seven

Spencer is 7!

He has grown by leaps and bounds this past year - in so many ways. I didn't realize how much older he would look over the span of one year. His little face looks like a 'big boy' now, his mannerisms and sayings seem so 'old.' It's such an amazing experience to watch him grow. Over this past year he  lost his first teeth, finished Kindergarten, and learned how to read. He can create anything with some plain white paper and tape (literally, anything).

Some of his favorite things:
- swimming
- t.y. - his souvenir penguin from San Diego
- 'real true' books
- playing with his buddies
- board games
and
- his little brother

The lucky little guy was able to have two birthday parties. One on his actual birthday while his grandma was visiting and the second with his friends at Peter Piper Pizza. Can't wait to see what 7 brings!

 Last day of 6

 

Super cool hat from grandma 

 

 

                                                         Love this little guy :)

 

                                                           So many fun gifts!

 

                                                        Angry Birds everywhere

 

                                                      Let's get this party started!

 

                                            Friends crowding to check out the gifts

 

                                            

my birthday

I have some amazing boys in my life. I had a beach themed birthday party and we spent the day together in Sedona. What more could a girl ask for?

another milestone

Both boys are in elementary school now. Spencer started the 1st grade, Mason started kindergarten. It's a happy/sad feeling...happy both boys are starting new adventures, sad they are growing so fast. Excited to see what the year will bring!

not for the faint of heart

Earlier this week Micah took the boys on a play date with some friends to an indoor trampoline-ish/ bouncy type place. While there, Mason hit his head. Not sure how, not sure where on his head because he was in all of the action when it happened. Once I got home I learned he had started complaining of a headache and was super tired. As I started to talk to him I realized he was having little guy amnesia. That's right, memory loss. I. Got. Freaked. I remained calm on the outside, but inside I was freaking out - as you can imagine. So after a quick call to the pediatrician we were headed to the Children's Hospital/ER. Mason had to have a CT scan and we had to sit. And wait. And sit. And wait. Thankfully it came back normal, but the final diagnosis was a concussion. My poor little guy :(

Short of waking him up every 2 hours, everything else went smoothly. That is, until 2 days later when he was at the splash pad and slipped and hit his head AGAIN! He also had some mysterious big fat swollen finger that we didn't know about for 2 days. You would think the bandaid he was wearing would've clued us in, but if you didn't know, Mase loves bandaids. More about that later. So after our final check up with the doc, I think we are finally (fingers crossed) on the mend again :)

Counting my blessings knowing it could've been worse....I tell ya, this parenting thing is not for the faint of heart!

brotherly love

The other day I was looking through some recent(ish) photos and noticed how many cute ones we have of our wonderful little boys together. Take a look! (It's funny how they almost always stand on the same side of each photo!).

 shopping at the children's museum 'grocery store'

 

Hiking

 

Sea World

 

starfish!

 San Diego  

                                 Twins x 2!                            

 

 loungin'

 

D'Backs game

 best of bros

we love monsoon season!

 

 mmmm....lemonade :)

 

dinsosaurs!

July 4th

The fourth of July in Arizona just isn't the same as it was in South Dakota. It is just WAY TOO HOT. Watching fireworks at 9pm when it's still 100+ degrees out...ugh. Don't get me wrong, it's still fun, but it's just not the same.

patriotic pair