Trip to Denver

A few weeks ago, we drove to Denver to watch the Nuggets play(or loose to) the Lakers in the playoffs. I didn't bring my camera, but my sister-in-law just posted some pictures from that weekend so I can copy them and blog the trip!
We had a great time as we always do hanging out with family. We went to Megan and Aaron's new house to watch the game, swimming, Costa Vida with DA, and had a picnic and hiked around a lake up in Idaho Springs. We forgot how cold the mountains get and it was so warm in Denver that we were a little unprepared with warm clothing and it was a short trip! Enough time to eat, quick walk and watch the big boys have a competition lifting rocks! Whenever the Acker brothers get together, it's always a fun laugh...so competitive with their big strong muscles!

Nauvoo, Illinois

Every 6th year our stake has girl's camp in Nauvoo, Illinois, so each girl will be able to have this wonderful opportunity to learn about the saints in Nauvoo. I'm so fortunate to be able to go with them as only 14 leaders in the stake attended. 9 or my 10 active girls attended and it was a life changing, testimony building experince for them which strengthened my testimony too.
Each night we went to a fun show that the missionaries, mostly elder couples and some pre-mission age kids from BYU put on. The shows were a lot of fun, yet taught more about the Nauvoo history. During the days we were divided into groups and took all the tours in the city through the homes that have been built and redesigned to look like how they were back in the 1840's. We saw homes that belong to Joseph Smith, and Brigham Young, the stores, print shops, bakery etc. The missionaries tell us the pioneer stories, while sharing their testimonies with us, there is an amazing spirit in there that teaches us about their history and gave us a greater appreciation of all that the saints went through to bring the church here. We also went to Carthage Jail where the Prophet Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum were killed by the mobs. We did baptisms in the temple, took a horse drawn wagon ride and ended by walking the walk of hope. Words can't express how great the entire experience is and I can't wait to bring my family back here one day and have them feel of the amazing spirit of Nauvoo!
Derek is wonderful to stay home with the kids for the week and they were so excited to spend this time with him! As great as the week was, I am glad to be back home with my family again!

Zoo Day!

We have such a great zoo for such small city! They just opened up a new Tiger Trek so Maxi Hill and I decided to take our kids to the zoo since it was a nicer overcast summer day! Our kids got along great and each child has informed me that they have a new best friend! It's too bad we aren't all in the same ward...but you never know!

Neighbor kid swap night!

We have a fun tradition we started last year. Three families are involved, Heather and Paul next door and the Rogers across in the col-de-sac. We were all wanting to get out more but didn't want to pay a babysitter and worry about our littlest ones with a babysitter, so we decided to rotate months and all 9 kids go to one house for snacks, play time and movies while the other parents have a free date night! It's been great and the kids love it and we love it! Last Friday night was Rogers turn to keep the kids so Derek and I went to a reception for a ward member and then out to Johnny Carinos for dinner! We have only been there a few times, but it has been terrible every time we go...I wish we could learn our lesson, but the buy one, get one free coupon lured us in again!!
After that, I tried to think of something more to do...but Derek was reading to head back home. It was only 10pm and they told us to stay out until midnight so I begged him to go to the park and swing with me! Reluctantly he agreed! It was fun and lots of laughs as I forced him to take pictures so I could blog the night! Eventually the bugs forced us home and the Rogers were getting a little worried about Brock since we had forgotten to send an extra diaper...it was hanging down to his knees...and 11pm and he was wired...I bet they are glad we didn't last until midnight! Maybe next time...we'll be more prepared and can handle longer!
LOVE you Derek!

Father's Day

We are so greatful for Derek in our lives. There is no dad that has more love for his kids than Derek does for ours! I'm so lucky to have him to help me raise these 4 precious spirits! He spends so much time playing with them, teaching them, reading to them and just loving them! I could learn so much about patience watching him. Not only is he wonderful to our own kids, but he is a great father in the community, neighborhood, church and to extended family. All children...and adults love him! He was a wonderful father figure to our Sophie and talks about how much he misses her all the time. He is a great father figure to other YW in our ward who have spent time with our family too! I am incredibly grateful for the priesthood he holds. It is comforting, in the evil world we live in, to know that my husband has been given a worthiness standard by the Lord that reminds him of his role as a son of God and a righteous father. I am proud of him for living up to those standards and in doing so, being worthy to bless our lives with the priesthood. Countless blessing, prayers and guidance our family has been blessed with through the priesthood keys he holds! He is a wonderful example to them with all the service he does in taking care of friends and his church calling. He reaches out to many less actives and has a unique ability to help them see how wonderful their lives can be living the gospel. He has been a great provider for our family and works hard, but never lets work get in the way of spending time with his family!
We both are thankful for the wonderful examples our own fathers set and the strengths they have passed on to us! What a wonderful day to think of the great men in our lives and we have been blessed with many!

Happy Birthday Ty Ty

What a fun and busy day. We started out Ty's birthday with the kids participating in the 1 mile Rock N' Run at the YMCA! It was a really rainy day and so we didn't wakt up until 8:45am and the race started at 9:00...it was the most hectic 10 minutes running around getting everyone awake and ready, we also have Bailey from church staying with us for the weekend...atleast she can get herself ready!
We got in as the clock read 1:45....we pointed the kids in the direction and told them to run and catch up with the other kids! We are such miserable parents at times!! I was so embarrased that as we were waiting with the other parents I told them we just weren't paying attention! No only were we slackers...but we couldn't even admit it!!
But our kids are such good sports, they ran their little hearts out and Jaxson finished in just under 10 minutes(then we took 2 minutes off for being late) and Grace in just over 11 min(then minus 2 min). The worst part is, that for Jaxson's age group, the 3 top winners ran in 9 minutes so if Jaxson would have had parents that could get him there on time...he would have taken first place! Sorry Jax! Grace was pretty upset that they worked so hard and didn't get any medals or anything!! LOL!

Then we dropped off Bella at a birthday party and took Grace, Natalie and Isabelle(the neighbor girls) to the mall. Old Navy was having $2 shirts and Orange Julius was giving away free drinks!(Thanks Jenny for the fun websites)...well, Old Navy was completely sold out of the $2 shirts and OJ informed us that the free day was yesterday!! AHHH...ok, so far, luck is not with me!

So, next we went and swam at the pool, it was Bel Aire Days and the pool was free so we took all the neighborhood kids with us, after a spill on the bike and a close encounter with the police...we had a great time swimming!

Then Bailey watched the kids while Derek, Robbin and I went to one of our technicians reception.

After we got back, we decided to take a bike ride with all the kids(again in the neighborhood) and ride to the Bel Aire City Hall for icecream and live music. Of coarse, the icecream was gone by the time we got there, but the music was fun. Luckily on our way out...they had left over sodas and were handing them out for free so everyone got a treat afterall. Everyone was safe, but a few slips from Brock..first two on the wet puddled sidewalk, then on the table that tipped over with him on them, then almost out of the bike trailer as we were riding...I had to literally tie him into the trailer with ALL 10 straps...he couldn't even move..but better then trying to escape!

We ended the day with some one our favorite Ty Ty memories and singing him happy birthday! We miss him being here but definately have so many long lasting memories with him. He made such an impact in our lives and continues to do so! LOVE and miss you Ty! Happy 27th birthday!

Baseball Season!

Derek and I are both sports fans, but baseball is the one sport we have never really been into growing up. It is now one of our favorites as we watch our kids learning the sport. Jaxson has a natural talent for it and Isabella is learning and having fun her first year. Go Royals and Tigers!!

Great Friends!

We have made the best of friends living here in the middle of know where. The sad part is, we always get left behind. No one stays here very long, I'm just glad our paths cross while here in Wichita. Although recently we have lost great friends like the Michaelsons and the Gondas, there are some great families that have moved in that we have really connected with. While the Michaelsons were visiting again last weekend, the Smiths and the Johnstuns came over for a BBQ! It was a fun day, good food, good friends and good conversations. Towards the end of the night, the kids starting building pyramids...here are a few pictures below!



And before the Gonda kids left, the girls all went bowling! They are cute girls! We will really miss their family. Great friends and great testimonies and leaders in our ward! Hope they will come back after their year in Washington!

Thanks

It's not every day that there is a person kind enough to take the time to compliment you, especially on a subject that you know you are doing your best, but seem to fall short of your expectations every day! Yesterday we had a going away party for some friends at the park and spent a lot of time doing adult talk as the kids did their thing. One of the mother's was responsible enough to stay and play with her child, many times when were looking for our littlest ones, we would find them playing with this mom and her son. I should have been writing her a note thanking her...something I need to work on. Well, today I recieved an email from her that says:

Just wanted to say "thanks" for having great kids! During the playground festivities yesterday your kids were great to chase my son down and bring him back when he ran off, and show him how the slides and swings worked. So whatever it is you are doing as parents is working.
Thanks again.

I'll leave her signature off so as not to embarrass her, but what a thoughtful and kind person! She completely made my day! I hope I can look for ways to show gratitude for others like she did for me!

Gracie loses a tooth...again!

Ok, Grace has been losing about a tooth a month lately and is terrified of them being pulled out. After the first couple of teeth(which she had to be held down for) she now hides it from me until it's gangly! I can literally see her tooth move when she talks and when I find out about it, she runs screaming. I don't know why she's so afraid, it doesn't hurt her to pull them out...she just has a fear of it! So, here is the last tooth pulling caught on camera!

Survivor comes to Earhart School!

We LOVE our elementary school! They had a great fun day of Survivor. They wore different colors of buffs and competed against eachother in team building relays and puzzles etc. Jaxson was the first one sent to exile island from his class(however, they sent a member of the winning team!), where he had to complete a word puzzle to get back in the competition. They ended with snowcones(or just crushed ice if you are Jaxson who is still mostly sugarfree!) and lots of pictures. Brock made all the kids laugh as he would pull his shorts down and take off running for me to catch him!! HELP ME?!?!?!

Sophie's surprise party!

Sophie has been wanting to have a party all year long but we just never could find the right time and make it work. So, we decided to throw a surprise going away party for her! It was a lot of fun! Her school, church and soccer friends all showed up!! She definately went out with a bang!!