Yo Ho, Yo Ho, A pirate's life for us

This week we celebrated Dad's 28th birthday. Jackson has been a little obsessed lately with pirates and wanted to throw dad a pirate party. When I asked Jackson what you did at pirate parties he said, "You pirate bite(fight)". Although there was no sword fights we did some other pirate activities that were just as entertaining. We made pirate people out of foam, we played musical islands and pin the patch on the pirate. We had some outdoor pirating activities planned but our weather didn't quite cooperate so those activities had to walk the plank. The highlight was finding the pirate treasure chest, the cake. Our little pirate enjoyed his "dad's party" and kept saying is famed "arrgh lady" phrase. 

As a side note, this week was not only dad's birthday but also marked his last week of his 3rd year of medical school. He is officially a 4th year. Yeah dad!!! Next year for his birthday he'll be starting his residency:)

Jocelyn's First "Real" Haircut

Jocelyn has very long blonde locks and the thought of cutting it makes me cringe but we did decide that it could use a little trim. I convinced her yesterday to come with me to the local hair school to get it trimmed. I bribed her with a sucker if she would be a brave little girl and have it done.  That idea won her over and we were off. The lady who cut her hair was so nice and very patient. Jocelyn had a very hard time keeping her head still because she was so interested in everything going on around her, especially all the people with the weird colors of hair. Apparently this whole experience scared her to silence because she didn't utter a single word while she was in the chair. She didn't even smile. The only thing that brought a reaction is when it was all over and they brought out a sucker, then she beamed! She really was quite good and everyone was amazed that she was only two and being such a big girl. On our way home I asked Jocelyn if she had fun getting her hair cut and she corrected me by telling me it was just a trim. She is an expert on it now I guess. 

After she had her hair washed

Getting her haircut

The final product

I had to put this picture in because it was funny. When we went to check on the kids last night this is how we found Jocelyn. Apparently she was dreaming of "Chariots of Fire." 

Our Dad

Recently a good friend of our family's father past away. It wasn't unexpected but it still doesn't prepare you for the loss or make it any easier. This event has made me reflect on the importance of letting people, especially our fathers, know how important they are to us and how much we love them now while we still can talk with them. I am grateful for my dad and very grateful for the dad of my kids. Parenting is not an easy task and being a good parent is even harder.  I am very grateful for a very patient husband who really plays a big role in raising our very wild kids and helps me with the troops when he can.  Our kids just adore their dad and are trying to do everything just like him. I am so glad they have such a good example to follow. We just want to tell our dad how much we love and appreciate him. Happy Father's Day. 

Happy Flag Day

This week I have been talking to my kids about the flag. We made a paper flag, we read books about flags and we sang some songs about the flag. Our kids really enjoyed it and I thought it would be good for them to learn about a symbol of our country. Since today was flag day, I thought we would be patriotic and wear flag shirts and wave a few flags. I expected the rest of our community to be in the same sort of spirit but on my two mile trip to the library I only saw a few flags. I didn't realize how festive the Boy Scouts made the streets look on Flag Day back in Utah with flags at every house.  So here is our tribute to the flag on this flag day. God bless America. 

 

Our Strawberry Shortcake

We live not to far from some u-pick strawberry fields. Since we have lived here we have gone every year and picked strawberries for jam. This year we didn't need any jam but we couldn't pass up the chance to see this little girl run wild in a field of strawberries and eat to her hearts content. From the picture you can see that's exactly what she did.  You buy the strawberries by the pound and you weigh what you pick as you leave the field. John-David asked the lady in charge of the field if we should weigh Jocelyn before entering the field and after as she was leaving. We figured that would be where most of our strawberries went. Fortunately, She has friends who also came to enjoy the strawberries. They didn't seem to care if the strawberries were red, green, white, dirty or clean. They just ate. Oh, the joys of childhood. 

Jocelyn, Kyree and Savannah

Dad showing the fruits of his labors he picked from the field.

Eating just one more strawberry for the road. 

Kelsey's 6 Month Photos

Here are some of Kelsey's 6 month pictures. We think they turned out cute.