MiSS KwinLee Is TurnIng 10

10 years ago we were getting to meet our first and only baby girl. Our little "Tootsie Bella". I can't believe how time goes by so fast. I am not kidding, it seems not long ago those cute little chubby cheeks holding up tiny little glasses were toddling around the house. Now I have a little girl who is turning into a young woman before my eyes.
And to prove it, this year she asked that I get rid of the "little girl" decor and redo her room to be more "modern and age appropriate". I surprised her with her new room and she loved it, she even thought the big paint spots on her carpet were cool (but they will be going out with the carpet!)
Mike and I love, love, love this talented, brilliant, soft hearted, fun little girl (yep that is what she will always be to us).
Happy big decade Angel Baby, Tootsie Bella, Ninnee, Sissy Bear, and (AKA) KwinLee Elizabeth... We love you so much!

LaBor dAy

What a weekend. Saturday evening we headed over to White Sulphur Springs to stay with Mike's family and to spend some time with Buzz and Sharon and their family. The first night brought Mike and I to Jello Wrestling. Waste of good jello if you ask me. I thought that was the one thing we haven't used jello for :) Sunday we went to church and then had a great lunch, followed by a wonderful nap, and then some good visiting and music. Then Mike and I went out on the streets and danced until we thought the carriage would turn into the pumpkin or when those around us had become consumed by "the drink". Monday led us not only into Labor Day, but it was Spencer's 9th Birthday as well. His Grandma Diane made him a great breakfast, he and his sister rode their bikes in the big parade, he went to the rodeo, and then he shared a bunch of cake with family and friends at the park. It was a good day for him and he let us know several times. For his birthday he got a new vest and he wanted his room changed up a bit from the little boy stuff to the more "cool" stuff. So he picked out a new beadspread and we put some things together for him.
At the Rodeo Hyrum rode a sheep. He did pretty good, except his mom missed a few shots coming out of the chutes because the announcer and clown were giving her a bad time and distracting her! He was so excited when he got a dollar and a soda pop. It made his day.

SchOOl BeGinS

The first day of school. The kids were so happy, Mike and I sad. But it has come and we will just have to face it. KwinLee is in 4th Grade with Mrs. Nyland (1 day a week she will be going to Peak), Spencer is in the 3rd Grade with Mrs. Martinelli, and Hyrum started Kindergarten with Mrs. Ralph.
Hyrums first day was only 15 minutes and he felt he was totally jipped. But we did get to do a messy project and take some pictures ;)
Now, for the first time in 9 years, I have one child at home for long periods of time. Except, his dad is already claiming him. But I can't wait to get some one on one time with Mike Junior (aka Reed)!

AuGUsT DaYs

The kids love to sleep on the trampoline. Reed makes it for about 20 minutes, Hyrum makes it until he gets a bloody nose and has to come in, and KwinLee and Spencer make it the whole night through. Not real enthusiastic when their mom comes and jumps on the trampoline to wake them up and take their picture.
We love the lake! The kids love to play in the water and the sand. I love that it wears them out.
We went to Utah last weekend for CaliChey's Baby Shower. She will be having Boston in Novemeber, any day is good except for the 20th. I have a movie date that night. We had fun throwing her the shower and spoiling her. While I was there my mom and I took the kids to the zoo and really enjoyed that too. Reed loved the baby giraffe, KwinLee loved the penguins, Spencer loved it all, and Hyrum liked the bats. My mom's favorite part was when the kids and I popped our heads out in the prairie dog tubes and became part of the exhibit. I loved that hardly anyone was there and also watching my kids react to each animal. Oh, and Utah was introduced to Reed in shorts and Orange Topped Cowboy Boots, Fun Times!

We HaVe To dO WhaT To GeT IcE cReaM

I took the kids out for pictures and then threatened them that if they were not good they would get no Dairy Queen Ice Cream. I just gave up and decided that I need a much better woman then I to take my kids pics... And they still got Ice Cream. We had fun though!

BrIggS FamiLy ReUniOn

We wore out the water, slept in a tent, ate by the fire, played games, drank home made root beer, and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. What a great time!

JuLy

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Where has July gone? It seems to be flying by and before I knew it, it has been almost a month since my last post. Here are a few pictures of what we have been doing since the end of June.
We went to the Air Show, celebrated the 4th of July in a grand way, had Aunt Steph here and enjoyed Harry Potter, Gates of the Mountains Tour, Swimming at the Lake, and even entered some things into the fair. We have been busy! Not to mention a lot of extra work days, Mike's surgery, and a Briggs family reunion (which a post will be coming soon about that!)