Just Ducky!

It was killing me that I didn't add this picture to the post below. However I really wanted to concentrate on the outfit that I made and this picture is way to cute and distracting.
P.S. It has a clue to one of my new adventures on it.

I love birthdays!

Our Spencey turned 7 last week and just like his brother he TOTALLY knows how to pick a good birthday theme. He decided months ago that he wanted to have an Indiana Jones birthday party and he wanted to get Lego Indiana Jones for the WII to play at his party. I assured him that we could come up with something more fun then video games and boy oh boy did we ever.
I put this birthday party together for you Spencer my handsome, charming and witty seven year old because I love you and THAT'S HOW I DO WHAT I DO, UH!

HQ

The clues are chosen by the winners and the missions are clearly marked for all.

Are you up to the challenge?

The next day we celebrated the actual day of his birth as a family. We watched Harry Potter, had a picnic lunch at the sprinklers and headed into Cold Stone's for some ice cream YUM.

Some words about Spencer

Spencer is an amazing little boy that is not so little any more. This year my little man shot up into the air and I believe lost his last bit of baby chub. Which actually left in its place some pretty impressive muscles. I guess he needs them to back up his stubborn side.

Of course he is not all stubbornness he actually has a rather Teddy Bear side to him too. And I can't forget his ambitious side that gets him up every morning and fast to work on chores and learning bins. He knows what has to be done and is always the first person to finish.

I have a soft spot inside for this not quite little boy and it squeezes tears out of me every year that he starts school. All the way home for two years in a row the tears flowed and I thought; who is going to make me laugh, tell me I am beautiful and help me when I need it during the day? Really, he is that great!

You are a special boy Spencer and dad and I love you very much. Happy 7th Birthday!

Ants In My Pants

I don't know what it is but ever since we arrived home from vacation I just want to "GO". I don't want to be at home all day! I woke up Monday morning and just had the desire to go and do something, but what? Tuesday I had that same feeling so I did, I got up and went.
I took all four of my kiddos and we went to the Outlets at Anthem. They needed school clothes and I needed out. I knew this would become an all day adventure and that made me HAPPY.
The shopping was great! There were lots of great deals, the kids were happy to pick out their own clothes and I was out of the house. Of course there were kiddo perks along the way; snack machine, pizza for lunch, sprinkler park, playground and that long awaited trip to the Chocolate Shop. Believe it or not (I still can't believe it) going to the outlet malls and shopping was fun for all of us.

Wondering where Matthew is?

Warning these next pictures may play games with your senses.

In case you were wondering the ants are still roaming around in my pants and Wednesday we waited around for what seemed like eternity for the public pool to open and then we stayed until, and I quote, "We are staying until dad is home." And today we went to the dollar store, to visit my grandpa and swimming with Amy's Clan. Now my kiddos are all sleeping and they can't wake up until, and I quote, "Dad comes home".

Family Vacation - The Best For Last

6 Days

6 Hikes

14 miles

We are so proud of our little people. They were so great and totally up for the challenge. For six days we would wake up every morning and hit a new trail. Every trail was a new adventure and a new opportunity for us to build muscles and memories.

Grand Canyon

South Kaibab Trail

2 miles

Fossil Hike

1 mile

South Rim Hike
4 miles

Sedona

Doe Mountain
2 miles

West Fork

3 miles

Devil's Bridge

2 miles

This was an incredible accomplishment for all of us but especially for our wonderful kids. Every morning when we woke up we were nervous to tell the kids that we were going on yet another hike but to our surprise they just got in line for sunscreen and were ready for another adventure. MY LB and I were so surprised at their endurance, chipper attitudes and their sense of adventure.

Way to go kiddos you guys are the BEST!!!