Hawaii

We just got back from Hawaii aka paradise! It is so fun to just be together. We kayaked, ran, walked, sat, ate,read and just enjoyed being away! It sounds like we did more than we did. We did a lot of talking and sitting on the beach! Heaven!!

We ate at some super nice restaurants, but I think this mobile car was my fave!

Daddy Daughter Dance

There could not be a girl in all the land more excited than these two to attend the school "Daddy Daughter Ball." Clothes were laid out for the girls and for their daddy days in advance. They made a chart to mark the passing days leading up to the big event. They were not disappointed! They both came home blissfully asleep in their Dad's arms, proclaiming it was the best night of their lives. They hit the "dad lottery" and I think they already know it!!

He treated them like little princesses, complete with flowers and dinner after the ball!

Savanna claimed she was the only "middle schooler" at the event! She may have not been checking off the dates on a handmade calendar, but she made it an unforgettable night for the girls. She is such a great big sister!

She's Driving!!

My baby is growing up, it's official...

And she's beautiful inside and out...This is her at homecoming 2010. She went with about 60 of her closest friends. She radiates both goodness and beauty!

Early Morning Lovelies

For the last 15 years, I have been woken up by little girls. I love the way the light comes in this room in the early morning. I love waking up to the sweet sounds of my daughters happily playing. Madeline and Ava sleep in the same room, so it seems to be an unwritten rule, even that first one up wakes the other. We used to call all three of the younger kids "the littles". When Easton proudly declared he was no longer a "little", but a "medium". The two little girls became known as "the lovelies"...

Another Surgeon in the Family??

Darin got called into surgery while he and Savvy were on a date. To his surprise they let her in the OR to see it. She was elated and he was so excited to be able to share what he does with her. She doesn't get freaked out at all . She is fascinated with it. I am not sure I could handle it the way she does.

Super Fun Trip to Durango

It's absolutely unacceptable I don't have any pics of our friends who hosted us on this awesome trip! For Labor Day we went to Durango with some of our friends here to visit their family who happens to be a long time childhood friend of mine. Small world! It was such a blast...

We can't wait to do it again.

John showed us the rock quarry, and I am not sure who was more enamored, the kids who got to drive everything with wheels in sight or the Dad's.

This is their backyard... Heaven...

The kids looked like "little churro" when we were done at the quarry.

First Day of School 2010-2011

So this isn't the first day of school picture, but apparently it's not super cool to take your kids picture in front of the school when they are in High School, especially when you are crying. The boys that come out of her school look like grown men. I am not sure what they are doing at the same school. I hate to let her grow up, but I have to say she just gets more and more fun! I try to see the fun and not the years slipping by.

I love that they match each other every day. They were all a little nervous but mostly excited to start a new school this year. I love that they are all there together. I drop them up and pick them up together. What could be better? We love, love, love their school and I thought I wouldn't like the uniforms, but I love it! I do love getting my kids dressed everyday, but it's also nice not to have to think about it...

What can I say? Our "little cupcake" off to preschool and she couldn't be happier about it, especially since she gets to go with her little cousin and best friend in the whole wide world, Claire. If Claire was the only one in the preschool it would be okay with her.

Papa's Father's Day Present

For years my Dad has wanted to take the boys fly fishing and it just didn't seem to happen. Jimmy and Darin gave him this gift for Father's Day. They had so much fun...Not sure if they caught anything or if it mattered...

The fishing trip was actually the beginning of the "Kindred Family" reunion at our cabin. It was so fun to see my cousins I hadn't seen in almost 20 years. Crazy! It was so fun to see what things we had in common. Hopefully those pics will be added at the end of this post.

Savanna Turns 12

Savanna has alway seemed older than she really is. I realize every year when her birthday comes around, since about the age of 3. I realize I have probably expected more than I should have, but then again she always has risen to the occasion. Savanna invited all of her new friends from her new school. She had a really nice group of girls to celebrate with. She's lucky...

We played "minute to win it" and all sorts of other games. This was a special birthday for her since she will be entering "young women's." She's so excited!

12 Things I love about her

1. She's spunky or Savvy

2. She's always happy

3. She is extremely responsible

4. She is so thoughtful of other's feelings

5. She is such a hard worker

6. She is very clean

7. She is always willing to help other's

8. She is a natural teacher

9. She is determined

10. She is disciplined

11. She reads her scriptures

12. She wants to be good and do what's right

Summer Fun

This was a fun night. We wanted to do something fun with the kids that didn't include a movie. The kids decided it would be fun to look at the stars and make mango smoothies. We were inspired by the yummy smoothies their aunt Beth makes. It was a magical, fun night that I want to always remember!

More Lake of the Ozarks!

I should note that Ava almost drowned in this very spot. Thank goodness for her Daddy's watchful eye, fast running and the good Lord she is still here with us...

Chloe and Paris did this very thing, endlessly.

Our Summer Family Houseboat Trip

I think this might be our favorite family trip ever! We went with the Brays and the Orgills (from Oklahoma) to the lake of the Ozarks in Arkansas. It was a loooong trip, but definitely worth every second. We played so hard every day, making this all the sweeter! It brings me back to my best childhood memories, skiing on Lake Powell. All of the kids wakeboarded every day, except for Madeline and Ava who practically never came out of the warm, warm, water! It was a slice of heaven for five days.

Me, just doing my job, keeping my baby safe!

The very versatile hat...

Poor baby got sick for part of the trip, it didn't stop her for long...

Me, Madeline, Ava, and Ava

Paris and Rachel-who is a genius wakeboarder and sweet as can be!

This is what I got to look at for five days straight. Could there be anything happier?

Savvy Wakeboarding...

This never looks fun to me, but she sure thinks it is.

Fun Summer Visitors

Beth and Adrian came from St. Kitts. I'm sad I don't have more pictures of their stay with us. We loved having them. Darin who loves, loves, loves to eat came up with the brilliant idea of doing a progressive dinner on bikes, so we could show Beth and Adrian more of our favorite spots. Darin didn't have enough time of work while they were here. He had to make up for lost time when he was off.

This was our second course after having a yummy tart yogurt appetizer. This restaurant is an Asian, Mexican fusion! It's so yummy!! After this restaurant we headed to a dessert bar. It was heaven!! We loved having Beth and Adrian and we are already planning our next tour for next year...

Jared and Janene gave us a surprise visit up at our cabin over the 4th of July weekend. It was short but oh sooo sweet! Again, wish I had more pics, just Janene "kicking my trash" at arm wrestling...

Pigtails At Last

At the ripe old age of 3 and half Ava can finally wear the pigtails she (and I) have been dreaming of. My Dad used to always tell me that he loved my hair in pigtails. It was his favorite. I don't know if it's my favorite, but I have always been excited when my girls finally had enough hair for it, since I always had to wait soooo long! It was worth the wait, isn't it adorable? They love to match...

They are loving the new iphone...