Family Night As the "Anti-Nephi-Lehi's"

This week Tyler decided to have the kids reenacted the Anti-Nephi-Lehi story for family home evening. They made swords out of wood and colored them. Then Tyler read the story about the Lamanites who were converted to the Lord and refused to take up arms against their brethren that they may remain pure. Tyler had them march out to lot next door and take an oath that they would not raise there swords against their brethren. To remove any temptation they decided to bury their swords deep in the earth, just as the people of Ammon did. Tyson was mad because he wanted to keep his sword. In the end, he kept his oath and buried his sword with the rest of his brothers.
Getting ready to battle.

Them turning over their weapons.

Real deep hole Ty.

Easton didn't take part because he was waiting in the car for me to take him to the doctor. He had a rash all over his body. It turned out to be from a cold virus that he had a week earlier.

The canyon

A couple weeks ago we were going up the canyon for another picnic. My sister and her fiance came along. I have been taking a photo class and decided that I would try to take their picture for their announcement. I took them all on manual mode. I'm sure you will be able to tell on some of them.
Tyler thought that they should use this shot.

I liked this one the best.

This is the one that they went with. I'm glad they found one that they could use. I was very nervous taking them. I am an amateur at photography.

Tyler was a great assistant. He got to hold her purse.

The boys wanted to get in on the action. They posed with some little girl by the river.

Tyson had me take three shots of him by himself.

Our little Easton!!!

Easton has been a very unique child. He has tested our patience more than any of his brothers. He has been opening cupboards for a while now. We started to put elastics around the two handles to keep him out. He then started to open the drawers and pull every thing out. He has been climbing up on to every thing from the table to the bed. It scares me when he gets on the table or bed because he stands up to applaud himself and it always look like he is going to fall off. We have made it a habbit to tell the older boys to keep doors closed and chairs pushed in. Just the other day he learned how to pull the chair out and open the door. What were we thinking putting levers on our doors. We have to deadbolt the doors to keep him from staying in the house. The bad part about tall children is that they can reach on the countertops for things like knives. The funny thing is that when he gets older we will probably say that these times were easy. I know you agree with what I'm saying LoRee.........

Kayden Received His Bear.

Kayden received his Bear award this month. We have been so bad at passing him off that I plan to work harder with him in scouts this year. I also plan on getting those patches put on his uniform. I was never good at sewing, so I will try the patch attach.

This is when he gets to put a pin on his mom.

I had to make sure that he didn't stick me. Kayden is a little comedian and was trying to. If you don't believe me then look at that face.

Kayden loves it when his mom kisses him in front of all his friends.

Gone Green

This year we decided to plant our first garden. It has all been experimental. I went to a couple classes in the ward from the seasoned gardeners and we were off and running. We planted a wide range of plants. I bought a lot of starts. I planted green peppers, hot peppers, bok choy, spinach, lettuce, green beans, peas, carrots, onions, pumpkins, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, strawberries, squash, zucchini, cucumbers, cantaloupe, watermelon, and 13 tomato plants. I know that the list is long, but I had to let you know how dedicated we are to our garden. We have used lot's of stuff from the garden. Easton makes his way to the strawberry bushes the second he enters the backyard. The strawberries have never made it inside the house. There are some things that we haven't used. We just feed the cows next door all the lettuce and bok choy. I will try to can a lot of it next month for another first time. I have become such a homemaker in this new ward. One Sunday Tyler and the kids decided to pick a bunch of the produce and display it for all to see. Here are the pictures we took.

The Zoo

I decided to take the kids to few places before school started. We thought the zoo would be fun. It is always so wonderful when Aunt Kasi comes along. Some of you know how hard it is to take four boys to a public place. The question is usually which one do I go after first. Currently it is Braxton. They all did so great until the end. Braxton was mad that I wouldn't take him on the carousal. When he is mad all he does is plop on the ground where he is and cries. You have to pick him up and carry him for a while until you convince him to walk. On several hills he laid on the ground and screamed "wait for me" or "I'm too tired." I knew that I should have brought my double stroller. Kayden was such a great helper. He would go back down the hill and give Braxton a ride on his back. That is no easy task because Braxton is a solid as a rock. Thank you so much for Kayden and Aunt Kasi.
Of course they all didn't look when I was taking this. Braxton did because he is the one who loves getting his picture taken.

A albino alligator

Kayden was catching a little air.

At least Braxton only let it blow in his face.

Dinosaur Museum

I took the kids to the dinosaur museum for our first time. Every time we drive by they all get excited and roar at the building because they are decorated with dinosaurs. We had a great time. They ran from place to place. I think that next time I will try the impossible and get them to walk so that they can see more. At the end they got to make clay molds of fossils. I think their favorite part was playing in the sand and water.
I love their candied smiles.

I had trouble keeping them from climbing into the exhibit.

I love this shot. I wonder what was going through their heads.

Here they were pretending to dig for fossils.