Slumber Party

Scott was out of town last weekend and I wanted to do something fun for the boys without REALLY having to do anything....you know what I mean?  (I'm such a good mom, I know.)  So, what better than a slumber party on the 3rd floor?  We pushed all the couch cushions together and brought up sleeping bags and blankets.  They were so excited!  For some reason, Brady had the hardest time sleeping.  I took this picture around 11:00 and he was still up.  They thought it was awesome to wake up the next morning and already be in the same room as the Wii.  Ah, simple pleasures!

First Day of School

I can't believe how quickly the summer flew by.  Mason and Logan were both really excited to start school this year.  Brady started preschool this week, and it's so nice for him to have something of his own.  He's been going to the bus stop and dropping kids off at preschool with me since he was born, so he's thrilled that it's finally his turn.  I'm a little thrilled myself, to be perfectly honest.  =) 

Our nephew Caden has been staying with us for the past few days, and since he has two sisters, we thought we'd show him what it's like living in a house full of boys.  First on the list...the 1/2 pound burger challenge at Cheeburger Cheeburger.  Mason, Logan and Caden all ate their burgers pretty quickly and then chased them down with an order of onion rings.  Scott even got in on the action and took the pounder challenge.  Brady decided he'd play it safe and just have a grilled cheese.  At the end of the night, the boys didn't even seem phased. Scott, on the other hand, realized that he's not a teenager anymore.  Good times!

Christmas Sunday

Today was Claire's first day of church.  She made sure she got her beauty sleep (she gave Megan around 6 1/2 straight hours after not going more than 3 for a long time) so she and mom would be at their best.  Her brothers were excited to have her there as well.

The Boys and Claire

Lake Gaston, NC

Some friends of ours invited us and another family down to Lake Gaston for the weekend.  We had so much fun!  The kids loved being outside so much and playing in the water.  Mason and Logan had a blast being pulled behind the boat and Mason even attempted knee boarding.  Brady preferred to ride inside the boat.  It was such a fun and relaxing weekend.  Thanks Beth and Clint!  :-)  

Washington D.C. Day Trip

A couple weekends ago, we decided to take the boys up to D.C. to see the temple and to do some sightseeing.  Our first stop was the temple, the boys liked seeing the visitors' center and enjoyed eating lunch in the parking lot (after we got kicked off the benches by the fountains).  It had been a while since Scott and I had gone to the temple, so it was really nice to get up there again.  After we left the temple, we did a little shopping for our 3rd floor and then took the metro to the National Museum of Natural History.  The kids thought it was great, but Scott and I were a little tired at that point.  Not having a stroller for Brady didn't help too much either.  Oh, well...live and learn I guess.  All-in-all it was a fun day, and hopefully we created some memories for the kids.

Memorial Day at the Farm

The whole family got together at the farm for Memorial Day weekend.  The boys had fun playing with their cousins and running wild while unsupervised.  It's so nice to let them just run around.  Even Grandpa got in on the fun!

Fishing at the ranch

Fishing season is officially open at the ranch.  It was supposed to be 2 years before the newly-stocked lake was ready for fishing, but this catfish proved us wrong.  Scott hooked him and let Mason reel him in.  We can't wait to catch him again in 2 years!