but I wasn't sure he was going to make it to class, so I told him I'd take him for the first couple of days. He was not happy with that idea, and I knew that if I let him go with his friends, his whole outlook on kindergarten (all-day kindergarten at that) would be much better. So, I let him go and called the school about a half hour later and had the secretary peek into his class to make sure he made it.

I could not wait for him to get home on Monday, and when he did, I had a million questions for him. The first thing he said as he ran through the front door was, "I have a girl who is my best friend." I asked him what her name was, and he said, "Um, I don't know. She's the one who has a blue bow in her hair." Then I asked him about his teacher, and he said, "Mom, we were at story time at the library, and my teacher said, 'Look at Jackson. He's sitting criss-cross-apple-sauce so good, and his mouth is zipped shut', and she was happy with me". Then he told me all about his sandwich at lunch (which I later found out was the welfare lunch because I forgot to pay for his lunch ticket) and recess and how the new tires on his bike made him go faster than anyone else. Then this morning he left early and was off to school like he's done it a million times before. He loves it, but I still feel sick to my stomach every time that I think this stage of life is over for him. No more home with mom. I love that kid.

waiting for his fellow bikers with Riggles


2nd day of school

Jeremy's 30th B-Day

We started out Thursday morning at Paradise Bakery for breakfast--and it just got better from there. We dropped Crew off at Uncle Steve's and Aunt Christie's house and headed out for fun in the sun. Not that we don't love that kid, but man, it was nice to go without him. Now that Riggs can swim good, I felt like I could really relax. We spent most of the afternoon at Hamilton pool until the boys were completely worn out.

We hurried home for some birthday cake (cookies n' cream) and then went over to the school and met Jackson's teacher. He was so shy, but seemed excited about everything.

After that we dropped the boys off at Uncle Dusty's and Aunt Sally's house, and then the real party began! It was the first time without any of the kids since Crew was born (happy day). We went and picked up Julie and Roger and headed out to Prescott. Roger's boss has a house there way up in the top of the mountains with an amazing view. It was such a fun getaway. Lori and Nelson came up on Friday night. We spent 3 days eating like crazy, sleeping more than I normally do in a month, and laughing nonstop. It was great. Happy B-day Jer!

We took a couple of quad and rhino rides (Roger found some great trails).

Brooke's Wedding

Other than the weather, Brooke's wedding was absolutely beautiful! Lori did such a good job on making everything gorgeous, and so memorable. Brooke was one of the prettiest brides I've ever seen, and I'm not sure that I've ever seen anyone quite as happy as Amron--he looked like he'd died and gone to heaven every time he looked at Brooke.

All the kiddos waiting on the temple steps...it was at least 110 + it was pretty humid that day. We had to stop for a Bahama Bucks on the way home--Riggs was a sweaty beast (just like his dad).

Mr. GQ himself, and definitely the hottest groomsman, Chase.

Jackson and Tatum were the cutest little couple--they both love performing, so the dance at the reception was a perfect opportunity for them to really let loose!

Riggs was scoping out the women--he asked 3 different grown women to dance--poor Martha had to do it twice, and then when all of the bridesmaids were dancing in a circle, he slapped one right on the toosh. I'm not sure I'll be able to handle that one as a teenager.

Brooke & Kelsee's Bridal Shower

I just have to post a few pictures from the shower on Thursday night. We had the best time! They got SO many gifts--some naughty, and some nice (mostly nice--dang it!). I really can't even think about these girls getting married without getting teary-eyed. I love them like they were my daughters (which is good because I don't have any daughters of my own). They also both went through the temple on Friday afternoon. It was so great to be there with them.

Check out these cakes! My friend April made them, and I've got to say, I'm in love with them! She did such a good job. It wasn't easy trying to coordinate two sets of wedding colors, so we just decided to do 2 cakes. Why not? AND, not only are they the cutest things ever, they were really yummy--white cake with strawberry mousse. As Rachel Ray would say,

YUM-O!

4th of July

In Julie and Roger's neighborhood, they do a little parade where everyone decorates their bikes, strollers, rhinos, quads, etc and ride through the neighborhood. Our kids think it's the best thing ever, and we love it too because the whole parade lasts about 15 minutes! No one wants to be out in 110 degrees any longer than that anyway. Then we spent most of the morning and afternoon at a really fun pool at their clubhouse. Riggs was an animal, as usual. He snuck onto a slide that he's really not tall enough to go on and would start out sitting up, but come flying off the slide face first. Needless to say, we had a great time, but were exhausted after all of the festivities.

When we went in the boys room in the morning to wake them up for the parade, this is how we found Riggs. He's a wild sleeper.

FRIENDS & COUSINS

Our kids are SOCIAL, to put it lightly. They wake up wondering who they're going to play with. If we have any plans that don't include friends or cousins, they'd just rather not go. Anyway, here are some photos of them with friends and cousins this summer.

Having giant cookies with Devon

Lunch out back with Paigie

Star wars and slip-n-slide with neighbor, Chase.

Being silly with neighbor, Tyler.

Campin' out with Ty

BURN VICTIM

Rug burn, that is... Riggs has been our most accident prone child by a landslide. Ever since he could crawl, he's had bruises and cuts all over him, but mostly on his face. Last week, when I picked him up from the gym daycare, his nose was all bloody and he just looked hammered. They told me he got a rug burn...not sure how---still haven't gotten a straight story. Since then it has almost healed 3 or 4 times. I've learned not to say "it's looking better", because without fail, that's when he falls and cuts it open again. This is a couple of days after it happened.

This is like a week later--not much improvement, is it?