August Birthday bash!

Dad got out of the nursing home just in time to help us celebrate the August Birthdays! Not to mention his 37th wedding aniversary to my mom.

Samantha really enjoyed the chili dogs. I try to teach her to eat with her mouth closed, but she doesn't listen very well.

Tyler and Niki just hanging out, probably thinking "please hurry things up so we can go home and play on my x-box.

Cortney found the best seat in the house.

Eugene and Brooke came all the way from Utah to help us celebrate.

Mom just loves Elvis.

29+ she ages so well. Notice dad in the back ground trying to help her blow out all those candles.

Kierra is 7 and getting so beautiful.

Morgan is 4 and finally starting school this year !!!

Each month we combine the birthdays for that month of everyone in our family and have one big birthday party. It makes it easier then meeting 5 or 6 times a month. In June and July there are literaly 6 birthdays those month's. We love eah other, but face it 35 people cramed in one little room to have dinner and a birthday cake gets a little nerve racking. September and January are the only two months out of the year without a birthday. Chris and Leah will be changing that soon as their little boy is due in January. However they are moving to Nebraska this month, so we might not be able to get together every time. Were happy for them and wish them the best on their move. they'll be missed. They were our movie buddies. Any ways this month we celebrated Kierra's #7, Morgan's #4, and my mom's #29+++ birthday's. We had lot's of fun and managed not to kill each other in such a cramped little space. Even Dad made it through the day without anyone stepping on his toes. It was a great day! Although with Dennis and Chris' family out of town we were half less then usual. It's just not the same without them. They were missed. Even with 30 days to chose from trying to accomadate 35 people is not easy.

Activity Days!

We had our end of summer swim party for activity days! A big Thank you to Christine Jones for lending us her pool. Our pump is still broken and the pool water matches the color of the grass.I love being activity day leader. We had a perfect attendance and a few extra's for the end of summer pool party. What dedication! Granted I did bribe them with pizza and ice cream.

Alan (He's just so cute)

Just a couple picture's I felt were worthy of posting. That is just a little preview of what Alan does when I'm busy blogging.

The baby slips on water, and mommy runs for the camera. (is that sad or what?) I guess that's what happens when your child #6.

Just a friendly neighbor dog. That's as close as Shirley will come to having a pet. Six kids get's crazy enough.

Swim fun!!

The Mystery kid is our

neighbor/adoptive son

Kenny

You know it has to be hot when the pool water matches the green tile, and the kids still want to go swimming.

Ice Cream You Scream!

Alan is so much like his dad. They both love a good ice cream cone.
Mike's not quite as messy though.

Check out her curls! They really enjoyed their ice cream!

The part that made it in their mouths anyways.

With the temperature in the mid hundreds these days in the lovely Desert, the kids can't get enough ice cream. Despite the threats of never buying Popsicle's again because of all the Popsicle sticks just missing the trash can, Shirley (luckily for the kids) shortly forgets her threats and continues to keep the freezer well stocked with ice cream.

Family Night

10 seconds later

We look forward to family night each week. This week Tyler is at scout camp, and Cortney having recently returned from EFY in Utah just had to spend time at the mall with her friends, so our family night consists of the four little one's and Mike and Shirley. As you noticed Mike is in charge of the story, luckily Shirley being quick with the camera managed to get a picture of the kids actually sitting still, but it only lasted a few seconds as you could tell from the other pictures. Notice even our 16 month old is folding his arms? He's being a good example for Amanda who is not. Mike was also quick with the camera, as the girls and I were baking cookies. He was even quicker when it came to testing them. He is the poison control tester. He insists on being first to have one to make sure it's safe for the rest of us. He's so protective and thoughtful. We love family night and appreciate our persistent children each Monday evening in making sure we don't forget it.