Matthea turns 3!

 On the way home from the cabin we stopped by Matthea's birthday party.  I can't believe she's 3!

 Tickets!

 The big boys play too.

 Cupcakes - Meg made the most delicious cupcakes!

 Brothers gotta hug...

 Presents!

 I think she loved her doctor uniform the best.  She looked so cute! 

We all had a great time.  I love spending time with family. 

Cabin wrap-up

 After the lake, we ventured into Pinetop to visit Ian's grandparents cabin.  It's where Ian spent a lot of his childhood summers.  He loved showing Ben and Max around (the other boys went home with my mom and Trina)

 Back at the cabin, Ian kept the girls and Rowan and Evan entertained. 

 While Joe and Michael danced in the kitchen. 

 Later we spotted a wild animal :)

 Many games of 5 Crowns were played...

 We traveled home on Saturday.  Of course Ian carved and stained a stick while we were there.

 Until next time...

More cabin...

 On Thursday we decided to go to the Fool's Hollow Lake.  There's a great area for eating and for boating or swimming. 

 Trina thought about renting a canoe, but the guy told us it might rain and he didn't want to rent them out because of the chance of lightning.  Boo!

 The boys contemplate going in the water.  It was cold!

 Ruby got ready to go in, but I don't think she ever actually went in.

 Meanwhile, Ian found a tree to carve. 

 Finally Ben, Max and Michael ventured in the water.

 Addy thought about it.

 Evan wanted to go in, but he was nervous. 

 Michael ended up swimming into the middle of the lake.  3 cheers for Michael!

 We bought a few inflatable rafts and the kids had fun with those. 

 Look at that hot mama!

 Ian's carving :)

We had a fun time just hanging out at enjoying the weather and the lake.  Good times.

Cabin week!

 I was so happy to travel up to the cabin the Tuesday after the fourth.  And I was so glad to be greeted by Ruby and Xander - 2 faces I hadn't seen in a while!

 Ben's friend Ian was able to come up with us - it was a little confusing having 2 Ians so I told Ben's Ian that we'd call him Junior.  Not sure he liked that ;).  First up - Ranger ride!

 Trina, my mom and I spent the afternoon on the porch.  It was such a nice day and Trina showed my mom how to use her phone.

 That night my dad built a bonfire.  The kids loved it.  Notice my kids bare feet.  Awesome.

 Ruby and I cuddled.  I love that little girl so much.  We are great friends.

 The next morning Xander woke me up at the crack of dawn with a bird in his hand.  I kid you not.  That kid can catch any thing!  Since he woke me up, I decided to go fishing with him. 

 Of course he caught quite a few.  He is such a great fisherman. 

 Later that day, all the kids played a game Kim brought.  I forgot what it was called but the kids loved it.

 Evan played with some bows and arrows that Trina had brought for her kids at a swap meet.  We tried to go back and get more because all of the kids had a blast playing with them.  Alas, there were no more :(

 More cabin fun to come...

The week after the fourth

 we decided to go to the cabin.  We invited the W family along, but they had other commitments.  Luckily, Ian (their son that is Ben's age) was able to come.  The day before we left, Christy and I met up at Mesquite pool for some summer fun. 

 The lazy river and water slides are so fun at that pool.  Evan was just getting confident with his swimming and spent most of the afternoon going off the diving boards while I cheered him on.  He was so cute!  We saw some of Ben's friends there too. 

The boys all had a blast and I had a great time visiting with Christy and her daughter Megan.  Good day.