Happy Birthday Mason!

11 years ago today was one of the best days of my life...I became a mother! Mason, I still remember that first night in the hospital...the first time you looked up at me with those big blue eyes of yours. I couldn't believe how much I loved someone so tiny! You were my little buddy for such a long time...sometimes I really miss those days...just hanging out with you watching Barney and Teletubbies! You are growing up way too fast!

You have always been such a thinker...I still remember the night I was tucking you in when you were 3 and you asked me the question I will never forget..."mom, when God was making all of the people, did he put on their feet first or their heads first?"...you were so serious...and I had no idea how to answer you...you have always been one step ahead of me as far as the deep thinking goes!

You are growing up to be such an amazing person! You have a huge heart and you are an amazing big brother to Parker and Rylie! I know I don't tell you enough, but I hope you know how wonderful I think you are and how lucky I am to be your mom! I love you buddy...Happy Birthday!!!

All-Stars

This season Parker made the 7-8 year old All-Star Baseball Team!

He was so excited that his name was on his shirt! There were 3 teams in his division from our league this year - Blue, Red, and Grey. Parker was our AMAZING catcher! He had some of the best plays at home! The first weekend was seeding. They went 4-0! The 4th of July weekend started the double elimination tournament. They went 3-0 that weekend! This past weekend, in triple degree heat, we faced the only other undefeated team. The game went 10 innings! (They only play 6 innings usually.) Parker caught all 10 innings! We ended up losing that game by one run. It was heartbreaking! Worst of all, we had to come back 2 hours later and play in an elimination game against our Grey team. That game went 10 innings as well! Yes, our little blue team played 20 innings in one day! Parker caught 6 of those innings (yes...16 innings in one day!) and they ended up winning that game! By the end of the day, we were the only remaining team from our league! Here Parker is with his buddy Kenny. They had a great time on the team together!
We battled back and made it to the championship game, against the only team that had beat us. Unfortunately, our little guys ran out of steam and lost that game 3-4. These little guys played so well, that sometimes you forgot they were only 7 and 8 years old!
It was a great post season! Parker had so much fun and did an amazing job! Way to go buddy!!!

The Shooting Range

So...Shane wants a gun. I told him we could only get one if I was comfortable shooting it...so he took me to the shooting range.

We went with some friends of his from work. They brought everything! They even had a bunch of different guns for us to try, since we still haven't decided what we are going to get. Here I am with Peggy...she taught me how to shoot!

I liked the 9mm the best, however, I was the most accurate with the 38 Special and the 22...
Shane's favorite was the 45...he wasn't a beginner like me! (That one had a little too much kick for me...for now anyway!)

Here are Peggy and I with my targets...not too bad for a beginner...I brought the center one home just to remind everyone not to mess with me!

See...Shane even made it out in one piece! I really enjoyed it and plan on going again!

Arrow of Light

Mason received his Arrow of Light a few weeks ago!

The Arrow of Light is the highest achievement a Cub Scout can earn.

Here Mason is crossing the rope bridge.
I was in Sacramento with Rylie when they had the ceremony, so Shane got pinned for me!

Mason worked so hard to receive this! Great job buddy...we are so proud of you!!!

Still Hanging Out in Sacramento!

So...today we hung out! The girls played all morning, and then we headed off to the neighbors pool. I forgot my swim suit...so I was just hanging out in my shorts and t-shirt. Well, Mackenzee was a little scared to jump in the deep end...ok...a lot scared. So, I told her that if she did I would jump in with all of my clothes on...

After 20 minutes, Aimee started walking over to the ledge to throw her in...so she hopped in my arms and we jumped in!

After that...we were all over the pool! Aimee got me a Modbe swim top...and I figured my wet shorts were as good as swim trunks!

Rylie was crazy...she was jumping off the ledge like crazy!

Rylie and Mackenzee had so much fun!

Tonight we went to see Mulan at the local Community Theater. It was an all children's production. Rylie loved it! The grandma was her favorite character!
Yes...the dolls came along!
Here they are with Mulan after the show...they had a great time!

The BIG Birthday Trip!

First of all, do you notice anything different about Rylie?

We cut off all of her hair!!!
She really needed a good trim, and her hair was long enough, so we asked her if she wanted to go a little shorter and donate her hair to Locks For Love. When we explained what it was, she was all over it! She looks so much older with her "new hair"!

So, for Rylie's birthday this year, she decided that she didn't want a party. Instead, she wanted to take Felicity and Elizabeth (her American Girl Dolls) to Sacramento to see her friend Mackenzee and to go see The Lion King! I was all over that idea...because that meant I got to see Aimee too! The best part of this idea...Rylie and I get our first trip together!

Here they are on the plane! When we were landing, Rylie was having her girls look out the window...it was so cute! She was so excited!

Mackenzee was already asleep when we arrived, so Rylie and I got to have a sleep over! She even tucked me in!

Here we are, dolls and girls in matching outfits, and all...ready to go to The Lion King!

Aren't they ALL so cute!

Me and Rylie just before the show began!

We loved it! Rylie thought the animals were really cool! Mackenzee thought young Simba was "so cute"!

Even Felicity, Elizabeth, and Gabrielle liked the show!

The show was right across from the State Capitol, so we took a walk over there afterwards for some pictures.

Pretty cool huh! Aimee explained to Rylie that this is where the "president" of California works!

Whenever we go to a show, the Cheesecake Factory is the place we eat...so the girls decided they needed to keep the tradition going! We had a great time!

Father's Day

Happy Father's Day to all the Dad's in my life!!!

The kids were so excited to celebrate their dad today!!!
They showered him with gifts! Parker even made him a coupon book!
Mason built him a tool box in scouts.

Rylie made him a very cool boomerang at school...because of course, every dad needs one of those!

After church we headed up to Jenks Lake for a picnic, some fishing, and some hiking!

The boys were very excited to fish with their dad on Father's Day! They didn't catch anything, but they still had a great time!

It was a great day...filled with things Shane loves to do!

Happy Father's Day Shane...our kids are so lucky to have you as their dad!!!