Tess!

Tessa had her long awaited birthday in September.  She wanted to have a party and a pinata. (It was her first.)  So we invited all the neighbors and played a few quick games in the backyard.  Here is the group singing to her before she blows out a candle.  It was a fun birthday for our social gal. :)

A few more fun pics of Tessa..when she says, "Mom, take a picture of me and Leisel."  This one shows a owie on the bridge of her nose where she crashed doing some "Ninja move" or Tessa craziness.  She often moves faster than her best judgement should allow.  It is a daily household noise to hear Tessa cry out after crashing into something or falling from something.

My sister caught this photo of Tessa with cousins at the cabin.  She is in motion falling into the pile of pillows...always ready for fun.

And Tessa loves glitz and glamour.

Despite all her Type 1 and 3ness, (energy profiling) Tessa can be a very sweet gal.  It is really wonderful to see her depth and good desires shine through as she is growing up.  

She keeps us on our toes and keeps things alive!  We are grateful for the dynamics she adds to our lives.  

I caught this picture as she and Lance share a package of smarties at the end of a fun day.  

Each year is sure to be a treat with Tessa.

Leisel's Day

Here is a sweet girl that just turned two! 

She makes us smile.

It is so fun how she enjoys the sweet stuff!  

Leisel loves Daddy and books!

Binkie girls!
Sometimes she really relies on her comforts and she's different than the other kids in sweet ways.  

Her little ways are a delight.

What a privilege to spend each year with her.  We love her!  

Summer Wrap-up

The Allen kids came to stay for a few days while mom and dad Allen took a trip.  The rainy August days and some sick bugs led us to be pretty creative with the acitivites.  :)

Our first homemade rootbeer attempt to bring to the neighborhood party.  

We love the Harvest Fair in our Stake each year and we were glad to make it to the County Fair too.  

We spent a day of Labor day weekend in Garland while Grandma and Susie made salsa.

BB Guns with Uncles

Boat!

The kids have soo much fun with cousins.

We even made dessert a quick celebration for Leisel's upcoming birthday. 

Activities & Outings

In July and August, we filled up the rest of the summer with activities closer to home.  Michael went to cub scout camp.  Here's a video of some of their den's skit from pack meeting.  I'm shaking as I record it because I'm laughing.

The boys had a soccer camp that Michael had to miss because he was sick.  But they both tried out taekwondo with Jared and really enjoyed that.  They are hoping to continue advancing and practicing at home.  This is a REALLY cheesy picture I had them pose for after they practiced in the backyard. :)

For my birthday we had a campout at the Clarks.  We had a twilight bat show from the old (100 year old) school next door while we roasted marshmallows.  The bats sent out a scout first and then a couple minutes later, 50 or 60 more emerged in turns for their night time hunt.

We made it to the Wheat and Beet Days Parade.

Olivia had her first sucker from the parade treats!

The kids were old enough this year to enjoy the firemen-style water fight. 

We also spent some time at the pool for swim lessons, exercise, and play.  Tessa got pretty confident in swimming (in the shallow area) and all the kids decided they enjoyed jumping off the diving board.

For the 24th of July, the kids and I enjoyed a free visit at Red Butte Gardens.  I was so excited to go and I was happy they enjoyed it so much too!

Leisel stopped to smell lots of flowers. :) 

A resourceful and rustic bench maybe Grandma can make at the cabin.

We had a special guest rattlesnake visit our lunch spot!  He left and then we did too!

We were so glad to make it to a few hikes with cousins and friends.

Battle Creek Falls in Pleasant Grove

Tessa likes to pose and ask me to take her picture. :)  But the boys have yet to ask....

The kids wanted to climb higher at Bridal Veil Falls.  I took the picture and then read the sign to them.  Something about "Climbing further is prohibited.."  Then they quickly turned around...such good kids!!

The little pond at the bottom of Bridal Veil was stocked with big rainbow trout and a few albinos.  So tame from kids feeding them that Jordan could pet them.  

Lake Catherine in Little Cottonwood Canyon

It was one of the cold and damp August days so we are a bunch of happy ragamuffins in borrowed longsleeve shirts.

I love these boys and girls chatting away as they hike together!

Even though it's fuzzy I had to share a photo of Tessa's dance class.  She has begged for almost a year, so we tried a summer session of tap and ballet.  I think she's the cutest girl ever, wearing tap shoes with my name on the bottom.  Sometimes we do relive our past a little through our kids.  

The kids love riding around the neighborhood and we also tried to get out for some family bike rides.  By the end of the summer Tessa decided she can ride without training wheels.  Since we finally took them off she has been zipping all over.