Messy Monkey Man

This is what I get for turning my back on Nathan for 30 seconds. No wonder he is so scrawny, he would rather wear his food than eat it. When I first found him like this I pretended to be upset with him, he just gave me a dirty look. I couldn't contain the laughter any longer, he too thought it was pretty funny. This one always keeps me on my toes and he doesn't seem to be slowing down at all.

Hee, hee, hee! Look how funny I am!!!!

Here is Nathan and daddy on their Saturday morning ritual.

Nathan loves to help mow the lawn, and vacuum the house.

Lets hope it lasts into the teenage years.

Swim Lessons & T-ball

Here are some pictures from swim lessons and t-ball this summer. I started the update and never got around to finishing it until now.

This is Gracie's 3rd year taking swim lessons with Jan and finally Tyler is old enough to join her. Jan and all the teachers do such a great job, the kids just love them. I was very nervous to see how Tyler was going to do with swim lessons this summer. He has always been a little frightened of the water, particularly putting his head under. We did two sessions at the beginning of the summer, but it wasn't until this last session at the end that things really improved. I am happy to say that he loves to put his head under. We didn't master any actual swimming but at least he is not frightened and will be ready next year to learn how to swim on his own. Gracie is a little fish and loves to swim. She has always done really well with swimming and now she is working on the different strokes.

Gracie waiting for her turn on the side of the pool.
Tyler giving a big smile while sitting on the "island" with his class.

Everyday we went to lessons Tyler would stand outside the gate and cry
"I don't want to go to swim lessons." Jan would come out and either carry
him in or hold his hand and go find the little plastic Bruce (shark from
Nemo) toys for Tyler to hold during class. As long as he had Jan and his
Brucie's,he was fine. The last day he told me"I love Jan, she's my best
friend." They formed a very special friendship, it was cute.

Tyler floating on his back with Jan.

Practicing his "Santa belly".

Gracie practicing her straight leg kicks with the paddle board.

Doing a little side breathing on her freestyle stroke.

Something she still finds to be a little challenging.

Tyler jumping off the diving board, okay, getting

thrown off the diving board. He did it one time the first week

and never wanted to have anything to do with it again.

However, dad came this very last day so Tyler did it to show dad.

HE DID IT!

Not real happy, but he did do it.

It was really sweet, the kids, teachers and

parents all cheered for him. It was a big moment.

Gracie patiently waiting for her turn to jump off the diving

board. This is her favorite part of class, after she does a dive,

she gets to do her "run jump" into the pool.

I tried to take a picture, but it was a big blur.

Gracie going down the slide, something Tyler was never willing to do.

T-Ball

We finally finished the T-ball season for Gracie and I having a feeling it was the first and last of her baseball career. We realized early on that Gracie was not really in to T-ball. She wanted to do it since several other kids from the neighborhood were doing it too. I personally have to say that I am glad to be finished with the 8:00 AM Saturday morning games. The very first game was wet and cold. Gracie complained the whole time she was cold and tired. The following week was then too hot. We never were able to get a game with a reasonable temperature.

Most of the time Gracie liked to look at her nails or play with her earrings rather than actually run after a ball. There were a few times she got in some good throws, but we had to bribe her with a quarter for each ball she got. I think she only earned about $2.00 for the whole season. Batting wasn't too bad, but she didn't like to wait for her turn. Plus, hitting the ball was a little easier than catching it. She had some great swings. I think it's just a little slow moving for her style. She has decided that dance, gymnastics and swimming are the things she would like to stick with and I'm okay by that.

Working to get just the right t-ball stance.

Look at that swing! Do you see the concentration?!?!

That is when the tongue sneaks out.

There's the tongue again!

Manning first base, gotta get that ball home.

Nice throw!

Gracie's 6th Birthday

I can't believe Gracie is 6 years old. It really does seem just like yesterday she came into this world and started our little family. We've been celebrating for almost a whole week! The night before her birthday, uncle Chad took her out for a special birthday dinner at IHOP, just the two of them. On her birthday, Marty took the day off and started the morning by taking her to breakfast. The phones were ringing off the hook to wish Gracie Happy Birthday, but she was already off playing with friends and showing them her new American Girl doll, Kit. This is a gift she has been anxiously awaiting for several months.

We had our last day of swim lessons and it was a special treat to have dad come watch. Gracie and Tyler have done great this summer. Gracie is a little fish and an excellent swimmer. Tyler is slowly overcoming his fear of the water and has made tremendous progress. After we got home from swim lessons, Tyler wanted to watch the video I had been taking at the pool. During this time I was baking the cake for Gracie's party. Marty informed Gracie (mostly mocking) that mom spent almost a month making the cake for her first birthday. Gracie asked if she could see the cake, so Marty started looking through tapes and found the one of her very first birthday party. We had a great time going back and reminiscing. We also watched the day she was born and several other important moments of her wonderful little life. We are so blessed to have her sweet little spirit in our lives and love her so very much. Sometimes she can be a handful with her strong will and spirited personality, but we still love her anyway!

We had a Camp Rock party on Saturday with nine of her little girl friends. They were absolutely hysterical! I had made a stage for them to perform songs from the Camp Rock "Final Jam." But before the performing began we had to make them into rock stars. We had make-up, body glitter, nail polish, pink hair and lip stick, what more could you need. The girls had a great time and so did I. We finished up the party festivities with the Sandgren family Sunday afternoon with a small family dinner. I have to say, I'm pretty worn out after all of this. We finally took down the streamers and balloons today.

Gracie, I hope you had a great birthday. I love you so much!

Gracie & her new doll, Kit.

They now go everywhere together.

Ever since the movie came out, Gracie has talked about

wanting to have a Camp Rock birthday party. I made VIP

concert passes for the invitations. Gracie wore hers for days.

I had a hard time coming up with the cake for

the Camp Rock theme. The electric guitar seemed to work.

It ended up being a lot easier than I was expecting.

All the girls after getting on their "rock star" make-up.

Rubee, Gracie & Rebecca rockin out!

Lizzy, Cameron & Rebecca

Cameron wins for best rocker!

She rocked so hard until she gave herself a massive headache.

Bella & Gracie

All the girls with their gifts.

Gracie loved all the presents, especially the make-up!

YIKES!! 6 going on 16!

Getting ready for cake.

Gracie, her new Webkins & her cake.

She almost had them out in one blow.

Gracie & Lexi.

Still rockin' on after the party ended.

Gracie couldn't wait to put on her new nightie.

She was so excited to match all the other girls in the neighborhood.

Now we can throw away her ratty Cinderella nightgown!

Dinner with the cousins.

Tyler, Brody, Austin, Faith & Gracie

Thanks for Kit's dress and her dog "Grace".

That was the first thing she said after opening the doll.

"Aren't there clothes for her to change into?"

The 4th of July

We decided this year for the 4th, we would take the kids to see the Balloon Festival in Provo at 6:00 AM. Tyler loves hot air balloons (all balloons for that matter, and kites, and hang gliders and so forth). We tried last summer to see the balloons at Antelope Island but they were all gone by the time we arrived. So the kids had been looking forward to this for almost a full year. For weeks, Tyler continually asked when it was going to be time to see the hot air balloons.

Unfortunately this day ended up not being so good for me. It turned out that I came down with a double ear infection, was terribly sick for about 8 days (3 days I could barely get out of bed) and didn't get my hearing back for almost 4 weeks. It was difficult but thanks to Lortab, I managed to make it through the 4th and went to all the planned events (balloon festival, Provo parade and the Miley Cyrus concert at The Stadium of Fire) . The next morning I went straight to the urgent care.

The family together as the balloons prepare for liftoff.

Nathan also really got into the balloons. He was a little

more expressive than Tyler. Tyler loved them all but was

a little overwhelmed and didn't show quite the same enthusiasm.

Marty & Mini Marty

We went to the balloon festival with the Wimmer's and the Jones'.

The kids were all troopers to be up that early.

Tyler & Riley together.

Cameron & Gracie together.

Tyler & Riley giving hugs.

All the Sandgren grandkids together for dinner at Grandma

and Grandpa's before heading off to Stadium of Fire.