Katie's 5th Birthday

Our sweet Katie turned 5! Katie loves to dance, sing, and make people laugh. She is so patient with her sisters, shares toys so good, and loves to hold and play with Nathan. Katie is our child that likes to go on rides...anywhere. She'll want to go to the grocery store, the soccer games, on a walk. She just learned how to ride a bike without training wheels, and is getting more and more independent. I love having Katie at home with me another year before she goes to kindergarten. She is so helpful, and is full of spunk...which makes our lives full of fun.

We had a party for her. She had so much fun with all the family that came to celebrate with us!

Katie - 2 months old
Katie - 6 months old
Katie - 2 years old

Katie - 3 years old

Katie - 4 years old

Katie - 5 years old

We love you Katie!

Joy School

Katie was really disappointed not to go to school this year. So, I found a group of mothers doing a Joy School twice a week. It was fun! The six kids are very cute and get along well. We took the first week to get to know each other, then I took the next week of teaching. I learned a few things:

1. Do not waste time cleaning BEFORE the kids arrive. They could care less.

2. Painting is probably not the best activity to start with.

3. Kids don't think veggies count as a snack.

4. My day of over-prepared went way better than my day of being under-prepared.

5. Show and tell could last an hour, if I never interrupted.

This was my favorite project we did this week. The Joy School Bus. I took pictures of all the kids, cut holes in an egg carton, painted them yellow, and stuck the pictures inside the holes of their bus. The kids loved them. I'm glad I now have a few weeks off...I'll need it to think of more to do.

The Fair

Growing up, we never really went to the fair...and now I know why. Everything is way expensive, and having children with you is way tiring. But, we did have fun...so I can also see why people go. Here are some cute pictures of the girls on the rides.

Katie on the swings.

Rachel on the motorcylce.

Katie, Rachel, and Sarah on the train.

Rachel and Sarah coming down on the slide.

Rachel, Katie, Sarah, and me on the tea cups. Sarah had to get off half way through because she inherited her Dad's stomach for amusement parks.

Cute picture of Rachel and Katie on the swings.

Sarah and David.

Okay, I entered Nathan in a Cutest Baby Contest...and he didn't win. But he should have...I am not biast...HE IS THE CUTEST BABY!

Last, but not least. I ran the 5k. I am getting better. I bested my time...so I was happy.

Visitors

We've had a lot of visitors this summer. I thought I'd post a few pictures, and thank everyone who has come over to see us! Thanks again...we love you guys!
Rachel and Katie loved having their cousins come up from St. George. Nora and Lily. Here are some pictures of Michael and Bonnie's family while they came over.

David and his brother, Michael


Lily, being very cute

Doesn't Nora look fetching in the arms of her uncle.

Carla came in June, just before her birthday, so we had a party while she was here. The girls love Aunt Carla...we think she is pretty great.

Grandpa holding Sarah..she misses her "Papa".

Grandma and Nathan being really cute together.

Grandma Cox came and we went to see her sister LaVona. Two really cute old ladies...I love them!

And last, but not least. Grandpa Cox gave his stamp of approval on the sheds. We were so grateful that Grandpa and Grandma made it down. They have been a huge part of our lives.

Well, sorry I didn't get everyone's picture who came...but thanks again. We're excited to be in our new home, and grateful to have wonderful families!

TriZathalon

Last year, my family decided to have our own Triathalon. We trained for it this last year and ran/bike/swimmed it on August 1st. Mel's picture is in the background because she would have run it but her baby came first....and she was in the hospital. So, this is how it went....We started with the run. Carla came in first, then Joseph, and I came in third. I made just less than a ten minute mile...which is really good for me.Next was the bike. I was ahead the whole time...so I finished first, but the times say that Cynthia beat me by a minute and a half. She is amazing on the bike.

Okay, this is my swimsuit shot....that I am posting publicly...brave me. I was less than 12 minutes on my 500 yards. This was the hardest event for me, but we went in two heats, so I had Dad, Joseph, and David cheering me on...and that felt awsome. I was proud of my Dad, he came in first in this event. He did 500 yards in 8 min. 3 seconds...fantastic.

My whole family finished each event...so be impressed with the awsomeness of my family! All in all, Joseph won the first annual TriZathalon. But he won me by 10 BLASTED SECONDS! OH! I'll get you next year, my dear brother...I'LL GET YOU!

Mel and Maylee

I have a new sweet little niece! My sister Melanie and her husband Dave had a new little baby on July 30th. Her name is Maylee Jean. She has a lot of hair...which is always amazing to me because most of mine are without hair for...years...some of them. We are so excited to have her in the family!

Camping

This is a first for our family. We have gone camping with others, but never just us. So, we braved it this week and it actually turned out to be a lot of fun.

He didn't sleep there...I got cold at about 6:00 in the morning and brought him in with me until I warmed up...and he just looked so cute.

Rachel being very cute.

I know they look thrilled, but we really did have a fun time roasting hot dogs and marshmallows!

This is who I spent most of my time with. I love that boy!

Rachel walked in a little too far, slipped on a rock, and was not happy about getting her shorts wet.

Katie was getting rocks, and David threw a rock right in front of her. She got splashed pretty good, but thought it was great!

David, so handsome.

David and Sarah throwing rocks.

The girls taking off their shoes...so excited to get in the water!

Our scenery.

We tried to get a picture of how dirty Sarah got, but we just never quite captured the filth that was layered on our cute little Sarah.


Sarah, very tired of packing up, she got cozy on the picnic table.

I needed proof that we actually went camping. I love my family!