Dinner and Dancing

So with Jason basically working two jobs-- his dad is starting up another countertop shop! Very exciting but ALOT of work --I've been getting a little more creative about dinner. Latest innovation= we turn on our Phineas and Ferb music and chew to the beat!  At least that's the theory. In reality the kids take bites in exchange for continuous dancing music.   Trying to keep it positive. :)

Quote

Making the decision to have a child is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body. - E. Stone

Milestones

Carter is getting so big, so fast.  Actually they all are - but recently we discovered that he could count.  I love his little voice and thought I would share.

Draco

Some friends in our ward have recently convinced us that owning Geckos is really fun.  So Drew and I debated for a few months and tried to put it off, but the kids finally talked us in to it and ta-da, we have a gecko.  He is still a baby but oh, so cute!  The kids love him and want to hold him constantly but he needs to adapt to his new home, so there is a lot of staring through the glass.  I guess we'll see how this goes!

When we brought him home, everyone started making lists of potential names:

Skipper

Zippy

Thunder

Lucky

Race

Decker

But Draco is the winner! 

We found this awesome terrarium on Craigslist for 1/3 the cost!  Yay!  I hope the novelty doesn't wear off too quickly.

Super socks!

Lately my kids are obsessed with socks. And it's not just the twins!  In the eyes of all, socks are super-power hands, sliding racers, princess gloves and super speed racing aids. Needless to say my house is constantly littered with socks:/. In the picture below Ethan, pardon me Super Ethan (he will correct you if you if you call him superman), basically went walking around the house putting on every pair of socks he came across. It looks like he's wearing casts!  Finally they started getting uncomfortable and I peeled away 8 layers of socks to find his little legs!  Haha! 

Brookie walked around proudly declaring herself a "fireman-Miss Alena(from Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood)-glove and shoes-princess! Love it!:)

Coeur de Alene - Round 4!

Drew and I and the kids have traveled back and fourth to Coeur de Alene Idaho 3 times in the past 3 months!  That is a total of 48+ hours in the car!  So when we found out Kimbre and Matt wanted to bless their baby Cole a few weeks early - we thought, "Why not?  Let's go again!"  This time however did not include the stress of a fire test.  Oh no.  This trip involved a baby blessing, cousins, and 4 days at the Zirker cabin on beautiful Lake Coeur de Alene.  Time to play!

Ashley and baby Cole

Riley - She is getting so big!

The food was amazing.  Kimbre made french toast and everyone kept asking for leftovers throughout the week.  That's when you know it's good.

This was our view every morning.  The Zirker family actually owns 2 cabins.  One is named The Cabin, and the other is The Bunk House.  The bunk house has one bedroom for Nana & Papa, and then a great room with 12 bunk beds where all the kids slept.  Best slumber party ever!

 

Ashley - one of my beautiful sisters!

Brycen and his buddy - Dallas!

The highlight of the trip was Uncle Jayson's boat and the enormous tube!  We actually got all 5 of us on at once.  AS you can see, Carter was not thrilled.

Those of us more serious about tubing went for more wild rides.  At one point Ashley, Jett and I went for a crazy ride and ultimately flipped over.  Apparently I flew about 20 ft in the air before crashing into the cement-like water.  Ugh!

Two of my favorite people in the whole world!

Riley in her favorite shirt!

Carter - not quite naked this time - but he's got his socks and shoes.  This kid wanted to throw rocks in the lake ALL DAY!  Total boy!

Cole Matthew Zirker

Carter DID NOT like the boat, but I managed to get this pic - minus the terror on his face.  Next to Carter is cousin Charlotte.  She loves the boat and is soooo adorable!

You can't go to the lake without a little fishing with Nana!  As you can see, Brycen was excited to catch the fish - but unwilling to get any closer to it.

 

This picture captured the theme of our trip to the cabin:  Time-to-Play!  We all had a blast.

A special thank you to everyone for coming, and to Matt and Kimbre for reserving the cabin for all of us to enjoy.  This was an awesome trip and we were all so sad when it came to an end.  Spending time with cousins is always the best - and I love being with my sisters!  Love to you all - Now let the laundry begin... :)

Baker girls come to play!

Sid had a last minute run to make to Utah. So, he invited Jason to help, Jason took Jake and Bray to visit the cousins, and since Shannon was planning a trip the following week, they snatched Mylie and Brynlee back to Vegas for some fun!!  Love these girls!

Cole's Baby Blessing

A big Thank You to all those who could come and celebrate this special day with us!

Li'l Happy

Lately Suzy's nickname is Happy. I remember my other kids being easy babies, but I think the combination of a more experienced me and just her sweet nature makes Suzy the easiest EVER!  We love her! Here's a few fun picts. 

Smiling

Talking

BlaaaaHH!

Blowing bubbles!

And the latest addition- Raspberries!!!  Thank you Jacob for thoroughly teaching her during car rides.  Hmm ....solid food is going to be lots o' fun!

Slurpee Day!

The little kids and I had a great time walking to 7-11 and getting our free slurpees! We then walked to the park and enjoyed them on this hot day!  :)

4th of July at the Cabin

It was a perfect weekend for the 4th of July this year.  What better place than to spend it at the lake?

 It took a while but Riley slowly warmed up to getting in the water and having some splashy fun!

 Babies always sleep well at the cabin because its so cozy and warm.

 Riley even went for a ride in the kayak with Adria!

 Enjoying some sparklers.

 And thanks to Lacey, the kids got to make some monster bubbles!

The boy in his 4th of July onesie.  What a cutie :)