July Moments

 Rare moment when Thomas was home this summer.  He was so tired, he fell asleep leaving himself wide open for the workings of Sam and Spring.  He was such a good sport about it when he finally woke up that it pretty much spoiled their fun!

 Spring gets so embarrassed when she sees Joel or I kiss.  Sometimes we do it just to bug her! :) Sam took this picture so we could email it to her and embarrass her!  It worked!

 The kids redeemed their free Handle's scoop of ice cream.  Spring offered to sit next to Jacob.  I told her she had to help him.  I think all she did to help him was eat some of his ice cream.  He was a MESS!

 Jacob was tired of watching Thomas get to drive.  He thought he should have a turn as well.

 Joel and Spring drove back to Palmyra to pick Thomas up from scout camp.  They were able to do some baptisms in the Palmyra temple before heading home.

 Handles...the family's favorite treat.  Spring will do just about anything if the reward is Handles!

 Baking is dangerous business with Sam!  I love this picture and I love that he is really wanting to cook more and more.  He helps make Sunday dinners almost each week.  His favorite things to cook are brownies, pancakes, and waffles.  He is beginning to remember to spray the pan when making brownies.  :)

 My heart melts when I watch Sam with Rebekah.  His soft and calm side comes out.  One Sunday afternoon I walked in to find him asleep on the floor with her.  A few days later, I found him multi-tasking.  He is really growing up and becoming more responsible and mature...silly and goofy, but there is evidence of responsibility peaking through! :)

 Dad took the kids to redeem Dairy Queen coupons from Summer Reading.  I think I was at a RS meeting.  He sent me these pictures.  Made me smile!  I'm so grateful for a husband that loves being a dad.  His days are long and hard, but the moment he pulls into the driveway he is in dad mode all the way!  Love him so much!  There's no one else I would rather experience this crazy journey with than him!

Day Camp

Day Camp was once again one of Sam's summer highlights!  I was able to go with him a couple of the days and Joel went with him the 3rd day.  His favorite activities were BB and Archery, of course.  This year he was so excited because he passed the BSA Swimmer test.  He worked really hard at swimming lessons and when we would go for free swim to practice and build up his stamina.  His hard work paid off!  I can't believe this was his last year at Day Camp!  Scouting is in his blood and he loves it.  That makes this mom happy!

It was SO hot and humid!  This girl is a trooper!

Saturday is Family Day at Day Camp.  All our kiddos look forward to this.  With the extreme heat and humidity we decided it would be best for me to stay home with Rebekah, Jacob, Sara, and Gideon.  We went to the pool and had fun at home while Dad took the rest to Day Camp.

Jacob's Birthday

 And, this little man is now 2!  You definitely couldn't tell by looking at him that he was born premature!  He is a riot!  I love his enthusiasm and every, even though it is exhausting, at times.

 Some of Jacob's favorite things are: trucks, puppies, buses, playing outside, wrestling, giving hugs & fist bumps, grapes, cheese, apples, cookies, playing tag, reading books, and being wherever the action is!

Another Teenager

 This beautiful daughter of our's is now officially a teenager!  She is a great teenager too!  Spring is so helpful and loving towards her younger siblings.  They light up when she gets home and she never fails to give her attention to them, even when she is busy.  She is loud and crazy, at times as well!  She loves to play outside, babysit, play the trumpet and cello, dance around the house like none is watching, hang out with her friends, and just find fun in everyday activities.  We are so blessed to have her example to all her younger siblings.

 She asked to celebrate her birthday a few days early because she wanted Thomas to be home for it.  With him at scout camp all summer we only had the weekends with him.  The bond between Thomas and Spring continues to grow stronger.  I am so grateful they have each other as friends.  Thomas is her protector, her safety net, her go-to for questions and worries, and her confidant.  She loosens Thomas up and reminds him it's OK to not be serious all the time!

 She chose ham and cheese sliders on Hawaiian Sweet Rolls for dinner.  I think it was just a way for me buy the rolls.  When she babysits for one family they always have those rolls and she tries hard to not eat all of them while she is babysitting!  Her dessert of choice was turtle cheesecake.  She doesn't like caramel or nuts so we had the toppings on the side and everyone could customize their own!

 Love this girl of our's!  She is growing up so quickly.  I hope she will always know of our love and appreciation for her.  She is so much fun!

NICU Survival Bags

 Spring did another round of NICU Survival Bags for Moms.  This time she was able to make almost 30 bags!  She asked people from the ward to donate, if they wanted, items for the bags and the response was absolutely overwhelming!  She learned that when a lot of people give a little the outcome is so much better than trying to do it all on our own!  What an amazing lesson to learn!

 She had a couple friends, Kyra and Sharvi, help her sew the burp rags that would be donated.  It was a fun night of them laughing and goofing off, intermixed with some work! :)

 When we delivered the kits this time to the NICU she was able to walk around the floor of the NICU and personally deliver them to the moms that were at the bedside of their baby.  Then she left the rest with the nurses to deliver as needed.  She really enjoyed being able to see the surprised, grateful smiles from the moms.  She said that was her favorite part of the project this time around!  She is planning to assemble kits again over Christmas vacation.

NICU Survival Bags

 Spring did another round of NICU Survival Bags for Moms.  This time she was able to make almost 30 bags!  She asked people from the ward to donate, if they wanted, items for the bags and the response was absolutely overwhelming!  She learned that when a lot of people give a little the outcome is so much better than trying to do it all on our own!  What an amazing lesson to learn!

 She had a couple friends, Kyra and Sharvi, help her sew the burp rags that would be donated.  It was a fun night of them laughing and goofing off, intermixed with some work! :)

 When we delivered the kits this time to the NICU she was able to walk around the floor of the NICU and personally deliver them to the moms that were at the bedside of their baby.  Then she left the rest with the nurses to deliver as needed.  She really enjoyed being able to see the surprised, grateful smiles from the moms.  She said that was her favorite part of the project this time around!  She is planning to assemble kits again over Christmas vacation.