cabin fever

We went with my parents to their cabin a few weeks ago. Fortunately there wasn't actually any fever going on (as the title suggests) but it sure was hot! Here are some highlights:
I love some good bb gun shootin'! Paisley wasn't so sure at first (notice her covering her ears in the background),
but she warmed up pretty quickly.
Gun=fun for all ages? That thing's bigger than you, my boy!
Galla preferred to stick with the tire swinging
and cricket catching.
Then we did some cruising on the quads. I wish I had gotten a picture of all the kids on the quads with their helmets and stuff on--they looked so cute and hard-core (it sounds like an oxy-moron, but that's how I'd describe them)! Paisley actually seemed to be the one to enjoy the thrill of the ride the most. She would squeal and yell, "Go faster! Go over the bumpies!"
The kids also enjoyed plenty of playing in the awesome treehouse. There is a bucket at the end of that rope that they are putting treats in and pulling up to their hideout.
And, of course, there was lots of s'mores making
around the campfire. It was good times in the great outdoors.

champions!

I may be slow to post, but that doesn't take away from the fact that last month our co-ed rec-league softball team beat "Cleats and Cleavage" to win the championship game! It was such a fun season playing every Monday night with a bunch of friends. I was easily the worst one on the team (at least Brad picked up some of my slack with his skills) and I didn't know I could have so much fun doing something I'm so bad at! Go "Easy Outs!"
The children of the champs. All the other teams had maybe a kid or two between them...we had a big fan section/distraction!
The bath water after we got home that night was the worst I've ever seen. More like a mud bath!

Too cool

for the first day of school!
There's no place like 1st grade.
King of junior kindergarten.
They both had a great first day yesterday. I guess we'd been talking it up so much for school to start but it was always "not yet, not yet." When we were getting them ready that morning Finn was asking "are we going to school?" and when we said "yes" he got all excited and yelled to Galla, "we are going to school right now!" Of course Galla always knows what's going on, so she replied all matter-of-factly, "I know, Finn!"

As Ryken, Paisley and I were walking away from the school, Paisley asked, "what are we going to do now, mom?" I said, "what do you want to do?" and in that cute, high-pitched, sing-song voice of hers she replied, "I want to go to Costco!"

...and the livin's easy

I've definitely been a slacker this summer when it comes to blogging. Come to think of it, I've been a slacker when it comes to a lot of things this summer, but that's what summer is for, right? So let me take you on a quick road trip through what we've been up to lately. Buckle up, roll down the windows and enjoy the summer breeze...
Trips to the library. The kids love it, but Ryken is very quick and thorough when it comes to de-shelving books.
Big Spoon frozen yogurt does dollar Wednesdays, so that was a popular destination for us. We'd play on the trail outside and here's Ryken sporting his semi-dweeby but oh-so-cute shorts.
Faces painted at a friend's birthday party.
Of course swimming in the kiddie pool!
Lazy, cartoon-filled mornings.

Swim lessons with our friends Courtney and Aubry and awesome instructor MacKenzie!
Galla did a week of daytime dance camp and loved it. The video of her doing her "gummy bear" dance is the best!


Lake camping with friends for Jack's birthday party. The mama, Ali, is the phenomenal photographer that took these pictures and our most recent family pictures. She also throws a heck of a party!

After our previous failed attempt, we finally made it to Marine World and had a super fun day. Can my girls be any cuter?! I love being with my little family.
Rocking out at our stake Pioneer Day celebration. It may look like Finn is falling down or trying to get off the stage, but this is actually him busting a move. He has got some serious dance skillz and his air guitar is the best I've ever seen.
Galla very much enjoys making "crafts" (I wonder where she gets that?). This is her homemade bird's nest. Very Upper East Side!
And their most recent obsession, Sally the lizard. I actually caught this little critter in our backyard and she is super cute. Galla has made her box up very nicely (you saw what she did for that fake bird) but I might need to help her "escape" in the night for some sustenance.

I have to admit, my blog title isn't completely accurate. Ryken has been a handful of rascally cuteness and there's not much that's easy about taking care of these 4 little kids, but I love them so much and I'm so blessed to be their mama.

Summer has been in full-swing...until tomorrow....

paisley pie

Miss Paisley turned 3!
This sweet little muffin is so artistic and loves to paint. She takes it very seriously. When she was painting this canvas I came over to talk to her. At first I was whispering and saying, like, "oh, that looks so pretty." Then I started talking at regular volume to her and she immediately hushed me--she was trying to concentrate!
She drags her magna doodle around with her like a pet, taking it everywhere from in the car to bed. Brad and I agree it is the best toy we ever bought, and since the screen was getting pretty gray...
...we decided she needed a new one. She was so happy!
My parents came to celebrate and we went to John's Incredible Pizza. I crack up at this "I'm eating pizza and watching cartoons" daze they are in.

We rode some rides and played some games and had a great time.
Even little man loved it!

I made her a Rapunzel tower cake because:
A. We love that movie.
B. Paisley's long, pretty hair reminds me of Rapunzel's.
C. Paisley likes to sing that song from Tangled when I brush her hair.
It would be nice if, like in Tangled, Paisley's hair had special power to keep me young forever, but even more so I wish it had power to keep her young forever! I'm kinda glad I don't have the option of freezing Paisley in time just the way she is because it would be very tempting...but probably not so good for her progression. I just LOVE her squishy little body and sing-song little voice and sweet personality so much and wish she could be my little girl forever! These are such precious days when a bandaid and a cuddle can solve most anything.

[May 26] sad day

We started the day with an 8:30 am kindergarten graduation ceremony for Galla. These were her teachers: Mrs. Guillen and Mrs. Kunstel. They were quite possibly the best pair of kindergarten teachers imaginable! These ladies are amazing and I can't say enough good things about them, but I swear they were trying to make all the moms cry that morning by having the kids sing sentimental songs about growing up and moving on and such! It was hard, but I stayed strong.
While we're talking about Galla's kindergarten experience, I wanted to throw in this pic of her at the school's jog-a-thon in April. I went to cheer her on and she did me proud! They weren't keeping a tally of laps, but I'm sure Galla out-ran every girl and all but a couple boys there. I took a few laps with her and she was speedy and determined--I had to explain to her the concept of pacing herself when she was complaining of a feeling like a "crab pinching my side."

Ok, back to our sad day. So after the graduation we headed to Six Flags Discovery Kingdom for the day. We had packed up all kinds of snacks and spare clothes and we were all stoked for a long day of play at the awesome amusement park. We were about 10 miles down the freeway when we got a flat tire. Brad calmly pulled off and parked at a gas station to change the tire. We all piled out and watched daddy skillfully get the dirty job done. The thought crossed my mind to take a picture of the completely flat tire and its intruding nail, but I was busy playing and picking flowers with the kids.

In not too long, we were back on the road and still in high spirits, headed toward the prospect of a super fun day at Six Flags. The kids watch their movie and eat peanut butter sandwiches and soon we are there! The problem comes when we realize we are the only people there...there's a sign blocking the parking lot saying the park is closed for the day. SAD!! The kids are let down, but Brad and I are devastated--we were so looking forward to going! Now what should we do? We sat there lamenting and brainstorming. We have a whole day to kill! We decided on a very sub-par substitution for Six Flags: Fairytale Town (it's next to the Sacramento Zoo). So here's how the day turned out:








So I guess it was ok. It is a magical place for kids, but Brad and I complained to each other of being bored! But so long as the kids had fun our day was a success after all. I do wish I'd taken a picture of the flat tire and the closed sign because they would've really added to this post. Now we know that Six Flags is open daily (it was only open on weekends) starting the day after we tried to go! We'll make it there eventually.