Ethan's Birthday!

Ethan turned 8 last week! We celebrated at "Incredible Pizza". The pizza was anything but incredible. Luckily the boys had fun!

Ethan and his cheesy smile. Bowman next to him, Ry Ry, two hot girls (Ireland and Savannah), Ty (red shirt), Cy (cousin), Luke, and Taylor

Ry on the bumper cars

Luke, Bowman, Colter, Cy and Ethan (Handsome group of boys!!)

Hero

Ireland wrote a paper for her class at school. This is what she wrote...

My Hero is... My Dad. My Dad is a heart doctor. He saves lives everyday. One night my Dad, me, my mom and 3 younger brothers were in the car. All of the cars behind us were honking at a car on the side of the road. Dad rolled down the window and asked her what was wrong. She said, "My car broke down." My dad looked at my mom and got out of the car. My mom took the wheel and pulled into the gas station. I looked at my Dad and he was pushing the car down the road to the gas station. Everyone was cheering. We took their kids home. My dad called a tow truck for the car. My Dad sets a good example for me and my family.

True story. It was the middle of the winter in New York, freezing cold outside, no one would help this lady with 3 teenage girls in her car. Scott single handedly pushed the car down the shoulder of a busy road a few blocks to a gas station. The kids were cheering to see their dad look like superman pushing a car down the road.

Sliding Rock

We went on a hike up to "Sliding Rock" Saturday with my sisters and their families and my mom. It was a blast! The last time I was here I was in college with a group of friends. Here's what it looks like (above).
Here's Ethan going down the natural waterslide. He told me he absolutely was not going to do it. I said that was fine, he didn't have to, and then he went down about 5 times. He doesn't even look phased by the freezing water and drop off down the rocks.
Ireland and Savannah decided not to plunge into the freezing water. Ireland is a little dare devil so I was surprised, but I think it was because she didn't want to get her outfit wet and mess up her hair--such a girl! (I didn't go down it either for the same reasons :)
My sister Lorenne took Ryan down it. Look at his face!!
Scott took both the boys down at the same time in true Scott fashion. Caleb was a little shocked by the cold water!

Handsome little Ryan! He's a dare devil too, and was the first to say he wanted to go down the slide.
Savannah, Scott, Ryan and Ireland.

Ryan's first day of Kindergarten

Ry Ry went to Kindergarten for the first time today! I will miss him!! We were talking last night about how he is growing up and is a big kid now. He said, "Yeah, when I get really big I want to be a fire hydrant." I said, "you mean a fireman?". "No, a fire hydrant, you know those things that shoot water?" Nice.

Caleb's first day of Preschool...

Caleb went to Preschool today for his first time. His teacher admitted that he cried for a while. I hate to see him grow up and I'm secretly happy that he cried for me (or maybe he cried because I left him with strangers? ). I'm not ready to have my baby go to school!! I think it's time for another one (just kidding Scott!).

The Hackings...

Lance and Chad came in town for Grandma Mae's funeral. It was great to see them and we all wished they lived here!! Scott's parents and two of his sister's Sara and Tiffany (and Timo, Sara's hubby) came over too.

Scott, Doug, Lance (no, we aren't impressed with your butt muscles), and Chad (love his expression here!)

Doug, Timo, Sara, Scott, Chad, Janet, Lance, and Tiff

There's my hunky hubs!

If you're going to pull a face, it will be posted on the blog :) (Lance and Tiff)

Back to School...

First day of 2nd grade for Ethan and 5th for Ireland.

Awesome Ry Ry

Ryan said to me recently, "Mom, wouldn't it be cool if everyone could see you being awesome?!"

Grandma Mae

Grandma Mae passed away last night. She lived a long and happy life. She was 95 years old. What I remember most about Grandma Mae is that she was the most beautiful grandma I'd ever seen. She always dressed nice and looked great. She lived a healthy active life and played golf well into her 80's. She made her grandkids and great grandkids feel very loved. We will miss you Mae!

Grandma Mae with Ireland and Ethan--she was 94 years old in this picture.

Ryan

I just had to blog a few funny things Ryan said recently so I don't forget them....

Ryan: "Mom, when I grow up I'm going to be a grandpa and your going to be a grandma and I'm going to marry you...but don't tell dad."

Ryan: "Mom, Caleb is not obeying Jesus's commandments...or Santa's either."

I love little kids!

Up the Canyon...

We celebrated the 4th of July and my mom's birthday on the 5th, up AF canyon at Mutual Dell with family...here's Ethan and Cy

We all tried the rope/wall climb. Scott gave Caleb a little help.
That is about as far up the wall as I got. Wuss!
Ethan making a go of it. I think he got further up than I did.
Ireland got some help and made it to the top.
This is how it goes on every hike we go on. Scott has to work a little harder than the rest of us.
Caleb and me on the tight rope walk. (Lorenne in the background)
Caleb still loves his backpack almost as much as his daddy.

Random Pictures...

Poor Ry Ry wasn't feeling well but managed to play the DS in between throwing up :)
Does a 3 year old really know how to play a DS? Scarey!
Cute Ryan when he is feeling better
I found the boys out on the tramp obviously having gone through a costume box in the basement
Caleb frequently steals my camera and takes pictures...here's Ryan being attacked by the ottoman.
Teach them how to work when they are young and love it...I only have a few more years of that!
Another masterpiece of Caleb's...Ethan's armpit...lovely

Rugby!

Ethan has been playing rugby this summer. He has loved it. He has scored in 2 of the 4 games. I think it helps that he is about a foot taller than every other kid, because he is such a teddy bear I thought for sure this sport would be too rough for him. It is a blast to watch! His cousin Cy (just behind him on the right) also plays and is awesome! (picture courtesy of Lorenne)

Work and Play..

I think I've blogged 3 times in a week! This may be a record! Here's the latest...

Father's Day barbeque at our house with Scott's side of the family
Scott gave rides on his trail bike. Caleb and Ryan couldn't get enough. Like Caleb's cheesy grin?

Ireland, Ethan and me
Cousin Lydia and Caleb

Tiffany and Sara (Will and Scott in the background). Julie announced at the barbeque that she is having a boy! Yeah! She made a cake and frosted the inside layer blue (it would have been frosted pink if it was a girl)
Ethan's got some BLUE eyes! I think these beauties were inherited from Scott's mom
Caleb has to be on Scott's back in a back pack while Scott mows the lawn and since Caleb is getting heavier (and Scott is getting older :) ), Scott is thinking of getting one of these. He borrowed the neighbors to try it out. Little easier on the back.
This is the walk way from the driveway to the front door. The previous owners of this house planted a few plants...just a few.
Love this view! I love living so close to the mountains. It is so beautiful here!