My whirlwind life

So, life really has felt like a whirlwind lately, that is why I haven't written for a while. So, here is some catch up.

Isabelle had her last day of preschool, and last day of dance for the year. I ordered this costume for her not realizing we would be gone the day of the recital. She loved it so much!! But, she agreed to sell it to a girl who didn't have one for the recital. She really was being a princess.
She was totally posing for this pic, she didn't want to stand up or smile. She wanted to look just like this..:)

Here is Isabelle's last day of preschool. She absolutely LOVED preschool this year. Thanks Miss Connie!Robert won an award at school for improved handwriting.Robert missed his last day of school because we went to Utah!
Halfway through June our family took a trip to Utah and hung out with family and my best friend Wendy.

The kids got some good cousin time in.
We celebrated Heather's 2nd b-day.
We got to see the movie "Up" with Grandma the next day. On Tuesday we went to the Oquirrh Mountain temple to go through as visitors. It was such an amazing experience. I could feel the spirit so strong talking to my kids about the pictures of Jesus there and telling them about what we do in the temple. I am grateful for the experience.
I went there with my mom, my sister Katie, and her girls.Austin had fun skateboarding in the kitchen.

We went to the zoo with my friend Wendy and her kids.
Austin couldn't get enough of the giraffes.
We had a great time hanging out with Grandma Nan. The kids were so loving with her! The didn't want to get off her lap, or stop giving her hugs! I wish I could say that I planned it, but I guess they just love their grandma!!
We took her to the BYU creamery. I think we should keep that a tradition!
Wendy took us for a hike around a lake. The kids loved it!Especially the impromtu snowball fight!It was kind of hard to do Father's Day while away on a trip. But, the kids and I made Rob a fun card, I brought one Isabelle had made from her school, and gave Rob a fun book and some shirts. Wendy and I made our husbands breakfast.Wendy and I got dresses the same day. So fun!Then we were off to Colorado to hang out with Rob's family for a week!
I love that my kids each have a twinner cousin (cousin born the same week as them)

Austin and IsaacIsabelle and AbbyAnd Robert and LiamWe went to some dinosaur ruins the first day.
Another hike the second day.
We went to a park and played parachute games, soccer and tennis.
We had tons of fun in Heather and Jared's pool, just about every day.We went to a fun park with a train, a petting zoo, and a stream to wade in. That day, the Stephens gave all the grandkids some fun sunglasses. How cool is that!?!Robert did actually end up touching an animal at the petting zoo, but he REALLY didn't want to.The kids loved dressing up there.We celebrated Emily's birthday there.All the grandkids made bags for a memory. They all said the "French Frogs" and had frogs swimming in a pool. Great idea Robyn!
We had a family run day. Almost all the adults ran a 5k. They did some little races for the kids as well. Austin won the race for his age group.On the last day we had family pics done and the Stephens started an impromptu dance party afterwards.:)


Robert and his buds did this during the dancing.
We had a busy week this week. For the 4th of July, both Rob and I spoke at our ward breakfast on patriotism and the constitution. Then we headed off to a tea party rally!We had fireworks and homemade ice cream at home with the Ducette's. It was a fun night and neither Robert or Isabelle were afraid of the sparklers this year. Austin sure was afraid of the fireworks though.This week I am off to girl's camp. Wish me luck!

Not much to report

The kids had some fun in the sprinklers this week as Rob was turning them on for the first time this season.


Not much to report here. Austin keeps getting bigger and more and more like a little boy every day. I really can't call him a baby anymore. He loves this little toy motorcycle and has to have it on almost every waking second of the day. Daddy saved the day today by putting in new batteries.

He is definitely resourceful. He came and stole the stool out of the bathroom the other day and I realized how there are always so many cars all over the playroom, from a place he couldn't reach before.

Robert has been complaining about his stomach lately. He has always had stomach probs. Unfortunately, he has never been good at eating fruits or vegetables. He has started to enjoy hitting a ball as I pitch to him. We have started to read Harry Potter with him and he absolutely loves it. He is reading a book called Geronimo Stilton, about a mouse spy. Very cute.

Isabelle is as fun and quirky as every she woke up yesterday and asked for salad for breakfast. Then she cried because it was only lettuce and chicken. She wanted a fancy salad with lots of toppings. What a silly.

Unfortunately at dance on Friday they handed out the recital costumes for all the girls. We are not going to be here for the recital and had worked out with another parent that we were going to sell the costume to them. But, the instructors brought out the costumes and handed them out to everyone there, including Bella! She was so excited to get it and so heartbroken when I told her that we were going to sell it to the other little girl since we would be gone. So, I let her wear it for the day and had Rob do the dirty work of selling her on the idea of selling the costume. She bought it-for now!
BTW she wanted to be serious for this picture, and on the chair. She is so funny.

Rob got the phone of his dreams this week- the palm pre.

I am geared up for camp this week since we are leaving for Utah on the 13th. Also, had a 9-12 mtg. As political as ever, to the chagrin of many I am sure. :)

Have a good week!

Temple, Rachel, etc.

So, last monday my friend invited us to do FHE at the temple with them. After I accepted, I realized that I had never taken my kids to the temple grounds (just pointed to it from the freeway). I asked the kids if they wanted to go and they were SO excited!
Isabelle asked me "Am I going to get married?"
I responded, "No Isabelle, you have to fall in love, and get a ring..."
Very emphatically, "MOM! I already have lots of rings!"I thought Austy looked cute nakey.

Rachel came up and we got to meet her new man Jake.
He even paid Rob for Rachel.
We went to Nona Emilia's.
Bob made us malts at the beach with his drill.

Rob and I went to the "Defending the American Dream" conference put on by Americans for Prosperity. We got to hear Joe the Plumber- so inspiring!
Robert had a carnival at school. Rob took advantage of the velcro.Sorry I didn't talk more, I am not feeling good today!

Mother's Day and bugs

So, lately there has been quite the fashion trend at our house. Isabelle's friend Clara has been tying her socks around her ankles. Isabelle simply HAS to do whatever Clara does, so now both of them wear their socks around their ankles all the time! It just makes me laugh. This is how fashion trends are started right?
Robert started playing with his stomp rocket for the first time this week. Unfortunately, it went up on the roof two times! Rob was enjoying his time up there though!This is a view from inside our kitchen and Rob is looking at me through the skylight.We went to Mima and Papa's for Mother's day. I must admit, that my favorite gifts were the ones the kids made for me this year. They were SOOO excited to give me their gifts. Robert wouldn't even let me see the paper bag he had wrapped mine in until we were opening presents.
Robert made me a calendar with all pictures he had drawn. This is a picture of me that I am holding up, and he was drawing me in my orange sweater! He also made me the necklace that I am wearing (the pink and yellow one).
Bella made me these two cards. Isn't that frame one a scream?
Mima got lots of loves as well.

We planted our garden on Saturday. We let our kids help. We planted lots of veggies, but bought a pear, apple and cherry tree as well.
While we were gardening, Robert found a catepillar. He wanted to keep it as a pet so bad! So, Rob let him for the day. Robert named him "Green" and took very good care of him. He gave him a little house, tried to give him drinks of water, and even let me babysit while he went on a bike ride.It was exciting that he was willing to touch a little creature. Here he is with his gloves, but he ended up touching it numerous times with his bare hands. Yea!
Isabelle found a little grub, but cried her eyes out when she lost it down the sink as she was trying to wash it. Poor thing.

Here is cute Austy. He has gotten so energetic. He will run more than his older two siblings sometimes. I love how he is always the first person up and will run into my room to snuggle me in the morning. He gives so many loves to every person in the family every day. How could anyone not love this kid?

Therapy graduation, teddy bear picnic, parent dates

So, on Monday Robert had his last day of therapy. He has come so far. When we first started, Robert had a really hard time writing or coloring. He would use his whole body to write instead of just his wrist. His fine motor and his large motor skills were very undeveloped. He would get tired very easily would never want to run, ride bikes, anything physical.
Now that he is graduating, he can write well without getting tired, he loves to color, he loves to run. He tells us over and over, "I am the fastest runner in the whole world!" We are so grateful. Thanks Elizabeth!(His therapist)He was so cute too. Elizabeth told him it was going to be a party, so he wanted balloons and the whole gammet. I gave him a superman balloon and we had twix's all around. He also got a certificate and the whole family watched his last day of therapy. It was so fun!

Bella had a Teddy Bear picnic at preschool this week. She brought a soft Belle doll for her bear. Even Daddy got to go!Rob brought home a slip and slide for the kids from a business trip. They have been chomping at the bit to get on it, so we finally let them this week. They had a hard time figuring out how to slide down, but had a fun time nonetheless.We have been doing some yardwork. Here Rob ended up transplanting 15 strawberry plants (we only bought two last year!)
On Saturday I had a Mother Daughter day with Isabelle and Rob hung out with the boys.
Isabelle and I attended a Mother Daughter tea party. We had lunch, danced, painted nails and did make up and played some games. Isabelle was in heaven.
Isabelle was really sad earlier this week when Robert got a balloon, so I promised her she would get one today, so she got this princess balloon. I had also promised her a special cupcake she wanted.
We also went on the carousel at the mall. By the end, we were all tired!
The boys went to see "Monsters vs. Aliens" and Robert got a bakugon (?). It was a hit.