Seth Turns Eight

Birthdays should always begin with a few hours of device time:

(and some nose-picking, of course)

We took a break from Roblox long enough to enjoy some delicious Rita's:

Even Elise got to enjoy some!

Dinner should definitely be chocolate chip pancakes topped with syrup AND cream:

Catherine was more interested in showing off her painted nails than her pancake:

Aaron was much more excited about chocolate for dinner than it would appear:

Happy Jon and passed-out Elise.

This is a pretty standard occurrence:

Present time!

A CTR tie from Grandma Jan!

A very special gift from Grandpa Russell & Grandma Cathy:

his own scriptures with his name engraved on the front!

A perfect gift from Grandpa Mark & Grandma Sara:

And the big gift from Mom & Dad:

This is before we told him he had to read the entire Book of Mormon before Harry Potter.

We are such good parents!

Seth Shenanigans

This was attached to Jon's back one day. I asked Seth where he got the idea:

"Calvin & Hobbes."

Elise got one, too:

"I stink and I fart a lot."

Surprisingly accurate.

This came home with him at the end of school.

Dream big, little man. Dream big.

I got no more than two consecutive hours of sleep last night.

I haven't slept longer than five consecutive hours since Elise was born in February.

Aaron is "helping" me.

Sounds like a winning Risk strategy...for Seth.

More Cousin Time

After being up late watching fireworks, the kids all magically slept until nine a.m., at which point Jon & I woke up feeling totally refreshed and full of energy.

Ha.

Elise was up at 5:30 am because she hates me. Good thing she's adorable:

It's fun watching Katie and seeing the trouble Elise will be getting herself into in a year.

Apparently sitting in a colander is quite fun: 

We braved the heat and the crowds to go swimming at a local pool.

I'm still at the point where pools with a baby and toddler are zero fun and zero relaxation, 

but I think the kids had fun. Maybe even Jon.

But first, the swimsuit competition: 

After just one look at those majestic thighs, the judges came to a decision.

Introducing the new Miss Baby America!

"I'd like to thank all the little people who got me here today.

Like that lady who feeds me all night so I can get thighs like these gorgeous ladies."

Posing with her daddy: 

Aaron and Aaron's hair probably enjoyed the snacks more than the pool: 

And Catherine quickly became cold and left the pool.

That happens when you have zero body fat: 

Luckily we all got plenty of pool time in before they had filter issues and closed it all down.

Hope my kids had fun, since there's no way I'm braving the pool without Jon around.

July Fourth

It had been years (like six years!) since we'd been up to visit Daniel & Wendy in New York. We figured it was about time we made the trip to see them and their new house. The kids all survived the six hour drive and were thrilled to get to party with their cousins. 

Elise loved being loved by her cousins, especially Megan.

Best part of the cousins' house: SWINGS.

Swings outside, and a swing IN THE BASEMENT. So cool! 

Don't be fooled: getting Aaron and Catherine off the swings was a major effort.

They have both requested a swing set for Christmas.

We got to crash their friends' 4th of July party.

The kids had a great time making chaos together: 

Aaron is not sure about Jason carrying him.

Cute Seth: 

Cute Catherine: 

Cute Jonny & babies: 

Elise's first Independence Day.

Red and white ladybugs are very patriotic: 

Aaron was in heaven with the balls in this little pool: 

Jason climbed this chain using nothing but his arms.

That kid's a monkey: 

Someone was super happy with all the pictures I was taking: 

I imagine I'll be seeing this face again in 7-10 years.

Seth has a little too much fun tormenting his cousins.

Even the tiniest one: 

All Aaron wanted to do was swing: 

All Catherine wanted to do was swing: 

Three Bloods on a swingset 

Jon loves Elise-bug 

The feeling is definitely mutual: 

Cheeseball Seth, ready to do sparklers: 

Sparklers and swim suits: 

Catherine was just a little nervous at first: 

Aaron was sure they were candles and that it was his solemn duty to blow them out: 

Elise's first sparkler: 

Turns out sparklers are basically impossible to blow out: 

So he gave up and held it instead.

Very, very cautiously: 

Later that evening, Jon & Daniel took the older kids to see some fireworks while Wendy & I put the little ones to bed (except Elise, who stays up later than all of us). Catherine was texting me using Jon's phone. I got several very random messages, but this one was by far the best: 

You're right, Jon. You ARE a beautiful person.

Princess Camp

Someone is very attached to her big brother. I knew she would be sad to be alone while he was off at Cub Scout Camp. When two girls in the ward offered a week-long Disney Dance Camp the same week, I jumped on it. Catherine took some persuading--she has decided that she no longer likes dancing, only gymnastics. Eventually I sold her on the idea of Princess Camp. After the first day, she was all in!

Coloring pictures

All the beautiful princesses at camp.

And yes, she totally went as Galadriel, with no prompting from me.

I really thought we were going to have Elsa #4...

The girls with Lydia and Abi, their teachers.

The camp was supposed to end with a little dance recital, but Catherine didn't want to dance and Jon didn't want to make her (the rest of us were in the van waiting to drive to New York to visit Daniel). So she happily jumped in with her bag of crafts (including some Rapunzel hair made of yellow yarn) and joined us for our trip to see the cousins. A great way to end a fun week for both kids.