Playing catch up 2

April 15 - Here are some fun pictures taken from my camera from our Orlando Trip.  We had so much fun playing on the air hockey and pool table.  I also got a picture of Tanner standing in front of the cool condo we stayed in for the week.

 April 22 - We had fun going up to the Mount Timpanogos Temple after church and enjoyed walking around the beautiful grounds.  The sun was pretty bright in these pictures - poor kids having to put up with their mom's picture taking:).

Parker, Camille, Johnathan, Tanner, Bradley & Carter

April 25 - Bradley had tried for the past year or so to get where he could ride his bike without training wheels.  Unfortunately each time they were taken off, they got put back on within a couple of weeks.  He had a tendency to lean so far one direction that he couldn't keep going without ending up on the ground.  This particular day, he said that he wanted his training wheels off.  I told him that if I took them off they were not going back on this time.  He told me that he didn't need them to go back on and that he would be fine.  So I took them off.  I stood up out of the garage to put the training wheels onto a shelf and look over at my son going down the driveway.  He totally took off riding his bike within a couple of seconds of having the training wheels off.  I couldn't believe my eyes.  He was so excited!  Within a couple of minutes he was picking up speed and could start all by himself.  What a cute boy!  He was in seventh heaven.  After riding his bike for about 5 minutes, Carter and Parker came home from school and had fun watching him in awe riding his bike also.  We had to send a video to Byron to show off Bradley's new trick.  From that day on, his bike became his new best friend.  You could pretty much guarantee that if Bradley wasn't anywhere to be found in the house, he was outside riding his bike. 

April 28 - Tanner loves anything soccer and seriously is always found at home kicking one around inside or playing outside with one.  He has really enjoyed his first year of Arsenal and got to become very good friends with quite a few on his team.  Chandler Hughes is one of those friends.  He spends so much time with him since soccer.  This particular game, Chandler twisted his ankle on the field.  I loved how Tanner ran to his rescue to help him off the field even though he is a good head shorter.  Now if soccer teaches my children to watch out for one another and help others, then I am all for it.

May 2 - Byron had this picture on his phone on the progress of the new NuSkin building.  It seriously changes every time I go down to Provo and Byron can even see daily changes.  Pretty exciting to have it done.

May 2 - Tanner had a band concert at the High School called "Battle of the Bands."  I unfortunately had a Stake fireside that night with Camille that Hilary Weeks was speaking at (it was fantastic) so I couldn't make it.  Luckily Byron and the boys were able to attend.  Lehi Junior High and Willowcreek Junior High were there - so Cooper also participated in it.  I guess Byron ended up sitting with Jeff, Emily and their kids for the performance.  I heard it was really a fun evening with some cool songs being played.

 Cooper - top row second from left

Tanner top row 3rd from left

On May 4 - Tanner was invited to a Wii or X-Box party by Steve Rindlisbacher.  He has done this party a couple of other times but has won the boys over when he does it.  He had quite a few different screens set up where the boys would compete on a game with others.  Tanner had such a great time.  Tanner is in the red on the left.

Johnathan came home from school to inform me that he had won a bike - not exactly what I had expected him to say.  He was so excited.  I guess Ken Garff has a program at the school where the kids are entered into a drawing that is done every once in a while where you can win bikes and other items.  Johnathan was lucky enough to be the bike winner that day.  We headed on over to Wal-Mart so he could find one.  He had to spend $60 or less but fell in love with one that was around $20.  He opted to just get the more expensive bike and paid the difference.  He was so excited - I loved watching him ride his bike with a permanent smile on his face.

Parker was recognized for a Character Counts/Student of the Month award sometime early this year.  We got a cool postcard in the mail from his teachers - Mrs. Meyring & Mrs. Gunther.  He was chosen for "Being Positive."  The postcard reads, "Parker is enthusiastic about life and all things in it!  He loves to discuss great characters in reading."  So proud of my son!  The school took a picture with all of the kids that were awarded that month, but unfortunately I don't have a copy of it. 

Carter also was recognized for Character County/Student of the Month award.  His postcard read, "Our class did a pirate musical in music class.  Carter knew his parts especially well and put 100% into the music."  Love this cool boy.  The musical was so fun to watch.  Bradley LOVED it.!

May 13 - How could I ever forget getting breakfast in bed on Mother's Day from my sweet children.  It was mainly Johnathan, Carter & Parker that did it.   I totally felt spoiled that morning.  Johnathan's sweet card that he made me.  That evening, we went up to Melissa's place for a BBQ and some fun.  After dinner, the kids found four squares of cement that work perfectly for four square.  They spent about 2 hours playing this game together.  I loved watching.  At one point I looked over and Byron was in one of the little kid chairs.  It was pretty funny to see - Melissa and I couldn't quit laughing.

 Camille, Johnathan, Tanner, Mom Beck, Byron, Eric & Parker

 Bradley & Carter on the play set.

May 19 - Byron took these pictures while having a fire pit.  Love spending time with this group.  Bradley, Camille, Carter, Tanner, Johnathan & Tricia - anytime we are outside - there is usually at least one person playing soccer - here Carter is having some fun shooting.

May 23 - Sometimes Byron brings home quite the finds from the Employee Store.  This time, he found these pajama pants that were massive.  Johnathan had fun trying them on as they practically covered him.

May 25 - The Duplexes become a weekly occurrence starting in April or May and going until about October.  I love it when the kids are all so willing to help and work together to get what needs done quickly.  Cute Bradley is enjoying his new chair as he watches Tanner, Johnathan & Byron work.

 Carter & Parker picking weeds

We had some swamp cooler problems so Byron & Tanner got on the roof at Duplex B.  I love seeing my kids watch Byron fix something.  They love to circle around him and try to soak in anything that they can from what he is doing.  I am so lucky to have such a great fix-it-man around.  He continually impresses me with his know how and how much he can do.  Below we had a sprinkler continually get broken, so we moved it a little bit away from the driveway.

May 29 - These cute kiddos got to come and hang out with Bradley and I during the day.  Eli and Taylee are always so fun to watch - they are perfectly behaved children and Bradley loves playing with them both. 

This is what I found in the evening after the candy cannon that Kathy Urry had.  Candy wrappers all over.  It is amazing these children didn't throw up with all they ingested:).

Playing catch up

As I have gotten photos off phones, I realize that there are some great pictures I have totally skipped and want to add to my blog.  I am trying to organize myself better and in the process have come across a post it note of two funny things Bradley said last year that I can't forget.
On November 17, 2011 we had this conversation while Bradley was eating pudding.
Bradley - Mom do you want some?
Mom - No thanks
Bradley - Your fasting, I mean your starving?
On December 15, 2011 Bradley said - "Mom, How do you get up to heaven- in a rocket ship or do you drive?"  Such pure innocence.  Love this age!

Feb. 17, 2012 -  Eating at Wendy's with the kids - never know what fun adventures I will have with 6 children.

Bradley, Tanner, Camille, Parker, Carter & Johnathan

 Tanner & Bradley on Feb. 24th - Tanner's Birthday - eating during lunch at Panda. 

Camille got her drivers permit on Feb. 23rd - she was so excited after taking the written test twice to pass.  She did not take Drivers Ed yet, so her first experience with driving was in a church parking lot with me in the passengers seat.  I think I about had a heart attack - not because she is a bad driver, but because I cannot handle stress like that- having no control isn't easy for me:)  She did pretty good for a first time.  After that I told Byron it was his turn next.  He had Camille sit downstairs on the couch and went through the process of driving by acting it out.  It was pretty hilarious and fun to watch, but Camille was not amused.  She wanted to be behind the wheel and couldn't see how simulating the driving experience could help.  He did end up taking her out another time in the truck and said she did pretty good.  Since then she has gotten driving down pretty good.  We are just waiting for her to finish her Drivers Ed online then she can take Drivers Training which will definitely help.  I will not take her on the freeway - too terrifying in my book:).  Such a fun milestone to cross, though.  She loves to drive when we run errands and is very cautious, which is good.  I am now waiting for her drivers license so she can help me run errands or carpool children and herself around.  I have so much more compassion on my parents for teaching me how to drive.  I especially remember learning stick and how the car died a few times or how it would jump forward right before it died - fun memories!

Sledding on March 2 - We always look forward to sledding during the winter.  We love Centennial Park and the fun hills there.

 Carter

 Bradley

 Parker

 Johnathan & Tanner

Kids having fun together.

Tanner got braces on March 5th.  He has a darn tooth that is coming in behind his other teeth, so the braces will make room for that tooth to come in the correct spot.  He was really excited to have them put on, but after a couple of days was ready for them to be off. 

3-10-12- How could I forget cute Bradley's birthday dinner with Byron & I.  He wanted to go to Wingers since he loves their wings.  I love going with children individually to restaurants and this year is where we get to do that.  He had so much food between Byron, his, and mine that he got full fast.  Then the dessert came out and he couldn't quit smiling.  This piece of ice-cream was seriously huge.  He ended up bringing some of it home to share with siblings.

March 25 - My over protectiveness wouldn't allow sweet Bradley to sleep outside in a tent when the brothers all did.  Instead we set up the smaller tent inside and Bradley slept there.  Poor kid - hopefully I can over come this soon because he sure hates not being able to be one of the big kids.

March 26 - Bradley & I had our night out going to Chuck E Cheese.  It was fun to see how fast he could go through the tokens:).  He especially loved doing the raceway game - I had to manage the pedals while he moved the steering wheel.

March 2012- Johnathan did a huge project in 6th grade on the Medieval times.  He had to get a certain amount of points by doing different projects.  He was great at doing most of the projects all by himself.  This particular activity involved making a castle.  He used marshmallows and frosting.  It turned out really cool.  He had way too much fun eating this when he was done.

March 29 - Carter's cool solar system that he made out of salt dough.

March 30 - Johnathan loves taking piano lessons and is really good at picking up on piano.  He had his first recital and did a really great job.  He played the Hedwig's Theme from Harry Potter.  This picture is definitely a candid shot of most of Laura Long's students.

Johnathan's favorite part!

We all look forward to General Conference twice a year.  We try as much as possible to watch all the sessions on Saturday and Sunday.  I love how my children have started taking notes or will get excited to do the packets I print out for them.  Camille has taken a huge liking to this time of year and will be one of my best at just sitting there and listening to every talk.  It started out with amazing seminary teachers that required them to take notes during conference and pretty much created a love from that.  We usually watch the sessions on Saturday at home then go up to Grandpa & Grandma Beck's house on Sunday after the first session. 

Parker in blue and Carter in brown taking notes or doing their conference packets.  Bradley has really taken to his packet this year and loves doing it.

Johnathan, Tanner, Bradley & I during Conference.

Sunday enjoying some Grandpa, Grandma, Aunt & Uncle time.  Bop it is one of the kids favorite games to play - especially the pass and play part where they do it then hurry up and pass it to the person next to them.

 Eric, Bradley, Melissa & Parker

Conference time with Grandpa half asleep:).  So fun to watch Sharon and others throw small things at John to see if he will wake up - good times!

 Melissa & Carter

 Poor Eric with two kids pretty much on his lap, but I am pretty sure he loves it.

 We had our annual Easter Egg hunt while we were up there.  Sharon always does such a great job. 

 Bradley, Parker, Johnathan & Carter with their loot.

Melissa just purchased a home and we had fun going over and seeing it.  What a nice backyard that all of the kids couldn't get enough of.  The play set was an instant hit.

I always love the feeling after getting a haircut.  Bradley & I had fun walking to the park.  The weather was getting warmer which allowed more outside time - yeah!