Swimmin' with the Fanks

Each summer we try and go swimming with our Fankhauser cousins when we can and this day was it!

We had so much fun and the kids were elated that Zak and Gabe came too.

Mostly because this is what happens when they come :)

Pure joy and fun!

Swing, swing and in they went!

*Austin*

 *Jax*

 *Halle*

 *Rio*

 That may look like me, but it's not - that my sis Sky with Blake.

Funny what a pair of glasses, no body showing and a ponytail does :)  Suddenly, we are twins!

 Oh Logan...

have I said how much I love him lately?

He is honestly such a hand full but in all the best ways!

Do you love his happy face that I was taking his picture AGAIN!  "Not again mommy!  You have enough."

Love you Logan and I have to capture you saying and doing these things because you are hilarious and I never want to forget it.

*Anna, Jax, Halle, Rio & Austin*

Love our cousins so much - they are a joy to be with and we all love them!

Lennox's unusual behavior & our crazy, creative kids

So as usual when you get your yard in and there is constant building going on around you, the little voles come out in numbers.  I was actually really surprised that it was worse.  Our Draper house was crazy and we had so many little vole holes all over our yard so this one little vole wasn't a problem.

Not to us anyway but Lennox had another plan.

He is such a mild, little thing and honestly is more fearful of most things than aggressive but this night, he went after this vole with a vengeance!

He found the little hole and would not let up!  He dug that little guy out of his hole and chased him and threw him up in the air over and over until well, let's just say, he was no longer a resident of our backyard.

WHAT?  I know...we were shocked.  Spence and I were out in the backyard and watched him and I was screaming, "stop him!"  But honestly, there was no stopping this little "mild" thing.  Maybe Lennox was just in a different mood that night, but man, he was not letting that thing stay here.

So, Spence is holding it and showing how obsessed Lennox was.

Crazy dog!

Our little ones are so creative when they work together and it is so fun to watch them.  I just love it!

The kids were super excited about making their own capes so they got out paper, crayons, yarn and scissors and went at it!

*Jax with his cape*

*Austin with his*

These two were just having a blast playing together and making each other laugh and well close by we had...

...Spidey close by.  Whew!  Just in case we needed him, Spiderman was near.  Love this Logan!  He is a ball of energy and imagination and we all just love him for it!

Yah for fun, new neighbors and friends!

I really think we hit the jackpot with our new neighborhood - there are a gazillion kids and our immediate neighbors are just amazing, wonderful people.

I feel very blessed to have them so close - my kids have lots of fun with all these cuties.

 One summer night, our kids were outside playing so we figured we would just keep it going and have a pizza and swim party.  I mean, why not?

Jax, Riley, Rio

Blake, Austin, Logan, Avery and Hayden

 Yah for water fun!

 Here they come...

 ...they lost Logan along they way but Rio, Avery and Austin jumped right in all together!  So cute!

And now it is time to lay out and get dry and warm.  They were so happy to lay their towels out together.

Thank you Hawkins family for hosting - what a fun time!

Splash pad fun & Cowabunga Bay

Oh these pictures are making me smile sitting here in my house as I watch the kids play in snow :)

It is making me warm just thinking about these fun, fun days of summer.

As per usual, we frequented a lot of splash pads and this is another favorite of ours - it is so fun and looks like a little river and I just love it!

*Blake and Logan*

Logan and Jax in a little water squirter battle - looks like Jax was winning.

My little sunbathing beauty Rio.

Lia and Karson - cute little siblings!

We had a beautiful day with our triplet besties!

*Reese, Rio, Austin, Karson, Ang, Avery, Lucas, Hunter, Jax, Logan*

COWABUNGA BAY!

Melissa and I tried to go together as much as we could and we honestly had a blast every time.  So many of our friends have passes there and I just love it because it makes it so fun for my kiddos as well as me :)

Woo-hoo, waiting for the water to fall and splash on them.

Here was going to be my perfect pic of the kids and the water falling on them and lo and behold, this nice gentleman walked right in front just as it fell...

My adorable Blake just absolutely loving the water and fun.

This day was our one day that I buy them food at the water park so for them, it is super fun!

Jax and Logan enjoying pizza, fries and Rootbeer.

Can't express how much I love these kids.  They make everything so much fun and I absolutely adore each one of them.

I can't imagine having more fun around anyone else!

Swings are up! & Happy Father's Day!

Now that the yard is in, it's time for the swing set to go up!

The kids have been waiting and waiting for this and daddy, Uncle Andrew and Uncle Marc are just the men to do it!

They really did work so hard for hours and then...

...up it went and the swinging began!

The triplets didn't know how to swing on their own or honestly, they just didn't want to try to do it on their own but the swing set went up on Saturday and by Sunday afternoon, they were all swinging!

They were so incredibly happy!

Thanks to the best daddy and uncles around.

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!

 Sky and I took our parents out to eat for Mother's and Father's Day at Iggy's and it was delicious and I loved being with all of them.  Even little Halle came that day.

 And she took the pictures for us - haha.  Can you tell?

This one was much better and she did a great job!

I gave a little tribute to my mama in the May post so I'll do the same for my daddy.

I honestly have the best dad for me.  Growing up, he was the greatest example a girl could have - he served in the church with all he had, he never missed a meeting, I knew he had a testimony of the gospel and I knew he loved Christ.

Now, as an adult, he watches my kids at least once a week for me while I work or need to go somewhere.  He never complains when I ask him to help, my kids adore Papa Dougie and he loves them beyond words!  I hope he knows how great he is and how grateful I am for his example as a child; it has shaped my life!

OUR DADDY

The kids were super excited to serve daddy breakfast and couldn't wait to see his reaction.

*French toast and apples*

Spence got a new hat, cologne and workout clothes.

Oh how they love and adore their daddy!

What a sweet moment to capture with he and Rio.

Happy Father's Day to these kids best daddy ever!

He is their best playmate, their favorite musician, the ultimate humor machine and they absolutely love him.  We really would all be very lost without him - I love to watch how much they love him - it is the best feeling!

And this guy...

Oh Ranger!  What a wonderful man he is!

His life was quickly filled with many, many grand kids and he was sort of "forced" to help and watch these little rascals!

He has surprised us all at this love, devotion, example and humorous fun that he has with all the grand kids.

And of course, Bonnie gave her boys a gift as well.  She is always so thoughtful and wants her kids to feel special - she's proud of them and who they are as daddy's.

Let the party start!

Spencer often plays "the red barron" for this crazy crew and they just love it!

There he is!  The Red Barron!  Fun daddy isn't he?

Happy Father's Day to all the Father's in our life!

We truly are blessed to be surrounded by such great men and priesthood holders.  I'm so grateful for their example, love of Christ and love for their families!