Poor Janie...

...Losing her girlish figure!

This is post bathtime and her hair always stands straight up after it dries for about 24 hours. She looks like Vanilla Ice.

Cascade Springs

A month or so ago, we visited Cascade Springs with the kids. It has been years since I was there and I was a little suprised to find that my memories of it were a little different. It was still beautiful though and it was a warm enough day that I was tempted to stick my toes in! Grandma, Grandpa and Uncle Brad were going to come along, but were derailed by the flu :-(

Jen and Co. on the bridge ( I need a better camera!)

Aunt Jen pointing out the finer sights of the boardwalk.

Sis gets a ride

This tree gnome was so cute, we took him home and named him Sam!

Exploring the trail (Sam enthusiastically, Thomas reluctantly)

Water Skeeters!

Stranded!

Cool Rocks!

Heading Home...

Catching up - Grandpa's Birthday Cookout

I am so far behind on my updating, but these pictures have been sitting in my camera, so...

We celebrated Grandpa K's birthday at a cook out in Provo canyon. I couldn't remember his actual age when the boys asked, so I just told them he was 100.

This ain't your average redneck cookout with something as plebeian as hot dogs! No way, we roasted redwine and gouda (or something) flavored bratwursts.

While the grown-ups ate and ate and ate...

The kids enjoyed themselves digging for treasure in the nearby volleyball sand pit. There was much throwing of sand and tattling (the former by thomas and birdie and the latter by Sam and EJ).

This is what Janie was doing when no one was holding her (poor girl - this was actually the day before her hospital stay).

Chilling with "Unca" Brad.

and Poppa!

Thomas wasn't impressed with his s'more. I am in the process of making sure he is really my kid!

At the end of the evening, goody bags were handed out (courtesy of Sam's insistance that goody bags are the best part of a birthday party).

To top the evening off, we had a little silliness....

...courtesy of Poppa!

Happy Birthday Grandpa/Dad!!

Super Effective Parenting

What I found myself saying in response to Thomas' repeated acrobatic gyrations during family prayer tonight:

"Darn it Thomas!! Be reverent or you are going to get a bum spank!!!!"

Something feels wrong with that statement :-)