Road Trip!

I got a crazy idea to drive to Utah this summer. We didn't have a lot going on so we had oodles of time to cross the country. I talked Camille Phillips and Annie Cash to caravan. Annie's husband, Justin, came as well. When we stopped for breakfast at McDonalds it looked like 1 guy, 3 wives, and nine kids... Texas to Utah... FLDS?

Usually, Aubrey and Lauren sat in my van-- the "Fairies", and the "Transformers" went in Camille's van. The girls played with a roll of tin foil for hours. Zach and Abby each threw up, but what would a trip be without a little vomit.

Note the junk in my car. If we were in a wreck, no one would get hurt because there was so much wedged around the kids. Better than bubble wrapping them!

Sweet Abigail

Happy Birthday to my sweet baby girl. It's hard to let her grow up. She is such a snuggle bunny and lovey girl. There is something so dainty and girlie about her. Maybe it's her creamy skin or her blond curls. Maybe it's her high, sing-songy voice. She likes to stay up with mom and dad, cuddling and flirting until she falls asleep. Abby is a Daddy's girl, greeting him with hugs and kisses each time he comes home from work and sometimes stewing and pouting because Daddy is gone. She is extremely observant and wants to do everything the big kids do. Her favorite spot in the house is on the kitchen counter so she can watch everyone. Her brothers and sister have realized that Abby copies everything they do and say so they try to use manners and share. Good job, guys!

She received a Cabbage Patch swim baby and a Tinkerbell sleeping bag and tent. All of the other kids have sleeping bags so now she can sleep downstairs with them. When anyone mentions swimming, she runs to get her swimsuit, her "mermaid pants" (swim diaper) and the sunscreen. She likes to sing "Popcorn Popping" and a version of "I am a Child of God" that includes parts of "I am Like a Star". Abby loves all junk food and likes to sign "cracker" and "candy" in an attempt to look extra cute and up her chances of getting what she wants. It usually works.

Abby you are soooo loved by your mom and dad and family!
Abigail's middle name is Helen, named after my Grandma Voorhees. Abby and Grandma are both sweet natured. Abby should be honored to carry her name.

Happy Independence Day!

How amazing is this holiday! We got to watch fireworks on the 3rd of July-- one whole day before the 4th of July! Then we went to the ward pancake breakfast and the Coppell parade. (I had forgotten how hot it gets in Texas) The kids have grocery bags to collect all of the goods that came our way. We ended the day with more fireworks. I bought all of my favorites at a roadside stand in East Texas: Grand Flower Blooms, Snakes, Cones, and sparklers. The children thought that these fireworks were just as amazing as the Coppell ones!


We spent the rest of the day at the Houghton's swimming, eating, swimming, and swimming a bit more.

Red, White, and Blueberry!

We went blueberry picking in East Texas. Whitni Parker and Asher jumped in our car and we followed Jenn and Sam out to Edom. We arrived at this adorable, picturesque farm early in the morning on a perfect, slightly cloudy day. We picked for about 15 minutes- enjoying ourselves- when Lauren decided it was too hot and too hard to pick anymore and pretty much fell apart. But we did manage to get a pretty big bucket full. $40 in gas, a bag full of illegal fireworks from a roadside stand, and several large muffins made for pricey berries, but I would highly recommend the trip and plan to go next year.

Finally!

After several days of Brad complaining about hair itching his ears, I cut the boys' hair. Look at these handsome dudes!

Big First Graders!

Brad and Zach are officially first graders! School is out for the summer and a big part of me is panicking. I wish I were a mother who was excited for the time of wonder and exploration that the summer brings. That is my goal this week- find the excitement! I think I lost it with my keys and my favorite lip gloss.

Sweet Fairies

I coaxed my cute friend Whitni Parker to come over to help me take pics of the girls. She is a fun and creative photographer who has taken loads of pics of our family. I needed her help figuring out the manual setting on my camera. This was a collaborative effort- heavy on her part. Thank you, Whitni!

Pudding Anyone?

Abby enjoyed her pudding a little too much...

Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weeny

I feel like summer has officially arrived with our first visit to Possum Kingdom Lake with the Houghtons. We had a lazy day of swimming, Smore eating, four-wheeling, and boating. Brad and Zach got up on water skis for the first time. They all piloted a kayak. Zach made a detailed list of the things he wanted to do before he left and will make one for the next time he goes.

4 Wet Heads, Noses, Smiles

As redundant as it is to wash four heads and four bodies every night and as painfully boring it is to brush and floss their teeth before they zoom away, how grateful I am for those four smiling heads. Sweet are the days of four sets of jammies and clean "bigs" and panties. When Brad sneaks out of bed and asks to snuggle on the couch, I hate to turn him away because one day he won't want to snuggle. One day, everyone will find their own underwear and put it on themselves. And one day, the bathroom door will slam shut for privacy sake.