Memorial Day Memories

This year we invited a few friends over to celebrate Memorial Day. As usual, Joel was the grill master, cooking up the perennial BBQ favorites--

AWESOME burgers, brats and hotdogs.

The kids had a blast eating at their own little table, or in the "clubhouse," playing croquet, and playing on the playset.

For dessert the kids roasted smores over the BBQ coals.

Not surprisingly, Dallin was a BIG fan! :)

The grown-ups did some playing too--water balloon volleyball is always a hit at our house. The game later turned into water balloon baseball, with Joel pitching water balloons to the kids. I'm pretty sure he was just throwing water balloons at them, but they were holding a bat, and "pitching" sounds so much nicer.

Club House Rules

One afternoon the kids decided to turn our playset into their official "club house." And what would a club house be, without rules, of course?

(This is all written in chalk on the inside of the tarp roof...)

Jackson's Club House

Members:

Lauren, Dallin

Rules:

Jackson is in charge

Do the Rules

Do not lean

Do not hit

There you have it--what more could you ask for in a club house?

Preschool Graduation

This week we celebrated Lauren's preschool graduation. It was such a cute program, and so fun to see all the kids showing off some of the things they had learned this year. After weeks of telling me, her teachers, the lady in Walmart...pretty much everyone we know, that she WAS NOT going to sing, the night of the program she was thrilled to sit with her friends and participate. Here are some of the kids from her class, waiting for the program to start. This picture is also a testament to the great work of her teachers. Nine kids sitting patiently in chairs is a wonder in itself. A few short months, and countless timeouts ago, Lauren was not quite the amazingly cooperative little darling you see here. Have I mentioned that I heart preschool?

She was so excited to sit near her friend Collin. (I should mention they may actually be more than friends, as they kissed goodbye the other day. But that is another post...)

Receiving her official "diploma" from her teachers Miss Barb and Miss Melissa. Lauren is already looking forward to next year.

ICE ICE CREAM BABY

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ARE YOU READY TO RUMBLE??

Here is a little glimpse into our weekly Family Home Evening--or as the kids like to call it Monday Night Raw. It never fails, the minute either of us is laying on the floor things quickly turn into wrestlemania, with all four kids working together to pin us down. Seriously! Who knew four little kids could be so strong! When they get together they are like a well oiled machine, bringing the pain every time. (Note Jackson's signature move, the nose twist--it kills!)

West Virginia Baby

How do you know you've been in West Virginia too long? When you find yourself washing the baby and your dishes at the same time--I know, right...how much more country can you get!

Sorry Claire--but it had to be done!

Jackson's First At-Bat of the Season

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Greetings sports fans...it's that time of year again

After a whole 2 weeks off from Saturday sports, we're back again with Little League for Jackson and soccer for Lauren. This year Jackson is in the Rookie League playing for the Diamond Backs. He is already back in the swing of things, and in the first game got 2 hits. Go Diamond Backs!



At this point, Lauren is not quite as enthusiastic about organized sports. We got her pink shin guards, and even let her wear her favorite skirt to practice (they have T-shirts, instead of full uniforms for Mighty Mites.) These pictures were as good as we could get.
At one point Lauren was so upset that soon she had half the team crying. Let me tell ya, all the moms were LOVING me!