Crosby's May-August 2016 Update

 Sweetness!! 

 While the boys are at school, Cros and I will occasionally go on a bike ride. He loves the walking bridge that goes to East Grand Forks and tries to find ducks to feed. 

 Showing me and my friend how big his muscles are!

 Shopping at Old Navy  

 Yet ANOTHER selfie with mom!

 Classic Cros being silly and entertaining 

 Whenever Tim is home, Crosby wants to snuggle, wrestle, or climb all over him!

 Cowboy Cros!

 "Mom can you write Casey and Tim on my hands?"

Me: "Sure hon, why?"

Cros: "That way if you guys die, I won't forget your names!"

Cros is fearless on his strider bike! 

Because his older brothers are so physical and daring, I sometimes forget that Crosby has some of that in him too!

Crosbyisms from the past couple of months:

-"Mom can I tell you a question?" He phrases it like this all the time!

-While praying "Lord, help you for today."

-Crosby does not like hair cuts. He looks at his reflection in the mirror and freaks out. Last time after a couple of days he asked me "Mom, did my hair cut go away yet?"

-I gave him a cold grilled cheese the other day and he said, "Mom, can you hot this up?"

-Me: "Crosby, do you want to play soccer this year?"
Cros: "Will I get to wear cleats?"
Me: "Yes"
Cros: "Then yes, I want to play."
Me: "Cros, you know that you can wear your cleats whenever you want, right?"
Cros: "Oh!!! Okay, then I don't want to play soccer!"

-He has begged me to do a gymnastics class for a year now so we are going to let him take one this fall while the brothers are in school. He is soooo excited! He has also asked for  cooking class!!!:)-

Carter's May-August 2016 Update

 Still loves to organize legos and other things!

Carter: "Just so you know, some people who have names that begin with "M" and "D" said that they would help me and they are definitely NOT helping me!" 

 Showing me his school artwork! 

 Playground Stud

 Bed head!!

 He asked Tim to shave a "C" in his head during his last haircut:)

Carts definitely does not appreciate all of my hugs and kisses!

"Hey Mom, this is what you do when you like a girl!"

Carter is soooo strong and turns everything into a ninja training course

Carter's classic "dance move"

Carter got roller blades for his birthday and he's been practicing!

Carterisms from the past couple of months:
-He LOVES playing Pokemon Go!

-He requested to wear a bow tie at the two formal events we went to this summer.

-While I was heading out the door to a Carrie Underwood concert...
Carter: "Mom, can I go to the concert with you?"
Me: "No hon, it's GIRLS NIGHT!"
Carter: "But I love Harry Underwood."

-One day after lunch I told the boys we were going to have rest time so they could get some energy for flag football.
Carter: "Mom, we do NOT need rest time to get energy. We are boys. We just have it All. The. Time. (brief pause)...Ahhhh I get it! You are the one that needs us to rest so YOU can get some energy!"

In the shower one night...
Carter: "Dad, why is my p*ni$ so small right now?"
Tim: "Well, you are cold, so it gets smaller."
Carter: "Imagine if I lived in the desert!!"

Carter: "Mom, can I play Pokemon Go when we get into town?"
Me: "At some point but not if you keep asking every 2 minutes."
Carter: "Mom, I'd never ask every 2 minutes. How about every 30 minutes? Is that a good time frame?"

Cooper's May-August 2016 Update

 Cooper decided to practice his karate/ninja skills on the neighbor's fence:( Which turned into a father/son repair project!

 Body Art

 Cooper is getting so much better at writing!

 Classic Cooper artwork 

 Cooper worked super hard at the end of the school year on his spelling and writing! 

 NJ selfies with Mama!

 Adorable...love this wild man!

 I'm afraid to say we probably have some big dental bills in our future:(

 Our Jump Man!

A NJ neighbor drove a Mini Cooper. One day Cooper ran down to meet her and tell her his name. Next thing I know, she had Cooper hop in the front seat and she took him for a short ride down the street. I was a bit terrified and we had a good "Stranger Danger" talk afterwards but thankfully she was a nice lady. After the cruise, Cooper asked her if she loved Jesus:)

Cooper is so strong and is always jumping, hanging and climbing.

Cooperisms from the past couple of months:

-While we were in NJ, Cooper initiated conversations with countless people, asking them if they knew about Jesus. It has been so sweet seeing his heart grow for people.

-While at the beach one day, he asked Tim if they could talk with a fisherman about Jesus. The man's name was Jesus and he in fact already knew and loved Jesus. Made for a good conversation though!

-While watching part of So You Think You Can Dance Cooper said, "Wow! That kid is amazing. He knows how to master a lady!!"

-When getting ready for a wedding this summer he put on a bow tie. After looking in the mirror he said, "I look amazing! I'm going to starve those girls!!" Not sure where he got that one from!

-Coops is always making up words.

-He is super bummed that none of his best friends will be with him in the 1st grade. His kindergarten teacher specifically asked that they all be separated:)

Vacation Bible School-Secret Agents

Our kids look forward to VBS all year long! This year the theme was Secret Agents so they were extra excited:) I was able to help by co-leading the Bible Memory Room. It's always fun but lots of work!!

 The only pics I got were from the assembly on the final day when the kids all sang for their parents. It's hard to see but Carter is in an orange shirt... 

 ...Crosby is the tall guy on the left with the green shorts...

...and Cooper is also on the left with the white shirt. They all got way into their songs!

Here is a 2 min video:)

Staff Retreat and Time with Family

 We had our staff retreat this year at my parent's cabin. Our team is so great with the boys!! They got lots of attention and it was pretty relaxing as we caught up, watched Olympics, played some games and ate lots of food! 

 Our team left after 2 nights and we stayed one extra night as my parents, Shannon, and her girls were all heading up. Before they arrived we took a little family hike...

 ...the boys wore protective eye gear:)

 The mosquitos were pretty bad but the woods are so beautiful! 

 When the cousins arrived we hit the lake for some swimming and playing.

 It was a quick visit but the weather was great and the company even better:)

Carter's Birthday Party

 Carter asked if he could have an Olympic themed birthday this year. He invited some neighborhood friends and we played games in the backyard and grilled out!  

 8 years old!!  

Tim planned some fun games including this "Alligator maze"... 

 ...egg toss game...

 ...and homerun derby (kids versus Tim and me)! After games we grilled out, ate cake and then opened presents.

 The boys from the 'burbs! Gabe, Tyson, Sawyer, Isaac, Coops, Cros, Carter, and Rylan

Trying out his new wheels!

We love you Carter man! 8 years has just flown by. You are such a great big brother, athletic, intense, creative, you include people well, and we adore you!!!