FHE Treats...

One of our Summer FHE treats was a bike ride to the golf course vending machine..cuz we're cool like that.

I Am Old...

Never have I felt old in my adult life, until this Summer when Connor went and had a birthday and turned 13!! Holy Poo! A teenager is what I have and that makes me feel old. But between me and you, I am totally still young. 26 forever right?!

 He started the day off with his favorite breakfast made by your truly..cuz that's the kind of mom I am..at least for one day of the year...

 We then partied hard and he got some golf clubs...on his wish list but not at the top. We totally blew that one. Apparently, fishing stuff is where it's at. Maybe for Christmas son!

Then we finished the day with Skor cake of course...a standard for him. Happy Birthday Connor! Don't grow up one more bit..for real tho..OK?

The Manti Pool...

Our first summer of 2013 to the Manti Pool.

Kids & Huts...

You know when you were little and building huts were the coolest thing ever...Yep, well not much has changed..30 years later and still the coolest thing ever...

 

Girls..Girls..Girls...

My girls love to have their pictures taken..and really.. what cute girl doesn't? So Sophie thought she was lookin supa cute for church and asked to get a photo...but with three other girls in the house..her single photo shoot didn't last long...

 She was joined by Maggie next..

And of course Chloe didn't want to miss out either..

Life & Basball...

My feelings and baseball are no secret..while I love to watch Connor play..this twice a week and every weekend, can really put a cramp in my family life and Summer. But nonetheless, we continue to sign up every year..even though I promise that the year before would be our last. Man, I'm a sucker. 

Connor struggled with his hitting the last half of the season which made is attitude awesome (can you tell this is dripping in sarcasm) which made traveling and watching all the better ;)

 This was a game during the tournament. Never have I seen it rain so long and hard. We were literally soaked.

can you tell how excited Connor is to have won

 Our team ended up winning the B bracket which was awesome because we still got to win and not have to go to California or somewhere else far away. Ok..Ok..goal for next year is to have a better attitude :)

Salina Swimming...

It's a little sad that our small town's pool is practically like swimming in the crapper. Gross but true. So this summer we spent our time at the Salina and Manti swimming pools which happened to be quite a bit. This was our first trip to Salina. And we practically conquered mountains as we braved the..ready...drum roll please..HIGH DIVE!!

 Although Maggie decided the shallow, kiddie pool was enough excitement for her

Garden Growing...

It's year two for the Belnap garden..and let's just say we don't suck.. But we only do the good stuff..corn, beans, peas and this year our raspberries decided to produce..even if it was only 8 berries. Peas were knew for us this year and a huge success. Love me some peas!

Nates Obsession

My husband is obssessed with balls..golf balls that is. Every spare minute he has, involve family walks aka golf ball hunting

The other day he walked in like this and said, "I have good news" This "good news" is only good for him. These dang buckets of balls are taking over my garage. How old is he really? two?

I am convinced he was a treasure hunter in a previous life..because he's slightly OCD when it comes to looking for things. Golf Balls, Horns, and Gold..well he doesn't look for gold but he sure does watch a lot of TV shows about other people who do..and he drools. Good job baby..way to have a hobby??

Chloe

My littlest little is turning 2 next month. TWO! What is that all about and with the approach of her big celebration..it has got me to thinking about how she is my baby. My last baby and she is growing up and getting so big. I almost can't handle it..you know? And while I know our family is complete and I am content with that..thank the heavens...it's still hard to know that this little one is the baby and our very last. A little bittersweet..but it has made me enjoy her all the more...trying to take in every moment and every snuggle and every kiss and every everything

and especially the moments like these..cuz we all know these are super short lived

So I will try every day to keep soaking in all I can from this little gem..who thinks she is one of the big girls round here...she gets her blanket and sits right next to them while they watch movies...she puts her clothes on by herself

She loves "tweets" (a girl after my own heart) and corn on the cob (again a girl after my own heart)

She chatters like nobodys business and she hearts her dad more than words can say. She loves polly pockets and baby dolls..and she is the best kneel down prayer out there

So here's to enjoying the moments that we get to have with spirits like her. She is an amaze-fest of love and fun!

USA Celebration 2013

 One of the best things about living in a small town are the traditions that never change. You could come back here in 50 years and we would be doing the exact same thing. All lined up waiting for the good ol' parade to start. Get ur candy bags ready kids!

 And what parade is complete without "POPS"? Chloe was mesmerized by those poppers and went through at least 5 boxes.

 Here we are showing off our red, white and blue patriotism! Another small town tradition..new outfits for everyone.

Chloers and mama! Both of us lookin mighty good if I do say so myself. Happy fourth!

Lake Powell 2013

Our traditional family vacation gets bigger and bigger every year..and by that I mean we keep adding more people..next year there will be 3 more boys to add to the chaos and I tell my dad we need another houseboat :) to accommodate all of us..23 people on one boat can get pretty crazy..but somehow we make it work and we have the best time..

could seashells be any more entertaining...

cutest boat captain ever..and don't be jeal of the mauve carpet..totally in style :)

I had to add this shot..because could you die at her..seriously this is my 10 year old. When i was 10..lets just say there was a lot more chubs and less cute bootie...I am scared for all the boys who will be a knockin'.

We come up with lots of our own ingenious entertainment..like a homemade waterslide

Cool moves down the boat slide...

And we even had a cheerleading camp...(I am convinced Rob was a cheerleader in his previous life :)

And after 33 years and 5 kids, sometimes you gotta toot your own horn and admit you still got it. So, ya..this mama still gots it! Forget wakeboarding and lets get to the real deal..slaloming..

And with the sun, sand and six days in it, we get our fill...but if you ask the kids, it's never enough time. They ask to go back almost daily.

And lets just preface this pic with..if you are coming to the lake with us..leave the make-up and hair brushes at home..cuz this ain't no beauty pageant! Just bring sunglasses..cuz putting those babies on at least makes you feel semi-cute!

And I'm not done yet..just a few more pics...

someone decided to half try skinny dipping..and who could blame her..not like soggy diapers and swimmies are comf city

We start 'em young ..this is Sophie's second year skiing and this year she got up all by her lonesome. 6 years old!

Connor mastered the wakeboard and even went in and out of the wake behind the boat

Annie, Ellie & Roo

And that is how we role Christensen style at the Lake...