Cousins

My kids have 2 cousins. 

That's it. 

Just 2.

2 for now....

I am not complaining, really. It's just different from how I grew up. I'll be honest that it does make me a little sad however, as I loved having so many cousins. I grew up with 14 cousins on my mom's side and 25 cousins on my dad's side. I am actually very lucky to be a TWIN cousin. Her name is Andrea and we were born 3 hours apart. Her parents, (my dad's sister) were going to name her Christine also, but found out that I was born first and was already named Christy. So they changed her name to Andrea. Which fits her perfectly. But I wouldn't have minded if we were both "Christy". She and I, along with our other cousin, Charla were inseparable when we got together. Which was only 3-4 times a year we lived always about 6+ hours from them. But when we would get back together it was like we never were apart and we would pick back up where we left off. Not only was it great to be a twin cousin, but there were always tons of cousins everywhere! Family  gatherings were ciaos at times, but those are some of the funniest, awesome memories I have with my cousins. Both sides of my family I have some really amazing, talented cousins. And I love being with my cousins. 

So when I say, my kids have only 2 cousins, I am not complaining, really, it's just different than what I am used to. (No pressure to my siblings or Ryan's siblings to start having kids!) My nephew and niece are the BEST. And I am so grateful to have them and to see them grow up and learn new things. It's fun having a baby(my sister, April's little girl) in the family again, as my kids are passed that stage.

Here is my totally hilarious nephew, Colton and my adorable chubby niece, Audrey. Aren't they the cutest?! I am so lucky to be an aunt to them.

 Emily and Avery just love holding Audrey. They are so happy to see her and when they talk about their baby cousin, Audrey they all light up and says, she's the best! (Which she is!) Audrey weighs almost as much as Emily though! She takes after me! I was 31 pounds at a year old and Audrey is over nine months old, and probably close to 26 pounds now. Emily is a whopping 29 pounds.

Madisen and Audrey even look like cousins from their facial expressions, huh? :)

They girls love their cousin, Colton and they constantly talk about are they going to see him again. We were glad to have gotten to spend a several summer weeks with him and a few days with him at our house before he flew back to Texas.

Good-bye

It's that time again, to say, "Good-bye".  

Goodbye hot summer days. Good-bye flip-flops, popsicles, and green grass between my toes. Good-bye lunches in the park and fresh cold watermelon. Good-bye days of laying out in the sun while reading a good book. Good-bye pool, lake and river rafting. Good-bye, exercising outside. Good-bye, playing in the backyard. Good-bye to all my favorite things. I love summer and am always sad to see it go and to see a cold, blistery winter take over. But that's life, and I guess you have to take the good with the bad. I am excited for Halloween, and decorating for fall, and Christmas. I am excited to see my kids' reaction coming up in 4 weeks when we tell them we are going to Disneyland!! (Shhh...don't tell! It's a secret!)

Here are the last few pictures of us enjoying Summer... 

Eating lunch at the park

Grandpa and Grandma's house, riding a 4 wheeler. 

They are so spoiled!

At the fair with all the Princesses!! Snow White, Angela and Sleeping Beauty, Shalene are friends of mine from our old Pocatello ward. They are such great ladies! And they are amazing singers!

Avery and I got to make a wand together and do lots of games. Avery won a two prizes. Good job Avery! 

There was a bouncy house too. 

We went to Nat Su Poo, a lava hot springs resort only 20 minutes south of Twin. It was really fun and the water was perfect for the kids. We went down with 7 other families from our ward and neighborhood. 

In line for the diving board. All the other kids in line are from our ward and neighborhood.

There goes Madisen... 

There goes Emily... 

And finally, there goes Avery...

We had a great time with all our friends that day.

The other fun thing we did a lot this summer, was head to the movies! We got to see 7 movies this summer and the girls looked forward to go almost every week. Cousin Colton came with us one time too. 

We had a great summer, it literally wore us out...

Good-bye Summer! We will miss you!

The Start of a New School Year.

My kids have been in school now for 2 1/2 weeks and I am finally getting around to posting about their first day of school....that's how I roll! :)

With lots of prayers and thought about deciding what grade to put Madisen in, Ryan and I decided to give Madisen another chance at first grade. I think transitioning from Idaho to Texas, then back to Idaho in the middle of the year and then getting home schooled for 2 months, was hard on her. Especially since she is so small and timid for her age anyway, it just added to the difficult transition. I believe we did the right thing, but it's been a little hard for me at times I won't lie. It's hard for me when she brings home homework, and the homework is asking what sound a certain letter makes, or reading 6 word sentences, and half the words are pictures. I am sorry if I sound a bit arrogant but she is beyond learning the sounds of letters. She was reading  short chapter books this summer and I feel like she is not getting challenged at all right now. Or learning anything new. And that's what's hard for me to get over. YET, it has helped her self-esteem/confidence tremendously and that to me is worth more, and I have to remember that. And that it will get harder towards the end of the year and she will be challenged then.  Despite all that, we are very proud of her for making this decision as well. She comes home and tells me how kids in her class are always asking her how to spell words or how they now ask her for help with things in the classroom rather than the other way around. She feels confident and big. Which is what we were hoping would happen. We feel so lucky to be her Mom and Dad!

Emily saying good-bye to Madisen

Madisen has also started soccer and she loves it! She is so aggressive and isn't afraid to get in the middle of the action and kick the ball. She scored her first goal last week (her second soccer game ever), kicked it right between the legs of the goalie.  It was awesome. And she just beamed.  We are so proud of her.

Here are pictures from 3 different soccer games so far...

Taking a breather. 

"Hurry mom, take the picture." 

Almost scored again...Darn the goalie got it!

Avery started preschool this year. We decided since her birthday was so close to the cut-off date that we would give her another year at home that way she will be one of the oldest in her class too. I think its can make a big difference in confidence and maturity (at least with our kids, it does. Every kid is different). It was a tough decision though too, as Avery is starting to read simple books and she is learning new sight words everyday. But I think holding her back was the right thing for her as well.

Princess Birthday Party

Avery turned FIVE! (August 21st was her birthday, so I am late posting...again.)Where did the time go?! I can't  believe she is 5. We threw her, her first Birthday party. And of course, it was a Princess party. She loves to dress up and wear "make-up" We invited 4 of her friends in the neighborhood and I think everyone had a good time.

All dressed up ready to go for the party!

We made our own crowns...

The girls love making them. Putting beads, diamonds, and glitter all over them. ( I found glitter on the floor for a week! haha)

We went on a Parade down the street and here's Ryan in the back dressed like a Prince. He was so cute, as he welcomed each Princess into the house with his tux. 

The girls waved to cars as they passed by and cars would stop and wave back. We got a kick out of that! 

We played lots of Princess games... crown the princess.

Princess Musical chairs... 

I made (yet, another) Princess cake. This one however, didn't turn out as well. I think after making 3 Princess cakes in a row, I was a little burnt out! I said, Avery can I make you a different kind of cake? NOPE. haha. She liked it and that's all that matters I guess.

Friends: Ella and Claire

Emily and Lucy 

Macy and Madisen 

We love you Avery! We are so glad you were born into our family. You make us laugh with your funny comments and serious facial expressions. You like to be the center of attention and love to laugh. You are outgoing and yet sensitive to others feelings. You have a good sense of right and wrong and are always aware of others. You have an imagination that takes you to many places. You are a good friend and loyal to your sisters. You love to hug, kiss and play with your sisters. They are your best friends. You love to show us how smart you are by memorizing sight words and jumping up and down on one leg. ;) 

Happy Birthday Avery!!