A Little Trip to IF

 The last week of June Benj left on a business trip to China for a week. Knowing time would d-r-a-g if I stayed home, the kids and I packed up the van and headed to Idaho Falls. We were fortunate enough to have both my brothers in town too! The only hiccup we had was our little family got hit with the flu right before we were supposed to leave. I sent Benj off worried that he would be sick during his 20+ hour flight. Luckily he did fine and didn't have any mishaps. More about his trip later. We postponed leaving for a day and everyone did fine throughout the week. 

Anyway, on to pictures! I took a lot while we were at the zoo! Here's the whole group:

 My kids adore Uncle Andy. Here's Norah and Andy watching the penguins get fed.

My brother Sam with daughter Marlee.

My sister-in-law Jenni also had her mom and sister join us. 

We loved the baby zebra! So cute on those skinny little legs.

Grandpa getting Max to smile. 

 Max got out of his stroller and was happy as can be.

 We got the kid's pool out and they thought it was so fun! Good thing because it took me awhile to blow up!

 Max lasted about 5 seconds in the water. He was much more content watching from the outside of the pool. Marlee joined us after I put my camera away, but I do have a few on my phone I'll post later.

 A few more highlights of the week included:

-P90X workouts with my bros 

-1 on 1 time with Logan (we went to Dragons 2 and Orange Leaf)

-dutch oven dinner at Jenni's parents' house in Rigby

-catching up with my best friend Jenelle over lunch

-game nights - we played a new one called Telestrations 

-lots of yummy food, including Sam's famous ribs!

-chalk drawing on the back porch

It's rare to get together these days since Sam, Jenni and Marlee live in Iowa. We only get to see them twice a year! Since it's rare I wanted a picture of all the grandkids. Unfortunately I waited until the end of the week and it was raining outside and we couldn't do pictures! I was so bummed. We opted for a couple candid photos on the couch instead. 

Max and I posed while we rounded up the kids.

We lured the girls into the room by playing a little "Frozen" music. The closest they got to playing was when they were dancing side-by-side. So cute.

So I get about 4 shots and the kids just weren't cooperating. I need to learn better tricks to get these kids to look at me and smile!

Ha - seriously! At least we tried!

A big thank you to Mom and Dad for hosting us and helping out with the kids! I really couldn't have done it without them! It was a fun week but it was also fun to get home and see Daddy. A week is way too long apart. :)

T-Ball

 This was Logan's first year playing T-ball! The first year they don't keep score and there are no outs. Everyone gets a chance to bat every inning and their only job in the field was to throw it to first base. I may have taken one too many pictures at his last game, but I couldn't help it . . .

 especially when he's willing to pose (I didn't prompt him in any of these). Cutest baseball player I've ever seen!

 Perhaps I've trained him to smile and say cheese, even when he should be focusing on the game.

If there was an award for Most Enthusiastic Player, it would definitely go to him. He LOVED batting and running around the bases.

Every once in a while, he'd get a little field action. Sometimes he got a little bored and did some interesting moves on the field.

Fielding and throwing the ball to first (he got better and better at throwing as the season went on. Something that will be fun to practice doing the rest of the summer).

By the end of the season, the coach tried to pitch to him. Didn't get a hit that way but he was a good batter at the tee. Definitely a lefty all the way.

Although the main focus of the game were the treats at the end, I think Logan had a lot of fun. He learned a lot and was just so darn cute. He'd even try to hold his coach's hand once in a while - so sweet! He was also excited to play baseball like Daddy since he's seen Benj play on a city league once a week. Now he's already talking about playing soccer. Good to get variety right?

Good job Logan and go Mariners!

Max at 9 Months

 This boy turned 9 months (I'm writing way too many of these posts lately).

 Max, you are the busiest baby ever. You have to be constantly moving unless you're eating. You're curious about everything and usually give it a little taste test.

 Your smile is contagious and your laugh is a big swell followed by a few hefty belly laughs. You make me happy every day.

 You love:

-eating independently and using your little pincher fingers to pick things up. You eat everything we give you

-being outside and are absolutely devastated when you have to stay in while brother and sister play

-rolling over, crawling, and pulling yourself up on anything

-emptying cupboards and drawers (we need to do more childproofing)

-smiling at everyone you make eye contact with

 You weigh 20 lbs 3 oz (50%) and are 30 in (85%). Leaning out just like big brother. I think you are looking more and more like Logan.

Thank you for being excited to see me every time I see you. For the tight hair-pulling hugs and slobbery kisses.You light up my world little man and I love you!

Lagoon

 I'm going to try to be better to post more photos from my phone - seeing as I average over 250 phone photos per month. Yes, you read that right. Obviously it's a lot easier to pull out my cell phone than lug my big camera everywhere. 

Anyway, this is a Lagoon Day we did the Saturday before Father's Day. Benj's work does this every year and it's been really fun to take the kids. Yes, we hang around the kiddie rides all day, but it's fun to see those cute smiles and know the kids are having a good time. 

Max loved the carousel ride.

Riding the boats

Norah rode this ride 3 times while waiting for Logan and Daddy to finish riding on the Puff roller coaster. 

Daddy and Logan in the front (you can see the top of Logan's head).

Max and I taking a break.

Bulgy the Whale (my least favorite kiddie ride - see this post).

Daddy and Logan were constant riding buddies, although I stole a few rides with Logan on BomBora.

 

Father's Day

 Happy Father's Day to this wonderful daddy! Boy, he's got his hands full!

 Benj, as you can see, is so adored by these kids. Some things I love right now:

-Logan and Norah always run into his arms yelling, "Daddy! Daddy!" when he gets home from work.

-He is definitely the best at jumping on the trampoline and playing "Hulk Smash".

-He is constantly getting jumped or climbed on. He is never alone if he tries to lay on the floor.

-Norah butters him right up when she says in her sweet voice, "Hold me, hold me". 

-He will sing every song requested by the kids, even Little Mermaid.

-Daddy always produces the biggest smiles and laughs from the kids.

Daddy woke up to a big breakfast and a few goodies, including a new ladder and watering can filled with treats. We had a yummy dinner at the park with the Bradshaw and Krogue families. It was a nice, fun-filled day! 

Love you babe!