18 years

 Do you know what's scary?  The latest wave of missionaries, and of high school graduates this past year were born the year we got married.  Yep, that's right.  We have been married long enough to spawn an adult, minus the 9 months gestation period.  18 years!  As a young woman, people that had been married anywhere close to 20 years were OLD.  Ancient.  Wow, how times speeds by. It seems one moment you are a newlywed, celebrating your 6 month mark, and the next you are celebrating being married so many years you have to do the math to remember the number.  

I am so grateful to be married to my best friend for the last 18 years.  I can't say it's been easy.  I can't say I've enjoyed every minute (nor, I'm sure has he).  But it's been so worth it; every trial, irritation, challenge, growth-inducing moment that we've endured together has gotten us to where we are today.  I'm grateful to be weathering the storms of life with Scott by my side.  He has been my rock.  Love you Honey!

My up-and-coming photographer daughter Savannah took these photos; didn't she do a great job?

We sure love our little surprise caboose!  And his 5 monkey brothers and sisters too.

Building with Dad

 When we moved out of our house we sold our big outside table.  I am a big fan of eating outside (less mess to clean up!), but we haven't had an outdoor table since.  I found a pattern on Pinterest that looked simple enough, and, between Brighton and I, we convinced Scott to make it.  I also kept hinting about a teeter-totter pattern I found, which he threw together too.  The boys LOVE building things with their dad, and were glued to his side all morning while he built these.  I love seeing how they are learning practical skills while spending time with their dad.  I hope they have good memories of building with him.

 Everyone got a turn with the new sander on the table.

 

 Here's the unfinished teeter totter.  I'll post the finished product later, as well as the table, when it gets finished.  It's going to look great!

Big 4-oh

 Scott turned the Big 4-0 this year.  I was going to throw him a big party, but instead, I put aside my natural tendencies and planned a weekend trip to St George instead, which is what I knew he'd like better.  My mom took the kids Friday and Saturday, and the two of us (plus Boston, who was still breast-feeding), ran away for 2 days.  I didn't take any pictures, much to my shame, but we started his big day out with breakfast at Kneader's.  I kept the kids out of school for it, plus his parents met us down there.  They have a cinnamon bread French toast that is to die for.  Next, I dropped him off for a Chiropractic adjustment and massage while I took the kids to school and packed for our trip.  I gave him a gift every hour on the 15, since he was born on the :15.  They included some of his favorite things, plus gift cards to Applebees and Chilis in preparation for our trip.  All of this was a surprise to him, which was hard to keep, with 5 little reporters in the house.  

After his massage, we drove to Cedar City.  St George was crazy busy that weekend with soccer tournaments, gymanstics meets, President's Day weekend, and the St George Parade of Homes, which was the catalyst for our trip there.  We spent all day Saturday at the Parade, and came home Sunday afternoon.  Boston was so good the entire trip, sleeping perfectly at night, and napping on my chest in his baby carrier during the day.  It was a fun weekend, and hopefully one he'll remember.

These two photos are the only ones I took of Scott's birthday.  The kids were really mad that I took their dad away on his birthday, so we celebrated with a quick trifle cake when we got home, so they could sing to him and watch him blow out his candles.  We love you Daddy!

Father's Day

We spent Father's Day this year in Idaho Falls.  I had each of the kids (the ones that could answer questions.  Keaton just hung his tongue out of his mouth.  No, he's not retarded; hopefully it's just a phase) answer questions about Scott, such as what is Dad's favorite thing to eat, etc.  It was funny to hear what they had to say about their dad.  We also gave him a candy bar, with a wrapper we printed from The Idea Room, I believe.  And I made a free book from Lifepics (well, the book was free, but the shipping was still $10.  Sneaky marketing!).  He was able to enjoy breakfast in bed also; Savannah snuck down to the free breakfast there and made him a plate of food; we left him in the hotel room to enjoy it in quiet while I took everybody else down for breakfast. 

Here's just a sneak peak inside.  I love how it turned out.  I am so grateful for Scott and all he does for us.  We are blessed to have him; how many dads would don a woman's skirt, boots, blouse, and wild red wig to play the part of the evil queen at a birthday party???  Or a black and white waitress costume?  Now that's love!  Thank you Scott for being such a great dad! 

V is for vacation

Savannah was lucky in getting to go to Camp Magical Moments in Swan Valley, ID (just outside of Yellowstone), which is a camp for kids that have had cancer.  She had a great time, and made some friends.  She's looking forward to going next year already.  I'll let her tell her story about it in her own words.  I stole   borrowed these fun travel ideas from my friend Janessa {thanks, Janessa!}and they made the trip go by super fast.  We made pipe cleaner creations...

had a bubble gum-blowing contest... {Keaton tried hard!}

Scott won for the biggest bubble.  I snapped the picture right as it popped. 

then we made aluminum foil sculptures.  Who knew aluminum foil could provide so much entertainment?

Irelynd's crown 

Brighton's rocks (yes, yes, I am so PROUD of my son's creativity.)

Savannah's Minnie ears (we were thinking Mickey at that point).

We stayed across from the Idaho Falls temple.  I don't remember it being so beautiful!   

We only stayed for 2 nights.  We swam, went to the zoo, a park, and then came home after delivering Savannah to the camp the next day.  But it was a nice get-away, and we're so glad Savannah had this opportunity.

Date with Dad

Brighton was stoked to go to Home Depot's building classes with his dad one Saturday.  Every little builder needs a hard hat.

Hammer time

Brighton loves tools.  And construction vehicles.  And building shows.  He gets giddy when a remodeling show is on tv.  He must have been a builder in heaven.  One warm day I came home from a school event to find him in the backyard with Scott, building a bird house.  Scott even showed him how to use his cordless drill, which scared me a little bit.  Brighton was on cloud 9.  Even Waverly got in on the action.  It's a good thing she's so girly, surrounded during the day by boys.

Sometimes it's helpful to grit your teeth when hammering. 

Keaton was content to play with the trucks

Brighton would drill, then blow, drill, then blow.

All done and ready for paint!  Brighton drilled the bird holes himself, can you tell?

Getting a fresh coat of paint.  Almost ready for occupants!

My boys

My favorite men catching some z's after church.

Tuckered out

Early church wipes out Scott.  Brighton climbed up beside him and, snuggling in, went to sleep.  With his blanket wrapped around his head.

I wanna be like you-hoo-hoo!

The power of example starts at such a young age, doesn't it? 

From here to there funny things are everywhere!

With tomorrow being Dr. Seuss day, Scott decided to do a fun FHE on the man. He told the kids he had to go and get a special guest for tonight's FHE. After he left the room, the conversation went something like this:

Savannah: "is it Santa Claus? No, I bet it's a leprechaun!"
Irelynd: "I'll bet Dad is just dressing up himself." (she's my logical thinker)
S: "no, or he wouldn't have gone out the front door. I bet it's a lesson on St Patrick's day, since it's coming up. I bet he went to get Brother Packer [our neighbor], and he's dressed like a leprechaun because he's short and little like one!"

Scott came back, leprechaun-less, a few minutes later as Dr. Seuss and we read a few Dr. Seuss books together. This is his version of Dr. Seuss:

As there are no images of the famous author, he invented one himself. Like the lamb slippers on his feet? Classic!

Chalk up one more character Scott has impersonated for the kids! Cute, honey! Love you for doing this for our kids! I'm sure they'll remember it for quite some time!

Introducing Scottina!

Ok, Scott, don't be mad, but these photos were too funny not to share! Just a goofy moment one night while putting the girls to bed.