First Days of Summer Fun!

Well, summertime has officially commenced. The kids got out on Thursday. So far, so good. We have been trying to do some fun things with them every day. So Friday, Jeff was done early in the morning, so he came home, picked us up, and we went to the Ironwood Crossings park, and had a picnic, and played on the jungle gym with the kids, and had so much fun! I am bummed because my camera battery was charging, so I missed the opportunity for some really cute pictures.

Anyway, Saturday, we went swimming at my mom's house.

Sunday's of course are reserved for church duties.

Monday, my whole family went over to my mom's house for BBQ and swimming. We played pool volleyball (which is the most fun ever!) and played a little Phase 10, and had great time!

Yesterday, I gave Austin and Katelyn their first swimming lesson. I know, I know, they are 7 and 6, they should already know how to swim....well....I'm teaching them now! Austin is already going under, and loving it, and Katie is really close to taking off without any help. I predict that by next Monday, I won't even be able to catch them. Now, I guess I have to put my money where my mouth is!

Then last night, my brother got Jeff and Austin DBack tickets, so they went to the game together and had the BEST time! The sat right above the bull pen, so before the game, one of the players tossed Austin a baseball, and then he ended up getting the DBack's starting catcher to sign it. I've never seen a kid more thrilled than he was when he came home!

Here are the few pics I have of the past few days.

First round of volleyball!

KT and her floatie!

Enough of the pool already!

Yummy Hot Dogs!

The 3 Little Pigs all tucked in together watching their favorite....

Blues Clues!

AJ and the bullpen!

These guys have Rockets for arms!

I can't wait to see what the rest of the summer brings!

Sarcasm or Sweetness?

Yesterday, I was putting sunscreen on Katie right before we went swimming, and, I still don't know if the following conversation was 6 year old sarcasm, or adoration for her older brother.
Katelyn: "Mom, does a sunburn hurt?"
Me: "Well, it can hurt, it depends on how bad it is."
Austin: "I had a sunburn once, it hurt really bad."
Katelyn: "Wow, Austin, that's a great story!"
They crack me up!

Go Reds!

Well, with the end of the school year, came the end of Austin's baseball season. This was Austin's first year to play, and he played coach pitch. He was #5 on the Red's. He had a great coach, and a great team. They only lost the very last game, by one run (mostly due to the last week of school excitement). Anyway, I realized that I haven't blogged at all about his season in baseball, so I am putting the hi-lites on here.

Very first time up to bat, he hit a single (although it could have easily been a double the way the other team was throwing)

Waiting to bat

Tyler always wore Autee's hat while he batted (and never wanted to give it back!)

Austin running for 2nd

Darth Katie!

Austin playing catcher

There was a lot of waiting to bat pics

Come on pitcher...bring the pepper!

Daddy coaching first

What's a game without snacks?

Austin playing 1st

Playing makes ya thirsty!

Come on guys, let's hear some chatter!

Austin's last game was against his best friend Collin's (1st baseman) team!

Is it over YET???

The final "GO REDS!"

After the last game, we had a pizza/trophy party at a nearby park, the kids had so much fun

Tubular Dude!

Austin with his way cool spinning trophy!

Reds Finale

Austin with Coach James McCart (Thanks Coach!)

The true recipient of the trophy! I don't think he has given it up yet!

Last Day of School!

Yesterday was the last day of school. I have many mixed emotions about that right now, but overall, I am excited to spend some time with my children. Anyway, I took the kids to school for the last time, and cried all the way home (I was a little emotional). Anyway, I went to pick up Katie....

She hugged her teachers goodbye....

And came running for the car....

I stopped to get donuts for Austin's class, and of course had to get Katie one to bribe her to be good at daddy's office, while I helped in Austin's class....

Of course Tyler got one too.....after all....

Who can resist that face?

Austin with his teacher, Miss Slota.....she has been a wonderful teacher for Austin!

The Last Day of School Celebration....we took the kids to Macayos and ate, and ate, and ate, until we were all ready to pop...(or at least until we got home, and Katie said "I'm hungry)

Overall, it was a great day, and I feel very blessed to have had such a good year. I am looking forward to a lot of fun days this summer, and I know it will go by so quick, and before I know it, I will be back-to-school shopping! So have a great summer everyone!

Miss You Tatie!

I just had to comment on the most wonderful woman that I have ever personally known.....my sister.....Stacey Lynn. Stacey died exactly 11 years ago today. I can't believe that my life has moved on since her death. I felt so hollow after she died, and I couldn't imagine that our family would just go on without her. The only thing that has gotten our family through her loss is the gospel of Jesus Christ, and the understanding that she is out of pain, and happy, and that we will see her again. And the next time we see her, she will be whole, and not sick, not plagued with diabetes, not a thin little waif, but full of the life and energy she was before she got sick.
There are not many days in my life that I don't think about her.
Stacey was the BEST mother I have ever known....I am not just saying that because she is my deceased sister, she really was. She was smart as a whip, straight A's throughout BYU and she took the most difficult math courses they offer. She tutored some BYU football players, which is hilarious because she was only 5'2", and never weighed more than 100lbs.
She was wonderful with children, she always knew exactly what to say to build their confidence, and put them at ease, and made them feel loved. I feel so sad that my children don't know her face to face, even though, I know that she knows them and loves them.
She was extremely organized, no offense to my most organized friends here, but I've never seen anyone more organized in my life.
My sister was so funny, had a great sense of humor, and made up some of the funniest songs ever!
She knew the gospel, and trusted it....she was happy to meet her maker, for she knew the scriptures, and had her own testimony of the love of Christ. She suffered unspeakable things, that I won't go into for my own sanity, and had unwavering faith in Christ, throughout it all. My sister was absolutely beautiful inside and out! I wish I had a digital picture to download, but she died before I got into the digital age.
I can't blog long enough to encompass the incredible person that she was and still is. I am sad that we don't have her on this earth, but I know that she has been called to a more important calling. I know that she looks in on us, and that she loves us. I have no doubt in my mind that she spends every spare second with her daughter, who she loved more than life, and is helping her every step of the way. I miss you so much Tatie, my second mom!

Stacey Lynn Cope

June 17, 1966 - May 21, 1998

Kindergarten Graduation!

Yesterday, my sweet little Katelyn Novelle graduated from Kindergarten. She has had an amazing year, and thanks to the best teacher EVER (Miss Arnold), Katelyn has grown more than I can say. She really struggled in the beginning of the year. Katelyn is an extremely bright little girl, but she had very poor motor skills, and was struggling with writing and reading. We found toward the beginning of the school year that Katie needed glasses. Between getting her glasses and Miss Arnold's teaching techniques, Katie's progress has skyrocketed! I am so thankful to have had the world's best kindergarten teacher for both of my children (Austin had the same teacher last year). I am so proud of you Katelyn for sticking with it! I love you precious!

Katie with Miss Arnold

Katie with Mrs. Adams (Miss Arnold's assistant teacher, and every bit as awesome!!!)

Katie with her Pops!

The Darling Graduate! We Love You So Much Kapoodle!

I am very upset that I video taped the 2 most darling songs you've ever heard, and the entire class reciting the Preamble to the Constitution......I taped them lengthwise, and it downloaded on my computer lengthwise, and I have tried everything to turn them, but no luck. So, I am not downloading them because you would have to turn your head left to watch them. Bummer!

Well...I Never!

I expect this kind of behavior from a teenager, maybe even a spouse or a friend. I would expect it from an angry driver that I just cut off, but I REFUSE, and I mean REFUSE to take this kind of abuse from

my produce!!!!!!

This is the rudest tomato I've ever seen! I'm going to have to have a talk with our garden!

Father & Sons Camp Out!

Friday night was the Father/Sons (excuse me, the Priesthood Commemoration......something) Camp out. Jeff helped with the planning, and setting up. He delegated the best chefs in the ward to help with the meal, and said that the food was the best food he ever had at any Father and Sons he has been to. Austin had a great time with his dad, and playing with the other boys. I am really glad that the outing went well, that everyone had a good time, and that everyone got home safely! To any of the men that helped out that read this blog, THANK YOU! It really takes a group effort to pull something like this off, and you guys all did an incredible job!

Jeff & Austin

Matt & Todd hangin' out

Tommy kickin' back

Brother Germaine pushing Jake on the tire swing Austin on the tire swing

Is There A Doctor In The House?

Katie wants to be a vet when she grows up, but since we don't have any "live animals" for her to practice on, she needs some volunteers....so who better than.....
Her daddy! She listens to his heart to make sure it is strong....

She gives him a shot to help him "get better"

She even cuts his hair...BONUS!!!

When he is all done, he gets a lovey! What a great doctor/vet/hairdresser she is gonna be!