Atene Reunion

We had a fun family reunion this year, with Russ' side of the family. We met at the park and the boys loved it. They could spend all day playing with their cousins and they did just that.
Evan loves the Merry-Go-Round

There was tons of food and it was good to meet all of Russell's mom's family. It was good to visit and chat and as always the food was fabulous.

Evan and Wyatt playing on the slide. By the end of the day Wyatt loved the slide so much he would slide down, climb back up (the slide), and slid back down. It was his favorite toy that day.

Evan tried to go slow for the camera

Lola and Wyatt learning how do dance from their Nali-man

Trying to get Lola to stand up in the grass. Lola is almost 10 months old at this point and still refuses to put her feet down in an effort to stand. She is just comfortable being held and even to this day she still refuses to put her feet down; she'd rather be held.

Peek-A-Boo

Camping at Dry Wash

Earlier this Spring we couldn't keep the kids cooped up any longer, and just had to go camping. We went to Dry Wash which isn't too far up the mountain. The boys were so excited to set up the tent and sleep in their sleeping bags. They love to camp. Lola hanging out in her stroller. She is a good on-looker and loves to see what all of us are up to.
Evan and Wyatt trying to chop down a tree

Their favorite part is always the smores. They love them. Wyatt is the funniest he always says he wants smores but as soon as he can he sneaks the bag of marshmallows and eats as fast as he can before he gets caught.

Enjoying dinner. Lola was a little less than impressed this night; she was kind of fussy but was a good sport about it. Her and I came back into town to sleep because it was still cold at night, but the boys and their dad slept out in the tent.

I forgot batteries for the air mattress and the ground was really un-level and rocky. Not to mention Russ was super sick I was so worried about him all night. Luckily the boys had a blast and Russ wasn't too worse for the wear. Lola and I came back out in the morning for breakfast.

Loving her hot dog bun!

Farm Days

Every couple of years our town puts on what is called farm days, it is a great chance for the kids to go and see all the farm animals, learn about farming, bee keeping, horse shoeing, etc. This year they also had square dancing, not automatic washing machines, and lots of other events. Evan and Wyatt on the tractor ride. The festival is held in May however this year we had a late spring and while we were there it managed, to rain, snow, hail, blow and be below 50 degrees the whole time we were there. We eventually had to leave it got so bad and the kids were covered in mud and soaked clear through 3 sets of clothes.

Evan and Wyatt played a game to see who could get the closest to the cows. They liked all the other animals however the cows they found intimidating. Wyatt got the closest by touching the fence. As soon as the cow turned around though he took off for me as fast as his little legs could carry him.
They loved the baby chicks the most. All the babies were adorable though. They had bunnies, piglets, kids, baby sheep, kittens, puppies, ducklings, and quite a few others. It was also warmer in the baby shed because of all the heat from the lamps in trying to keep the babies warm. We stayed there for quite awhile; hoping the weather would change.
Trying to be soft with the new baby bunnies They were amazed at the size of the mama pig. I don't think they've ever seen pigs that big before they liked the piglets but Wyatt was in awe.

Evan and Wyatt in the hay bail maze. I let them go by themselves to see if they could figure it out on their own and they did a great job.
Despite the weather they were great little trooper and said they'd like to go again next time. We can only hope for better weather next time.

Evan's Graduation 2011

Another great year of preschool for Evan is done. He has loved Lana's preschool but this next year he gets to go to kindergarten. Last year he was super excited this year he was excited to do his program, but didn't like all the fan fare like he did last year. My little graduate Waiting to start. The kids in his class were so little this year he was quite a bit taller than all the other kids Cheezin it for the camera

Singing his brush your teeth song he learned during his field trip to the dentist.

For his program he sang "Little Peter Rabbit" as his solo. You have loved Lana's because you've learned so many new songs.

Showing off your diploma, which you tried to rip about 30 seconds after this photo was taken

Wyatt is so glad to show off his brother.

You were so excited graduation was over you hurried and took off your cap and gown before I could get a picture of you with your teacher. Mrs. Lee has been a great help to you and you've loved being in her class.

Family Garden

Evan has wanted to grow a garden for the past 3 summers now. I have been pregnant for the last 3 summers and have been able to talk him out of it until now. He really wanted to grow one this year and everyone promised to help so I decided to give it a try.

Russ was gracious enough to till up the ground. Pregnant or not this is hard work and I am grateful for his help. We decided to put our garden in our backyard which is full of weeds. I was not so sure anything would grow there but we decided to give it a shotWe have 2 big dogs so decided a fence might help deter them from the veggies. So far it has worked a little but I have seen them in the garden a few times. Evan and Wyatt helped put in the posts. Sweet little Evan hit his thumb a few times but was a pretty good sport about it. After we got the ground ready it was time to put in the seeds. Evan was so excited, their excitement dimmed a little when the next day they didn't "bloom" into plants. It has been a patience game for all of us.
Lola, as always a happy on looker.

Mommy and Wyatt putting seeds in the ground. Wyatt was good for a couple rows and then decided he'd rather play with the horses and jump on the trampoline. Evan stayed out there with me until it was all planted. He was quite the little helper.
Evan spaced out his seeds by putting a seed, then my glove, then a seed, then my glove, etc. He was very good at following the pattern. We planted corn, zucchini, squash, cucumbers, peas, peppers, tomatoes, watermelon, and pumpkins. All of which came up. Wyatt was helping me pull weeds last week and hacked off my only jalapeno, and the cantaloupe never came up.
Wyatt hanging out with Paco, and Stella. He loves the horses. I have learned a lot in growing our garden this year. First and foremost it is a ton of work, most of which the kids have not been too enthusiastic about doing. There are more weeds than I know what to do with and being committed to pulling them everyday is a struggle. Fresh grown veggies taste the best and I have had a sense of pride in my accomplishments, and that patience is the key. I have also learned that after seeding, watering, growing, pulling weeds, and killing bugs I still cannot get Evan to eat the wonderful zucchini he wanted to plant in the first place.

Graduation Day

Russ graduated this year from USU with his associates in Native American Studies. I am super proud of him and am excited to be one step closer to "ultimate graduation" The kids with their proud graduate
Daddy and Daughter. She has the tightest hold on his heart

Wyatt, Mom, Evan, Russ, and Lola. We have the best family

Russ with one of his professors at graduation. Sweetheart I am so proud of you and appreciate all the sacrifices and hard work you put into providing for our family.

Too Cute

CheeseWatching Phineas and Ferb, in the most comfortable position

I had the commercial for Coke with Lime stuck in my head for about a week, the one with the song "you put the lime in the coke you nut and drink it all up" of course the kids caught on and have been singing it since then and asking about limes in coconuts. We were at the store a month or so later and Wyatt asked if we could get coconuts so he could try it. I said yes hoping the phase would pass once he tasted his coconut milk. They were so excited but when we let them try it they were noticeably less than impressed. (this pictures was taken before the first dring) Luckily it worked and they stopped singing the song and asking about coconuts because they now know that coconut milk is gross!

Lola we love you!

T- Ball

This was Evan's first year of T-ball. He loved it, for the first few weeks then lost interest a little but it was still one of his favorite sports this year. His cheering section. He played for the white team and his coaches were the Montella's.This was his first game and first up to bat. Running for home!Playing outfield. You liked to play 3rd base or "pitcher"Hanging out in between inningsGetting ready to hitWay to keep your eye on the ballSometimes you lost a little focus and liked to play on the base; and forgot to run. Running for home. Run Evan Run!