Casey

Another thing that happened in May that I never posted about was that Nate's brother, Casey, finished his basic training and came home for about two weeks. These pictures are from the first time we saw him when he came back. We had a dinner at Jill's house. It was good to see Casey again.

Savy wearing Dallin and Ryan's dress-up clothes

Dallin - I am always amazed at how big Dallin is getting.
I can't hardly believe that next summer he'll be 8 and baptized!
I remember when he was born!

Luke - the cutest bug ever that avoids me like the plague,
but has fun flirting with Aunt Mandi - from a distance.

My girls do not do video games very well, so they need a lot of help
getting the hand of the Wii when we're over at Jill and Marc's house.

Uncle Casey babysitting London's toy dog.

Casey's little girl, Chevi, is the cutest and happiest thing ever!

One happy girl.
Happy to have her daddy back.

Random Catch-up

1. Savy graduated from preschool.


2. Mother's Day came and went last month. My card from Savannah made me tear up.

This is the poem inside:

I miss you when we're not together
I'm growing up so fast
see how big I've gotten
since you saw me last?

As I grow, I'll change a lot,
the years will fly right by.
You'll wonder how I grew so quick
when and where and why?

So save this card in a safe place,
and take it out each year.
The memories will come back of me,
When I was small and dear.

3. I went to Utah

4. Mom had a birthday with a gorgeous cake made by Amy. We had a fabulous dinner at Amy's house. Nothing like good food made by Amy and Jim - grilled pork loin.

5. Nate turned 30. Yes, I am a true slacker and didn't even post for it, but I have had a lot going on since we've come home and I just haven't been blogging. We decided to do something without children for a change and so all the adults met at Carrabbas and it was so nice. Calamari and Pollo Rosa Maria -- it doesn't get better than that for me. So,

HAPPY BIRTHDAY NATE - YOUR FAMILY LOVES YOU!

6. Father's Day. The girls love Mother's and Father's Day, but always ask when it's baby day or little kid day. I told them there was no such thing and they were quite disappointed. We passed a nice, relaxed Sunday and then came home to grill steaks and asparagus. Along with watermelon and Nate's favorite cowboy beans, it was the perfect meal to make a dad happy. Although, I guess I should have thought about the fact that he had to grill outside in 100+ weather, but I don't think he minded in the least - the boy will do anything for steak.

Utah - the end

We spent one day with JoDee and the girls when they got back.

London, Baylee and Savy. I just love London's outfit!

There was some sort of festival in Cedar that we went to and the kids had a blast.

Madalyn climbed the rock wall. She is such a cute girl!

This is JoDee's 5 lb hula-hoop that supposedly helps you shed the pounds. I put a picture of Madee doing it because in all mine, I look extremely pained because this thing KILLS! I think it's more for bruising up your body than exercise! I'd have to say the best part, though, was when Andee did it on her neck and choked herself - hello! why don't teenagers use their brains, they have them, don't they? I will give it to her that on the box, it has a picture of all the ways you can use the hula-hoop and one of those is on the neck. Crazy!

The evening before we left, we went to the kids' t-ball games. At this point, Savy was begging for her daddy and we even had to call him on the way home because she was crying. I think it was maybe a bit long to be away.Lastly, that night we went to a bridal shower for one of my best friends in high school, Jody, who happens to be my sister JoDee's sister-in-law. It was nice to see her again.

I should win a prize for this picture because Andersyn does not smile or pose for the camera. Classic teenager - hiding away. But Reagan was worth it for her and this is the cutest picture ever!

Utah - cousins

The Hendrix-cousins' Bike Gang

Noah, London, Sav, Wesley, Crew, and Wyatt.Crew and Ryder.

We're on our way.

Our little speed-devil. We only went on two walks like this because the whole time was basically spent yelling at one child or another to slow down and wait for us. Just too stressful with cars and all. But it was fun for two times.

Stevie

Stevie is JoDee and Shane's new baby sheep. Luckily, Mackenzie came over every day to feed Stevie for us. The girls loved him and would wait for "the girl" to come over every morning.

I'm not sure the feeling was mutual for Stevie. It was cute to watch him run though because he'd kick up his back legs and literally frolic. So cute until. . .

he decided I could save him from the toddlers

this did not make me happy

so the kids so kindly offered to get him away from me.

Utah - Reagan and her Cousins

Tyler and Gina's boys were very good with Reagan and each one would ask to hold her. Even Ryder got quality time with her on the floor, although from a safe distance from his flailing arms because he's so dang happy all the time!

Wyatt and Reagan. I also wanted to get that blanket because it brings back such memories. Grandma Jones made it for Tyler when he was a boy and they still use it.

Wesley, Wyatt and Reagan.

Noah T. -- otherwise known as "Super Speedy" -- and Reagan. One day he just told Gina to call him that and sometimes he won't even respond unless you use "Super Speedy" instead of Noah.

Wesley. He constantly wanted to hold her and was so sweet.

Reagan and Ryder. He just laughs and giggles all the time and she enjoyed just watching him.

Reagan and Ryder. (the only time we let them be that close together).

Cute cousins.

FINALLY

I've been back from Utah for a while now and am just now blogging after much harassment from EVERYONE. The other day I joked to Megan that I was quiting blogging when she asked and she very seriously said "that's not funny, Mandi." I know how she feels - blogging is what keeps me updated on the growth of her boys and pictures because, well, phone calls just can't do that. So I'm back to blogging.

And now I have A TON of catch-up to do, but I figured I'd start with Utah pictures in a few installments because there are so many memories and pictures that I want to remember. The girls really had a blast with their cousins. So, here we go - be prepared for LOTS OF PICTURES!
Oh how I wish they'd stayed this way for the whole 8 hour trip!
Poor Savy was rather squished in the middle, but it was more
economical to take Cyndee's car than mine.
besides, she and Reagan bonded.
Once we arrived, Savannah had no issues jumping right in (literally) as you can see her in mid-air about to join the wresle-mania that was a daily thing.

Noah, Savy, Crew, London, Wesley, and Wyatt.
Movie time. We learned that it is IMPOSSIBLE to pick a movie that 6 toddlers will all sit and watch - this picture must have been taken during the first fifteen minutes because they didn't last long.
London, Savy, Crew, and Wesley.
One day, tired of fixing lunch for all the little people who barely ate it, Grandma Cyndee decided that we would just have ice cream cones for lunch. The kids didn't complain.
Yeah, they ate lots of treats with Grandma.

To close up this installment of Utah pictures:
THE CHEETOH (my personal favorite) Here's Gina with the kids. It's so nice to hang out with Regina. She's so laid back and easy-going. She's great.
The kids are ready to go and I'm questioning if I can really do this.
Ready to go. Wyatt and Wesley in the front, London, Noah, Savy and Crew in the back.
Later.