MacKay-grams!

We love the Shark Reef!  The twins are still young enough to go for free, so it was a daddy date with Brook and Ethan. 

Every month, Jason takes one of the kids out for dinner.  This was Brooklynn's turn-- check out this little healthy eater! 

This was the first tomato of the season....  It had a soft spot so the boys threw it- splatting it with delight!  Then the sham battle began!  Jacob started throwing peppers and Braden was on the green tomato team. Fortunately for our garden, Bray has good aim and the game was over shortly when Jake got nailed in the back with a hard tomato.  Busted.  Needless to say they spent the following day filling the garbage can with weeds. 

Bagging grapes.  I think we bagged between 150- 200 bunches of grapes!  And, there still tons left for the birds. 

I love this sticky spaghetti face. 

We love to play tea party. 

She's a purse girl! 

"Bye-bye!"

We raided Moms bag and found the tampons. They make great pop guns. 

Cousin hand-me-downs are the best!  

Jacobs first piano recit! 

I love this little dress. She got it for her 1st birthday from Grandma and I've been saving until I was sure she wouldn't crawl in it. Soooo adorable. 

Braden's Preschool Graduation

Look at this handsome guy.  Bray has really grown in confidence over the course of this preschool experience, and is on the cusp of learning how to read.  He'd still never sing a solo, but he was a proud participant in this little program.  I can't believe he's going to be a kindergartener next!  Love this sweet guy.

Bowling with the Kids

I was hunting around on the internet gathering ideas for summer activities, when I stumbled upon "Free Kids Bowling!?!"  We still have to pay for shoe rentals, but this kids had a blast!

Ethan got 2 stirkes!  (with Dad's help!)

Mylie's Baptism Weekend

It's a road trip!  Our cousin Mylie turned 8 and decided to have her baptism this weekend.  With so much family coming into town, they did a family baptism, instead of the usual stake baptism, and let Mylie choose the entire program.  The kids all sang "The Baptism Song" and I did a talk on the Gift of the Holy Ghost.  We also had a chance to attend the new Payson Temple open house!  All of Jason's siblings were there except Jesse and Whitney-- living in Canada.  It was so great having so much family around and playing with all of the cousins.  

Camping with the Wisan's

In celebration of school being out, and largely due to Karen Wisan's planning and invitation, we went camping this weekend!  It was just an overnighter at Mt Charleston, but it was great-- the perfect kick-off to summer.  The Wisan family has three little boys who are within days of the same ages as Jake, Bray, and the twins= instant best friends!   We roasted marshmallows, ate licorice, played games, had a scavenger hunt, and just had fun in the dirt!  It was colder than we expected, especially at night, so Susan, Jason, and I didn't exactly sleep. But it was worth it.

Helping Dad with the tent. 

Best buds with their walkie- talkies   

Jason took the big boys on a little hike. 

Crazies! 

Roasting marshmallows! 

Brookie's first s'more!  Yum! 

Suzy likes em too! 

Settlers of Catan rivalry! 

Jake and Jack were the self-appointed fire tenders. 

Cutie patootie! 

Swimming Lessons

2 days after Ava's birthday and Carter's near drowning, I called a family friend and asked for his help to teach my kids how to swim.  Ava already swims very well, but Brycen and and Carter still (normally) wear life vests.  I have always valued swim lessons but now I have a whole outlook on their importance.  So Monday morning the kids and I headed over to the home of John Whipple.  He is a saint of a man (his wife too) who was willing to take all 3 kids, especially Carter under his wing and teach them to swim.  John has been swimming and coaching his whole life, and one can surely tell right away that this man knows what he is doing.  After only a 20 minute lesson with Ava and Brycen, he had them more comfortable in the water than I have ever seen them.  

Then it was Carter's turn.  As you can see, he is not so thrilled about this activity.  

Thankfully this screaming face is not from fear.  Carter just really doesn't want to do what John tells him to do.  He cried and screamed the whole lesson.  I was inside the house so I wouldn't distract Carter and so John could gain his trust without mommy there to "save" him.  It worked!  Carter eventually calmed down and progress was made.  Now only time will tell if this stubborn 2-year-old will learn anything or not!