My sister ROCKS!

So, post #300! Wew! I thought I needed to do something special. So, I thought of someone that I know that gives her HEART and SOUL to her friends, family, fastpitch diamond, basketball court, school work, horses, and just about anything else she touches. The sad thing (for me) is that I can remember when she was born! She will be 18 in the Fall and I CANNOT believe it! But, what she doesn't know is that I admire her, for everything that she is, does and believes in. Those that are around her feel her love and true generosity for others. She gives of herself in a second, and yet is always the last person to accept a compliment or acknowledge just how great she really is. She shys away from the spotlight. But, I think its just another Christ-like trait that she possesses. So Kimber, today you cannot hide from the spotlight (or my teeny blog), today I want everyone in my network to know that you are a FABULOUS pitcher and that overall, you ROCK!

Tink

We love Tink. We had Lindsay's baby shower last Saturday, and so we got to spend most of the weekend with Courtney who visited from Boise for it! After the baby shower we (just the girls, sisters and mom) all went to dinner! It was SO fun to hang out and laugh so hard! My kids were worried that Kyle didn't come, but didn't skip a beat playing with Courtney every second (and she's a great aunt!) they could! Seriously, she makes me look like a looser mom, these guys LOVE her so much! They always ask me to go to work like Courtney does...I know, she's just too good! :)

Anyways, we LOVE Tink now! Taelin especially, who now talks about her everyday! Talea (my little sister) got her a while ago, but Taelin has only enjoyed her from a distance until lately! Now, she's obssessed. We put a towel/blanket down b/c of the boys' allergies...so it keeps everyone clean. The kids rode and rode and put poor Tink to "bed". And both Taelin and Rylin balled and balled because they love her so much. :)

Monkey's on the Bed

Taelin loves to sing. Every night we sing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, and she sings most of it. But she surprises me everyday on what new song she knows. And when she explains why she doesn't like things, she always uses details so you know what she's talking about: "I don't like the shower, so I want a bath." or "Mommy a mommy, Taelin a girl, Chase a boy, Kelton a boy too, Daddy a Daddy."

soccer boys

Jacob and I both loved soccer growing up. And we're happy that these guys enjoy it too. Chase can't wait until he can play, just another season and then he'll be old enough. But to tell the truth, he can keep up with Kelton and his friends without a worry. Kelton has gone from aggressive on the field to wanting to play defense and goalie because of all the running. :) we're trying to break that with good old "incentives" for playing hard and scoring.

chores and cheez!

The kids have started doing chores and earning allowances! Jacob and I came from very different houses, but at the end of the day, we feel that teaching them money management is really important, and they need to learn that upgrades and things that they want need to be saved for and bought in time. A little self restraint never hurt anyone right?! So, our journey begins. I never realized how much I wouldn't have to fight them to help out. One morning (before we started this) Kelton came into me in bed still and said, "Mom, just wanted to let you know I woke up early and did the dishes." Me, not sure what that meant thanked him and when I went to get bowls out of the dishwasher for breakfast, realized he had emptied the ENTIRE dishwasher! What a big boy! I realized that I wasn't using his abilities to his the fullest. And let me tell you, chores were made for this kid. He asks EVERY day if he can empty the dishwasher! He loves having something to do that is HIS job and he knows he does well. Its been my saving grace too...don't know what I would do without this boy! Chase and Taelin have smaller but definitely helping chores as well. Its such a fun life lesson to see them accomplish everyday. And they get so excited on "payday". :)

The rest of the pics are our practicing with smiles for our soon-to-be family pictures. I really want the smiling "so all our neck skin stretches" to stop...trying to get them to feel different smiles. I know, strange I'm sure, but hey- it'll save time later right? and they were great sports.