Random (Non-Epic-Road-Trip) June

Not a whole lot going on here, just prepping to be gone for almost a month!!

This girl is going to need another eye surgery *sigh*

Daddy jumped on the trampoline one evening with the kids...

Good thing the springs held up!! 

Baseball

It's baseball season!!  With three boys playing this year, we have baseball FOUR nights a week!  Fortunately, Eli and Dallin are on the same team, so none of our games or practices overlap.  We love Rockford Little League 💙

Both Dallin and Eli get to pitch, which they love- and since they're 2 of the oldest kids on the team, they get lots of opportunities on the mound!

Their coach was less than pleased when I told him the boys would miss the last few games because of our road trip... they really were the foundation of the team- but one of the reasons I love this league is because everyone understands that this baseball season is not the most important thing in the world!

Jace was so excited to get to play this year for the first time!

So much fun watching them play!

Early Birthday Boy

Because Jace has a summer birthday (our only one!) and since we're going to be gone on an Epic Road Trip on his birthday, and because he just endured an entire 'birthday season' at our house and saw all his siblings have fun parties, there was NO WAY I could deny this kid a party!

I let him invite 6 friends since he's turning 6- they all rode the bus to the end of our road and then crammed into the car from there- good thing we live on a back road! 😏

We played some sports themed games, but really, the boys just wanted to play with all of Jace's toys and explore both inside and outside... and eat cake and open presents!

A fun day- Jace was so excited to get to celebrate with his buddies!

Jace is a fun-loving sweet boy who will do most anything if he's helping or if you count to see how fast he can do it 😀.  He especially loves to feel like a big kid just like his older brothers.  He loves sports and just plain being active- oh to have his energy!!  He says the funniest things and keeps us all laughing- and he's just so stinking adorable!

Jace at 6-
Favorite color: orange
Favorite restaurant: McDonald's Playland
Favorite food: macaroni and cheese
Favorite drink: apple juice
Favorite thing to do: "read my books that I make"
Best friend: Jaxon DePell
Favorite movie: Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone (I'm not sure if he's actually even seen it...)
Favorite TV show: Phineas & Ferb
Favorite toy: video games
Favorite animal: cheetah
Favorite book: "my tractor book I made up"
What he wants to be when he grows up: a train driver and a "woke-oh" {worker}

Young Eagles

Young Eagles is a program that allows kids interested in aeronautics to be able to fly in a plane... I'd heard about the it too late to participate last year- but I put reminders on my phone so we wouldn't miss out this time!  Being as fascinated by aviation as he is, Bryson was so so excited for this day!  Unfortunately, the weather was pretty iffy and we didn't know if they'd even be able to run that day.  Luckily, things cleared up just enough for them to take off safely.  

While we were waiting, Hailee and Jace got a little time flight time too:

Because of the weather, things were a little delayed, so we occupied ourselves exploring the hanger and Bryson found a flight simulator he was pretty taken with-

Finally, it was time!  The pilot did a great job of teaching the boys about the basics of how a plane is able to fly.

Jace and Hailee got to explore the cockpit a little before the boys got in...

Eli had to climb through a little hatch to get into his seat- we all thought it was pretty funny:

Bryson finagled his way into being co-pilot #dreamcometrue

And they were off!

Bryson got to fly the plane a little and was pretty much on cloud nine the rest of the day- what an amazing experience!

Twelve Years Old!

We're most of the way through 'birthday season'!!  Since his birthday was on fast Sunday, he got his special breakfast the day before...

We pretty much celebrated it altogether the day before since we wanted him to be able to enjoy his sweet new ride...

For ONCE Dallin actually told us what he wanted this year!!

Since Bryson lit his own candles on his cake, Dallin took matters into his own hands too-

He requested an ice cream cake and it was delicious!

Dal-Pal is just such an easy going kid.  He loves to school and learning and really has become quite social.  He has such a subtly funny sense of humor, so you'd better pay attention!  I really appreciate how much he just does the right thing because it's the right thing to do... and if he's going to have to do it, he generally just chooses to have a good attitude about it.

Dallin at 12-
Favorite color: green
Favorite restaurant: D'Lish Hamburgers
Favorite food: ribs
Favorite drink: water
Favorite thing to do: play with friends
Best friend: Parker Vernon
Favorite movie: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows 1&2
Favorite TV show: All Hail King Julien
Favorite toy: a baseball bat
Favorite animal: a dog
Favorite book: Michael Vey Series
What he wants to be when he grows up: a molecular biologist

Birthday Boys

For their birthdays, Dallin and Bryson both got to invite some friends to go zip lining- Eli and I went along for good measure 😊

Nicole, Bryson, Ian and Josh

Sam, Eli, Parker, Chase and Dallin

We had such a great time!  I was a little nervous about bringing all the kids by myself, but they were amazing- super respectful and listened well- and just plain fun to be around.  The weather looked like it was going to be 'iffy' but it even held out.  So glad we got to go!

Other May Pictures

Nathan's parents and Christi and Bob came up for Hailee's baptism-

School was exhausting for Jace- he fell asleep like this waiting for the kids during piano.

Dallin was invited to the Math Allstars competition with his 6th grade team- I worked that day so I wasn't able to go, but he ended up taking 2nd place overall and his team took 2nd place!

Nathan and I had a date night at an art studio doing a guided painting...

"Copper Moon Rise"

We had so much fun!  Except that now we have two pretty close to identical paintings...

With the warmer weather we've been hitting some parks- it's so nice to be outside!!

At the end of school year assembly, Dallin and Bryson both received several awards for academics.

Can't wait for summer!