A New Year

This is a picture of the kids on their first day of school which was Wednesday (Aug. 13th). This year the PTO provided lanyards for the kids to help the teachers get to know them as well as make the getting on the right bus a little easier. How do you like Ryan's homemade version pinned to his shirt? He lost the one they sent him. Shocking, I know.

Where is My Baby, and What Have You Done With His Curls?

That's it. They're gone. No more adorable, lush, sweet baby curls! I don't know who's taking it harder, Dave or me. I guess it was time though. As much as I'd like to admit otherwise, Phillip isn't a baby anymore and it's probably time for him to start looking like a big boy. Another big indicator that this needed to happen was that the last person who asked what "her" name was kept calling him "Phyllis".

Our Time With Kennadi and Kami

After the reunion we got to keep Kennadi and Kami Smith for an extra week. It was so great. They are the same ages as my girls (Kennadi and Sophie are two months apart and Kami and Maddie are one month apart). Here's an exhaustive list (or should I say a list of exhausting things) of what we did:

*Went to Grant's Farm and bottle fed the goats and saw the cool animals (Kennadi informed me this was the first time she'd ever seen an elephant in real life).
*Went to Faust park and rode the carousel.
*Swam at the Renaud Spirit Center pool
*Saw a movie (Surf's Up).
*Went to Six Flags (need I say more?)
*Went swimming at Alligator's Creek for the kids' swim team banquet.
*Went to City Museum.

Nauvoo and Carthage

The Pulsipher family reunion was great. We went to Nauvoo for three days and on the last day we visited Carthage where the Prophet Joseph Smith and his brother, Hyrum were martyred. It was so nice to have the whole family together (minus Kacey and Allie - we missed you). I'm so blessed to have such a great family. It was so nice of them to make the trek out to the mid-west for this reunion. We got to see some great shows as well as the Nauvoo pageant. We also did a handcart trek to get a very small feel for what the pioneers experienced. We also took a step back one day and went to a fun zone with go-karts and a big indoor play area. The place we stayed was also very nice; The Hyrum Kimball Village - highly recommend it, just bring your own t.p.. The only drawback was the oppressive heat and humidity. Thankfully everyone was a trooper. I think the kids' favorite part was just getting to be with all of their cousins and "taking care" of several frogs found on the grounds of where we stayed.

It's a Good Thing They're Cute!

The Top 4 Reasons Why Costco Might Revoke My Membership:
(This is all in the same trip, mind you)

1. Ryan, in an impatient attempt to get a drink while we're eating at the food court, dumps the soda all over Sophie and the floor.

2. While I'm mopping up the soda, Phillip decides it would be neat to check the effects of gravity on his soda and turns his cup upside down, initiating another need for a tree's worth of napkins.

3. Not ten seconds after I remind Ryan NOT to swing the industrial-size container of refill liquid hand soap, I hear a "splat" followed by Ryan coming to me with a panicked look in his eye and spilled soap all over the lower half of his body.

4. After checking out and proceeding to the exit I hear a weird rumbling behind me. Upon further inspection I see that Phillip has gotten into the plastic container of tempting strawberries only to dump them all over the cart.

Ryan turns 7

Happy Birthday, Ryan! Today you are officially 7 years old. According to you it wasn't actually OFFICIAL until 8:05 tonight which was the time you were born. Your sisters lovingly reminded you that since you were born in Utah, it wasn't official until 9:05p.m. Missouri time. Ah, the nit-picky-ness of siblings....Anyway, since dad is out of town today we celebrated your birthday on Monday before he left. You got a new Webkinz (the alligator, which you named "Ally"), and a very cool Indiana Jones Lego set (you're pretty lucky your dad is a sucker for Lego's and went out to make that purchase, or the version I might have picked would've been significantly smaller), as well as a new Indiana Jones Wii game.

We had your birthday lunch at Red Robin and I made you a birthday cake. I actually made you a round one with two layers (move over, Martha Stewart)!!!! You and the girls had a swim meet that night which was fun, but HOT!!! Your dad and I love to watch you swim. You also reminded me today that you never got your breakfast in bed, so I think you're expecting it tomorrow. It's sweet that these traditions mean so much to you. I hope I don't disappoint. But honestly, who can foul up Cinnamon Toast Crunch? - Bon Appetit!

I love this picture of you as a baby. Look how little you were! Look at those skinny legs! Oh you're so CUTE! I can't believe that was 7 years ago! I love you , buddy. You bring me such joy. You have a zest for life that cannot be rivaled. I know your enthusiasm and your social ease will serve you well in life. It's a pleasure and a blessing to be your mom!

Michigan Trip, Part 2 - South Haven

The first night there we enjoyed a nice barbecue dinner followed by some beach time at the state park.

Yummy burgers!!!

Bea enjoying a little pretzel appetizer while Maddie looks on adoringly (at Bea, not the pretzel. Now had she been eating ribs that might be a different story). I also think this is a great picture of Kathy.

Proof that Mike was indeed on our trip with us, if only for a short while. Do I detect a hint of a smile?

Summer lovin'

Happy family. Brian, Kathy, and Bea

I just love this picture of Doug and Joan!

The next day we were joined by Joan's sister, Donna and her husband Greg, their son Paul and his kids, Gillian, Keegan, and Evie.

Sophie, Phillip, Gillian, Bea, Maddie, Keegan, Ryan, and Evie.

Greg, Donna, Joan, and Doug

Gramma Joan trying to console Phillip after getting whacked in the head by a Frisbee.

Me, Joan, and Kathy

My handsome hubby. Sorry ladies, he's taken!