Simply Selfless

I just love my kids. Today I woke up to the heavenly aroma of cake being baked. This is what Ashley made for me...and Natalie helped decorate. Love you, girls!

The Family that Plays Together...

For Loveridge FHE this month, Jeff and Natalie organized fun in the sun at their neighborhood splash ground! It was amazingly hot, but the water was as cool as the company.

Jeff splashes a little with Ashton Thomas...just walking and waiting for the perfect time to join the fun Bess-a-booAdam with his newly broken arm stayed on the outskirts. Notice the mis-matched flip flop! Boys will be boys.Holden tries to "man" the blow fish gunEven in the extreme heat, it feels good to snuggle in a warm towel
Carrie, Mom and Dad, relaxing in the shadeOur splashground hostess, Natalie Adam takes a reading break

Tiffany, enjoying the shadeTimothy and JohnTimothyElizabeth, smiling in the sunJoshua, runnin' aroundFirst-grader MadelynMarshall managed to get himself in the middle of a waterfight with EVERY child on the playground!The entire Hendrickson FamilyGabriel is at that stage between walking and crawling. He can do both, but sometimes, it's just easier to combine the two!Bethany trying to endure the heatThe kids take a break for lunchAshley versus AndrewAndrew and Aaron Jeff, the new target of the kids, uses Ashton as a shield.Then he realizes he can use the blow-fish "gun." All those hours of "Blackhawk Down" sure can come in handy!The kids plan their next attack! Kate Keeps HydratedI played with Daniel's curly locks and got him this "Who hair"The Birthday bunch

(Gabriel reached out and grabbed the cake while we were singing. He just couldn't wait!)"Even the best-laid plans...." Jeff and Natalie brought the amazing cake, but accidentally forgot the forks! The cake literally was..."finger-lickin' good!"Michael and Tim enjoy their ice-cream

We had a GREAT time together! Thanks again everyone! We sure love you all and feel so lucky to be part of such an amazing family! Kisses!

Pizza Night

I'm not too domestic. I admit it. I've never made homemade pizza in my marriage. But, you throw in a lazy Friday night, the Johnson cousins, Tiffany's handy kitchen skills, a trip to the grocery store, and voila!

You may notice the lack of cheese on Tiffany's pizza. I guess in her hurry she forgot it...but not to worry...we smothered it on top, and it all tasted wonderful. ;)

In Love with Lagoon

I haven't been to Lagoon in years. No, let me retract. I haven't been to Lagoon when I'm not pregnant in years. Usually I stay off the big rides with whatever small children are clinging to my motherly skirts and watch all of the big kids have fun with John. (I did cheat when I was 5 mos. pregnant with Timothy and ride the Rocket as well as the Spider, but alas, I digress.)

This year, with the benevolence of Jennifer and Amy in my corner, I left Bethany, Timothy, and Matthew home, took on cousins Aaron and Abby, and left with Ashley, Andrew, and Natalie to Farmington. It promised to be 100 degrees, and I had it in my head that you can't wear open-toed shoes there for certain rides. So, I wore my shoes and socks, but didn't have any of those cute little "hidden" socks that look like you're wearing NO socks, so I thought I'd have to wear pants because you just don't wear calf-length socks with capris! Then, as I got ready, I realized I didnt' have any t-shirts...just a capped-sleeve turtleneck...which I wore, and to any who know me, YES...it WAS black. I think I looked like the biggest idiot with long pants, shoes, and a turtleneck! Oh well! I had fun regardless! I'll let the pictures do the talking!

We ran to the Wild Mouse FIRST!!!Music ExpressWaiting for the Spider

A mid-day rest In line for the Log ride

Trying to avoid the Waterfall on Rattlesnake Rapids

AFTER Rattlesnake RapidsSometimes the kiddie rides don't hold enough excitement for an almost-11-year-oldThe Scrambler!These two are the cutest little friendsBuddies Aaron and Andrew

On the Cliffhanger...sopping wet!

Thanks again to the babysitters! At the end of the night, Ashley and I ran to the Samurai for one last ride. That thing is a killer! When the ride ended, the park was closing, but there were still 15 people in line for the last ride that could hold 30 people, so we rode once more. Twice in a row was a little much for me! I think for the first time in my life I was a little nauseated getting off of a ride! Hmmm.... But we love Lagoon!