The Gayer's: July 2008

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Summer catch up

Ok I have been a little lazy with the blog. Ok Ok a lot lazy . In my defense I have had to work alot lately and we have been busy playing. Well now I am all caught up. So sit back and read all about our summer.

Last day of school

Wow I can't believe how fast this year has gone. Sammy had graduation from kindergarten. So cute. Although she said she hated it she still can't tell me why. I think its because she has to get up early she is not a morning person. She told me this is the stupidist thing I have ever signed her up for and to never sign her up for it again. She is going to be disappointed for a few more years. Its funny because she loved everything about school reading ,math,recess,art,her teacher, and yet said she hated it every day. That's just Sam. She did great and learned alot.

Samantha and Mrs. Feeney

Miss Randall was Taylors teacher this year. She taught Taylor so much I feel so blessed to have a teacher who cares so much for my daughter. Taylor had a great year and grew so much.

Fathers day

Happy fathers day !!I feel so blessed to have a husband who is my very best friend and a great Dad to our kids. I knew before I ever married him that he was a great dad because I got to watch him with Caitlen. Now that we have four kids he is even more amazing . I love how he handles things with them. We woke him up before church to honor him... He was not really all that excited but he humored us anyway. It is always fun to see what the kids made. Thanks for being the best Husband and father ever. I love you babe!

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Hume Lake

The start to our vacation this year was crazy. We had planned to leave when Scott got off work on Monday night. I was scheduled to fly but didn't think I would get a trip. Well I was wrong not only did I get a trip but I was not scheduled to get home till 11pm. We were not going to let that ruin our short little trip. The plan was to leave when I got home and this way the kids would sleep the whole way to Hume. (about 6 hours) Well Things never quite go the way they are supposed to...... My flight got delayed and I got stuck in Denver. I begged to not stay there and they let me fly into Ontario instead of LAX.They wanted me to not fly out until the next day which would have ment we could not go on our vacation. I got in around midnight and Scott and the kids picked me up. We stopped by LAX to get the stuff I had in my car for the trip and off we went.
Hume Lake holds such a special place in my heart. My grandparents,parents and Aunt and Uncles built our cabin when I was 2. I have been going there my whole life. Caitlen had Volleyball and had to stay home with my parents. It is never the same without her there. We had so much fun hiking,fishing,swimming,playing games and eating lots of ice-cream. I feel so blessed to have such a fun family. Again there are lots of pictures and my attempt to put a video on here. Scott had to load the car since I was stuck in Denver one of the things that got left behind was my good camera. Thankfully I had this one in my purse.

They all want to be the first to catch a fish. We caught about 15 this night. Scott would sneek out of the cabin at dusk so he could actually fish.Instead of doing all the work and letting the kids reel them in.

Taylor the adventurer

They almost killed each other but I got the shot. Note to self not a good idea to have them both on the swing.

Really is it surprising the kids are so twisted?

He looks like a natural to me! How cute is he

What do we do now Dad?

Of course the girls fish. They love to throw them back after they hold them.

Hiking with mom. The girls look so little here.

Jake loves spoons. If he has ice-cream in a cone he has to use a spoon. actually he needs a spoon for everthing he eats even popcorn.

Sammy trying to push Taylor away from her.

Scott was so excited to help Jake catch his first fish. This is a big deal in our family. Jake did not want to touch the fish but later he really got into it.Hopefully this video works because it is really cute.

Swim lessons

The girls had swim lessons at Canyon this year. I so enjoy watching them. They both did such a great job. This year they both went off the diving board . A really big deal especially for Samantha.

Every time I see this picture it makes me laugh. She is so scared and yet is putting her whole heart into it.

4th of July

Happy 4th of July !! We Celebrated the day with a neighborhood block party. Jon and Kathy have us all over every year. We swim , bbq , and walk to the park to see the fireworks. I love this day. It is so fun to hang out with everyone. We have great neighbors ! There are a lot of pictures but they were all so cute I couldn't help myself . And by now you have to know I love to take pictures.

Jake loved the fireworks. He was not afraid at all. Tay on the other hand was not a fan.

Caitlen and Jaime were along for the ride

The park is about a mile from our house so we load up the strollers and the wagons and head on down. Some of us love this tradition and some of them fight it every year. The fireworks are right over our heads so we lay on the blankets and it looks like it is raining sparks.

my guys

Jake loves to swim. He is fearless . He loves to jump off the side and goes underwater. He swims all over the pool with only the help of all his floaties.

Sammy girl

This year Taylor has really become a great little swimmer and jumper

Taylor and Kathy before the fireworks started

Taylor jumped or cannon balled off the board all day .

Samantha the little model

This picture cracks me up. They are just about to jump off the board. I think Cate might be worried.

Hope you all had as much fun as we did. Thanks Jon and Kathy for having us over to play!

Summer Fun

I really really want a pool! But for now that is not a possibility.Sooo this is the way we stay cool on these 100 degree summer days. The girls and I created this water slide. They have a blast ! Even Jake loves to play out there with them. I love hot summer days with popsicles and our make shift pool!

VBS

This week I got to teach the soon to be first graders at our VBS . The theme this year was God's big backyard and was all about serving. Serving family,friends neighbors,and God. I love this theme. The kids were great and I got to teach with my friend Emily. It is so much more fun to have a partner. We made a great team !
I am always trying to find ways to give back that don't actually cost money ...well because we don't really have much to spare these days. But you don't need money to serve. Giving of your time is sometimes even more important.It is so important to stop the crazyness of life to remember to let God's light shine through us. God can use you if you take the time to let him. You never know what a kind word means to someone. So we are really focusing on ways to continue serving this summer. I am trying not to abuse the power of serving mommy.I really like that one! Anyway I encourage you all to take the time to serve .You will get far more than you give. :)

Samantha's 6th Birthday

On July 16th my littlest girl turned 6 ! We had such a fun day .We had VBS in the morning and Miss Sarah had the whole church sing her happy birthday. Which Sam loved. Our next stop was to drop Jake off to nap with Grandpa, and pick up Grandma for our girlie day. We headed off to to L.A. to the American Girl store. For those of you who have all boys this is quite a big deal. This is a huge 2 story store filled with American girl dolls. So fun ! Sam and Taylor brought the doll they already had and they (the dolls ) got there hair done. I know I know it sounds crazy but it was worth every penny for Sam's poor doll. She is very loved and if you look at Sam's special hair cut her doll Nikki was lucky enough to play hair dresser with her That day . The lady who took her doll gasped and was not sure she would be able to help.... But apparently she is REALLY good at her job because Nikki looked like new. Well at least for a few minutes. Luckily I got a picture of Samanthas special hair and her dolls. She told me she was trying to make her hair look cute. I told her she didn't ! (I am trying to put a stop to these little hair cuts.) She looked at me with those big green eyes and said with a little sigh I know. Sam got to pick out a new doll and a little outfit for her. Tay got to pick out an outfit also and with the money they had saved they each got another little outfit. I was really proud of myself for sticking to the budget .It would have been so easy to go crazy in this store. Sam picked out a double stroller for my mom and dad to get her. It was so fun to watch them squeel and giggle as they ran from thing to thing. It was a very fun day. Although we talked about how this would be her birthday celebration she is still a little upset that all the family did not come over to celebrate. So hopefully this weekend I will make that happen. Birthdays just need to be celebrated ! I love you little Sammy girl HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!