Riding with Dad

Here is the gang out at the old cow pond.

Emma and Andrew took a break to throw some dirt clods :)

Eli going down the hill. He sure is brave!

Ethan.

Ethan and Eli.

Emma getting her first riding lesson. Decked out in her motorcycle pants and Hello Kitty socks!

Andrew

Jeremy has passed his love of motorcycles onto the kids. Although I don't think any of them have the same passion that he does. At least not yet... Eli is getting crazy. We've got to get that by a helmet, and fast! He seems to be the most daring of the boys. Although Jeremy is planning on taking the training wheels off, so that might change things up a bit. Emma loves riding. She had her first lesson the other day. She doesn't quite have it figured out yet. But she loves riding with her "best buddy dad" as she calls him.

It's been nice having some cloudy, stormy evenings. It makes riding possible, even in this miserable summer heat. Jeremy is looking forward to taking them on longer rides when the weather cools off a bit. He is so excited they are loving motorcycles!

Happy Birthday Ethan

Ethan got a new football and Cardinals jersey. I had to pry him out of it after two days so I could wash it. I'm so glad he loves it!

Grandma spoils the boys on their birthdays. This year Ethan got his much wanted Nintendo DSi. He was very excited!

Every year the kids look forward to their card from Jeremy. He tries to pick the funniest or the silliest or yuckiest card he can find. They absolutely love it and can't wait see what their Dad has come up with!

Happy Birthday to Ethan! I can't believe that my little baby is now 11 years old. It seems like just yesterday I was bringing him home from the hospital. He is turning into quite the young man. I was looking at him the other day thinking he looks so much older. I suppose he is, but I don't know if I'm ready for it. He starts 6th grade this year. He is my responsible, first child. He is always willing to help and is so good with the little ones. Emma adores him. I am grateful for the fact that he is the peacemaker in the family. He tends to keep Eli and Andrew from killing each other. He is always there to intervene and make peace between everyone. How thankful I am for that!

He is artistic and he draws very well. I am amazed at how good his pictures can be. He loves to invent things and has a great imagination (sometimes too good!) . He loves football. Thanks to his dad for that. He is lucky that he is so athletic as well as smart. He seems to have gotten the best of both worlds.

I am so lucky to have Ethan in the family. I love my little boy, even though he's growing up. I can't wait to see what wonderful adventures he has this coming year.

New Mexico

All the kids by the lake.

My parents and their new house.

Watching fireworks. It was only 68 degrees. It was wonderful! We are usually so hot.

Hiking by the waterfall.

Emma and Eli sliding down the stairs in a sleeping bag.

Making smores and cooking peach cobbler in the dutch oven.

Skipping rocks on the lake.

Ramah Lake. It is so beautiful! Only 10 minutes from my parents house.

Emma attempting to skip rocks. She threw a big one right at Eli. Poor boy! She wasn't aiming at him, but she missed the lake entirely and got his back.

Eli and Dad exploring.

Taking a walk with Grandma and Grandpa.

Andrew playing ping pong in the loft.

Ethan was pretty intense with ping pong.

Emma was helping me pack her clothes. When I left the room, I came back to this. She had emptied out her drawers and packed everything. Such a helper!

We spent the 4th of July weekend in New Mexico, visiting my parents. They finished their house and are just about moved it. It was the first time we got to see their new house. It is so beautiful! The kids had such a great time. The weather was amazing. We have never had a cooler 4th of July weekend! I don't think it got above 85 the whole time we were there. We went hiking, to the lake, and to a waterfall. We saw Indian ruins and lots of deer. It was nice to relax and spend time together. We will miss my parents, but love to visit them.