I got one!! I got one!!!!

We went over to the lake tonight after I got off of work for some more dock jumping and raft floating. Nate has been really into fishing this summer and decided to bring along his pole. He did some fishing, then did some swimming with us. After swimming he went back and tried again. He said that he "said a prayer before casting" and look what he pulled up:


Good job, Nate! Unfortunately, he was so surprised that he actually caught one that he didn't know what to do with it once he caught it. By the time I got there and pulled the hook out the fish was clearly dead. We hurried home and will cook it instead.

Our own private lake

We heard about this lake near our house and decide we should check it out. It is a man made lake and it is so nice! There is a dock to jump off of . We got some rafts and decided to spend the afternoon there. Nate was the quickest at blowing up his raft. Then he jumped right in!

Austin came in a close second

Off he went

The boys are in the water waiting for Brian

Brian had a plan. He had his raft blown up but he wasn't going to just jump into the water. He was going to make a splash! I was nervous but he didn't seem a bit worried.

Brian is going to meet up with the group

Nate waving goodbye!

We had a fun day and we've had more since this first one. The booys ask almost everyday whether they can go to the rope swing or the lake. And now their friends know that is where they will be hanging out!

Sleeping with the stars

Since we've gotten the trampoline this is what I've have found for the past few mornings. The boys have had so much fun being able to sleep on the trampoline. It's fun to watch them gather all of their things and head outside at night. I think it is good for them to have this time with just each other.

So in the mornings when I look out at them sleeping you can barely see their heads. It's funny how they look like mummies. They come in to the house in the morning and look pretty worn out. I wonder how much sleep they are really getting?!

Hidden rope swing!

Our family likes to be outdoors. We went on a bike ride about a week ago and found a new trail and thought we'd follow it. We are really glad we did. As we were riding we came upon a bridge with water running under it. Brian notice a rope hanging from one of the large trees, told the boys and that pretty much ended the bike ride. Shirts came off and shoes too. And all three of them were swinging from the rope and in the water. I didn't get in. I'm pretty cautious. And you know someone always has to be ready to run for help!

These pictures were taken of the boys when we went back with our swimsuits on. And we were more prepared to get wet. It is so fun to watch them swing and jump into the water!

Brian swinging

Austin smiling and having fun

Nate caught a ride with Brian

Brian kinda got stuck and needed help. Good thing the boys brought a friend!

Go AJ!

I love this picture of Austin laughing!

Practicing the tarzan swing!

Austin is helping Nate get a good start!

I'm so glad when he landed he didn't twist, sprain or break anything!

Brian took off fast this swing!

It looks like Nate is going to keep going into the trees!

We have so much fun going back to this watering hole! The boys have gone with friends, and we have gone back as a family. If you come and visit we'll take you there too!

Nathan's 13th Birthday!

This year my baby turned 13. Two teenagers in the house! Yikes! Brian and I woke Nate up with breakfast in bed. Waffles, strawberries, whipping cream. He loved it. Austin gave Nate these really cool aviator sunglasses for his birthday! He has a nice big brother!

Nathan has always wanted a trampoline.....so this year he got one for his birthday! He loves it. (so does Brian and Austin). Leo's not quit sure what to think. It frustrates him he can't get on it with the boys!

Leo is trying to figure out how to get up there!

We ended the night with Nate's favorite dinner - Calzones. Good choice Nate! And a little jumping on the trampoline and of course cake! Nate chooses the same cake every year. Pineapple upside down cake. It is his favorite. It's a really yummy cake if you've never had it.

13 candles on the cake!

We love Nate! He is so much fun and always has soooo much energy! I love his smile and his laugh! I love how he always wants to know what you're talking about. Nate also really likes to cook. His specialty is rice crispies! They are the best. He loves to read and of course play video games! I am so glad he is in our family! We love you Nate!

Catching up!

We've been really busy lately. Well at least it has felt that way, but looking back at all of the pictures I need to blog about maybe we've been busy with a lot of fun summer stuff. I'm going to try to catch you up with everything we've been up to.

Father's day was very fun this year! The boys went shopping and bought Brian a few things and also decided we need to make Brian some waffles for breakfast. Well, we don't own a waffle iron so the boys decided that Brian would get one for Father's day! We made him a fabulous breakfast with waffles and fresh strawberries and whipped cream! Yummy! Oh and we made bacon. Then we got ready for church. In our ward Fathers day is great. Women in the ward volunteer to bring or make pies for the dad's in the ward. Brian loves it!!! This year though he was teaching YM and couldn't get there quick enough to get best pick. So later that night Nate and I made him a cherry pie. It was yummy!

Brian and Nate so happy the wait is over. Pie Time!!

Don't mess with Brian when he is eating his pie!Brian is the best. I am so blessed to have a wonderful father for my children. He is loving, kind and extremely patient. He loves to hang out with Austin and Nathan. Always going out of his way to have fun adventures with them. He is one of their best friends. We love you Brian!

High Adventure Camping

The boys and I went camping for an entire week during the first week of June. One of the things we did there was to raft 19 miles of the Arkansas river. In this video, our boat is entering one of the rapids where we have to paddle hard, then hold on, then paddle hard, etc... until we get through. I am on the front left-side of our boat with Austin behind me, and Nate behind Austin. We had Nate get inside the boat completely and hold on during the rapids so that we wouldn't have to go looking for him downstream some time later. ; ) Unfortunately, this means that he is only visible in one or two of the pictures. Austin and I had rain outfits to help keep us dry, but the water was still very cold and we had numb feet from straddling the boat - sometimes the foot inside the boat was in more water than the foot on the outside! Once we got through the rapids we would take turns to bail out our raft. When we finished rafting we packed up and went to the Mount Princeton Hot Springs for some swimming. We rafted and visited the hot springs two days in a row. It was a lot of fun! I'll post more pictures soon!

Happy Birthday Lisa!!

Lisa celebrated her ##th birthday last week. We captured a picture of her with her cheesecake (sans numbered candles so you won't know how many years young she is) before we made quick work of it. We love and appreciate our wife/mother, and had a great day with her. Next, we look forward to our trip to Hawaii in 12 days!! (and Grandpa's birthday too!)