Lucas' 9th Birthday

Lucas is one of the roughest, toughest kids, but he is also so very tender-hearted.  He's the first to want to snuggle.  He is all about comfort, not looks...just like his daddy.  However, Aaron knows you can't wear your favorite button-up Hawaiian shirt with basketball shorts.  Lucas is still working on that principle.  He loves being outside, jumping on the trampoline, and swinging around on the poles that we have in the backyard.  He has huge callouses on his hands but his muscles are so strong from doing it over and over.  He loves his family and we love him. 

I'm so glad that Lucas is my son.  He's been such a joy to have.  He's smart, silly, and very sweet.  I love this boy so much.

Lucas' birthday happened while we Aaron and I were in Sedona for the weekend, so he got to spend it with Grandma, Grandpa and his siblings.  The day we came to get him we had cake and then the celebrating was just kinda sporadic for the next few weeks...a  present here, a Ely family party there, some golfing with Dad and a Red Robin dinner with Mom.  He did end up getting a much desired new bike.  Yea!

Love ya Lucas!

Smarty Pants

Just wanted to say how proud I am of all my kids.  They are such great helpers and hard workers.  I love them. 

Two fun things that happened today...

Tyson WON the Fourth Grade Spelling Bee at his school!!!! 

He got 1st place out of 90 kids!  Yeah Tyson!!!!!!

Wilson is doing a thing called Rocket Math, basically just a one minuted timed test in addition.  They start at level A (easiest) and work on up through different levels of difficulty.  He's been tied with a girl in his class on level H for a few days, but today he passed it and now is on level I!  He's the only one in his class. 

Way to go Wilson! 

Swimming Time

My kids have been dying to go swimming for months.  Our rule is it has to be at least 100 degrees outside, mostly cause I'm just wussy when it comes to cold water.  Well, we ended up going and it was only 96 degrees and the pool was in the shade.  FREEZING...to me anyway.  I didn't end up getting in further than the stairs.

The kids just jumped right in.  Wilson, got in just a little above his head and got nervous.  He swims fine, but it's been since last year and he sort of panicked.  Aaron, who didn't have his swim suit on, tried to help the struggling child from the side of the pool.  Laying on the sidewalk and trying to reach him while Aunt Cadie came down the stairs toward Wilson, Aaron fell in the pool.  I saw the whole thing in slow motion.  It was hilarious to me.  His wallet and clothes were soaked, but luckily he had put his phone in my purse.

Soaking Wet Aaron-he's such a good sport! 

 Wilson had the life jacket on for a little while after that, until he got used to being in the pool again.

Jonah just chills on the steps with his shark and crocodile toys.

Nellie was loving it!  Thanks Cadie for swimming around with her so much.

I love goggles! --Tyson

They all literally had blue/purple lips by the time they got out. 

I don't know how people in colder states swim at all.

Lucas love diving in the deep end.

Thanks for letting us come swimming with you Cadie.



Cub Scout Pine Wood Derby 2012

Wilson didn't have a car kit, but really wanted to do a car this year even though he's not in scouts yet.  So, after cutting Lucas' car out, Wilson got the other half.  Aaron drilled holes for the wheels and we actually had wheels from the leftovers of last year.  Anyway, left to right...Wilson's (just colorful), Lucas' (Perry the Platypus), and Tyson's (a pokemon, I can't remember which one.)

 Lucas and friend Nate.

 Some of the boys...

Friend Ryan and Tyson

Brother vs. Brother

Lucas and Tyson- best friends!  I love these boys!

Apparently, our Bishop (right) had never made a pinewood derby car before or, I think, race one.  So, one of the dad's made one for him that looked like a guitar.  It was really neat.  Then, the Bishop raced against each of the boys and actually lost all the races.  Awesome car, but not fast, I guess.

Our boys didn't end up in the top three this year but, we all still had a good time.

Just silliness...

Nellie needs a few lessons on applying mascara!

Jessi and I took Ben out for his birthday dinner.  He decided to be really funny and wear some cowboy boots WITH SHORTS!  If that's not hot, I don't know what is! lol 

We had a lot of fun just hanging out and eating chips, salsa, and mini chimis.

Aaron came across this one...Jonah is sleeping.  I don't know how you sleep hanging upside down, but he sure had it going on.

 Wearing Dad's new shoes.

 I was able to go to Tyson's and Wilson's "Bring your Parent to School" day.

In Tyson's class we put together a poster of his "American Dream Goals."  Well, at least the kind of goals you can find pictures for  in the "Fortune" magazine they give you.

 Wilson's class got to make different hats for different things they wanted to be when they grow up.  They only had 4 choices, so Wilson went with doctor, but specified it's an animal doctor.  He really wants to be a zoologist some day.

Sedona Trip

Through their hard work, Aaron and his work team earned a free weekend trip to Sedona.  He and I had lots of fun eating, relaxing, shopping and he got to play some golf too while I got to catch up on some much desired alone reading time.  It's so beautiful up there and the weather was pretty nice too.

 Dinner with his co-workers.

Aaron's mom watched our 5 little ones while we were away.  What a sweetheart.  I'm sure it was crazy, but my kids all had a blast. It was sure nice to have a weekend get away with just the hubby.  Honestly, probably my favorite part was all the eating out at different restaurants with Aaron.  I LOVE eating out!!!!!  My one true weakness.  YUMMY!

The 2012 Wright Easter Party

Every year we go to G'ma and G'pa Wright's house for our Easter Party. They are the best Easter Parties EVER! The weather was especially nice this year too. We enjoyed a yummy lunch, fun activities and a wonderful day with family.

Here's Aaron with his newest nephew, Fynn, the cutest baby with red hair you ever did see.

Cheese ball Jonah
Nellie and Delanie-It's so fun seeing them be such good friends.

Tyson and the boys played some baseball.

Grandpa was out there swinging away too. Good times!

Mick

Lucas

All the kids are lined up to go hunt Easter eggs in the backyard. My favorite thing about this picture is Grandpa in the back, all ready to go with his basket too. I didn't even notice him in the picture until after I got home and was looking at it on my computer. Funny, funny.

Tyson

Wilson

Sean is always so fun to take pictures of. He's a good sport about posing for me. Love that kid.

Fred and Elisa

I especially love Fred in this picture. He looks so excited.

My kids love this picture because they always call baby Fynn, Finn Mc Missile (from Cars2). They were saying it when we were looking at this picture and realized it was even funnier because Uncle Mick was in the pic. Fynn Mick Missile. I know cheesy, but we all thought it was clever.

Grandma with my favorite part of the day...cotton candy. I seriously LOVE this stuff. I probably ate more than all the kids combined. mmmm.

Sophie

Nellie and Delanie either didn't like it or didn't know what to do with it, cause they were just breaking it up and throwing it on the ground. NOOOOooooo!!!!!

A friendly game of kick ball. Team 1.

Mick and Fred kept kicking it over the electric fence in the back.

Team 2

Wilson, big kicker.

Way to go Elisa!

Lucas