Owie on head

Max has an obsession with band aids. I'm beginning to believe they are magical. He puts them on every owie and immediately feels better. Yesterday, he hurt his knee and put the band aid on his pants (over his knee of course) and it healed his wound like a charm!!! Today he hurt his head. We all had a good laugh about this one...it definitely hurt more to take it off!!!!

A Visit From the Numbers

Numbers came Friday night and stayed with us until Monday...TOO MUCH FUN.

Here are some of the highlights...

Skate park & Playground

Swimming at Community Pool

Sunday Games

Justin and Max absolutely love when their cousins come and visit. It is really a fun treat for us all! Thanks Numbers...we love you!

The Big "8"

June 22, 2009
Today Justin turned 8 years old

Here is our birthday boy! None of us can believe he is already 8 years old. Justin has grown so big...in every way. He is such a GREAT son to have. I honestly can't imagine running a household without him. He has taken on so many responsibilities, and continues to learn the value of hard work. He is incredibly helpful to me. Justin is very sensitive. He always knows if my day isn't quite right and is so thoughtful to try and make it better for me. He is an AMAZING brother to Max. I would have never guessed that a 5 year spread could produce such a bond between two siblings. But Justin is a great example to Max, an adored playmate, and a valued friend. Justin has such an ability to bring sunshine into our home. One of my favorite things about Justin is his laugh...he has the best laugh, and loves to laugh. Justin is obedient, and really makes good decisions...he knows the right way, and chooses it without a second thought. I love him dearly and can't imagine my life without him in it.

Today, along with the normal tradition of birthday decorations, no chores, choose breakfast and dinner meals, etc., we decided that we must do 8 fun things (of Justin's choosing) before the day ended...and this is what we did...

1. Scooters to the Skate Park

Jusin, Korie, & Marinn

This is the first time Justin has actually scooted at a skate park. I must admit, I was abit nervous to let him and friends loose, but they rode the entire park confidently and without a problem. I was very impressed. We will definitely come back again soon. It was very fun!

2. Picnic at the Park

3. Trip to the Library
(especially the computer games)

4. Art Project
Painting Bird Houses

5. Swimming at the pool

6. Dinner at Costa Vita

Justin gets the same thing every time and loves it...beans and rice!

7. PlayPlace

Justin has wanted to go to the Playplace at McDonalds since we moved to Boise. But since there is NOTHING on their menu that is what I consider edible, we've never gone. We broke down tonight for the sake of the play place and bought the boys ice cream cones. They loved them of course, and loved the play place (especially after the worker cleaned up the pee inside...ewwhh!)

8. A Family Movie
The Tale of Despereaux

We didn't even start the movie until about 9pm, so it was very late when we finished. And really it wasn't that recommendable for kids. But it was fun to end the day on a relaxing note. I was personally very grateful to sit and relax with all my boys.

What a great day of Celebration!
Happy Birthday Justin.

Happy Father's Day

Father's Day is always so much fun to prepare for...we all look forward to this day of celebration. Especially since we have such a great reason to celebrate...the BEST DAD in the whole world!
When I asked Justin what he liked best about Dad he said, "I mean, he is just SO MUCH FUN!!!" And it's true. Geoff is a very fun Dad. That is such an important trait in a family of boys. Justin really looks up to Geoff and tries hard to be like him. I couldn't ask for a better example of everything good. How can you not celebrate a father like Geoff??? We all adore him.

Father's Day is a day to simply enjoy spending time with Dad.

Max helped me make a carob cake...which as you can see...Max approved of!

Geoff open some presents...

And then the LONG AWAITED....ICE CREAM CASTLES!!!! Oh how the boys couldn't wait to make and eat these creations.

Happy Father's Day Geoff!
You are the BEST!

Geoff's High Adventure trip

Memorable Scenes...

The boys...

Mike Thompson, Tanner Sawyer, Mason Carter,
Austin Alonzo, Max Squire, Alex Both

The Leaders...
Geoff, Josh Iverson
Cedro Toro, Darin Mugleston, Bishop Carter

The Adventures....
Hiking

Biking

Hot Springs

Camping

No Baseball in the Rain

Max is such a hoot. Lately he has just EXPLODED in song! He sings at the top of his lungs everywhere he goes. I've actually been amazed at how well he knows several songs...songs we've (or rather I've) sung at bed time. His favorites are his ABC's, I am a child of God, Twinkle Twinkle, and I Love to see the temple...

Although it certainly isn't limited to these as you can see below with his rendition of "No baseball in the Rain." I especially love in this clip when he realizes Geoff is recording him, and stops dead in the middle of his song to smile for the camera.



On Sunday, Max's Nursery Song leader told me that he loves nursery because of Max. "He sings with so much enthusiasm, and knows all the words. The other kids just watch him... and he loves the attention."

My boys

Aren't they so cute!

Babysitter Supreme!

This is a picture of Justin and Kamrie Carter. She is a DYNAMITE babysitter! She makes leaving my boys so much easier! My boys adore her and really look forward to time with her.

Idaho Camp

Justin, Max and I have spent the last 3 weeks attending Idaho History Camp (a group of home schoolers who put together a fun "camp" to learn about Idaho.) Here's a very quick sum up of some very fun memories...Snacks for Max...his favorite time of our 3-hour day. He was the King of the table!!

A group of about 15 families, over 28 children ages 7-13, and all the little tykes gathered together for a lot of fun learning, activities and experiments. They learned about symbols, flags, famous people, sang ID songs, ate Idaho food....

This was a favorite activity learning about the early Idaho Indians. A mom made these bow & arrows, soaked the arrows in big buckets of water, and let the kids have a big bow & arrow water fight. Other activities included figuring out how to load a covered wagon, making trail snacks, marking trails, and figuring distances, experiencing the world of trading valued goods for necessities, making salt dough maps to learn geography and etc.

It's a lot of work to put it together and make it run smoothly...but all these families are great. It was a memorable experience.

High Adventure

Stick Em Up

This is the (common) view looking down the barrel of Max's nerf air gun. Good thing it doesn't hurt.

Eagle Wet & Wild Parade

We don't live in Eagle officially anymore, but can stay away from Eagle fun days!!! We spent the afternoon in downtown Eagle enjoying all the activities there.

The parade, and Max's favorite entry (below)!

Our favorite part of the day was stopping at this little pond and having our own "wet & wild" activity...throwing rocks in the water and trying to get each other wet. We probably spent an hour here!

Date with Justin

Justin and I went on a date to an arts & crafts shop that was so much fun!! Here are some of the projects we worked on...

NAME ART...you write your name, mirror it on the other half of the paper and then create something out of it. Justin created the Olympics out of his name and I made a "creature" out of JaNae and Geoff (If you look at it sideways you can read the name.)

Justin had fun painting his Egyptian rock...it looked really cool when he finished!

His favorite activity was the paint spinner. He could have stayed at this station the entire time. It was very fun.

I love time with Justin...he's an all around fun person to be with!!!