Good Times at the Beach!

We come to the beach just about every summer with my entire family. It is so much fun and relaxing. We stay at this incredible house right on the beach. It is really nice to look out at the ocean and hear it every moment of the day. I love the beach because there are really no boundaries for the kids. They just run around on the beach, digging for sand crabs or building sand castles, jumping waves and boogie boarding. I just relax and enjoy watching them have so much fun!

Robert's sister and her family that live in California always come and join us at the beach! They are so much fun to be around. We love spending time with all of our family. Here the kids have been doing some serious sand crab hunting and are checking out the millions of crabs they have collected.

Michael and my neice Taylor

Here Brandon has come in from a serious day of boogie boarding. This year was the first year he brought a friend with him to the beach. It has been great having 'Big Mike' with us. It has changed Brandon's world having a buddy his age to hang with.

Cameron and Michael with my niece Bailey
This is my favorite thing to watch.

Ryan and my neice Brinley, they are too cute!

Happy Father's Day!

I love Mother's Day and Father's Day. Our boys really get into it the week leading up to the actual day. They talk about it a lot....what their gonna do for us, what they're gonna cook for us or make us. Then, when the actual day comes, they really are helpful in the morning and want to serve us....after that forget it! They are cute, they love cooking breakfast for Dad and love giving homemade gifts. Cameron has been taking an art and cooking class this summer and made Dad a coaster and pencil holder out of clay. Michael gave Robert a painting, something from his art class too.



Robert is the best Dad! The boys love doing anything with him. They have attended sooooo many baseball games I can't even count! They once attended an entire series at Dodger stadium when we were in California on vacation. They love, love, love going there with their Dad! They will do anything with him. Whether its swimming, or playing baseball or washing his car with him, or even fixing something, they love being with their Dad!

We Survivied!

Today, Brandon returned home from Scout Camp! We were all very excited to see him! It actually wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be. Oh, we missed him alright, but I knew he was in good hands and I knew he was having fun! It was a huge step for me. I'm a bit of a freak when it comes to my kids. My father-in-law calls me a 'helicopter mom', hovering over my babies. Robert had gone up on Friday afternoon to hang out there with him. They had such a great time. All the boys in our ward/troop are so great. There were 13 of them. Robert was amazed how well the boys all got along with each other. We are so grateful to all the leaders who spent their time up there with the boys. Thanks to Bro Crockett, Cluff, and Oswald along with some awesome Dads too!

When Brandon came home Cameron and Michael had made him a Welcome Home sign out front. They bought him some presents at the dollar store too. They really wanted to celebrate! Ryan was the most excited! They have such a special bond. Today we overheard Ryan ask Brandon who his best friend was...Brandon said you are. My heart melted.....

One Day At a Time!

Well, we have made it 2 days without Brandon. Ryan keeps telling me that it is time to pick him up from Scout Camp. I have been fine so far. I think on Thursday I will be kinda freaking out. I am sure by the time Cameron and Michael go to Scout Camp, I will be excited for them to go! (Especially in 4 years when Cameron and Michael will both be going at the same time!)

Check out Ryan konked after a big swimming day! I am lovin' summer more and more!!

Scout Camp!

So, this morning I dropped Brandon off at 3:45am to leave for Scout Camp! He will be gone until Saturday night. This will be the longest time Brandon has ever been away from our family. He is very excited but the rest of us are thinking--how are we going to function without Brandon?! Brandon is Ryan's best friend. Brandon is so sweet with him and will do anything for him, whereas Cameron and Michael won't fall for it. Michael shocked us as he started bawling after family prayer last night. He and Brandon don't really get along all that great. I think Brandon will have a great time at Scout Camp and it will be good for the rest of our family. Except Ryan and I of course!
Here he is with some of the other boys in the Crockett's garage (which is so organized!)...

Summer Time!

This is our first summer with a pool! We have swam just about everyday. The kids love it! I am enjoying it because it is something I do with my kids for a couple of hours. Its not a quick trip to the library, its not sitting in a movie theatre for a couple of hours....its good outdoor fun with my kids. Monday night it was still nice enought to eat outside, so we did and then we swam for fhe. We played Marco Polo for over 2 hours- I kid you not! Who does that? We did and it was so much fun! Now, I'm not sure how I will feel at the end of the summer, but right now we are really enjoying it.

Not the Best Blogger

So, I'm not exactly the best blogger....it's been a few days since my blogging debut. I do want to record my Sunday experience. Sunday at church, it was fast Sunday and us Moons were fasting for my Mom a.k.a 'Momo' and Travis Williams our good friend who has the tumor on his brain stem. Well, the youth had just gotten back from the Pioneer Trek and a lot of the older youth bore their testimonies. Once again, I was so amazed by their spiritual strength! These youth are so remarkable! I bawled all day. Of course you all know what a baby I am. Then, after Sacrament meeting, the Bishop had the entire Ward Family come into the Chapel and kneel in a Family Prayer. There, he offered a pleading prayer for Travis. I have never felt like that at church before in my entire life. It was amazing.

Today, Travis got good news! They can magically operate on his "inoperable" tumor!

New Blogger!

I can't believe I am blogging! I am excited! I have wanted to do this for such a long time, just so I can have record of what our family does. It will also help us to take more photos of the boys. I have been really into the blog just this past week as our good friends Andrea and Travis are going through a difficult time- Travis has been diagnosed with a brain stem tumor. We read their blog and are so amazed at their strength and faith.

So, here goes my blogging debut! Wish me luck. I'll probably post again tomorrow, its late today and I want to record this incredible Sunday experience.