John's Birthday!

John turned 38 on the 7th! 

We went to the Elder's Quorum Barbecue,

and then came home for chocolate cake

with raspberry filling and chocolate frosting. Yum.

He never wants presents, but we got him a couple anyway.

New slippers (that we had to exchange for a different size),

and a book, "Dad is Fat" by Jim Gaffigan.

From what I've read, it's pretty funny.

Happy Birthday John!

Maxwell's Return from Clear Creek

All five of his siblings came to welcome Maxwell home

from camp. Three of them even made welcome home signs!

The buses were expected to return at 3:00 sharp, and they did!

It was so good to see this face again!

He came home with a terrible sunburn on the back of his

neck and his ears, but otherwise seems to have survived

the week away from home without any problems.

He was tired, and homesick for camp!

I'm so glad he had a good time, and that he's home safe.

Ruby bought herself a microphone, and Maxwell taught

the other kids camp songs to sing at full volume.

Great timing. :)
Bentley's return from Clear Creek is here.
Two years till Jonah can go . . .

Toothbrushes and Swords

Alton - brushing his teeth in the rocking chair.

Milo and Jonah sword fighting in the front yard.

Alton's First Popsicle

Alton started summer off the right way - with his first Popsicle!

And then a bath. :)

Eating Yogurt

Dad let Alton feed himself!

First Day of Summer Part 2

After we saw Maxwell off to Clear Creek,

I drove Jonah and H to soccer camp.

Jonah wasn't crazy about going, but he agreed to

go with his friend. I think he had fun, but once H

started summer school Jonah was finished with camp.

Alton went along to drop the kids off at soccer.

(Today he said "ball" - his first word!!!)

After Clear Creek Camp and soccer camp

came band camp! Bentley had beginning band class

at the Jr. High in June to prepare for 7th grade band.

He is playing the trombone - just like Mike and Greg.

While Bentley was at camp, Mindy, Jonah, Ruby, Milo,

and I had a picnic at the park next to the school and the

kids played on the really cool toys.

Our first day of summer was anything but slow!

The First Day of Summer Part 1

Maxwell and his friends signed up to go to 5th

grade camp the very first week of summer.

There was no "boys only" week this year, 

so they had to go when girls would be there!

That was a pretty scary thought for them.

Here's Maxwell - all ready to go Monday morning.

Mindy, Ruby, Milo, and Jonah came along to see
him off (2 wore pjs and 1 wore a ninja hood).

Maxwell and friends - each in a different color group

(they do that on purpose so the kids make new friends).

Activities for the week include:

Mountain Hike, Winter Quarters, Aquatic Life,

Rocks, Trees, Range Plants, Flowers,

Discovery Hike, Animal Trapper.

It's supposed to be fun, but it's still school. :)

A rotten twist of fate had every one of Maxwell's friends

(even the girls) on the other bus. This is where I got nervous.

He said that about half way there he started to talk to

the other kids on his bus.

And they're off!

Bentley's departure from Clear Creek last year is Here.

Primary Art

 Milo brought this cute picture home from Primary

the Sunday after school got out. 

I love his art work, but I've got to say that the first

thing I though of when I saw the kids' faces was

"The Empty Child" episode of Dr. Who with

the gas mask people. Yes? Or is it just me?

Summer Books and Boxes

A few years ago, we started giving each of the kids a book

on the last day of school. Most of them like the tradition. :)

Alton - The Going to Bed Book by Sandra Boynton

Bentley - The Greatest Baseball Stories Ever Told by Jeff Silverman

Milo - The Classic Tales of Brer Rabbit by Joel Chandler Harris

Maxwell - Origami Yoda Art2 D2 by Tom Angelberger

Ruby - Never Girls #1 by Kiki Thorpe

Jonah - Brotherband Chronicles #2 by John Flanagan

The best part for Alton was the box the books came in.

Last Day of School 2014!

Bentley and Maxwell had a common day, which means that

the entire student body went to school at the same time.

They went at 8:00 am and came home at 9:30.
It was Bentley's last day of elementary school!!!

Ruby and Jonah had a regular start time - 8:30 am.

They got to come home at 10:00.

Jonah and his teacher

(who let him read almost whenever he wanted to).

Ruby and her teacher 

(who really loves each of her students - and we love her).

Milo and Alton - this year's "stay-at-home-club."

Alton has changed a lot since September!

And here's the stay at home club a few years ago -

I'm so glad that summer finally arrived,
and that I get to have ALL the kids "stay-at-home."

White Elephant

After a long day of assemblies, graduations,

and hair cuts, I was ready for bed.

And then Max reminded me that he needed a

white elephant gift for the last day of school.

We searched online for a simple origami

elephant, and he folded one, added some

Hershey's kisses, and we wrapped it up.

In the exchange the next day, he got a box
of chocolates with a bite taken out of all but one,
along with a note explaining that the giver got
hungry on the way to school.

Buzz, buzz

Maxwell spent the entire school year growing out his hair

(with a few minor trims at his mom's insistence). 

The night before the last day of school, we buzzed him!

He hoped to surprise everyone in his class - it did!

His teacher asked the "new student" to introduce himself.

His hair had been soooo long.

John, Jonah, and Milo also got their hair cut short.

They were definitely summer-ready.

Goofy kids. :)