Spencer's 5th birthday

We went over to Jason's parent to have a cookout (which ended up being a cook-in due to the rain) and spend some time with Jason's sister Iris and her daughter Amelia. Since Grandma and Papa Brooks can't be with us this Monday for Spencer's birthday, they surprised Spencer with a birthday cake and ice cream. I can't believe that Spencer is going to be 5 years old...where has the time gone?

It was nice to be able to share a special day with grandma and Papa Brooks, his Aunt Iris and cousin Amelia.

Hunter didn't have a problem digging into the cake. I have to say though....."could he get any cuter???" Blue mouth and all!
Now it was present time. Spencer was excited to be able to get his watch from his grandparents. He has been waiting for 2 years to get his watch. After he saw Tyler get a watch for his 5th birthday he couldn't wait to turn 5 so that he could get his watch!

and Spencer was all excited about his water rocket launcher from his Aunt Iris.

It was fun to watch the cousins play together. Hunter is 2 1/2, Amelia is 20 months and Hailey is 14 months...all we are missing is cousin Ruby, she is also 2 years old. It's nice that they have cousins all about the same age.

Family Fun Day at the Church

On Saturday the church had a family fun day/family campout. With Jason working most of the weekend I was able to take the kids to enjoy the fun. Hailey got her own camping chair, but of course she was still trying to sit in Hunter's chair....figured it would come in handy when we went camping this fall, and of course it had to be pink. While I was able to sitting and relaxing a little, the boys were able to enjoy rides on the 4-wheelers. They had such fun times and they got a little dirty in the process. Good thing they are washable!
Somehow Tyler didn't quite come back the same way he left. The rides got a little bumpy...good thing he was hanging on tightly.All Spencer could do was to wait his turn...15 minutes is a long time to wait for a 4 year old.
Finally, it was Spencer's turn for a ride.
Spencer was off and riding. They had such a blast on the 4-wheelers.
After the rides were over it was now time to clean off with some water fun. I couldn't keep Spencer off of the Slip-n-Slide.
Hunter and Hailey played it safe and stayed in the kiddie pool. I tried to put Hailey on the slip-n-slide but she wouldn't go for it...neither did Hunter.

Tyler wasn't in the mood for water fun, He was more interested in playing baseball. I was really surprised as to how well he was hitting the ball. I almost got hit with the ball several times.
Tyler was so great...he was even pitching the ball to Hunter. It was nice to see them playing nicely together. Aunt Sheri was helping Hunter hit the ball. They had such a great time playing with their Aunt Sheri.
Papa Friesner even got in on the fun and took the older boys for a ride in the dune buggie.
When Jason was finally able to join us, he jumped right in on the fun and took the kids for a ride on the dune buggie. The kids had a great time spending some special time with their daddy!

I couldn't keep the "kids" off of the 4-wheelers. Yet again, Spencer was getting another ride on yet again another 4-wheeler. Jason was more than happy to take him on that ride.
Hunter even got in on the fun. Tyler and Spencer even got some other dads to take them on rides. I think that the boys rode the 4-wheelers until it was to dark to ride anymore.

By the end of the night Spencer decided that he wanted a 4-wheeler for his birthday. I think that if we had someplace to put it, and the money, that Jason would have love to been able to get one. At the end of the night I was able to spend some time with just Tyler and Spencer and enjoy a bon fire and some smore's. Jason took Hailey and Hunter home to bed. I had a great time just watching the kids have such fun playing and laughing. It was a good day!

"My Banket"

Before we went to Scott and Leslie's house for the parties, I made a stop off at Sheri's place with the kids. As Sheri was taking us through her apartment Hunter spotted the "blanket" which is like one that he has taken possesion of at home. He was sure that this was his blanket and proceded to walk around her place with it. Sheri grabbed her camera and asked him about the blanket....and this is what she got. Oh to be 2 again!

Birthday Parties!

Yesterday we all got together, at Scott and Leslie's - in Toledo, to celebrate my Dad (?), Chandler (11), and Barb's (?) birthdays. Every year we all gather together to help them celebrate. Once the candles were blown out the food fight began between Papa and Chandler. It all started with dad (Papa) wiping icing on Chandler's face...and it all went down hill from there. I think this would have to go down as the most entertaining party ever.Chandler couldn't let Papa get off so he grabbed a cupcake and the war was on.

I have to say that Chandler got several good shots in....but it was nothing compared to the shot that Papa got off on him.

This year, Chandler wanted a cookie for his cake. I guess he finally decided to tell his mom that he really doesn't like cakes and especially the Suzy-Q cake that we all make every year for every birthday. Happy 11th birthday Chandler!!!

Aunt Barb was able to make it with grandma Friesner. I guess last year she wasn't able to make it.

It was so nice to see Chandler with Hailey. Even though there is about 10 years difference between them he still took the time to swing with her on the swing and have so one-on-one time with her. Chandler was so gentle with her, it was really sweet.
Aunt Barb and Grandma Friesner were able to meet Hailey for the first time also. The sad thing is, the last time that I saw them was just over 2 years ago and they were meeting Hunter for the first time....and he was 4 months old at the time.
Hunter had fun with his Aunt Pokie (Shannon) popping all of the bubble that came his way!
What a great picture - Scott with his sons, Chandler (11) and Mason (6 - almost 7).

This one I'm not so sure about....Hailey loves to be upside down. Mom (grandma) was having a time trying to get her to sit up the right way...good thing she was ready for her and didn't drop her.
The Friesner/Miller family picture. This was the first time that we have had a picture with everyone. Sorry that Jason and Leslie's older sister Lisa, and her family, weren't able to make it. Who knows when everyone will be together again like this. It's getting harder for Grandma Friesner to travel.
Hunter with his Great Aunt Barbie together again after 2 years.
Grandma Friesner - it was something for me to be able to get her picture taken without her big black sunglasses on. I told her I would only take a head shot and that she didn't really have to smile if she didn't want to...guess it worked.
Hailey was so funny with the slide...we couldn't keep her off of it. She would keep trying to climb up it so that she could slide down. She has no fear! I think if she could have she would have climbed all the way to the top of the treehouse. I guess I will have to wait until next year and then I will find her at the top.

Well, I guess this was one way for Hailey to get to the top. Thank you Chandler! I can't wait till the kids are older and look back at these pictures to see how they have grown.
Hailey was so funny, she spent the day making the rounds. I believe she made it to everyone...although I don't know if she make it to Mr. Miller or not.
The gang helped Chandler put his birthday present together. The boys were all waiting to Chandler put the rocket together so that they could all play. You don't think that they honestly sat there like that for no reason.
Hailey all bathed and ready for bed...waiting to go home. She made her last visit with Mrs. Miller before leaving for home.

HOT Day!

It was such a hot and humid day and at the end of the day there is nothing better than some ice cream. Unfortunately, Hunter couldn't eat his ice cream fast enough. He had such a great time eating it but wasn't too happy that it was melting all over him.

It got so bad that it ended up all over his foot. I'm not sure that there was any part of his body that was able to avoid the ice cream.
This was all that was left!
Jason was trying to wash him off with the hose and sprayed Hunter down. Hunter wasn't to crazy about this idea. He's not a big fan of water, other than the bathtub.