We had a family reunion for my side of the family the beginning of August.  It was a ton of fun.  Here's the majority of the grandkids. Well, the only one missing is Cash who is only 3 months old.

But they were all over at the cabin at the same time and it was getting kind of crazy. I decided it was time to get them out of the house and go for a walk. We made our way around the block. 

We stopped and played with a pile of sticks.  And since most of the grandkids are boys.... they sticks turned into guns. Typical.

Just down the street, we were walking along and Cole noticed a lizard right next to the road, but in someone's rocks. So all the kids went over to the rocks and were trying to catch it. Not a minute later, the lady who lived in that house came out and asked, 

"Can I help you?"

Me: "No, we just found a lizard and we're looking at it."

Stupid lady: "You are on my property."

Me: "I know, but they are just kids and they are only looking at a lizard. We'll be done soon."

Stupid lady: "Could you please leave?"

Me: "They are just kids, they aren't hurting your rocks. You are 2nd old person to tell me what to do with my kids and I can't stand it. We will leave when we are finished so calm down"

Stupid lady: {Kind of speechless}

Me: "Ok kids, let's get off this grumpy old lady's rocks and go."

This happened about a month ago, so the conversation between us was something like that.  I wasn't very sweet to her because she was kind of ridiculous to come outside and even ask me that. We weren't doing anything.  

PLUS, the day before that, our kids were out in the backyard (of the house we were staying in) playing in the dirt and mud. The backyard didn't have a fence to distinguish the property lines. But there was a little 2 foot ditch and Caleb was playing in it.  There were about 8 adults on the back porch watching the kids.  Well, my sister in law noticed a neighbor watching us. A few minutes later, he stormed outside and started telling us to watch our kids.  He continued to tell us that there was a little boy "stuck" in this ditch and we were just watching him be stuck in there. And then he told us to get our kids off his property. I'm pretty sure there was more that was said because he was an idiot too and he got all of us parents mad for even coming over where we were to tell us how to watch our kids. 

**For one thing, Caleb was not stuck in the ditch and couldn't get out. He was playing in there and EASILY got out when he was done.** 

**The next day, that guy had put "No Trespassing" signs along his property line. Which by the way, our kids barely stepped over.**

What is up with grumpy people in Pinetop. SOOOOO ANNOYING!!

During my walk with all my nieces and nephews, Caleb was getting sleepy.  So I held him and he actually fell asleep.  I couldn't believe it. He even stayed asleep when we laid him down.

Melissa and the boys playing on an ipad. 

The guys on their laptops. You wold think we would take a vacation from work, but no, they brought work with them.

Kids upstairs playing on the mattresses.

Caleb being content playing monopoly by himself.

Tyke & Chubs

Tyke and Oo-ah!

Aunt Rachel keeping our kids entertained!!

The picnic.

I have been going to this reunion my whole life and have never seen water in this little creek.  Super fun for the kids though!!

This was funny because Ryan didn't know my dad was behind him. I was telling my dad to move his hand higher, but Ryan thought I was telling him to lift his head. That's why Ryan's chin is so high.

Aunt Sue HAD to bring ring pops for all the kids.  

It's tradition to ride the go-carts after the picnic.  The adults bought an hour pass and the kids who weren't big enough to ride by themselves tagged along for the ride.

This little boy has made a 180° turn the past couple months.

From the time he was born until he turned one.... Caleb was an angel baby.  He cried when he was hungry or tired or needed a diaper change.... that's it. He was such a sweet little boy and an easy baby.

Then after he turned one, he turned into an awnry little guy. He screamed for what he wanted, yet we didn't know what he wanted. He was hard.... not very fun most of the time. I hate to admit that, but he really tested my patience.  But it was those sweet moments I held onto, because deep down, Caleb was still that sweet little baby. 

A month or 2 ago, Caleb started communicating and we finally are understanding what he wants.  He has been a completely different boy. When we ask him a question, he would say, "OK"  Now he says, "Uh-huh."  Cutest thing ever. He smiles a lot more. He plays so well with Braeden and Elli. Mark and I can't get enough of him.  He entertains himself and is completely content. 

I can see him in this tree out the kitchen window and I was watching him while he climbed it.  He is a smart little one.  He pulled his bike against the tree so he could get high enough to climb it. 

Whenever the camera is out... Caleb smiles super cute and says CHEESE. He waits with that cute smile on his face until the picture is taken.  I guess he gets that from me.... I guess I liked the camera when I was little. ☺

This morning I found him outside all by himself. Perfectly happy being by himself blowing his bubbles.  

But today something happened that STILL has me surprised. I can definitely say that I believe in angels. I have seen so MANY miracles since becoming a mom and I KNOW that we are not forgotten and our little children have angels surrounding them.

But during church, Caleb decided to stinker in his diaper.  Instead of changing him in the Mother's lounge, I walked home because I had to grab his nursery snack bucket because we had the treat and it got left at home. The church is literally right behind our house. It's not a far walk at all. But after I changed Caleb's diaper, I was grabbing the bucket and I heard Caleb calling my name.  It took me a couple minutes to get upstairs after I heard him call my name.  Once I got upstairs, I was calling Caleb and he didn't answer.  The garage door was open so I ran outside and yelled him name, but I didn't see him. I panicked and ran back inside yelling his name and then checked in the back yard. Still no Caleb. I ran back to the front even more nervous now and decided to run to the church to see if he was there. (I took my shoes off before changing his diaper so I was running with no shoes on the hot ground)  After getting to the church and not seeing him anywhere in the parking lot or by the door, I was praying my heart out (and the 2 talks I had just heard in sacrament were on prayer.... ironic)  I happened to have my phone in my hand so I texted Mark and told him that I couldn't find Caleb. When he responded, I had already ran back home. But his response was, "He's here" I stopped and couldn't believe what had happened. I asked him if he was serious and he said yes.  Then I told him that Caleb had just walked back from home to the church all by himself. Mark was so confused.  Mark didn't know I was going home to change his diaper. He thought I had changed it at church and that I let Caleb in to sit by him and I was right behind him.  My mom and dad were sitting on the back row of the chapel and saw a lady open the door for someone and in walks Caleb. Caleb had walked in, turned down an isle, didn't recognize anyone, turned around and walked towards the front, looked at everyone in the row until he saw Mark.  I was really confused after I found out Caleb was at the church. How did he walk to the church without me?? How did he not get hit by a car backing out in the parking lot??  How did he open the door to the church??  What were the looks on people's faces as this little 2 year old is walking in from  outside to the chapel?? What was going on in Caleb's little mind as he is doing all of this??  I got back to the church as sacrament was ending. I told Mark what had happened. I told my mom and dad. I was totally sweating from running back and forth (thank goodness it was a nice day today and in the 90s)  I had to hurry to the Primary room and lead the music.  After the primary kids went to class, I was telling the ladies in there about what had happened and one of the ladies said, "Oh, i was wondering why he was standing outside the church by himself, I opened the door for him."  So that answers that question. 

I'm assuming Caleb thought I left him at home, so he decided to walk to church because he knew his dad was there. So that's where he was headed. Such a crazy thing to think about a 2 year old walking by himself to church. So many things could have gone wrong.... but we were definitely watched over. So glad his angels stuck with him today!

I absolutely LOVE this little guy! I love our time we have during the day while Braeden and Elli are at school. He constantly comes up to me and hugs my leg and says, "Mommy" I love listening to the way he tries to say new words. He is so smart and knows what he wants. I'm glad he can finally voice his opinion. He is such a joy to our family and everyone loves our little Chubs. 

When did this happen???

This little guy has turned 8!! Or in this house, he is called Dude.  Caleb can't say his name very well, so Caleb reverted to calling him.... DUDE!!  So that is what he is known by in this house.

How old am I?  Am I really this old to have an 8 year old???

Braeden is such a sweet little boy with a TON of energy!!

He is such a creative guy and makes everything fun!!  He is always coming up with stories and finding different ways to convince me he needs to make a movie of it.

I miss this little face.  He was so squishy and yummy as a little baby!!

And these two "SAY" they don't like each other sometimes, but I've have caught them on numerous occasions being ridiculously cute together.  I don't think they could live without each other.  They had such a fun summer being creative together.

When school started I told Braeden that he needed to play the big brother role and look after Elli on the bus and in school.  And just this morning Braeden told me this in these exact words, 

Braeden:  "Mom, I think Elli is a big girl now. I don't think I need to sit by her anymore on the bus. She can just sit on the seat across from me."

Me: "Why don't you want to sit by her?"

B: "Well, it's not that I don't want to... it's just that she is big now. Everyone knows Elli on the bus. She is popular. Everyone says "Oh she is so cute" to me.  Even the kindergarteners say that.  I guess I'm popular too. Everyone says my name too."

He kinda kept going on about that. Soooo funny!! I don't know if they sat together today or not... I guess I'll find out later!!

But I love how he tried to convince me that Elli was OK not sitting by him.

I still have a crush on this boy. He is one good lookin' little guy!!  I love how he still wants to play with my hair when we are sitting by each other. He will still hug and kiss me. (I hope that never goes away) He really is a good big brother. He really adores his brother and sister!!  I have loved watching him grow up and can't wait for his big day of being baptized.  Can't believe it's already here. 

Love me some Braeden!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DUDE!!!