Camden is SIX

 We spent the final few days of Miner time playing games, going to the Aquarium, seeing Tanya and Gracie, and just having fun watching the cousins be all together. I was getting nostalgic looking at big sweet Jaren and tiny Isaac and Annie and just thinking how crazy it is to see little babies become big, wonderful people. These cousins are lucky to have the examples they have and what I really love about family is that age has now impact on the friendships and connections. The big cousins are so sweet to the little cousins. I just love them all so much.

 We made it home in time to get settled back in, and go to Coyote Ridge for a fun ranger talk about wolves. The city volunteers that run those talks are always so sweet and the boys love them. Especially when s'mores are involved!

On Saturday, we woke up with a SIX-YEAR-OLD Camden! How can it be! He has been SO excited for his birthday. And the day was the most birthday-filled day he could have, with it landing on a summer Saturday.

French toast and sausage on the Blackstone for breakfast. Games and playing. Steamed mussels and crab legs for lunch (his request). A trip downtown with mom and dad to spend some birthday money at the toy store. Pizza at the pool with the Baileys, Schmidts, Behunins, and Gregorys. A lemon cake made by Westin.

Just a good, good day.

We love Camden so much. He says the FUNNIEST things that catch us off guard all the time. He brings the good time to our good times. He remembers everyone's name and is so people-focused. He's super smart and teaching him to read has been really fun -- he's just kind of a textbook learner, where Westin and Bennett both learned to read very differently in their own way. He has been the sweetest big brother to Asher and he loves babies and toddlers. He lives to be outside on the street with the neighborhood crew and cannot wait until it's time for him to go to Shepardson with the big bros for Kindergarten.

Camden is a wonderful soul, and I'm beyond grateful he's ours.

Sweet little Isaac!
Babies change way too fast. I just soak up my visits with them.

The crew at the aquarium.

Camden loves Annie's age, he's so cute with toddlers.
He's always telling me how cute they are and funny things they say or do.

Penguins foreeeever.

Like I said, big cousins little cousins -- so cute.

Hungry Hungry Hippos, a classic.

Twin sunglasses!
My dad had been admiring Michael's sunglasses for a while and we all went in on a pair for him for Christmas. He feels pretty cool in them and he should :) haha such a cute guy.

Adults made it out for dinner one night and that was a highlight.

Oreos and milk after family pictures -- we're not above bribing the children.

We tried some skipping trend that supposedly gives you good candid photos but we'll never know if that's true because we failed at it and laughed sooooo much instead.

In his road trip element.

We did a ranger talk and s'mores night out at coyote ridge where we learned all about wolves.
It made me extra motivated to get out to Yellowstone soon and try to see some!

Ready for that birthday morning!

Camden is SIX, how!?

A summer Saturday birthday is a pretty good deal.
Fly High was first on his list.

Steamed mussels and crab legs for lunch,
because our boys are so funny and for some reason they think that's a birthday meal.

They totally love it. Well, 3/4... Westin was grateful for the side of parmesan pasta :) 

Camden got some birthday money from Grandma and Grandpa and wanted to go downtown to pick out a new stuffed animal. Initially he thought he wanted a horse, but then he saw...

...this guy! Wolfie had to come home with us and he's very loved.

Then we headed to the pool for a party and quite a few friends were able to come by and eat pizza and cake with us.

Such a sweet guy. Goofy, thoughtful, compassionate.
Fun, considerate, smart. Helpful, discerning, turning a little stubborn.
He's just so great.

Watching Anthon's farewell talk!
We were all wishing we were in La Canada that day. We love him so much.

Westin memorized all the summer scriptures for Doctrine and Covenants and earned his BIG cookie.
He's such a pro at memorization.

Cousin Visit and Fourth of July

 Michael was on call this week, and we had a full week with Jack, Oliver, and Finn here with us. Cousin time in the summer is so fun!

We went to Spring Park splash pad the first day, and the free lunch truck happened to come by. That is a very appreciated and easy way to feed 7 little boys lunch! We also went on bike rides and did a lot of fort building and backyard playing.

On Wednesday we decorated our driveway into an Under the Sea theme because my neighbor and I planned a chalk fest for the neighborhood. Everyone was out decorating Wednesday and then the night of the 3rd, everyone walked around looking at each other's driveway. It was really nice to have two nights in a row of everyone outside and playing. Summer nights are really just so great, and I love the feeling of bedtime getting later without any stress about that.

Katie's family went home Thursday night and Friday we had a great Fourth. We had a pancake breakfast at the church, went to the parade with the Schmidts and Wilsons, had some downtime during the day, then had a barbecue at the Schmidts house. Michael was on Oral Surgery and Trauma call this year so we didn't risk firework watching. It would have been miserable trying to take two cars to any of the spots or ending up being there without him if he got called out.

Saturday was Parker's baptism and the weekend was full of a lot of prep for Pam's family and prep for our Utah trip. We don't have a lot of empty days this summer but they're full of good things!

Cousins are here!
We are ready for that 7-boy life for a few days!

The cousins loved our bike ride through the jungle.

Library park for lunch and playing

CSU had a booth up at the park to teach kids about brain science.

Lunch from the free lunch truck.
I am obsessed with Fort Collins.

Neighborhood chalk fest!
My neighbor and I planned a night of everyone decorating their driveways and then looking at each other's work the night before the fourth. It turned out so fun.

Downtown parade

What's better than kids at a Fourth of July parade? So happy.

Parade fun with friends.

Fourth of July barbecue with the Schmidts and Wilsons

Parker's Baptism!

We've loved our neighborhood swimming pool this summer.

He's content.

This dude loves the pool,
just not swimming lessons :)

Date night with the Dimonds -- sushi and pinball.

He loves his Kitty so much.

The neighborhood crew is such a cute bunch of kids.

A cherry pie entirely with cherries from our tree!
They're sour, so this was perfect.