Trying out the new Aquarium

We had our first trip to the new Aquarium and it was awesome!

What a beautiful building - the creators really did a wonderful job keeping it so kid friendly and so unique in each area

Loving the sting rays

They are glued to the tank!  Look at all those beautiful fish!  They are huge!

*Austin, Jax, Rio, Jett, Crew and Logan*

This net/rope bridge is really cool!  It is so high in the air and the kids were so super brave to go across - I wasn't surprised however - they love adventuring!

Cute Jett and Logan wanting to go across as well...

"we'll meet you in the middle"

Love Logan's face looking at Jett like "let's go cause some trouble"

Which penguin size are you?

Love these guys - they are so much fun!

It always takes a few pics to get everyone looking and it still didn't work but they sure all look adorable!

3 little cousins and random adorable pics

I feel so lucky to have these two little cuties be the same age as Blake.  They're adorable and I know they'll have the best time together!

Love you 3!

*Cooper, Blake and Preston*

Blake started smiling around 6 1/2 weeks and hasn't stopped.

He is so dang cute!

Love you so much Blake

Spence and I say that he has a "happy mouth" - don't you think?

My friend Angie was done with this toy and we needed one since I think ours is in our pod somewhere...

I'm not sure who liked it more however...Jax and Austin? or Blake?

He loves it!

Thanks Ang

Spence and Blake - getting a little daddy bonding time in

As we were getting ready to go to swim lessons, Logan decided he wanted to sit by Austin.  He's so cute and just adores his brothers and sister

Father's Day 2014

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!

I'm so grateful for Spencer and for the daddy that he is to our 5 kids.

Never did I think 5 years ago that we would be parents to 5 children within 4 years.

We feel so very blessed and grateful.

Yes, it is crazy most of the time and is ALWAYS loud but it is a "loud" that we will miss one day.

Spencer is a great dad to the kids and they never go without "play time" with daddy.  He is always quick to play with them and make sure they get their "fill" of daddy.

For how loud it is, he is very patient and tries really hard to be calm among the chaos.

Spence reading the hand made cards the kids made for him with the help of Grandma Bonnie.  They were so good at keeping them hidden and safe until Father's Day.

They made him breakfast and were so excited to say how much they loved him!

"Hug, Squeeze, Kiss"

Later that day, we went over the Spence's parents to say Happy Father's Day to Papa Ranger and my cute Austin helped out by feeding Blake for me

Happy Father's Day Ranger!

We love you!

Opening up his gift card from us

These cuties love their Papa Ranger

Spence took this cute pic of Rio so I had to post it.  She's such a cutie

*And of course we went and saw my wonderful dad as well that day but of course I forgot to get a picture :(  But I am so grateful for my dad and the amazing man he is - he taught me to love Christ, trust in our Heavenly Father, to live the gospel and to serve.  Not sure what greater gift there could be!  Thanks dad.  Love you!

End of the year Preschool Program

We had such a great first year of Preschool at Puddle Jumper.  The kids loved it and they loved and adored their teacher Miss Catie.

She is so very sweet and was just perfect for my kiddos.

Their end of the year program was so fun and they did so great!

They all sung so great and were so fun and silly.

I just love Jax's face here singing the days of the week song.  He has always been so expressive with his face - love it!

Sing it Austin!

Rio, who is always a little more shy especially in front of a crowd and especially doing "silly actions" even was doing great!  Until...

...they started singing "A-toot-a-tot" and then..well..she just froze and would not sing anymore.

She didn't cry or tantrum or come sit with us.  She just stood there like this.

We were kind of in shock and couldn't believe it but I was proud of her for not crying and sticking it out the best she could.

The boys were adorable however!

Here is their fun little class

*Natalie, Mariah, Eloise, Rio, Austin, Jax, Beck, Hayden, Lauren and their teacher Miss Catie*

Such little cuties!

I said to the kids, "let's take a picture with Miss Catie" and so of course Logan jumps right in.

They just loved Miss Catie

Their cute friend Mariah jumped in as well and said, "friend picture"

What a great year my kiddos had and I'm so proud of each of them for all that they accomplished and learned.

Before they started, they knew all their letters and letter sounds and their numbers from 1-10 as well but...

Now all of them can write their names just beautifully, they've all learned to color in the lines and they know and recognize numbers 1-20.

Great first year!

They learned to be away from home and be respectful of a "teacher" and learn to love and play well with other kids too - just as a side

I'm making them each a Shutterfly book with pictures of all of their great art work and writings throughout the year and I can't wait to see the finished product :)

FIRST DAY

8/21/13

LAST DAY

6/11/14

*DADDY & I ARE SO PROUD OF YOU JAX, AUSTIN & RIO*

Tryin' out a few new Splash Pads

I had heard about this super fun splash pad from my friend that we hadn't tried out yet so we invited our neighbor buddies to come with us.

It has this amazingly fun park right next to it and it was way cool.

*Rio, Sami and Ella hanging like little monkeys*

 Logan being his usual fun self just having a blast in the water and it didn't matter how windy it was or how cold the water was - he loved it!

My sweetie Rio just loving the water too - she definitely a water girl

There is this big huge burst of water in the middle and all the kids ran and tried to sit on it

*Logan, Nick, Austin, Jax and Rio*

Back at the park

*Sami, Logan, Rio and Jax*

These next 3 pics are at a splash pad in Sandy that we went to a few times last year and loved so we had to go back last week after swim lessons.

The kids brought their water squirters and had so much fun with them

My little water angel, Rio

And her best side kick Logan

Rio and Logan just loving playing together

Jax and Austin playing with their squirters and loving their time together

The next few pictures are at the Highland Splash Pad that we hadn't been to before and were lucky to be able to go with my friend Angie and her 4 cuties

YAH!  Shade time with a yummy snack

*Ang with her 4 kiddos (Hunter, Kaden, Lia and Karson) and my Blake

This one is like a little river area after the big splash pad and they loved it...

...especially my Logan who adores the water where he can be free and I am free to not be "mean, yelling mommy" because they can do whatever they want!

Love splash pads!!