Someone Just Turned 6

Happy Birthday Hunter!

I remember the day so well. We headed off to the hospital early in the morning anxiously awaiting the arrival of our new baby. There was nothing old fashioned about it, I had an appointment to be induced, it was 2 weeks before my due date. I was a little nervous, but an ultrasound had confirmed what we suspected, this was going to be a big baby. We didn't know if we were having a girl or boy, so our family and friends waited anxiously for our phone call with the news.
Hunter arrived early in the afternoon, a healthy 9lbs 10 oz. We loved little Linsey and it was such a joy to add a beautiful little boy to our family.

Hunter was such a fun and happy baby.

A birthday is always a special occasion at our house! This year was no different. We had plans for a family birthday party the very night of Hunter's birthday, and then his friend party the following night. Emma complicated our plans slightly when she fell and split her chin open just as the kids arrived home from school. Luckily, Aunt Bri came to the rescue and hung out with the big kids while Jared and I raced Emma off to get a few stitches. I had imagined we might spend the whole evening of Hunter's birthday in the ER waiting room, thankfully, we got in to see a doctor right away and we were home an hour later.

Friday night we invited several of Hunters friends over for a movie party at our backyard drive-in. Here's Hunter in front of the big screen... waiting for the fun to start!

and here are the friends!

All of the kids received some tickets with their invitaions, not one of them forgot to bring them to the party. The tickets were good for popcorn, soda, and treats at the concession stand which Hunter's sisters were very thrilled to run. Linsey hardly left her post the entire evening. Once she did run inside to the bathroom and one of the boys hollered into the house for her, concerned that the concession stand was closed.




Once again, Jared used his artistic talent to create an amazing Speed Racer birthday cake for Hunter. The boys thought it was super cool. Pretty impressive hu?

Hunter has a great group of friends and the party was a lot of fun. He is such a fun little boy and we are so glad to have him in our family.

Happy Birthday Hunter!

I love BYU.

I love BYU.

There’s just something about it. The Blue and White, the history behind it all, the traditions, what it takes in personal sacrifice to be a part of it. All of it combines to make me passionate about the Y. It’s hard for me to understand how anyone who’s Mormon can NOT like the Y. It especially bothers me that good hearted people somehow thinks it’s OK to like the University of Utah. I recently found out that one of my best friends from high school ended up going to the UofU and not only admits it but actively roots for them. Can you imagine? I feel weird just admitting that he was one of my best friends. Ugh.

There’s not many people that I’ve met over the years who share my same love. On the day I saw Camille for the first time in over a year she had just washed a big painted “Y” from off her forehead. Only she’d been sitting in the sun during the game and now had a nice “Y” tanned into her forehead. It was awesome. We also have neighbors two doors down who are just as passionate (perhaps even more) about watching the Cougars pass the ball. It’s fun to get together and cheer on the team like they can hear us, and like our voices travel back in time since were watching it on Tivo. I can’t help but to jump up and scream at Unga and Hall. Speaking of jumping up. I’m famous in my family for getting so worked up during a game that when BYU pulls it out (aka Beck to Harline, search for it on YouTube if you don’t know what I’m talking about) I’ve been known to jump up, scream at the top of my lungs and subsequently pass out. It’s happened numerous times. I leave nothing on the line, give it all up for my cougs.

I was thrilled to learn that BYU scheduled a game against the University of Washington this year. We got tickets and made it a family affair.

BYU did not disappoint. They took their time winning, making me literally ill for most of the game (seriously, I actually thought I was coming down with something and was planning for who was going to teach Sunday school for me the next day until, after the game was over, I realized that I felt fine). I have to hand it to UW, they drove down and scored with 2 seconds left to potentially tie the game. Their QB threw the ball into the air after scrambling into the end zone and scoring, automatic penalty. The extra point had to be kicked from the 35 and BYU blocked it. Game over, BYU wins 28-27. I was already standing so no fainting. I did tackle my dad though.

Since then they spanked UCLA 59-0 and today they beat Wyoming 44-0. I’m looking forward to a good season.

One of the main reasons they are so good is Coach Mendenhall. The link below is to one of the best interviews of a coach I have ever heard. This is why I love BYU.

http://www.byucougars.com/Filing.jsp?ID=11130

One more thing. One of my “friends” is actually Mormon AND a Husky fan. He and his wife decided it would be funny to hang a UW sign on my house and the homes of 7 other Y fans before the UW game a few weeks ago. My True Blue neighbor found it early Saturday morning and disposed of the filth before anyone saw it. Well, I couldn’t let that go. Especially once BYU had won. So I snuck over and returned the favor, +1.

I used a paint I found at Lowe's that supposedly washes off easily with water. For the grass I just used watered down bleach. I wish I could have seen his face the next day. Probably looked just like it did when BYU blocked the extra point.

Actually, all I really did was decorate his yard a little. The poor guy got up and mowed his grass before church to get it off. Not as cool as painting his house but I felt like a rebel nonetheless. By the way, I'm admitting to doing this but I must confess that I do NOT own any blue or white spray paint and haven't for some time.

More Fun!

School officially started today. Last weekend, we decided we weren't quite ready for summer to end and wanted to enjoy it til the very last moment. So, for Labor Day we headed to the beach. Our kids love playing in the sand and water, like most kids they can do this for hours. I love to sit and relax with my bare feet in the sand listening to the happy squeals of my children while I visit with my husband. It was the perfect weekend.




Washington beaches are usually cold, and it was jacket weather, but that didn't stop our kids from getting in the water. They never even complained.

Hunter learned to fly a kite. It was great until he let out all the string and then accidentally let go. It was just out of his reach and he went running down the beach after it. This was one of the more crowded beaches and you can imagine the scene of his runaway kite, Hunter chasing after it, crying, and then me in a full blown sprint racing up behind. I caught up to it okay, but when you are sprinting and trying to grab a moving object at the same time, it's pretty awkward. Jared said it was the funniest thing he'd seen in his whole life. Glad I could entertain the tourists. We did get the kite!

We thought it was so cool to find a swing set on the beach.

Our hotel was right on the beach, it was really nice to be close to the water.

Of course we brought buckets and plastic shovels for the kids, but Jared was clever and thought to bring a REAL shovel which officially made him the coolest dad on the beach. In no time at all, the kids had a giant hole to play in.

They all were busy working hard...

and ended up with a pretty cool sand castle.

We have a favorite spot in Seaside that is a little channel with a beach that you can wade pretty far out in. Jared always catches a few crab using a rake or a shovel. The kids spent quite awhile searching for them but came back empty handed.

Thank goodness dad was more successful. Playing with the crab and watching them bury themselves in the sand is always a highlight for the kids.

It was hard to leave and we stalled as long as we possibly could. We got home with just enough time to race off to Linsey's soccer practice, eat dinner and get to bed (maybe a little late) before school started this morning.

Here is Linsey with her friends on their way to school for her first day of 3rd grade.

Hunter has afternoon Kindergarten this year. He is really excited and was very sweet to include Emma in the fun. He helped her find a little backpack and insisted that she pose in a picture with him.

I guess it's official. Good bye Summer, and we're off to a new school year! Yahoo!