Smile? Maybe?

Every year, I try to take a family portrait. It starts off with the thought that it's for our Christmas cards, but I mainly want one just to preserve some memories. The Crack Monkeys are growing up so fast and if it wasn't for the picture sessions I torture them with year after year, I'd forget their baby-faced early years.

So this year's session went by relatively fast, since the sun was going down. And, after they got all of their silliness out. This is what happens when I ask them to stand still while I adjust my camera.

Bunch of goofballs, all of them! But, they're my goofballs, so it's all good in the end. Here's how this year's picture turned out:

Not too bad, right? ;-)

Happy Birthday, Ryan!

Can't believe you're 15 years old today, Ryan!

Happy Birthday to the one who made me a mom! I know we say it a lot, but Dad and I are so proud of you, Ryan! I can never find the right words to express just how much we love you, but I know our family is blessed o have such an awesome kid like you! You're growing up to be a fantastic young man, but you'll always be Ryan the Destroyer, my little chunk of a baby!

Happy birthday, babe! Love you forever and always!

Happy Birthday, Fire Pig!

Happy 7th Birthday, Fire Pig!

Dad and I often joke that we were in serious trouble the moment you started walking; there was a gleam in your eye as when realized you could move so much faster by walking, and you've totally proved us right!

From your witty sarcasm to crazy stunts, you've kept us on our toes and made us laugh. Your smile lights up our home and our hearts, and we can never stay mad at you when you drive us crazy. We've loved watching you grow up into the 7-yr. old you are, and are proud to see love, kindness, and happiness reflected in your very actions. You're our ray of sunshine, Jeff, and we look forward to the happiness and laughter you're sure to bring us in the future!

Love you, Fire Pig! Happy Birthday to you!

Happy Birthday, Mr. Awesome!

Happy 13th Birthday, Ethan!

From the moment you were born, I knew you were going to be different. From complications during your birth, to developmental delays, and learning disabilities, to an Aspergers diagnosis, through it all you've always has a great sense of who you are. You've taught Dad and I about strength, faith, perseverance, and unconditional love, and we're so proud of the young man you've become. We love you so much, Ethan! Happy Birthday, bud!

Happy Birthday to The Princess!

Was it really 10 years ago today that you arrived in this world loud and mad? I can still remember holding you and laughing as your angry cries let everyone know you were not happy!

The loudness hasn't changed; I can tell where you are in the house because your laughter and excited shouts echo. And, although we constantly have to remind you to settle down, I don't think I would change anything. It's part of who you are and we couldn't ask for a better daughter.

So continue being who you are, Vanessa; we love how enthusiastic you get about your interests, how you love your brothers even when they're mean to you. We love hearing you playing the piano even when you struggle to remember the right notes, and seeing the latest drawing you've been working so hard on. We love the kindness you show others and the tight hugs you reserve for me and Dad. We love you, Vanessa, and are so proud to be your parents.

Happy 10th Birthday, Vanessa! May all your dreams come true!

Conversations with my teenager

Simply Music Piano Party

Back in May, Vanessa's piano teacher had her quarterly Piano Party. This is what she calls the recital for her students, as to make them less nervous about displaying what they've learned. All of her students and their families attend, and she has games for the students to participate in. The last party she had us playing BINGO; each number on our cards represented a task the students were asked to do. For example, if we needed number five to get a BINGO, then that number required the student to play a specific song.

This recent party had the students doing the same thing, Jeopardy-style. Each student could pick the number of points they wanted to earn and did the task. Most of the students are more advanced than Vanessa, but she did really well in earning her 800 points. She's progressing very well and Miss Tonya is very proud of her (and so are Scott and I).

Lazy summer

This summer has been really laid back. I did have goals that I wanted the Crack Monkeys to focus on, but that hasn't panned out...as usual. So we've just been hanging out.

Ethan just returned from a trip to Ohio with my parents. He's becoming quite the traveller, and jumps at any chance to go anywhere. It was an adventure in an SUV with a broken AC, driving through cow country with the windows down. He can laugh about it now, but at the time, so not fun.

Ryan is keeping busy with sports camps. At the beginning of this month, he went to a lacrosse camp down in Provo at BYU. He was able to room there in the dorms with his best friend Isaac, and they had a ton of fun being on their own and playing lacrosse.

And this week, he's attending a 4-day day camp held by Tribal West, the local lacrosse equipment store. Today was just the first day and he had an off day, but there's still three days left, so here's hoping it'll spark his interest.

Vanessa and Jeff had been enjoying lazing around, swimming at the pool and playing with friends. They've also had to split their time between our house and Papa & Tutu's because they have friends in Copperton as well.

Oh, and we can't forget about the video games and hilarious videos on YouTube.

As someone who is an avid reader, I'm sort of disappointed they aren't reading more. Ethan seems to be the only one who enjoys it as a past time, but the other three won't touch a book unless necessary. But, they read during the school year, so I guess I can give them a pass during the summer.

I guess.

In the meantime, we'll just continue to enjoy our summer. :-)

Halloween Pictures 2008

Found some old Halloween pictures from 2008; made me smile.

Ryan and Ethan as Clone Troopers

Jeff as Yoda; trying to figure out what everyone's doing

Slightly grumpy and so done with all of this walking!

With their cousins Sydney & Collin

Vanessa as Belle

Just because

More recent pictures of the Crack Monkeys.....

Notice how Ethan can't be bothered to put down his video controller? ;-)

This sums these two up really well, lol.

Soccer!

Over the years, Jeff has shown a great interest in sports; I'm guessing it's because both Scott and Ryan are such fanatics to it that Jeff really doesn't know any better. He sits and watches football with Scott, and when Ryan badgers him enough, he'll pick up a lacrosse stick. But, recently, he's found his sport.

Soccer.

This kid is fast and he has some really good coordination. Maybe even better than Ryan. During this past soccer season, many of the parents from our team (as well as the other team) commented on how fast Jeff was and how he handled the ball. He had a really good coach, too; he was determined that the kids have fun while he taught them the basics. Jeff really enjoyed having him as a coach.

So now we have to wait until fall for the new season, and you can imagine the agony Jeff is in while waiting. He's outside almost everyday, kicking around his soccer ball, practicing and just waiting. And then, one of his friends comes along and they're off, and the agony of waiting is forgotten for a moment.

But, just for a moment.

Here's a video of his last game of the season:

He's not so little anymore

In the last few years, Ryan has really grown. Not just physically, but mentally and emotionally, too. But, physically is the most noticeable. I'm 5'4", but he's now passed me in height. I think the last time I measured him (about a month ago), he stood at 5'8".

My little chunk of a baby is gone, and in his place is a tall, somewhat lanky teenager that plays hard on the lacrosse pitch. It's great that he's finding his place in the world, even if it means Honor Roll every quarter or getting hit with a lacrosse stick (thank goodness for protective gear!).

This kid makes me proud.

{Just a few pictures of him in action}

Running towards the action

Tearing it up on the field (he's the one in the maroon jersey)

He dislikes doing face-offs, but he's really good at it, so his coach constantly puts him in there
(maroon jersey again)

Dancing!

Vanessa finished her third year of dance, and she had her big dance recital at the beginning of May. I really love her dance teacher because instead of competing, she holds mini recitals throughout the year, then has a giant one for her students' families and friends to showcase what they've learned.

When I first enrolled Vanessa, it was because she was a bit uncoordinated. She would constantly trip over her own feet and she looked awkward as she walked. Her teacher for the last few years, Miss Jessica, has worked really hard with her and Vanessa adores her! And, Miss Jessica is so proud when she tells me of the progress Vanessa has made.

After the recital, Vanessa asked, "You're signing me up for next year, right? Make sure you remember to sign me up, Mom!"

As you wish, Princess.

Picture Day

Before & After her big recital; so excited!

Dancing her little heart out on stage; so proud of her!

Let's try this again

Has it really been almost a year since my last post? Yikes! Fortunately, it's summer now, and everything has slowed down. I'm finding more and more free time for myself, so why not blog?

We completed our second year of homeschooling, and it was a challenge with Ethan. We really struggled to find a "groove" with him, and I don't think we really found one when the school year ended. He's a totally different type of learner than Vanessa and Jeff, so I was constantly scrambling to find something for him to focus on.

After our last day of school, I started researching "unschooling." There had been a few articles in the media about parents who unschooled, and so I was curious. And, the more I read (pros and cons), hubby and I decided it might be a fit for the Crack Monkeys. So we're going to try this for next year. It'll take a lot of faith and patience, and generally me "letting go" on a lot of things, but the kids and I are excited.

In other news, Ryan finished his 8th grade year and is now, technically, a Freshman in high school. High school. When did he get so old? When did I get so old? Sheesh! Honor Roll, as well. This kid never ceases to amaze me!

So  now we're just lazing around, enjoying our summer. The pool in our community is once again open and we've been taking advantage of that, as well as the bright, sunny weather to play outside with friends. For once, we have no set plans (just our annual camping trip to Bear Lake in August) for the summer; just whatever catches our fancy.

I love summer.

Easter 2014

Did our usual coloring of the eggs on the Saturday before Easter Sunday, but this time, Ryan decided he was too old for it. Sad tears from me, but I wasn't about to force him to color some eggs.

Easter morning, I had the family sit down and watch some videos of the Resurrection from LDS.org, and answered any questions the kids had. Turns out they had a lot of questions, so Scott and I spent a good thirty minutes or so talking with them. It was a very good conversation and everyone participated.

Happy to know they've been paying attention. ;-)