Active Kiddos

I LITERALLY spend 80% of Roycey's waking hours standing on the road in front of our house watching him on his bike. I am NOT kidding. My favorite is when he wears his cape (aka....pillow case). He rides around yelling, "I'M BATMAN!!!!". Unless it's the red pillow case and in that case he is Superman.

Obviously.

The World Cup caused at LEAST a daily soccer game around here (thank goodness for enough kids to make their own teams!) at the church field behind our house.

There's usually a basketball game played once a day too (although the boys STILL haven't beaten Mom and Dad yet.....something we hope never changes)

But yesterday morning I found the boys practicing their pitching out front. I laughed when I saw Bronson playing catcher......he must have gotten tired of crouching down.

Of course the kids REALLY like it when they are TAKEN to do something active too. The boys go golfing with Brooks about twice a week.

Apparently last time Emerson caught a goose while golfing

Silly me for thinking they go golfing to actually.......ya know.......GOLF!!!!

The Red Socks have their FARM team here so the kids have enjoyed a few of those baseball games. One time Brooks' work paid for everyone to go and provided endless chicken wings, pizza and food. Brooks said he had a HUGE talk with them before on how much to really eat. My kids can eat an embarrassing amount that goes above and beyond  "social politeness" so the talk was a must. :)

Brooks took the older 6 to the water park the other day. Here are the boys eyeing the surf-zone to see if they could tackle it. I told him to take some pictures but I was NOT expecting for him to come back with this gem of a video. I probably watched this video of Bronson 25 times straight on Brooks' phone and couldn't stop laughing.

video

Emerson actually did a good job though......his Uncle Gabe would be proud

So keeping along with this "active kids" theme of this post, 

just jumproping count?

If so, Royce has it nailed!

Here comes the Oxcart....

Today is "Pioneer Day"......

Now many people may not know but in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints it is a legit holiday....July 24th. (we're talkin fireworks and parades people!!!!)

It is the day (in 1847) that the pioneers entered the Salt Lake Valley after being persecuted (in Missourin/Illinois/Ohion/etc) and seeking a safe haven to worship as they may. A few of my ancestors were with that first company of pioneers. 

When I saw my kids running down the road like this, I couldn't help but think of the song, "Here comes the oxcart" for Pioneer Day.

Bronson had the jump rope tied to the stroller and took off with Kellyn and Royce in it.

.....giggling all the way.

Brooks got a little on video......and there happened to be a little mishap with Iris in there too.

Ya know......just a little glimpse of my life here folks.

video

oh, and Happy Pioneer Day!!!

twins

It's uncanny really..........MUCH more obvious in person too.

Everly and Royce are twins......except in different colors of clothing.

Here is Emerson and Royce as a baby.

Independence Day

On July 4th our old friend from Winston Salem came down to visit us on his way to move out west. 

 The kids sure missed Nate..........especially Emerson.

 He took Emerson on a ride on his motorcycle and Royce wanted one too.........this is as FAR as he got (posing for a picture). He did NOT like the loud noise when the motorcycle turned on and wanted out....not to mention Kellyn beside herself with the sound.

Since we moved Nate got married so it was fun to officially welcome Michelle to the "family". :)

 Kellyn felt it was safer to hang out with Michelle then Nate.....can't imagine why....

We had a fun spread of food that "screamed summer" but the favorite was by far the funnel cakes we made. We have never made them before and only seen them at all the fairs around here. Anyway, they did NOT disappoint.

Later our guests left and so did Brooks to do into work and the kids and I went out front to light some street fireworks after putting the babies to bed.

Sparklers.

They threw those poprock things on the ground too. I think that was my favorite part because we kept trying to throw them by each other's feet so the little rocks would explode by them and give a little zing. And since none of my kids ever wear shoes it made it more fun. :)

For the fireworks it was windy so our matches didn't work. We ended up borrowing a lighter from our neighbors (perks of having neighbors who smoke a lot.....)

 I wanted the boys to have their first experience lighting the fireworks like I did as a kid. Turns out none of them could really figure out the lighter............guess I should be grateful for that!

 It was nice because from our little road we also got to see some of the big fireworks that were being shot off in the downtown show. Such a fun evening w/ me and the kiddos.......

Backpack Gems

Last week I decided to clean out our front closet which included all the kids' school stuff and backpacks......ya know because it's only a month and a half after school ended.

Turns out I found a few gems in their backpacks that made me laugh. Emerson's class filled out a favorite memories of school type packet. My favorite paper of his was where he wrote his  best accomplishments for the school year down.

"1) the most funiest person in the class

2)the most nices to the teacher

3) the best drawer in the class

4) the smartes in class"

CLEARLY my child isn't lacking in confidence!!!!

The next gem I found was in Camden's backpack. It was an assignment he had done all the way back in November, but since it was voted class-best or something they kept it up in the hall since then. The kids had to write a persuasive letter to their parents about something and we parents had to write a letter back either agreeing with them (being "persuaded") or not agreeing and stating OUR reasons why.

"Dear mom and dad, 

I want a camelian. I love reptiles. Reptiles are my favorite animal group. They could camaflouge. So Royce and Iris wont take him. I will buy him food. I will buy him food so you don't need to.

from, Camden"

"To my very persuasive Camden,

              Your argument for a chameleon is a good one, especially the part of him being able to hide from the dangerous hands of Iris and Royce. You remember how rough they were with the frogs and snake!!!!

                Sadly, as you know, we have a rule in the house of "No sticking your tongue out at mom." While researching chameleons I found out they could have a tongue as long as twice the length of their body!!!! GROSS!!!!

                I fear that the chameleon would spend all of his time in time out at our house for constantly sticking out his nasty tongue at me. That would be a very sad life.

                As you see, a chameleon would probably be happier in Madagascar then in time out here....... but I still love you.

Love, Mommy"

The next chuckle came from Camden's "I am most proud that I can now....." paper.

"I am mos proud that I can now make more friends I make a lot of friends by being a class clown and goof off. I can now draw more comics in my notebook that I got on Easter."

Wow......he is DEFINITELY his father's child!!!!!

Fast Foodies

Okay, I'll admit it, I like fast food. 

At the first of the summer when I took my kids to McD's it probably was the best fast-food outing of all time  for my family!!! We were going there for ice cream basically so we could play on the playground for a few hours.....because we're classy like that. 

We walk in, and WHADOYAKNOW?!?!?!

Ronald McDonald (IN THE FLESH!!!!!) was doing a magic show by the cash registers. 

My kids were enthralled. 

(don't you hate it when a piggy tail elastic breaks RIGHT before you walk in?!?!)

 Well.....most of them. Kellyn kept her distance along with Emerson who said Ronald "was creepy".

 We get our ice cream and get ready to go play and good ol' Ronald McDonald was handing out free Happy Meal toys too!!!! Then he came out and found us again and gave each of my kids two MORE toys (three each!!!) and cups to get free drinks.

And how lucky is this..........I wear my shirt that actually MATCHES HIM!!!!! (considering I wear this larger shirt at least a few times a week the odds were in my favor I realize)

TWINNERS!!!!! 

 We match, unlike Camden's socks

He gave us autographed posters and asked to hold Everly. 

Of COURSE I'll let this "creepy", awesomely-friendly stranger hold my baby!!!!

 And although I'm usually quite loyal to my former employer (McDonalds), I just can't pass up a good ol' Chick Fil A day with free meals for cow-people. The free meals sounded good to me and also the fact that Brooks volunteered to stay home with Kellyn and Everly. Talk about a WHOLE lot easier!

(For the record, I wasn't sure if the kids were "too cool" to do it now, so I actually asked the boys if they wanted to come and dress like a cow or stay home with dad. They didn't even think about it and said, "dress like a cow". It was a proud Mommy moment)

 It was packed so the 7 of us crammed around one table.

I forgot how easy outings were w/o someone 2 or under. For that reason I had taken a two year break from doing the Cow Appreciation Day.....but man, we used to be loyal Appreciate-ers of the Cow every year.

Here's back when my herd was smaller.

And I had time to make udders......

But I was reminded how much I like going to Chick Fil A.........so we'll plan our next outing there in approximately 360 days. And this time, the Yeti is dressing up too!

Biiiiiig Day

I guess I thought when Emerson lost his first front tooth during church on Sunday, (he pulled it out and was waving it at Brooks who was passing the sacrament at the time) that SUNDAY would be our "biggest day" of the week.......

turns out I was wrong..............

This week our friends offered a small bike they didn't need anymore. Of COURSE I accepted because we still had the training wheels from another bike that Brooks ran over (the Yeti knows no mercy). Royce was thrilled but I told him Daddy would put the training wheels on when he got home from work. Well, he couldn't wait, so he hopped on the thing and literally taught himself how to ride it. I was sitting inside and looked out the window and saw him go up the neighbors hill-y driveway and used that momentum to start pedaling and away he went.

I really can't even put into words how proud he is of himself and how his smile will NOT leave his face.

I took a video of him too right after I saw him out the window

Since then the kid rarely leaves the bike. He is always asking Bronson or Camden to race, or practicing skidding his brakes. Bronson taught him how to stand up and ride it and also ride one-handed. Great. This kid knows no fear.

First thing he said when he walked out of his room this morning....

"I go outside to ride my bike....Papi (Bronson) race me?" and then he went. I had to BEG him to come in to eat breakfast.

Here's the thing though......IRIS doesn't know how to ride a bike w/o training wheels. 

I think when she saw her 3 yr old brother riding around she decided it was time to make herself learn (either that, or the older brother's teasing how her little brother beat her may have something to do with it).

She still rides more tentative then Royce and is actually aware of other people/animals on the road (unlike Royce) but she did it.

6 kids riding bikes out front now.....CRAZY

It's kinda like a Smith parade on our road everyday!!!!

Lucky lucky neighbors.

Creature Power

(If you do NOT watch Wild Kratts, this post title wouldn't make sense. Those who DO watch Wild Kratts, I'm sorry that song is in your head now. W-w-w-w-wild Kratts W-w-w-w-wild Kratts)

My kids loves creatures and that's always been obvious but juuuuuuuuust in case anyone had any questions as to HOW much, just look at Royce's face with his frog.

We particularly favor the frogs that are camouflage in little sister's hair so she jumps with shock when she starts feeling something move on her head. 

 First things first:

Step 1) find frogs

Step 2) kiss them

 Hmmmm, if the kiss doesn't work for YOU then proceed to the next step.

Step 3)  Play Matchmaker

If nothing magical happens just opt for:

Step 4) playing in the wading pool with them.........

because THAT my friends, is ALWAYS magical.

Oh, and here is Aleeya's frog "Exclamation" since he has an upside down exclamation mark on his neck.

We (as in the kids) like catching the mini snakes too. I personally like it that it entertains them for hours outside.

And they especially like catching turtles too.......

But the zoo wouldn't let us take it home with us........weird, I know.

I have issues

I haven't been sleeping too much. 

Not because of my baby......no sir-ee.....this champ has miraculously started sleeping through the night (9-6:30) at 5 weeks old. I didn't even go through the whole "training" thing. Phew.

The reason I haven't been sleeping as much as I COULD be is because of my other passion..... books.

The day after my parents left I dove into a book my mother gave me about a mom of 8 trying to solve a mystery......(I'm not sure why she would think of ME when she gave me that. :) Since it was summer break, (it's the time of year I enjoy "light reads") and my kids were getting piles of books, I started pulling out some of my books and well...... It's 23 days into summer and I just finished my 10th book.

I know, I have issues.

I read at the gym on lame cardio machines, sometimes while I nurse, during their nap/quiet times but mostly at night in bed. Normally I wouldn't get this much reading done but Brooks has been working nights and isn't home to tell me to "Step away from the book Melissa.....I mean it". I have a reeeeeally hard time putting down a book until I feel some resolve. It's like stopping a movie in the middle to finish it another time. I DON'T THINK SO!!!!

 Here's my book list so far starting with the book my mom gave me:

Desperate Measures
Abish
Daniel and Nephi
The Postcard (this is fiction/novel set in the Amish community my friend let me borrow. I loved the clean, faith-based nature of it that I put the sequel on hold.  After that the library kept sending me Amish book suggestions and I can't put them down, so the rest of the books on the list are Amish-community-based books. I love the scriptures and I love learning about people that also love them. Fascinating culture. Aaaaaaand I still have 4 more on hold at the library for me. Have I mentioned I have issues?)
The Crossroad
The Memory Jar
A Gift of Grace
A Promise of Hope 
Courting Cate
Adoring Addie

And because none of the reading above could be possible without my sleeping beauty, I want to introduce you to the many faces of Everly.

Her silly face

Her Aaaaaand-I'm-not-so-sure-about-this-family face

Her YES!-Mom's-eating-chocolate-which-means-in-12-hours-I'll-get-some face

Her this-is-hilarious-that-you-think-I-will-keep-my-dress-clean-during-church face

Her sneaky I-am-planning-to-puke-on-Bronson-as-soon-as-he-picks-me-up face

Her no-one-told-me-I-was-being-sent-to-a-family-that-has-a-100%-record-of-getting-thrush face

(well, or her I-vant-to-eat-your-blood face)

 And here's her smile she gives me when I think of picking up a book

 And Everly wins over the book every time...............every. single. time.