Calling All Avengers!

 Three years old baby!  This August, Klive spent his birthday at the Payson pool with the family, but we kicked off the big event a few days earlier with an Avengers assemble party.

That's one handsome Hulk Smash!  And I've got to give a shout out to Aunt Misty Johnson who gifted us a professional photo shoot for the entire party.  She's got skills!

  

 Here's the fruits of my late-night labors in Yaya's kitchen.  A complete avenger-themed goodie bar with a Captain America's fruit shield, Black Widow cookies, Hulk punch, Hawkeye veggie arrows, and Thor cheese hammers.

 Daddy led the kids through an intense avengers training camp.  Kung-fu chops, kicks and punches on Black Widow's punching bags . . .

 A little bit of Hulk Smashing through rock walls.  We even got the big boys involved in this fun!

 Lots of smashing . . .

 And crashing.

 A little bit of Hawkeye target practice . . .

 And the favorite game of the day, "free the frozen superheroes from the ice."  This game started out with water guns and soon escalated to . . .   

. . . some heavy breathing.

The kids finally got down to business and smashed the heroes to pieces before they froze to death.  Most of them made it out with their limbs in place.  Most of them.

 A giant water fight ensued.  Naturally.

Winn never minds getting tossed around by Uncle Andrew.  She's never really gotten over that crush.

 Pretty girl.  Never takes a bad picture.

 The kids had a ball tossing Thor hammers through the targets.

 One kid in particular couldn't handle getting schooled by his little brother.  What a poor sport.

Love this picture of Caulder.  It captures his natural awesomeness which is virtually impossible for most photographers.  Kudos Misty!

 Klive could only handle wearing clothes for so long.  He spent the bulk of his party in his superhero undies.  That's really the only way to enjoy yourself.

 Cupcakes.  The real reason I throw parties.

 This cake may look like a mess just thrown together, but it was a nightmare to create - Just ask Yaya Julie.  I should just stick to cupcakes.  Oh well, I just never gave up hope.

 This boy may be getting bigger, but he's always going to be my special little guy.  NEVER LEAVE ME!!!

This three-year-old knows how to knock out some flames.

 We wrapped things up with a pinata full of avenger goodies.

 We enjoyed a perfect day with all our best buddies . . .

We love birthday parties!!!

Happy birthday Klive!  You are my best boy and I will smother you with hugs and kisses forever!  You are wise and witty - more than any other three-year-old I know.  You sing Justin Bieber, Muse, and Imagine Dragons with mom all day, you have a knack for turning every object into a weapon or car, just like a real boy should.  Even when you get in a "mood," a snuggle from Mom makes it all better.  You are my biggest helper around the house and could probably run the place without any help from anyone.  You bring so much joy and smiles to our family, we couldn't imagine life without you.  We love you!!!!!

Genola Summer!

 Kolby spent some time working at the Nephi hospital this summer, so we enjoyed some much-need cousin time!  It's never quite enough play time for these two. 

 7 kids in one yard may be overwhelming to some great-grandparents, but not Grandma Sara and Grandpa Kyle.  They welcome these little hands in the garden, they break out the rangers and four-wheelers and even let the kids drive, and they sacrifice their beautifully manicured lawns and flower beds (aka Hogwarts) just to make this crew happy.

 Ditto for Yaya and the Babe's.  These are some lucky grand-kids! 

 

 June got in some serious softball practice pitching with Aunt Rylee.  I'm worried that Aunt Rylee and Uncle Andrew are still recovering from the "Annie-I-over" workout the kids gave them.

Aunt Misty (Johnson) took some beautiful pictures of all the kids for Yaya and the Babe's wall.  I made these cute shirts for the photo shoot.  Now that's one good looking group of grand kids.

 And the kids discovered a giant box of dress-ups in the basement.  I'm sad to say that I remember Kolby wearing some of these get-ups out in public when we were first dating.  Good thing he didn't get his hands on the box this time around.

 Who knew a big box of crazy D.I. clothes could keep these kids busy for days?!

 Thanks Genola cousins for always making our play-date dreams come true!

Summer Kick-Off!

 The girls finished up another great school year!  Winnie got a new dress and haircut to spruce things up for her kindergarten graduation.  She loved her first school year in Mrs. Westwood's class.  She learned so much, and we all learned she is going to be a perpetual social butterfly.

 It was tough to say goodbye to June's teacher, Mrs. Kent.  It was her last year of teaching and it was our pleasure to have her before she finished up.  These two were kindred spirits and June adored her sense of humor, her laid-back teaching style, and her love of horses and cowboy music!  Third grade will be hard to beat!

 Kolby had to work in Twin Falls for a day in June and we decided to tag along with him and visit Nana and Grampy.  Klive spent the afternoon snacking and snuggling with Gramp.

 The girls introduced Nana Betty to the ipad and their crazy hairstyle game.  

 We also reached a few milestones in June.  Klive kicked the diaper habit and never looked back.  Uncle Buck dropped a pretty penny on a load of big boy (stinkin') underwear as a reward.  Look at that big boy pride!  He's only had a couple of accidents, and mom does a happy dance every time she walks by the diaper isle at the grocery store!  We are a diaper free family!

 After a visit to the dentist and a bad report on his binkie-induced overbite, Klive made the decision to give up his pacifier, too.  Surprisingly, that was tougher than potty training.  He went a couple of days without it (hiding the withdrawals) and then he had a major cry under the couch because he missed it so badly.  We decided it was time for a diaper and binkie-free big boy to get his own big boy bed.  Mom worked her fingers to the bone on a custom-made avengers bedspread.  He is now a happy camper!

 We celebrated Father's Day with this guy.  The greatest dad around deserves a relaxing break from time to time.

 So we made him a back-rub shirt.  The kids take turns driving Klive's toy cars on Kolby's road map around town.  Fun for the kids and Kolby too.

 We celebrated the Fourth of July in Malad with Nana and Papa.  Here's a picture of my patriotic masterpiece - a jello trifle.

 The cutest Uncle Sam I've ever seen.

 Dutch oven chicken by the river.

 We had another visit with our grandparents.

Nana showed June a few tunes on the ukulele.  Looks like she's a two-instrument girl now.  Not a bad start to our summer vacation!

A Couple of Sporty Girls

 We enjoyed a spring and summer full of organized sports this year.  Both girls suited up for soccer as school started to wind down for the year.  Winnie landed on the same team (Green Leprechaun All-Stars) that she played with in the fall and she rocked soccer this time around!  She scored a handful of goals, ran like a gazelle and only shed a couple of tears.  She even decided she'd like to become a soccer coach when she grows up!

 June thought she'd give soccer a go this year too.  Her team was full of newbies and they faced an uphill battle most of the season, but June really learned a lot.  She became a fierce defender and eventually scored a goal at the end of the season when she got the courage to play offense.  

Before we knew it, fast-pitch softball season was upon us.  Mom was a bit nervous at the start of the season because these little girls can really chuck that ball, but June was a total stud on her team!  She played second base for most of the season, she scored a bunch of runs, learned to slide like a pro, and put Mom in the poor farm after I promised her 5 bucks a hit.  Her coaches were so great - I am amazed by all the new skills June learned.  I think she's found her sweet spot when it comes to sports.  Can't wait until next year!

June's First Violin Recital

 June's been taking violin lessons since September, and although I am a biased mom, I still think she's picking it up at turbo speed.  She played 3 songs at her first recital this weekend and didn't even break a sweat!

 I'm pretty sure her success has a lot to do with having the best, most awesome violin teacher ever.  Tess Halversen is not only an amazing violinist, but also the most fun, creative teacher ever!  June just adores her.

 Nana, Papa, Yaya and Grandma Sara all came up to support June.  I think they were pretty proud.

Can't believe how fast June is growing up.  She wore her first high-heel shoes to her performance and she got her first ever flowers from a boy - her Daddy.

 

Thank you Johnsons and Ivies for coming - it meant the world to June!