A great way to cool off

A few weeks ago Jenni and I met downtown at the Gateway (outdoor mall) with the kids. There is a big Olympic Legacy Plaza with a really cool fountain that just comes out of the ground. The kids had a ball running in the water and we sat on a bench under a big umbrella and had fun watching them.
Right before we got to the water I bought this water-shirt at Old Navy's 50% off sale. I wasn't sure how Spencer would respond to wearing it, but he was immediately excited and said, "yeah, because I'm a quarterback."

Father's Day

We had a fun Father's Day. The kids loved helping to make breakfast and Dad got to be home most of the morning. He got some of his favorite snacks, some new (much needed) dark socks, a dress-shirt and a book. The Udalls gave him a grill cleaner and grilling cookbook. Can't wait to use those! The best part was the kids' lists of things they love to do with their Dad. Catherine mentioned her baptism, going out to breakfast and playing "knock down the children." Emma's said, "I like to play with my Daddy. He is rilly fun." Spencer mentioned playing "cookie monster" and saying 'surprise' when he comes home from work, to go see the BYU Football team, play tools and make 'shooters' out of Legos and go to the BYU Basketball team. David liked going to the Atlantic and Pacific oceans with his Dad this year and learning how to walk and eat with a spoon.

Our Ward Campout

We got a new tent this year from Poppy and had our first chance to try it out at our Ward Campout. The kids love how big it is, and actually, Michael and I do too. We camped up Mapleton Canyon (I decided if it weren't so out of the way I would love to live in Mapleton. It is SO pretty. Really rural looking with houses not packed together.) Anyway, David and I actually drove down to sleep in our beds (because he's still an unpredictable sleeper) and back up the next morning, but it wasn't bad - only a 25 minute drive. The kids had a blast.

Memorial Day

At Grandma Sabine's gave.

Little Pioneer Children, gathering blades of grass for food

I snapped this through the kitchen window because I thought it was so cute.

The great flood of '07

Two days after Mother's Day a sprinkler pipe broke and flooded the basement. The worst hit was my sewing desk under the window (hence all the fabric layed out to dry). Numerous people asked if we were having a yard sale because of the stuff all over the front lawn. Although it has been a pain, we view it as a great chance to start from scratch down there. (and those of you who have seen that room are probably thinking how much we needed it!)

Our fun family time in April

For some reason these pictures didn't post to the blog before, so this is out of sequence. We had a really fun time with our Smart Family relatives who came in April for Lynn's graduation. We especially loved Paul and Rachel's big surprise. Congrats to Lynnie on graduating. We're REALLY going to miss you when you leave. :(

Mother's Day

I had a really happy Mother's Day. Michael and the kids made me a yummy breakfast and gave me their special presents. (We had central air installed the day before which was probably the greatest mother's day present ever!) The best part of the day was that Michael was able to stay home all morning before Church and even took David after sacrament meeting so I could enjoy my classes.

Emma's Dance Festival

Emma's class did the Electric Slide for this year's dance festival. Catherine was an adorable cow-girl for their western dance, but unfortunatly due to circumstances beyond my control at the time, she was not captured on film. :(

David and his Grandparents

It was great for David to get some more time with his Grandparents. (Although he's the child who has had the most of it this past year.) It took a little bit of time, but he eventually warmed up and had fun with them.

Spencer's birthday with his buddy Uncle Paul

Tim tickling Spencer

Poppy and the big girls

Spring Soccer

Catherine, anxious to defend.

We had a great time attending Catherine's spring soccer games. She was reunited with her formidable team, "The Blueberries." Their star player and old coached moved since last fall, but they all hung in there and played tough and still won most of their games. Cath even scored her first goal! Spencer and Emma liked kicking the ball with Dad during half-time, we all liked the family-outing aspect of it all and the scenery wasn't bad either!

"Yay, I knifed!"

Spencer is really into Play-doh right now. And whereas Play-doh used to be my arch-enemy (particularly when our table was over carpet in our old house) I have now embraced Play-doh and it has become my ally. Nothing holds his attention as long as playing with Play-doh does and it buys me lots of time in the kitchen particularly. One day as I was cleaning-up Spencer said, as he was slicing into a long string of Play-doh, "Mom I knifed the snake. Yay, I knifed!" Also notice the $5 bill on the table that Sp received in a card from Nonna Aliberti. When he opened the card he said, "Wow! A hundred dollars!" If only we could all be so easily pleased.

Spencer is 3!!

Happy Birthday at Grandma's

Fun Park Day

Cute brothers