FIRST day of FIRST grade

 Ella is a first grader! I can't believe it.  She is really a big kid now, going to school ALL day.  It was an emotional day for mom, not so much for her.  When we found her seat and I was about to leave she said, "Mom, can you stay a little longer?" I about died.  I gave her a hug goodbye and she was fine but then the little girl sitting next to her said, "Can I have a hug too?" Ahhh keep it together Lindsay, you'll get through this!

City Pool

For our cousin Zack's 9th birthday they rented out the city pool.  The hydro tube is the best, the kids come flying out of that thing so fast! Matt took Evie down and I wasn't sure if she would like it but she LOVED it.  As soon as they got out she was running back up to get in line. All of the kids were obsessed, and they can't wait to go back.

 Here they are:

 Here is Ella doing a trick off the diving board.

 The birthday boy!

 Kash doing a "spin."

Knocked Out

Kash and Matt were wrestling on the couch and Kash hit his face against Matt's shoulder.  Matt immediately stopped to see if he was okay because he knew he hit pretty hard.  Kash sat very still for a minute and then slowly opened his mouth and we saw that it was filled with blood.  He closed his mouth and started to cough and out came a tooth! It wasn't even loose before this happened so he hit is mouth HARD.  As Matt was putting him to bed that night Kash told him that he thought the tooth fairy would probably bring him more money this time since his tooth was knocked out.  He was right, at our house if your Dad knocks your tooth out you get an extra dollar!

Bed Time Chaos

One night we sent the kids to Ella's room and told them they could play for a few minutes before bed.  When we went upstairs to put them to bed this is what we found: disaster. 

Derek's Homecoming

Matt's nephew Derek got home from his mission in Nicaragua so we celebrated at his brother Dave's house.  I did not get a picture of anyone there, not even Derek himself! Somehow I only took a few pictures of the kids enjoying the awesome pool. 

We really do love Derek and are so happy to have him back!

We love visitors

 In May we not only had Nana come visit but we even had Jaren and Karlee come stay with us clear from St. Louis. It was so much fun to see everyone.  One of the days we all went swimming until a storm came in and we had to leave due to rain and lightning!

Good thing we have Kar and Jar to take care of all these kids!

Jaren pushing Evie through the water.

 Gotta love Liddy's hair do.

 Kash, Ella, and Evie all clinging to Matt's back.

 Evie loves gogurts, she calls them "go-go's."

 Everyone in pajamas after a hard day of swimming.

Shower Time

 My wonderful husband always bathes the kids for me.  It is the best thing ever!  There are usually popsicles and water balloons involved in the process, and I never know what else will take place.  This time he had a funny face photo shoot.

 This one really is scary!

What a fun dad!

McLaws Family Reunion

Every other summer the McLaws side of the family has a reunion at Jacob's Lake.  We camp, hang out, eat, chat, and play.  It only took a matter of minutes for Evie to look like this:  mullet, dirty face, scowl...family loves you no matter what, right?

 Ella went on a hike and brought me back flowers!

 Mike and Gina bought a new camper so the kids had tons of fun playing in it.  Evie, Emily, Kash, Adam, Ella.

 Of course these two found the watermelon in no time.

 We made these stick horses for the kids to race with.

 This game the wives were blindfolded and had to shove twinkies down the husbands mouths! Unfortunately they also got a turn, so it was payback!

 

 My kids must have babies on the brain...

  We were served homemade crepes that were sooo good.

 The kids entertained themselves by making these bridges and running under them. I love being in the wilderness with no electronics!