Stockton's little brother, he didn't have...

Stockton has always felt a little jipped that he never had a brother. I told him we tried to have more children but it wasn't in the cards for us. He is knows he is lucky to have cousins, on both sides, his exact age. Bronson and Stockton are only 13 days apart, and they enjoy doing things together when time allows. But they try to play basketball together as often as possible. Brock and Stockton have always had a close relationship. They have gone to school together and have always been great friends too. But each Sunday when we go to Grandpa and Grandma's for dinner, he LOVES LOVES LOVES to play with Brady. When the big boys were younger they played, but as they have gotten older, Brock is more content with the adults watching TV. Not Stockton, he now just plays with Brady. They wrestle and tease each other. They love to hang out together. For Erin's birthday celebration we went to Grandma's for a hot dog and marshmallow roast. And I got a picture of them eating and just being together. We love Brady, I know he gives his mom and dad a run for their money, so I told Brady, when they need a break from him, he needs to come to our house. I love his spunk and his fun personality.

ANOTHER YEAR OLDER???

My girls started another school year :( Not only do I hate that they have year round school, they don't get those lazy summer days, but also I hate that they are getting older. Grace is starting the 5th grade and Sara is starting the 4th grade... I can hardly believe it. They are growing up so fast. We are excited for the school year, Sara got Mrs. Spencer, who I think is the BEST teacher at the school, she is the only teacher that all of my kids have had. She is going to have a great year and she has tons of friends on her track. Grace has Mrs. Gardner, who we haven't had before, but she is suppose to be the strongest teacher academically, so she should excel as she always does. Good Luck girls with another school year!!

Lake Powell 2009

http://s246.photobucket.com/albums/gg110/blarsen5/Lake%20Powell/?albumview=slideshow
So we were fortunate enough to go to Lake Powell with the Garrett family. We had so much fun. It was our family vacation for the summer, which is exactly where the kids would choose above any place on earth. It really is the BEST. Not only the fun, boating, cliff jumping, swimming, but the food, and especially the friends and company we keep..
We went to Lake Powell in July, but I had so many pictures I wanted to do a slideshow.. and its not working. So here are a few of them, you will need to click on the link to view them,which is the blarsen5. Hopefully I can figure this out soon.

I "Never Wanted Nothing More"

We walked from the hotel along the river front, it was beautiful but HOT!
SO AWESOME!
I just took this to show how close we were to the stage!

Eating the gross food there, we couldn't be late!

Me and Sara, before it started, she didn't enjoy standing that made her too tired. What?

Stockton giving thumbs up, for me and the camera or the lady sitting next to him?

Me and Gracie, she loved it the most, we danced the entire time together. Stockton got embarrassed because he thought we were acting drunk like the rest of the people around us? I asked him how many people we knew there? Exactly, NONE we had fun totally sober.

The girls happy to be there.

Smile?

He gazed into my eyes a few times to sing to me :)

OH MY HECK!!! I love him...who? Brad, he is the BEST husband!! I fell in LOVE with Kenny Chesney about 1 year ago, only 1 of 2 country singers that I enjoy (the other Tim McGraw, who I have seen in concert 4-5 times!!) I watched a special on Kenny and his concert tour from a few years ago, so when I heard he was coming to Utah at the same time as we would be in Lake Powell (tough decision, NOT) but I was still disappointed, big Brad said I should find another city that I could make it to....I so did and in STYLE. The concert was in Boise on July 14, and he bought me 4 tickets on the 7th row on the center floor!! (Brad couldn't go because of a project at work.) OH YEAH... I wanted to take the girls and then I made Stockton go too. He wouldn't admit it, but he did have fun. We drove up went to the concert and came home. I smiled all night and the entire way home! I couldn't wait to show Brad the pictures I took with my CRAP cameras...but he got the jest of it! It was fun to go with the kids and a quick trip but so worth every minute. Thanks Brad, you are the best for so many reasons.

Another Birthday Celebration!

She needed a bike!

Grandpa Dennis

Grandpa and Grandma Fickett

Grandpa Jack

Great Grandma Ethel

Stockton & Jack

Cute girls..

Blowing out candles.

The Birthday Bash!

When we got home from Midway, Stockton had Sara's bike sitting out and he had decorated with a streamers and a poster, what a good big brother! It was her birthday and we love to drag them out for as many days as possible. We had family over for a BBQ on her birthday and then Monday we had a friends party. Since she is the only summer birthday in the family, we try to make it a water party. We were thinking of going to the Roy pool, but with that many girls I can't watch them all, so we ask DaNece and she let us have it at her new pool. It was perfect. Lori helped me drive the kids and they swam, we ate, had a pinata and then opened presents. It was fun for Sara and the girls are adorable. I can't believe Sara is NINE...wow how time flies. She was a tiny baby only weighed 6 lb 2 oz. But when we found out I was pregnant, we knew instantly she was a girl and she has brought so much joy to our family.

NINE THINGS I LOVE ABOUT SARA

1. She never gives up!

2. She loves to be with her family.

3. She is the most cuddly child we have.

4. She has incredible self-esteem.

5. This year she has come out of her shell, and gotten more friends and has become more social.

6. She loves to dress fashionably (it cracks me up).

7. She loves to earn money and doesn't love to spend it (like the rest of us).

8. Her favorite things right now are: TV, computer time, dance, tumbling and boating.

9. She has a perfect smile (in spite of her current teeth.)

Another Great Weekend!

They could be sisters?
There were so many kids, 16 I think we counted!

Yes I loved to drive too.

Steph's great photography!

This is how to get to the pool, it was packed but the kids loved it!

The BEAUTIFUL Heber Valley

The girls trying to take a short cut on the hike.

The Sill kids, Mandy's kids and the Nichols, what a great family!

Sara and Ashlyn

McKenna, Malorie, Gracie, Ashlyn, Colter, and Sara

So my girls are only out of school for 11 days before they start a new school year, what a bummer! Luck for them, they have a mom with A.D.D. so I try to fit as much fun in as possible. Stephanie Sill, a sweet friend, invited us to her parents 2nd home in Midway. I have seen pictures on her blog and it looks so fun, so when she asked, we jumped and was thrilled for the opportunity for a get-a-way. We left Friday and came home Saturday - a quick trip, but we had a blast. The kids swam, and then played and then went swimming again, they stayed up late and had a rare sleep over. We ate breakfast then we went on a fun hike, then we stopped by the outlets to get Sara some birthday presents. It was a fun weekend. The home is huge and beautiful, we are so grateful to the Nichols for letting us come and stay.