Another day, ANOTHER birthday!

Today we celebrated Avery's 6th Birthday! We had a Jolly Jump with many "Jolly Jumpers!" I am birthday-ed out! We had superheros everywhere!
Avery is such a fun and easy going little guy. He cracks us up with the funny things he says. He is very much into learning how to play basketball like his big brother. He, like Aubrey was born with a little head of dark hair. At about 5 months we cut it and started using gel to spike it up. For 6 years he has had the same style. He is know for his spikes! I really missed him when he went off to school, he was my little buddy that went with me everywhere. Avery keeps up with his older siblings and even considers Jake's friends as "his friends". We ALL love him so much and enjoy his little person each day! Happy Birthday Avery!!
This is a definite Kodak moment...... Nate eating at McDonalds?? He ONLY went because it was Avery's choice for his Bday dinner with mom and dad!

What a way to spend your special day!

Ms. Aubrey June is 12! Today we celebrated by taking her and some friends down to the beach for the day. A great day was had by all!


The water was AMAZING!

Aubrey entered this world with a head full of dark hair, redish skin and a very loud scream. That loud scream continued on for about 6 months. Some of you remember taking turns holding her and trying ANYTHING to stop her from crying. Eventually those days of colic passed and she turned into this funny, sweet, adorable little girl. At about two she started talking and her little voice sounded just like a tellietubbie. Now that she is 12 she is still that funny, sweet, adorable little girl. She is VERY thoughtful and VERY helpful. She can clean a kitchen and fold a load of laundry as fast as any mom. She is always leaving little notes around and thinking about others. She is quite the daddy's girl and LOVES to cuddle anyone that will sit next to her. We love our Aubs and are so thankful for her in our lives!

THE TREK 2009.....

click on photos to enlarge
Were you thinking Star Trek??
FAR FROM IT!!
This year for youth conference our stake put together a Pioneer Trek! Yes, handcarts and all! What a neat experience..... I think......me and some other TO2 ladies had the pleasure of going up and serving lunch to all of our wonderful stake youth. All I can say is my hat or bonnet goes off to those that are staying the whole 3 days. I only had to endure 2 hours in the shade asking the kids if they wanted white or wheat bread. I am exhausted! I so could not have been a pioneer! Tomorrow they are going to do an 11 mile trek in not so cool weather wearing not so cool clothes. Let's hope they "endure" and really get a feeling for what our ancestors went through. This is Jake's first youth conference, let's just say he didn't look too happy when I ran into him today. His bed and shower will be waiting Sat. night!

Most of us probably got to do this or something similar as a youth......did YOU love it???

A sad day for mom....

My baby graduated Kindergarten today.  I am sad.  REAL school begins in the 1st grade.  The days are gone of cute songs, easy homework and long hugs before heading into class.  (this excludes Jane, she still needs the long hug to start her day!)  The beginnings of learning to read and write goes way too fast.  By 1st grade they are reading and writing and saying all their words correctly.  There is nothing more amusing then deciphering stories and letters written by a 5 year old.  

example:  My brt day we wnt to the bech and the mole.  

translation:  My birthday we went to the beach and the mall.

Avery loves to write stories so we have many little treasures to save.

I am sad today but will be better tomorrow when we don't have to jump up and get everyone out the door by 8:00am!  That will be nice.  August 27th I will be sad again because everyone will be a year older.  Time goes too fast.  I need to slow down and cherish each day.  

A Sunday afternoon treat!

Remember the berries from my last post????   Look what became of them!    Blackberry Apple Cobbler!  Nate was the baker and it was DELICIOUS!  I wish you could have a taste...........  I wonder what he will cook up with our strawberries!    Here is the recipe if anyone just has to have  a piece!  

1/4 cup butter, softened

1/3 cup sugar

1 cup flour

2 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp salt

1/2 cup milk

2 cups blackberries

1 cup diced apples

1/2 cup sugar

Cream butter and 1/3 cup sugar until light and fluffy.  Stir together flour, baking powder, and salt.  Add dry ingred to creamed mixture alternately with the milk;  beat until smooth.  In a separate bowl, combine blackberries, apples, and 1/2 cup sugar.  Put fruit mixture in a buttered 9 in round cake pan.  Pour batter over the fruit.  Sprinkle with sugar.  Bake at 375 for 45 to 50 min.  Serves 6-8.

Can't wait for summer, tomorrow kicks off our last week of school!  Yippee!!