August 2019

August started with Kael's birthday party! He wanted to have a video game party and just play games with his friends. So, that is exactly what he got, and it was epic and fun!

Kael has grown so much it seems, and this birthday party was evidence of that. He is such a cool and fun kid, and is a true joy. 

  Dear Kael,

Happy 11th Birthday!

Where to start bud?! You have grown so much this last year, and not just past Mom's shoulder. You have matured so much and are such a capable boy. You are strong, independent, and are happy and super loved. I can't believe I get to be the Mom to this incredible 11 year old boy. You are a great leader for our family, and always try to do what is right. You had a book in your hands practically all summer. This year you and I chose to do homeschool for school. 6th grade has been fun with you, and I have to say I'm enjoying the time with you more than I let on probably. The last time I had so much 1 on 1 time with you was when you were a baby, and as fun as you were back then you are a million time more fun as an 11 year old. Mom and Dad are SO proud of you and the person you are becoming Kael. You try hard in everything you do. When you put your mind to something you do it. You have a book in your hand more often than not lately and love going on new adventures in new books. It's been a lot of fun for Mom and Dad sharing some of the things we love in life with you now that you are old enough to enjoy them. You are always asking how you can help me at home, and help your siblings without being asked most times, and if I ever ask for help you immediately jump up and do what I've asked. You are the boy every Mom hopes for Kael. You told me you want to skip a grade for math and you have proven you are willing to work hard to do just that. You have set goals, and are working hard to meet them. We started running together in September and you already are way faster than me. You are growing smarter and stronger every day and you definitely cannot wait to be taller than your short Mom. You are brave and have been trying so hard to overcome your fears in life, and you are facing them! We love you Kael. Never forget that. You are in incredible person and you bring everyone so much joy!

Love you always,

Mom and Dad

Our friends the Hunter's who lived two houses down bought a house about 20 minutes away. We were sad to see them move. Their son Jaxon had a nerf gun birthday party and it was pretty awesome.

 We have been playing at the playground across the street often and discovered there is a pecan tree!

I promised Eden I would braid her hair into a bunch of small braids. She loved it.

One last summer activity we did was to go to Urban Air. The kids had a great time jumping on the trampolines.

Derek had a work training and they got to do a surf board activity. I was only a little jealous.

Derek also had a work device representative training in both Miami, Florida and Dallas this month.

 The first day of school came way too quickly. We had a back to school feast and decided to keep it simple and go out for dinner. When we got home we presented our new school theme for the year.

The kids had a great first day back to school. It was so hard for me letting Connor go to school, BUT he loved every second and came home and crashed the entire first month and took a nap. He has slowly phased out of naps, which is so sad. Connor is in pre-k from 8 am to 1 pm. It seems so long, but he is really doing so very well and his speech has improved drastically.

 He literally can't keep his eyes open after school.

 

The kids no longer like it when Derek has to go away on over night trips. The new norm is they all come sleep in my room while he is gone. So my room becomes a disaster zone and we just call it all good. All of them asleep and then the mess they leave me in the morning.

I have no idea what Connor was doing, but he is pretty cute in a dress shirt and pajama bottoms.

 The Saturday for Labor Day weekend we took the kids to "Splash Town". Kael overcame his fear of heights and big slides. By the end of the day after a few threaten to never let him on electronics ever again, and we ALL had an amazing time! All four kids were able to do tons of big slides and it was just so much fun for everyone!

 Grandma Sapp spoiled the kids and sent us Grandma Sapp jam. It didn't last very long.

Good bye summer, but not summer heat.

July 2019

July was hot, and fun. Connor was going to speech therapy twice a week the entire summer, which kept him busy. Eden and Elara still had gymnastics and Kael and Eden had karate, and the 3 big kids all had piano because Elara started this summer. It seemed like we were always busy even though the kids weren't in school.

We had a fun 4th of July Independence Day up at the Pinkston's. I made fun yummy things, and Derek bought some BIG fireworks. It was amazing and so much fun.

The night ended with us belting out as loud as we could God Bless the USA. It was a proud moment for sure.

 On the 11th we went to 7/11 for free slushies. Some traditions are too good to miss.

We went to the library a couple of times. Kael read entire series all summer.

The pugs got new pillows for their beds. I'm not sure they "loved" them, but they worked.

Although Freya looks pretty cute in hers.

Kind of not our brightest moments, but we took the dogs on a walk in July... I'm not sure we have ever seen their tongues hang out so far their entire lives. They were so hot and couldn't cool down, and we laughed for a good long time.

We were so EXCITED the Day Family came to visit for an entire week! We had so much fun and love having our cousins here. We played games and did fun things all week long. We even got brave enough to try out bowling again with Connor. After he broke his finger we all got nervous about bowling, but he seemed to love it still and we all had a blast.

 Aunt Shannon loves us, and boy do we love it when she comes to visit!

 We had a boy team and a girl team. These cousins sure had so much fun!

We got to go to the river and float and visit Pinkston's and show them the goats and big dogs. It was fun sharing some of our favorite things with some of our favorite people!

Rebekah was missing her dog Benji, so she helped love on the pugs.

So many fun games!

Elara and Cassie used clay to make a mini Mario family with LOTS of toads.

We were sad when they had to leave, but so glad for all the fun memories!

Eden being cute.

Dad took us all to the live action "Lion King". It was pretty awesome. It's one of my favorite Disney movies of all time.

Heidi was in charge of a 24th of July celebration for her entire stake for church. They host this HUGE event with games, face painting, music, pie eating contest, TONS of food, for like 1000 people. She did AMAZING and the kids and I were able to go. Derek had to work sadly, but we had so much fun!

The kids got to ride ponies, which Eden couldn't stop, and hold chickens, get their faces painted, eat watermelon, see family, dance, and see amazing fireworks. So grateful for the pioneers who paved the way for us to be a part of something so amazing. And so grateful to Heidi for throwing such a fun party!

Elara got a flower, Eden got a man's beard, and Connor got a spider web.

Baby Silas is getting so big! Morgan and Silas came to visit us at our house. It's so fun seeing my kids be big kids and starting to help with babies and be a big help actually.

July meant summer time is flying by. We love summer time and all the fun that comes with it. We didn't go on any big trips this summer, but it seemed to go by in the blink of an eye. Before we knew it, Kael's birthday was coming and school was about to start again. Next summer is going to have big changes for our family, and we were just grateful to have a wonderful last summer in Texas!