Against Nyle's Wishes

Nyle really didn't want me to blog about our house all the time...he didn't want people to think we were bragging or boasting about it all the time. I see it a little differently. This is our work. It will be a showpiece for our clients to show what we can do. Some of you have wanted to see pictures to keep updated. This is the easiest and best way to do it. So, I thought I would post some detail shots for now. I don't think I will get into too much trouble for that :)

The rock on the face of the house along with a little bit of siding.
Cool arched hallway from the mud room to the kitchen
Our new patio. It was just poured today! We stamped it with a slate-looking stamp and put some color in it too. I really like it!
The bonus room! My kids will probably live up here. But when it's the girl's weekend, I can already see the blow-up mattresses everywhere!
This is the feature Nyle is most proud of. If you can't tell what it is, it is a barrel vault meeting another barrel vault. It was a bit tricky for everyone, but we think it turned out cool!

Birthday Fun

The boys turn 9 September 3rd...can you believe it? Last year they told us that they really wanted a boating party, so we thought we would do it a little early this year to avoid school and sports in the upcoming weeks. We went to Big Lake this weekend to celebrate. Dianne & McKenzie came and camped under the stars and so did Brett, Julia, and Charlie. It was soo fun! Saturday a bunch of the boys' friends came and we pulled them around the lake for a while and had a bbq. It was a really relaxing party! I think we will try to make this a standing birthday party/camping trip. I just hope my batteries on my camper don't die every year!

Cute McKenzie keeping warm after the sun went down!

Sydney on the boat, ready to go. She is babysitting the boys' webkins and they are in her sweatshirt, so she is a bit lumpy.

Our beach and the view of Mt. Washington. It was gorgeous when the sun set and rose! The water turned orange.
The first trip out on the boat. Is Brett having fun?
Tanner, being buried alive, and having a great time!
Some of my favorite people, Debbie, Sharri, and Tammy
Brooke, Sean, Tyler and Jonathon
Opening presents...they were so excited about all of their presents. Sean gave them these hats and he said, now let me show you how to wear them...and turned them to the side. They look a little punky wearing them, but they are really cute!

Their birthday cake, with no real candles. Well, there are candles, but they wouldn't light. We sang anyways and they didn't care. It was really a fun weekend!

High School Musical Fever

"We're all in this together!" I don't know about you guys, but some people in my house have High School Musical fever! We had a countdown going until #2 came out. We couldn't wait to watch it. Syd spent all of her hard earned money to buy the Sharpay doll, but she really wanted the Gabriella Montez and Troy Bolton dolls that are sold together. Those were a little over her limit though. Sharpay sings "I believe in dreamin', shootin' for the stars....YEAH! So now she is saving up for those. Meanwhile, we went school shopping and Troy Bolton's face is everywhere! "Come on and getcha, getcha head in the game, getcha, getcha, getcha, getcha head in the game!" They have backpacks, folders, socks, purses, underwear, bras, dolls and toys, games, and I think I even saw an umbrella. Sydney HAD to get the folders for school and what is a girl gonna do without High School Musical underwear? I thought they should have bras with two Troy Bolton heads, one for each side...hee hee! Don't you think that would be cute!!! JK! Anyway, "this could be the start of something new, feels so right to be here with you, yee-ahh! Now, looking in your eyes, I feel in my heart, the start of something new!" I only know all the words because of Sydney, ok. I promise, I don't have the fever, just the underwear!

Crane Prairie

Last Friday we got to go hang out with some friends who were camping at Crane Prairie. It was soo fun! The kids had a blast rock climbing and catching baby fish...hundreds of them! It was a great break from work and our crazy, messy house.

Syd and Olivia...taking a picture of themselves!
Sharri, Katie & Me

Rock climbing in flip-flops...that can make any mom nervous...even me!
We conquered the mountain!
They also found a cave and there are about 4 little boys in it right now.
Sydney sportin' her cool hat and life jacket
Fishing with their hands. They filled the bucket, then dumped it, and filled it again. It entertained them for a long time and they caught a lot of cool fish.
Thanks for having us Katie! It was awesome. And, thanks for sharing your ice cream bars.

Conglomeration of Kids

So, Mom...& Beth, this is for you. I know I need to update. Here are some random pictures.

Tanner at a rare, still moment.
Urkle, I mean, Sydney, posing for a picture.
New snowboarder jammies. They won't wear most pajamas anymore, and I don't think they would appreciate this picture, but I knew you would. It makes them look young still. They are making breakfast here. They even cook their own eggs. Pretty cool, eh?
Nyle refuses to change his socks after church, no matter what he is wearing. So, here you have him in black socks, shorts and sandals. Fashion guru!

The kids spent some time drawing cars today. Here is Tyler's drawing. They were also taking orders over the phone for different cars. On their list it said...blue corvet (their spelling), 200 mph, red humer, 200 mph, and a silver porsh, 300 mph. Interesting!?

Saturday in the Sun

Yesterday we were invited to a friend's cabin in SunRiver. I was planning on just taking the kids and going, but Nyle was able to join us after getting some work done. It was a blast! The "cabin" was in a gorgeous spot right next to the river so that we could watch people floating by. It was quiet and beautiful. We even did a short float...about 45 minutes. I was on a raft with Syd and her friend Brook. They spent the whole time collecting seaweed with their bums in the air facing me. It was pretty funny. At one point Sydney had her buns within inches of my face, so I leaned in for a bite! We laughed and Sydney turned to me with a shocked look on her face. Her friend then bit her in the bum too. It was hilarious. I told Brook that she probably shouldn't do that, but she was confused...hadn't I just done that? We all just died laughing. I know to some of you this may sound gross, but I just think my kids are edible sometimes. I don't have any pictures to accompany this, but I thought I would share.

Pioneer Day

Last Saturday I was in charge of a pioneer day celebration. We did it out at the Liddell's ranch. They have a pond the kids can swim in, and they gave the kids a hayride. We played games and had dutch oven dinners and a pie contest. It was pretty fun! My friend Lonnie took some pictures, so I thought I would share.

Makenna, Syd, and Elise with their homemade bonnets.
Pres. Liddell and the Bandit (Peter). They told the kids on the hayride that they had to sing a primary song or they would take all of their "goods." Then they gave them candy. I didn't do anything to organize this part, but the funny thing is, we did something really similar at the boys' 3rd or 4th birthday party.
Tyler, racing for the finish line.
Sack races with Sydney in first place...she was an animal!
Sydney swimming in the big island float


Rick, Bob and Nyle manning the dutch ovens.
Athena & I
Debbie Liddell was one of the bandits too. They dressed for the part!