Overheard at Our House

Yesterday I was helping Christian with some school work. At one point he wasn't really focusing or thinking and I playfully made some comment about "where's your brain?" or something (which, writing here comes across quite hurtful/damaging/mean/etc....but in real life it totally wasn't- so DONT JUDGE ME POSTERITY! fo realz.)  (anyways....)

To which he responded:
C: I'm a bear!
T:You're a bear?
C: Yes! I'm stuffed with fluff!

to which his aunt overhearing cracked up.

Very witty my son, very witty. :)

Zoo Day

We are extremely fortunate to live within 1.5 hr drive to TWO amazingly awesome zoos.
And we LOVE the zoo.

After lots of Saturdays spent of Daddy working with That Wylie Band  at marching competitions, he finally had a free day. So, we all went to the Dallas Zoo. We bought an annual pass and are really looking forward to LOTS more zoo days!

 Our pass came with some tickets for the safari monorail!

  There was a really neat bird show- and Patrick got to hold up a dollar bill and have a bird come grab it out of his hand. Unfortunately, I was too slow on the flash. :/

 Chan donating a dollar to the Birds in Flight conservation effort. 

        Channing was an incredible trooper- walking the ENTIRE day.  Even when big brother needed some stroller breaks, Chan kept trucking along, cheerful as ever.

Can't wait to go back!

Back In the Saddle Again

   Welllll....... after FINALLY being able to upload all the pics on our camera (since JULY), I am itching to get back to recording this precious time in my little family's life.

So- I may or may not eventually touch on the following subjects:

-leaving our beautiful home/yard/wonderful friends in Gunnison, UT to start a whole new chapter of life in Texas.
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....okay- so really- that whole tiny aspect is pretty major and has brought with it some incredible emotions, difficulties, blessings, trying times, and faith.


But. Rather than fret and lament over all I have missed recording, all I have to catch up on, all that I'm not doing, I'm just going to pick up right where life has led us to right here. Right now. This moment.

Start here. If the opportunity permits, look back.  Always remember our blessings.  Always remember that Father is aware of us.

But right here and right now- I will live in this moment. And be Joyful.

Mario Birthday Party!

So, uh, waaaaaay back in December, Christian turned 5.  He has been planning on a Mario Party pretty much since he turned 4. :)

Mario Invites-
yes, at the risk of sounding vain, I will say-
I am dang proud of these. :D

The face slips out of the hat to show the info-
Christian LOVED these- and carried his around for seriously Months. 

As each guest arrived they were given a crown or a mario hat to get in character.  These were a total hit!

Then the mini Marios and petite Princess Peaches made their own red chomped plants. (please excuse my complete ignorance as to the proper titles of all things Mario)-

Mario Jed with his Chomper Plant

Next it was time for games! Daddy and sons were happy to help mommy with her 'research' for fun party games- (aka- I watched the boys play Super Mario for a bit pre-party to help me come up with some fun games similar to the video game)

We played:

Goomba Stomp-
(everyone had to stomp-pop all the goombas balloons)

Mario Christian and the ill-fated Goomba

Goomba stomping

A real-life version of Mario in the Ghost castle-(or  a variation of red-light-green-light)
     -each kid picked out their own Boo Balloon, stood behind a line- and a Mario was chosen. The Boos then had to sneak towards Mario while he wasn't looking, and then freeze when he turned around. First Boo to tag Mario got to take his place.

Princesses Savannah and Evie catching the Boos in action

One of the favorite games was inspired by when Mario jumps and slides down the green hills, knocking creatures out of his way.  (or human bowling)

-we slid down the slide and tried to knock down all the creatures (turtles and the other things.. see? Im pathetic in my Mario knowledge..) at the bottom.

Mario Cannon knocking the Goombas and Turtles out of the way

Marios waiting their turn for Goomba/Turtle bowling-
and seriously. Look at that boy's face- that face makes anything and everything worth it. :)

At the end of all the games, just like Mario at the end of a level, each child was given a flag and had to jump up to stick it as high up on the flag pole as possible.

Mario Channing and his level victory flag

Level Completed!

Then cake and ice-cream and smiles all around.

Princess Anna loves her cake.

I think my little man  Mario liked it. :) 

 HAPPY 5th BIRTHDAY, BUDDY!!!

**Major thanks to my little brother Evie for his Goomba/Boo balloon artistic skills, for foiling up our flag pole and for creating our turtle/goomba bowling guys. oh, and cutting out the hot pink level flags. Love you, brother!

Summerhays Cinema!

We've been wanting to go to the Drive-In theater about an hour away from our town for the LONGEST time. Thursday night my dear friend came over and we spontaneously made plans (is that an oxymoron? ) to have dutch oven dinners, go fishing, and attend the drive-in Friday night. 

Sadly- Friday turned out to be insanely windy- winds reaching 60mph. 

So....what to do?  Why, hold our own little Drive-In movie, of course!

First, we went to our friends' home for de-lic-ious turkey burgers- (Im a won-over fan!) and then headed back over to ours.  The kids and dads made cars, and Beck and I finished setting up.  The kids also each decorated a brown paper sack to be used later...

The kids were each given 10 'dollars' -

then they came down the stairs where they could buy a movie ticket for $1. The Ticket Man punched their tickets then directed them to the Snack Booth. 

They each had their remaining $9 to spend on snacks. (yeah, I know. We're pretty big spenders over here... ;) ) 

As each kid came up to the snack booth, I pulled out their special bag, and they got to choose how to spend their $9- each scoop cost $1.

 Chan, Anna, and Madi checking out the snacks.

 Christian waiting in line

Christian and Jed- Best Buds 

Jed 

Decisions, Decisions.... 

Happy Girls- Best Friends

The Gang all parked and ready for the show!  

The Popcorn and Drink Lady came around calling 

"Popcorn! Popcorn! Who wants some Popcorn??" 

We watched the new Winnie the Pooh movie- and the kids were cracking up. We love that show. :) 

It was SUCH a fun night- and we are so grateful we have such wonderful friends to share it with.  The kids thought the whole thing was fantastic- (and they've never been privy to such a variety of treats before! :P ) 

Thanks, Hatch fam- we love you guys!!!

Overheard at Our House

Last night Patrick conducted his last concert of the school year. Mom and Dad Summerhays came down to support him- (thanks, mom and dad!).  We met up at our house for a treat afterwards, but as it was late and the concert had run pretty long, m&d were in a bit  of a rush to head back.

This morning, Chan says to me
"Mom, Papa Summerhays  had to smash the road."
Me: what?
Chan: Papa had to smash the road last night.
......

Me: Ohhhh- did Papa say they had to Hit the road?
Chan: Yeah. Hit the road.

:D

I think Chan thought Papa was channeling his inner Hulk Smash or something.  nuts. :P

Spring Break Camping

We have been ITCHING to go camping this year.  So for the weekend starting P's Spring Break, we busted outta here.

We drove out to Capitol Reef- which admittedly wasn't quite as beautiful as I had remembered.... largely due to the fact we were visiting end of March vs. Mid July on the rainiest day of the year like last time. :P

Still, it was beautiful, and we loved it.

 We chose a "walk up" campsite- which meant our area was huge. perfect for little kiddies to run and play soccer 

 In one of the orchards- We of course, sang Popcorn Popping- and immediately wished for some good popcorn to snack on.

 Anna, Daddy, Chanman. 

 yay! Dirt! :) 

 Anna took a cracker and her blankie, and contently sat next to this tree to chow. 

 During a lunch picnic, the boys climbed waaaay up this mountainous hill- and were super pleased with themselves.

 Meanwhile, Anna happily played in some dirt. 

This picture melts me. These kids are so tender with each other. Love. 

 Climbing around in the slot canyon

We kept bumping into two little boys on a campout with their dad. Anna (in the brown shirt) and unknown little boy (green shirt) apparently didn't mind too much. :)

And a great big shout out to this scenic view- He was amazing. While I was playing with kiddos, he was cooking, cleaning, setting up/taking down.  Best. Guy. Ever.

Anyone up for a group Camping Trip of Awesomeness??