Ty's Birthday Party

Ty decided to switch things up a bit this year. He picked his two best friends to have an "Ultimate Day" with, instead of having a party! Dylan Parco and Dillion VonGunten were his guys! After picking them up, we headed to Target so they could each pick out their own movie candy. Then it was off to Inside Out. Not gonna lie, the kids didn't love it, but at least the snacks were good!

Then we headed to the pool, where we had pizza and mini-sodas (can you tell FOOD is what's really making this a party!)

Then back to the house for cake, ice-cream, presents, and playing!

(I'm totally lame and forgot to buy candles. So I used a 6 +1 motif!)

Love this cute boy!

Ty's Interview

Favorite Color: Electric Blue

Food: Steak

Movie: Game Plan or Christiano Ronaldo documentary

Dessert: Caramel Brownies

Game: Clue

Drink: Soda

Book: I Survived series

Song: Eye of the Tiger

Animal: Meerkat 

Best Friend: Dylan Posada, Dylan Parco, Dillon VonGunten

Sport: Soccer

Place: Spain (though never been!0

Subject: Writing

Favorite thing to do with Dad: Play sports

"" Mom: Go out to eat

"" Robbie: Sports

"" Jimmy: Wrestling him

Scripture Story: Iron Rod

Article of Faith: 3rd

Dream Mission: Spain

What you want to be when you grow up: Soccer Player

Worst job/don't want to be: A Builder

San Diego!

My dad used to say one of two things before leaving for work everyday: "If I could be anywhere, I'd be right here with you," and "No one feel sorry for me or anything..." It really must stink to have to stay home and work and miss all the fun all the time! Rob feels the same pain my dad does. He even uses the second line... but just like my dad, Rob has gotten used to it.

The boys and I flew out to California . . . they are seriously the BEST travelers! Three hour plane ride? No problem. 5 hours in the car? No biggie! It's awesome!

We stopped by the house to get my dad and eat (the boys were salivating over the Mercedes), before heading down to San Diego! My dad had a conference at the Grand Del Mar--we couldn't miss that now, could we!?

The room was gorgeous!

And very ornate--check out the gold-framed TV!

This is our personal hallway (still in the room)

pictures don't do justice!

That's right! The boys took a rose petal bath!

San Diego Temple

Grand Del Mar grounds

They have 5 pools--all perfectly heated! As soon as you walk into the poolside, pool boys are there to help you choose a lounge and take any orders you may have!

The boys were totally geeked out when they heard the underwater speakers!

Oh yes! Drinks poolside! I could totally live this kind of life! They made smoothies to order. I wanted something peach with vanilla yogurt and creamy. GOT IT! So amazing!

The outdoor shower

Living the dream...

July 4th!

Yep, it our annual pancake breakfast!!! This year, we had 93 people! We invited out neighbors, too...it was so great!!!

 That night, it was grill time and fireworks! We went to our friends' house for a little party, and then came home to light up the sky with our neighbors!

Nelson-Atkins Museum

I love all the cool stuff you can do in Kansas City! Rebecca and I decided to "culture" or little ones by bringing them to the art museum downtown. I have to admit,  I was SHOCKED at how much they loved it! Ty, in particular, was completely in mesmerized!

Andy Warhol

Glass labyrinth. We were laughing like crazy (okay, there were a few tears, too) when the kids would slam into the glass in front of them--totally lost and impossible to see!

This is Winter...(based off the painting by Giuseppe Arcimboldo). This was my favorite one. It was also Ty's--he's got such great taste! ;)

Monet. The museum gave the kids ipods and earphones. Whenever they saw a painting, sculpture, exhibit, that they liked, they simple pressed the number on their ipods and a narrator would talk you through the exhibit.

Look at Ty's face! LOVE it!

Friends and Family

My brother Jaron came out with his 6 kids for a few days while his wife visited her sister. The kids LOVED it! They couldn't get enough of the pool or each other! I'm seriously amazed. Whenever we're together, the kids set their alarms for super early in the morning, just so they get more time together. This goes on for days! It's really sweet!

Mary, Emma, (some girl), (some boy), Robbie, Ty, Seth.

Our amazing friends from medical school, Tamra & Ian Riter, came to KC for a mini-vaca! I love real friends--we went out to breakfast and it was like not a day had gone by with our being apart. So fun!