May Madness-Plant Preserves, Paddleboards & Preschool

Ya..ya.. I know it's June (the very end of June)...so I'm playing a little catch-up...story of my life. Unfortunately with so many pictures they will have to do a LOT of the talking for themselves.

First - one of 2 "Laina School Outings" that I was able to go on - to the Nature Preserve (apparently you weren't supposed to bring siblings along...even if they could give the chipmunks and their cheeks a run for their money).

The guide was talking about how plants adapt...I'm sure there is a life lesson here...but I'm too busy to stop and think about it...

Our little chipmunk found a prized nut.

Baseball season...pretty sure this is the reason there was very little posting done in May...2 nights a week/2 boys...sometimes we were lucky to only have to be out 2 nights others 4... We had visits from Grandpa Grant and the Noble clan...sure do love our Grandparents!!

I was worried she would freeze so I threw a cap on her...

Tanner Buzbee Nelson's Homecoming...prepping him for the river in Jackson Hole. Nobles & Nelsons take the Colorado River on...

Wade is serious about his sun-protection....

Matt received a paddle board for his birthday...we have put that puppy to good use.

Here's another one of those life's lessons that I don't have time to spell out...

Here...let me zoom in closer...

Dad..it's a good thing I'm behind on Father's Day...I would've had to use this picture to write glorious things for you...like "my Dad is serious about blocking some rays...and he's serious about fathering and grandfathering and scouts and church...Happy Father's Day!"
and Ella is serious about Ho-Ho's...
Amanda is serious about being tall...and posing for paddle board pictures :)

These were the mean pirates that splashed everyone...


After the adventure was over...I was left on the bank of the river with my 4 kids for about 45 minutes...Indy made good use of his time...and some trash bags...
And when the day was over we made good use of the aloe vera plant in grandma's front yard.
Ahhh...more ball...did I mention that my cousin Taylor and I coached a t-ball team in May?? We were lucky to grab a bunch of our little buddies to play on the team...we both survived...barely.
Ya...Ya...I know the sun is in your eyes...but I've got to snap this picture so that I can get back over to the batter and make sure the batter doesn't throw his bat...so just close your eyes and smile.

Preschool graduation...McLaren was the only child of mine to attend preschool. He loved it and we loved all of his buddies and Sis. Tenney. She took on 9 little boys!!

Memorial Weekend we had family & friends & fun. Paddle boarding at the lake (in 40mph winds...it was so windy that they closed up the kayak rental shop...but that didn't stop us...no siree).

Hair blowing sideways weather is not great paddleboarding weather...did I mention that?

I love my boys!!

And I love the lighting in this image...(Rabid you need this framed on your wall...)



We sent our friend Rabid out on the white-capped water without any instructions...she made it safely in...eventually...

This is what happens when you paddle against extreme wind...you don't move...literally I was pulling as hard as I could and not moving.

But we had a great time and went and hiked Thumb Butte the next day. Phew. May is done.

Hassayampa Wedding Reception - Prescott, Arizona

I promise I'm alive...and in 3 days I can say that we survived the month of June (& May) but mostly June with its 4 kids' birthdays (and 6 good friends' birthdays?? I'm going to have to pre-screen new friends - no more with June birthdays -- not that I actually did or have done anything for those dear friends - don't give up on me :) OH! and father's day!! woops...

I also had some weddings mixed in and know that my brides are anxiously awaiting some sneak peeks...more to come...

I need to dedicate this post to my dear friend who is currently at the pool with my kids while I get some desperately needed work done & Ella takes a desperately needed nap...without her this post (and more to come) would not be possible :)

Sunshine Shelli

I love the natural light and natural look and feel of these photos...I wanted them to reflect sunshine and beauty - exactly what Shelli (that's Shelli with an "i") is - and a wonderful babysitter/cleaner who has helped me survive the past 4 years. We are going to be so sad to see her go...

*Photographers note...these babies were shot in RAW and have only had slight exposure changes - other than that they are straight out of the camera :)

Happy Barf-Day

The much anticipated 5 year old birthday came and went without even a pause. My kids get a massive birthday blowout at age 5 & 10. This year I have 5, 10 & 8 year old birthdays - within 2 weeks of each other - hows that for killer planning? McLaren however had full-blown flu and couldn't even get out of his chair to acknowledge the day. Thankfully I had planned the party for a few days after the actual day so I crossed my fingers and toes and the night before the party he came back to life and I shoved as much food and liquid into his emaciated body and hoped for the best. The next day he was back in full form teasing and tormenting everyone in his path. I had convinced my friend Kris that she had a backyard just begging for a bouncy house...and a birthday party...and she was kind enough to let us invade - so invade we did!

The annual streamer tongue lick...

Birthday food consisted of hot dogs on a stick...and a cup of ketchup (the actual cups were much smaller and cuter but Mac was on round 5)...I know I know I'm awful...but it worked! Some watermelon and sno-cones...no cupcakes/cake half-eaten to throw away :)

We finally let Indy in there with a bat and Katie had a good time teasing him...

We sure had a great time...and we're sure glad it's done and crossed off the list!! yippee!

AND we sure loved having this beautiful girls' help...I'm glad I took a picture before we laid her out flat :(

To Be Continued...

This little gal turned 8. On Fast Sunday. I tried to think of any possible way to get her to turn 8 on Monday but I couldn't so we just faced it head on and fasted together till 2. Then had her favorite food (which has turned into all the kids favorite food) Chicken Bacon Pasta (with arugula to make me feel better). She got to run through her streamers and open presents and have some yummy "cello" cake. She was such a trooper on this not-so-fun-birthday while her mother nursed 2 barfing kids on the couch. She was in top form helping with whatever needed to be done. We all took turns coming up with our favorite things about our feedle-dee and smiling and spunk and helping out were at the top of the list....and a few freckles were thrown in for good measure. I introduced the kids to chin performances and they had a blast - we videotaped Laina singing Taylor Swift and laughed so hard the camera shook the whole time. Thank goodness Katie was there to help (I'll save the fact that we passed on the influenza to her too...luckily it waited till after Mac's party :)

I told her the real party is coming on her baptism day....so this will have to be continued....

Big Weekend

Had myself a big weekend wedding...more to come I promise.