Summer 2013

I've been pretty bad at keeping up on the blog, so if your not up for a long post, stop here.  This summer has gone by way too fast.  It's been our first real summer since we've always been on year round.  It's got it's pros and cons but I really thought it would feel longer than it did.  Guess we were having too much fun!

As you can see we are still just in love with our little Mercedes if not more.  The kids love when she lays with them at bed time.  Her chubbiness makes her look older than she is but also makes us want to squeeze her more.  She's starting to laugh at us and smiles at us all the time!  Boy is that rewarding!

 We have come to love our local skate park but have to get there before the real pros get there.

We took a two week trip to Utah to see family.  We went to the new City Creek Mall downtown for the first time and played in the water features.

We took the kids to see Temple Square since we can't remember the last time we did.

And of course everyone fell in love again with cousin Whitney!  Come stay with us Whit!!!  She really is magical.

Mercedes and Poger have a real connection... Is it the car connection?

Kamryn didn't hesitate jumping of the diving board for the first time.  She even went on the big tube behind the boat with Corbin for the first time.  Ashlyn on the other hand swears she won't ever ride the tube again because she fell off and got sucked under a bit.  

We livened up the cousin pool time with huge water balloons everyone called their "babies"

We visited my brother, Jameson, and my sister, Carianne, in Provo and walked the BYU campus

We sat in the seats where Connor and I met- in the 1,000 person American Heritage class

Back at home Connor has enjoyed multiple 4 wheeling trips with friends in the ward.  He is in Heaven!

Connor turned 33!!  Can't believe how old we are getting!

Mercedes took her first dip in the pool, she enjoyed it, but I think she enjoys her baths more.

Kamryn and I had a little date one night and this is what she wanted to do...

Tutu and Papa Steve took us kayaking and Stand up Paddle boarding.  Dylan fell in love with the SUP!  He could have stayed out all day.  He even asked if he could eat his lunch out on it!

 Jill Moyer and I were crazy enough to take all 9 kids on a hike to Castlewood Canyon.

 We planed to enjoy a Friday night at the pool with the Mojica's when the pool closed due to lightening.  So we decided to play tennis.  Well, we played tennis in our swim suites, in the rain, and in the gusty wind.  But we didn't let that slow us down!

Last week the whole King clan went up to Winter Park.  We had so much fun!

We rode the free cabriolet from the parking lot to the Village

Then road the chair lift up to the top of the Alpine slide.  My kids cried because they wanted to ride the slide again!

And of course cousin time was precious

 Carianne of course was the favorite aunt...and ride

Lots of Mountain biking

Hiking

 (4 generations hiked!!!)

Horse back riding

 Hot tubbing- we maxed out the capacity even more than this photo and then attempted to play Do You Like Your Neighbor.  When we got out, the hot tub was only half full!  We also played sharks and minnows in the big pool.

 Polar bear plunge.  Nate- still waiting for my badge!

Biking- 12 bikes, two tag-alongs, 3 trailers- what a train!

Not pictured is a Fulford Cave expedition, yummy food, minute to win it Oreo challenge, playing Things, Carianne's amazing ukelele talent, early morning trail runs, far too many deserts for the good of my donut, more 4 wheeling for Connor, Cousin Emma's baptism, slacklining, kayaking, Stand up paddle boarding and BBQing.  Boy did we have a blast!  And boy were we tried.  Now we have just one week to recover before school starts!

Can't believe this guys is starting Kindergarten! (it's Corbin under all those dress ups)

And Dylan and I took advantage of a morning swim while we still can

 Can't believe summer is almost over.  

Father's Day and More

We had a wonderful Father's day!  Connor proudly wore his homemade tie.

I am honored to have such a wonderful man as a husband who is an amazing example to my children.  He is the epitome of righteousness in my eyes.  He also is an exemplary teacher!

I ordered and mailed my Dad's gift to my parent's house based on habit.  However, this year I got to spend it with him in person!  I am grateful for a Father who taught me by example that living the gospel of Jesus Christ brings blessings of all sizes.  

As you can see Connor got an awesome purple tie (I'v been trying for years to get him to wear a purple tie) and sunglasses since his got lost in the Atlantic (we did a leave a piece of us in NC!)

We also were lucky enough to have more visitors from Utah!  My sister-in-law, Kamrah, and her three boys came out.  It was a blast!  My kids did an amazing job of helping her little boys do just about everything.  So it was a win-win situation.  It kept my kids busy and it freed her hands, then she was free to make dinner for me!  Wahoo!  

Mercedes and Crew just 5 months apart.  I was awed that he would feed himself (remember, none of my children have taken to a bottle)

Kids "peeing" at the pool

 Playing dress up

Lochten loved the dumbo costume so much we sent it home with him. Kamrah uses it as a reward.  Hey, whatever works, right?

Caught Mercedes smiling in her sleep. I also love when she laughs in her sleep- a glimpse into the near future.  She did start smiling when we talk to her, and even a few coo's!

Mercedes loves her big brother.  She fell asleep as he was walking her up to her bed.

Saturday, Ashlyn and Dylan experienced their first swim meet!  Ashlyn was very anxious.  And that is conservative!  Somehow I slipped away and her coaches got her to get with the program (she shows more of her emotions when I am around.)  This is how she looked (and felt) after her first event...

 Her second event was in the bag!  She's been won over!  

 Dylan swam in 5 events, yes 5!  At least 2 of his events he swam up an age group.  He was disappointed he didn't win his first event (the problem with being so competitive and talented.) This was his first event, a relay.  As you can see the kid in front of him is more than a head taller than him!  (He's in the blue swim shirt.)  

But he did when his 50 freestyle race.  A good learning day- he learned that more rapid your strokes are doesn't make you faster than the guy next to you!

And to catch up from my lack of blogging...

Ashlyn is such a great helper that she fell asleep rocking the bouncer for me.

Mercedes first run with mommy.  She did really well- as in, slept the whole time!

I found out on accident that Mercedes will put herself to sleep when I "burrito" her and lay her on my bed.  I'm thrilled that is one less thing I have to teach her in the future!  Wish I could say the same for potty training Kamryn (a disaster to say the least.)  But no ones wants to talk about poop so let's move on.

Driving and riding the jeep at my parents house.

Going bowling at an end-of the-school-year party, somehow Mercedes weathered the insanely loud music.

 We went to a Southlands Concert with my parents.  We had a picnic and enjoyed the kids events- bounce house, carriage ride, balloon tying, dancing and face painting.  Yet another event we would not have even tried to attend without my parents help!

 We really are enjoying all the family that comes to visit us and getting to see my parents often, but I can say that I have deep and extreme moments of home-sickness.  I do miss my Raleigh!