Our First Summer Trip

We have had so much fun this summer, I forgot to tell you all about our first trip, but I think this photo sums it up: Cats, cousins, and lots of playing outside.
In case you still can't figure out where we were, here's a hint:

Again, you won't see Wyatt because he's he's too embarrassed to be seen with us (see previous post...)

My sister and I found time for hiking...we had to cross a stream, fight ticks and mosquito's, and avoid snakes and poison ivy. It was awesome!

This is my husband getting a taste of farm work. I don't think my dad is going to hire him on anytime soon....

We snuck away from the farm one day to go to the Black Hills. We went rock climbing at Sylvan Lake, and everyone got soaking wet!

Leaders Club 2010

We just got back from Aaron's company trip...guess where we went?
Yep. The Happiest Place On Earth.
At 2 pm, it also becomes the Whiniest Place On Earth, but that's another post altogether...

I would like to have a nice family photo taken, but Wyatt is going through a phase (I hope) that deems him too embarrassed to be seen with us, so just pretend he's there.

This is the Bibbity-Boppity-Boutique where Jenna got a makeover from her Fairy Godmother while Wyatt went to the Lego Store.

This is the one photo that I got of Wyatt, but probably only because it wasn't really Wyatt...it was the Flash. (This was at the company farewell party on our last night...all kinds of food, fireworks, and fun.)

This is how I found everyone on our last afternoon, when I came home from the gym. We spent 8 hours at the pool the day before, and 5 hours this day....

Wyatt's Birthday

Wyatt's Birthday is always the official start of summer. Eight little friends came over to celebrate today. It's an occasion we have called "The White trash Party." It's always in the backyard with a sprinkler and a BBQ grill, and some cheap lawn chairs.

No ponies

No jumpy things

No Clowns (except the ones that live here)

Just good old fashioned fun...

I'm certain that each year I have this exact photo: Wyatt blowing out candles (on a store bought cake! I know...), and Jenna, in his personal space, telling him how to do it. They are always wearing swim suits, and I'm pretty sure in last year's photo, Wyatt doesn't even have on a shirt.It makes me proud just to think about it....

So once again, Aaron bought all the birthday gifts for Wyatt (!).

Here he is showing the 3-6 yr olds how to shoot the guns...at each other.

Here he is "helping" the kids play Iron Man Meets Nerf Gun.

As you roll your eyes, I'd like to point out that every other father was also out there shooting guns and taking cover behind corners. (Just without the Iron Man mask)

During the ensuing combat, I got out the face paints for all the children.

This is the happiest little saber toothed tiger I know...love those boys!

The Graduate

Wyatt's Preschool Class at Mother's Day Out had a graduation program tonight.His teacher, Miss Aimee has threatened to fail him so she can have him one more year. Teacher's Pet....The Program-Hander-Outer was stellar, too

All the mommies took a photo together b/c it's the only time we all have on make-up and no sweat pants....

My Funny Valentine

Wyatt's class made Valentines this week, and they arrived in the mail. The kids said what they wanted written, and the teacher wrote out the sentiment.

Aaron's was on top:

Sweet, huh?

Mine, however, was much more meaningful to all:

Take that!

Happy Valentines...may you all have tasty chicken!

Who Knew?

Who knew that 8 years after this....

We'd have this...

In case you are wondering, it's her index finger...I checked.

Is someone flashing gang signs?

We had a birthday party at Michael's Craft Store, which was the best idea I've had all year. (I know it's January...)

We thoroughly destroyed 3 tables with glue, catsup, and frosting.

And I didn't clean any of it up.

Aaron 'accidentally' took this photo of the girl helping with the party. Guess he's been taking photo lessons from my mother.

Luke Chapter 2

In my ongoing attempt to be Mom of The Year (which has been noticeably less frequent this fall), last night at dinner I read from the advent calendar book (that I made a few years back, when I was still in the running for M.O.Y.).

We read the story of Jesus birth in Luke, and talked about the swaddling clothes. See, on the way to Mothers Day Out, Wyatt said,

"Why are babies always naked, and you have to wrap them up?"

I figured he was talking about Jesus, so thought---hey, let's make swaddling clothes....and it happened to be the exact lesson from our advent book that day.

Coincidence?

I think not. (I secretly think he can read, but plays dumb)

So, I cut up one of Aaron's t-shirts. (Sorry...but it was from church so that counts, right?)

And we wrapped them up:

Then they fed them (no bottles left at our house, so they improvised with straws:

Then they burped them.

Incessantly.

Why do I do this to myself?

Post note: Some of you will recognize Wyatt's Halloween costume in this photo. Yes, he's still wearing it...why?