And they're off.......

Watch out, 5th and 2nd grade!

(picture a word bubble above his head, like in a comic strip):
"I hate when my mom takes pictures!! Maybe if I do this cheesy grin often enough she'll lose the camera." (Fat chance)


(word bubble):
Doesn't my outfit look great? Are you getting all of it, mom?

Boy, I'm sure going to miss these guys home everyday.But at least now I have two things to look forward to everyday:

1. the arrival of the mail
2. the arrival of the kids

G Dawg

Here is one of my favorite campers ( I call all my kids "campers", even though we're not camping---it drives them crazy).

He is growing up so fast these days.

He recently discovered that pens and pencils have uses far beyond torpedos, carving knives, and javelins.

He knows how to swing...

and he's a great big brother

He also has really cool friends..

Can't imagine our family without him!

Seven months tomorrow....

In the history of babies, has there been a cuter baby boy?
We love you, Samuel James!

Baseball, Soccer, and the 4th of July

What do baseball, soccer, and the 4th of July have in common?

1. The King Family
2. Blog posts that Kelly is behind on

Ben had a great time earlier this summer playing machine-pitch baseball through American Fork City. His team was the Rockies (second year in a row) and he especially enjoyed playing a variety of fielding positions this year. Another bonus? The pitching machine doesn't throw fastballs at your face!

Samuel was especially impressed by Ben's baseball ability.

Now for soccer.....

Cass played soccer (first time ever) and had a great time. In her own words, she really liked the games when "we wear our shirts purple side out". Her skills really improved during the course of the season. Way to go Cassidy!

That brings us to the 4th of July, on the 10th of August...

Just for the record, we had a BBQ at R's parents' house and then we watched fireworks at our neighbors' later that night. Big spender that I am, we did supply our kids with sparklers (6 boxes). I wouldn't want to be considered unpatriotic or anything.

Whew! I'm glad I got that off my blogging chest!

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun

When life hands you three brothers to tease, torture and torment you.....

you must make girl triangles full of giggles and sillies to show them who's boss!

On Tuesday Cassidy hosted a "Late-Night Back to School Party" for some of her friends from school. She was the consummate hostess, diligently working on the invitations and party favors, and making detailed lists in her notebooks of who would sit where, which games we would play and in what order, and what snacks to serve. Here are the highlights:

Decorating and personalizing notebooks... and putting them in personalized gift bags that Cass made herself.

Tug O' War over the pool...

Eating mini-donuts off of a string, no-handers style...



Bobbing for apples was a big hit....(so many of the girls had NO front teeth!)

and we laughed ourselves silly with musical chairs, HSM style!

Then came painting nails and even some games with nail polish..

And finally, roasting marshmallows and getting all sticky! (As if the nail polish wasn't messy enough!)




Many thanks to Jillian, Kendra, Lauren, Libby, Kaylee, Adi, Bailee, Sammi, and Morgan for a super fun Girls' Night!

Fishing with Oreos

We went fishing at Vivan Park last week. This means that the children each held onto a fishing pole for about 2 minutes before pulling it out and deciding that fishing was not for them.
"Fish are friends not food", that's our mantra.

They especially detest baiting their hook. Well, everyone except Garrett, who wants to know what will happen to him if he eats the Salmon eggs.


But they did pose for some pictures.....

and again, I worked hard on my outfit and hair, like always.


Now for the Oreos......we didn't exactly use them for bait......

But they certainly were tasty.

You should try it sometime, fishing with Oreos.
Remember, light on the fish, heavy on the Oreos.

Miracles

I am so behind in my posts, but I hope to get caught up soon.


But today I just have to take a minute to say that miracles have not ceased.


Last night a young mother delivered a beautiful baby girl.
My friends, G and H, who have waited 15 years to have a baby, are being given this baby to raise and love as their own. I'm so happy for them. And for the baby.

And for miracles.