Just because

Here are some more random pictures from this year...

For PE Bailee  was required to do a community run so she and I did the 2 mile Marana Walk For Hunger. We thought it would be a great idea for the family to do it each year

Love this picture of my boys!!!

Im not sure what the crown is that he is wearing - but he is too cute!

Ice cream break - at the little ice-cream shop down the road from us

I love this picture! I grew up with my mom singing to us and playing the guitar and it means so much to see her doing the same thing - even the same songs - to my kids.

During one of Raden's basketball practices Bailee and Koston discovered the drinking fountain and had a fun time playing in it

I was getting ready for the day when Lexi came in laughing and told me to hurry and come look at something. When I came out all I saw was Jinga trying to get out of her kennel. Then I saw the bottom of some flip flops start to come out and realized that Koston had gotten inside the kennel WITH Jinga - his whole body! By the time I got my camera half of him was already out. I have no idea how they both fit in there!

Jared helped coach Bailee's school softball team and at one of her games Koston just had to be with him for a minute 

18 month old + a marker + no supervision = a colored nose

Raden has always loved building and every now and then will ask me to take a picture of something he created that he is especially proud of.  He is very talented and has a great engineering mind

Koston thought Jinga would like to hear a story

Oh how we love crazy day at school!!!

So Koston has a nightly routine - if Jared is home he absolutely refuses to go to bed until he sits with him and watches "football" or any other sport that on, for a couple minutes. He will run and get the remote and climb on the couch. Whether he does it because he really likes sports or just knows he can stay up longer, I don't know. But it is just to sweet to stop.

Safety first!

A teenager!

 

Bailee turned 13 this year and we officially have a teenager in the house! People ask me if Im scared to go through the teenage years or sad that she isnt a little girl anymore.  The only thing that concerns me is seeing her ( and the rest of my kids) go through trials and hard times that I know are vital for their growth and learning - but is still hard to see them go through. And yes,  I miss the little girl days but am even more excited for the years to come. Happy Birthday Bailee - we are so grateful for you and love you more than words can say! We love watching you become the independent and talented young woman you are!

Jared came home with flowers and cotton candy for her!

I realized that I didn't take many pictures of her parties but this is her family party

 She had the girls from the ward over for a friend party and did everything from eating to heart attacking the neighbors doors

I don't know if this was for her birthday but she got a new hair cut as well. Growing up so fast!

Letters from the kids

Every now and then the kids will write me a little note and leave it on my nightstand. I wish I had pictures of them all but here are a couple.


Lexi lost a tooth and the tooth fairy was so busy she didn't come get her tooth  for a couple days. When she finally came she left a note apologizing for taking so long and this was the thank-you note that Lexi left under her pillow for the tooth fairy.

Raden had a day where he just wasn't listening and I was worn by the end of the day. When I went to bed this note was there - how could you not forgive after that?!   It humbled me and made me realize that I should have been the one leaving the note saying I'm sorry. Such an example. I love the lego present too. 

I wish I could remember what the big day day was but i thought it was so sweet that Bailee was concerned that I was staying up late and would be tired on the big day. 

Last day of swimming and first day of school

Summer seems to go by faster than ever now. We weren't ready for school to start back up, but it snuck up on us.

We spent most of the summer just swimming in our pool

We had our usual family candle light dinner the night before school started. 

Firat day of school 2012 - Raden 9 years old, 4th grade

Lexi 7 years old, 2nd grade

 Jadie, 5 years old, kindergarten

Bailee 12 years old, 7th grade

Koston - 1   gets to stay home with me and put spoons in the couch

Summer Family Reunion

This summer my mom tried to do a family reunion on my dads side of the family - it ended up being just us that lived here in Tucson but it was still a lot of fun. We spent 4 days at the church cabin on Mt Lemon.


Koston sitting with Grandma

fire-station fun

Jared needed us to bring him something while he was working one day and he was covering a different station that has a fire pole so the kids all got to slide down it.

 They wanted to sit in the fire truck as well - lucky!

rainbows and best buds

We saw a rare double rainbow outside so of course I made the kids pose so I could get a picture

This picture makes me smile - best brothers and best buds

Jadie turns 5!

Jadie turned 5 in July and part of our birthday traditions is that the birthday person gets to pick a cereal they want - of course its a yummy sugary one since I never buy them. And of course they get to share with the family.

Bailee wanted to make all of the decorations and even made her a birthday crown.

More decorations and birthday cupcakes

Eating hotdogs and Cheetos for lunch with friends

Getting ready to blow out the candle

We also had a family birthday party for her - getting ready to blow out the candles

Happy birthday Jadie bug! We love your fiery spirit and are so glad you are in our family!!!!