Bat Boy...

I love this picture of him on the field lined up with the players for the National Anthem 

Just Chillin during the game

Colton and his friend Jaden

Our friend Devery arranged for Colton and Colton's friend Jaden to be the bat boy for the Chukars baseball team last night at the game.  As we were driving to the ballpark, Colton said, "This is the best night of my entire life."  I laughed because he has experienced so much already and to him this was the best.  We got to the stadium and he was able to go in the Chukars locker room and change into a Chukars uniform.  They even gave him a new hat and ball he was able to keep.  He was able to help get the Gatorade ready and make sure the dugout was stocked with sunflower seeds and bubble gum before the game started.  During the game, Colton had to be paying close attention because the umpire would tell him how many balls to bring out to him or if he needed a drink brought out to him.  He had to use the bathroom a few times during the game and when Greg or I would take him, he said he was having so much fun.  Colton's eyes were pretty big during the game watching from the dugout.  After the game, he had to help sweep and clean up the dugout, dump the Gatorade, and take everything back into the locker room.  This was a pretty special experience for him especially to be able to bat boy while our friend Devery was playing.  Greg and I were able to sit right next to the dugout last night and watch Colton closely the whole time.  He was having the time of his life.  I am glad he was able to have this experience.    

Summer of Baseball & T-Ball...

The whole month of June and July was spent Monday-Thursday at the local ball diamond.  Colton was on a pitching machine team and Cannon was on a t-ball team.  Colton played 3rd base and 1st base all season.  Cannon played pitcher, 1st base, and catcher all season.  Colton and Cannon both really like baseball.  I think this will be a sport they will play for many years to come.  They devoted a lot of time to practicing and spent many hours in the yard playing.  Most of the summer as soon as they would get home from their games, they would round up the kids in the neighborhood for a baseball game in the cul-de-sac.    

Just some random info...

This information is mainly for me.  Crew just had his 9 month Dr. appointment.  He is 19.06 lbs. and 21% for weight and he is 30 inches long and 91% for height.  Now can you just start liking your vegetables more please? 

Colton's first day of 2nd Grade...

Sunday Greg took Colton outside to cut his hair.  I did not want Colton to buzz his hair for school.  Oh well, I guess boys will be boys.  Then before bed Sunday night, Colton and I picked his outfit he was going to wear on  the 1st day of school.  Well, Colton decided Monday morning to wear his jazz uniform instead that he is so proud of.  He was already dressed when he walked upstairs.  I didn't have the heart to tell him that was not what I was envisioning for him to wear the first day of school.  Oh well, I guess we can look back and laugh when he is older.  But, he probably will still think it is the coolest thing ever.  That is just how boys are.

I can't believe that Colton is old enough to be in 2nd grade.  I think back to the day he was born and 3 kids later, and his first 7 years of life become a bit of a blur because time goes so fast.  I still remember all the big milestones, it is the everyday routine of life that becomes blurred.  I am reminded daily from various sources how fast children grow and how much we need to cherish every second with them.  The last 2 months I have really tried to grasp this concept and tried to cherish even the stressful situations with my children.  I know in another blink of an eye I will have sent all my boys on missions, seen them graduate from college, and attended their wedding ceremonies.  No, I am not wishing these things to come now, I just know how fast it will feel when these events arrive.  I love my boys with all my heart.  It makes me smile to be a Mom.  I love my life right now.  I don't want my kids to get older and have to face the trials of life.  Even a hint of a trial to them, when they come home with a tear in their eye because someone was mean to them at school.  I was in a gym class yesterday when the instructor asked everyone to raise their hand who sent their last child to kindergarten yesterday.  Although the freedom to do errands without children would be nice, I thought to myself that I am happy and content to know that I will have children in my home all day for quite some time.  So, Colton I wish for you this year to become confident in your reading, to reach out to others who are lonely, to do your very best in your school work everyday, and to find the joys that come with everyday life.  I am thankful for the example you are to your brothers and the righteous choices you make on a daily basis.   

Colton's Birthday Celebration...

Colton with the Chukar Bird

Getting ready to run...

Colton received an Ipod shuffle for his birthday.  He was really surprised and excited.

Colton also got a Webkin for his birthday.  He named the frog Devery.  Imagine that!

Colton, Austin, Jaden

Hoping to catch a ball

Colton was able to buy a chukar hat that night at the game.  He was so excited to finally get the hat he had wanted since the beginning of the season.

Yes, Colton's birthday was clear back in July and I am barely getting around to writing about it.  He had such a special day, I didn't want to forget about it.  We only let our kids do a birthday party every other year, but we let Colton invite 2 friends to go to the Chukars game with him.  He invited Jaden and Austin.  They were both in his 1st grade class last year and they all got along so well.  They would always sit next to each other at lunch and play sports at every recess all year long.  Colton didn't get to see these friends all summer, so Colton was excited they were able to come and spend the evening with him.  We went and got pizza before the game and opened presents.  As most of you all know, Colton is a huge fan of the Chukars.  Our friend Devery, that plays for the Chukars, arranged for the announcer to bring Colton on the field and wish him a happy birthday and race the Chukar bird around the bases in between the 2nd and 3rd inning.  Colton was so excited about this and had so much fun running the bases and racing the bird.  

Flaming Gorge...

Colton Ski Boarding

Cannon ski boarding

Grandpa skiing (Go Ron)

Greg skiing ( I love this picture because the water was so smooth, his reflection is so clear in the water)

Cliff jumping

Colton and Sammy were jumping into the water

Greg with his parents

Colton & Cannon with Grandpa and Grandma D.

My sister-in-law Liz & me

The boys have never really like dogs much, but they really liked Tucker, Liz & Steve's dog

All the cousins (Colton, Cannon, Rachel, Lexie, Josie, Danielle, & Sammy)

We went to Flaming Gorge with Greg's family last week. My mom was nice enough to watch Crew for us (Thanks Mom) . Greg's parents, his sister Liz and her family, and our family were able to go. We had such a great time and it was so fun to spend some quality time with Greg's family. We wish everyone would have been able to come. (Just know that you were missed) But, we still managed to have a great time. We spent 2 1/2 days on the lake waterskiing and boating. The boys loved the ski board and became pros by the end. Greg skied so much he came home with blisters all over his hands, but he was so happy to do what he loves most. I skied once, and enjoyed watching the kids and Greg the rest of the time. Greg's Dad (he is going to be 67 soon) slalom skied twice. It was fun to watch him. Good job Ron. We were rarely at camp, pretty much only to eat and sleep. We enjoyed some great dutch oven cooking by my brother-in-law. (Thanks Steve) Greg's sister Liz has 5 girls (who are so well behaved) and it was so fun to see them and the boys get along with their cousins so well. It took a day for the boys to warm up because we don't get to see them that often, but by the end they didn't want to leave. Thanks to everybody who planned and made this trip possible for our family. We loved it!

Downata Hot Springs Pictures...

We went camping at Downata Hot Springs with some friends for a few nights at the beginning of August. This was such a fun kid friendly place. The boys absolutely loved it and enjoyed sleeping in the trailer, swimming, going down waterslides, and hanging out with their friends. Greg and I also enjoyed this place too. We both loved going on the waterslide called the Black Hole. The water was so warm, which made it enjoyable to swim. Crew absolutely loved being in the water. This is definitely going to have to become a summer tradition. I can't wait to go again next year!

Crazy Busy...

We have been crazy busy and I have tons of fun pictures to post hopefully soon.   We haven't really been home, and really tried to enjoy our last couple of weeks of summer before school starts.  We started off camping at Downata Hot Springs with some friends for a few nights.  This was such a fun kid friendly place.  The boys absolutely loved it and enjoyed sleeping in the trailer, swimming, going down waterslides, and hanging out with their friends.  Greg and I also enjoyed this place too.  The water was so warm, which made it enjoyable to swim and Crew loved the water too.  Then we were home for 2 short days and cleaned, did laundry, and packed to go to Utah.  

We spent some fun filled days at my parents house and the boys loved every second of it. Check out my Moms blog to find pictures of our trip.  Thanks Mom for posting so soon and taking such fun pictures.   The boys get spoiled by all their aunts, uncle, and Grandma and Grandpa.  We started off the trip by taking the new front runner down to Salt Lake.  It is the trax train that goes from North Ogden to Salt Lake.  The boys loved the train and after we got off in SL, we went to Gateway to let the boys play in the fountains.  We try to do this every summer and the boys love it.  We were also able to take them to the Hogle Zoo.  It was a pretty cool day for the middle of August and we were able to make it through the zoo and see most of the animals.  We also took the boys mini golfing, played lots of old maid, and enjoyed all our time with family.

Then we headed to Flaming Gorge with Greg's family.  My mom was nice enough to watch Crew for us (Thanks Mom) .  Greg's parents, his sister Liz and her family, and our family were able to go.  We had such a great time and it was so fun to spend some quality time with Greg's family.  We wish everyone would have been able to come.  (Just know that you were missed)  But, we still managed to have a great time.  We spent 2 1/2 days on the lake waterskiing and boating.  The boys loved the ski board and became pros by the end.  Greg skied so much he came home with blisters all over his hands, but he was so happy to do what he loves most.  I skied once, and enjoyed watching the kids and Greg the rest of the time.  Greg's Dad (he is going to be 67 soon) slalom skied twice.  It was fun to watch him.  Good job Ron.  We were rarely at camp, pretty much only to eat and sleep.  We enjoyed some great dutch oven cooking by my brother-in-law.  (Thanks Steve)  Greg's sister Liz has 5 girls (who are so well behaved) and it was so fun to see them and the boys get along with their cousins so well.  It took a day for the boys to warm up because we don't get to see them that often, but by the end they didn't want to leave.  Thanks to everybody who planned and made this trip possible for our family.  We loved it!  

Well Monday school starts and it is time to make dinner every night, do homework, get kids to various activities, and get into a normal everyday routine.  We have had such an amazing summer and made so many wonderful family memories.  We are thankful that Greg's job allows him to take time off work.  We love spending time with our kids and we are thankful that we get to show and do many different things with them.  

Watch for all of our pictures to post.  I need to catch up on laundry and bills first!

Crew is 9 months...

Crew is 9 months old.  He has developed so much the last month and learned so many new things.  He is getting a bit more demanding and requires a lot more work to entertain.  Now that he can get around, he gets fussy if things aren't going exactly his way.  Crew is still the joy we can find in everyday life.  His smile and laugh is infectious and we are so happy he is healthy and happy.   Here are some of his milestones...

-Has learned to go from his stomach to a sitting position

-Can pull himself into a standing position holding onto furniture (We had to move the crib to a lower setting)

-He is eating a lot of food everyday

-He has learned to drink out of a sippy cup

-He still loves to be held

-He loves balls and loves to push them and crawl after them

-He has now learned how to defend himself from his brothers (squirms, kicks, and screams)

-He loves to stand at the train table and loves to bang the trains on the table

-He loves to eat anything with sugar

-His favorite toy is the remote

-He loves kisses (If someone says give me kisses he will lean into our lips)

Exciting Night...

We had a very fun and exciting evening last night.  Our friend Devery from the Chukars baseball team came to our house yesterday for dinner, WII, and baseball in the backyard.  The boys were so excited all day for Devery to get here.  Every time the phone would ring, the boys would say hello Devery hoping it was him to tell us he was on his way.  Devery was so great to play baseball with the boys.  He helped Colton and gave him some great tips.  He is a really nice guy and so great with the boys.  The boys could not stop talking to him and telling him everything.  He was a good sport.  It was fun to talk and listen to him and learn about some of his dreams.  Devery loves baseball so much and we wish him the best in making it in baseball! 

Internet Down What?

My Internet is down until Monday or Tuesday.  How am I suppose to live without Internet until then?  I have 3 posts started on blogger that I need to finish, but most importantly I need to plan my Relief Society lesson for Sunday.  I need www.lds.org.  I might be sitting on my neighbor's porch all weekend in order to pick up her wireless signal.   Hope everyone has a good weekend!