This picture sums up what seems like my daily life--constantly disciplining Bronco for teasing Mav and comforting Mav.

Hadlie's love cookie - read below

I love this time of the year as the weather changes and some of my favorite fruits and vegetables are in season. I love that my mom takes the time to grow a garden so we can enjoy such great food. I know bratty of me to let her do all the work and enjoy her labors. My mom also happens to be an amazing cook. She makes such great meals that eating out sometimes doesn't even compare. For example, on Sunday this is what she made and I ate. I am a little embarrased to list all I ate but here goes. Judd says that when I get to my mom's house, I eat non-stop. I first ate a bowl of raspberries (from her garden) with milk and sugar. Dinner consisted of marinated chicken on the barbeque, steemed green beans and carrots, sliced tomatoes and cucumbers, and bruschetta with fresh mozarella cheese. All of the vegetables were home grown. Dessert was fresh peach pie and chocolate marshmallow cookies with chocolate frosting. I was in heaven. Needless to say, I was inspired to brave the fresh peach pie because I had a whole box of ripe peaches. Yesterday when the kids came home from school, I told them to get washed up and ready to make dough. They absolutley love rolling out dough. While we were making the dough, I started to ask about school. When I asked Hadlie she said. "Mom, I can't believe it. I fell in love." She continued to explain that she thought he was very handsome. So I asked her what made her fall in love with this boy. She said when she heard him sing. When asked about the song he was singing she said. "Ooooh Oooooh Baby." She then called her dad, Grandma and Grandpa to share the news. I think we are in trouble. She also said that his voice was good she was going to invite him in her band.

End of Summer!

We finished off the summer with the third annual "Summer Extravaganza." We decided to tone it down a little bit this year. I always have to laugh when Judd's birthday rolls around because he claims that he really doesn't care much for celebrating birthdays. However, we all know how much thought, time, and effort go into planning his own birthday. If only I could get him to put the same effort into my birthday. j/k

Maverick trying to get more cake.

Justin, Brittney, & Kate

Bronco washing off the sand before jumping in the pool once again.

Isaac

Mason enjoying a cookie. We're so excited for the surprise of a new little one joining us next spring. Who doesn't love babies?

The girls -- I usually just get pictures of the guys playing basketball but this year I decided to get a picture of the ladies.

Gordon and his "Hugh Hefner" robe. He always keeps us laughing--especially me.


I wanted to post this picture of Hadlie because this shows her personality. For anyone who knows this little girl well, she acts so old for her age. I need to write down all of the hilarious things she thinks and says to me before I forget. I don't know what we would do without her. We love her to death. Judd was making fun of her hair and she was upset.

This is the face I prefer.

Maverick has spent significant time in the stroller this week as we have walked the kids to and from school. I am so glad he is so easy going. I have had to wake him up at least five times this week to take or pick the kids up. Judd thinks it is important for the kids to walk to and from school. But, I am beginning to think I would rather drive. The school is only a couple blocks away but it still takes time. Besides, it is during the peak sun hours and I just noticed a sun spot on my face. I keep telling myself it couldn't be from walking to and from school but I have never noticed it before. I don't really want to lather on sunscreen so you might see me walking with an umbrella. I must be getting old when I want to avoid the sun at all costs. School has gone well so far. Hadlie is doing just fine and doesn't want me to walk with them. She knows the way. Bronco is doing fine as well. He is very worried about strangers; I hope the anxiety wears off soon.

We just returned from our third and final trip to Bear Lake this summer. We have made some good memories this summer spending time at the Lake with both families and lots of friends. One of the highlights of this trip was when I thought someone was breaking into the condo. When I stood up to go check it out, my sister-in-law grabbed my arms and I screamed like I never have before waking almost everyone up. Needless to say, my brother was out of bed and across the room in seconds while Judd just stayed in bed. In defense of myself it was pitch black and I couldn't see Lisa but she could see me because I had a white shirt on. The kids once again had a blast playing on the beach and riding in the boat. The tube rides didn't go over so well with the kids this time. Maybe next year.

Bronco & Isaac
Hadlie & Olivia - I guess posing is natural for girls.

The kids started school today and I am so excited to hear how it went. I am starting to wonder if something is wrong with me. I didn't feel emotional at all. Hadlie is so ready and couldn't wait to get to school. I think Bronco was a little nervous because he said he had a stomach ache and wouldn't eat much this morning. When we got to school and he saw Ethan, he seemed fine. So we will see how it goes.

Bronco & Hadlie

Bronco wasn't into taking pictures so it is just the girls.

Hadlie & Abby

We're so excited Abby is in the same class. They were in the same dance class together last year and now they will be in school and ballet together.

Bronco & Ethan

Last but definitley not least is little Mav. He is growing up so fast. When I took him for his one year appointment they asked me about his eating habits because he just keeps getting taller but isn't gaining weight as fast. This is something new for us considering both Hadlie and Bronco were cute little chunky babies. He loves to brush his teeth. I hope this lasts for a long time. The other morning when he had just finished his bath Hadlie started yelling mom come quick and look at Maverick. He had climbed up and got the toothbrush and toothpaste all by himself. He has started to walk--finally. The kids wanted to put shoes on him last night and he loved them. After I took them off I found him trying to put everyone's shoes on-so cute.

Lena's Wedding & Dance Recital

Lena & Mark

Lena w/ Hadlie & Olivia
Us and Lena
Hadlie's dance recital - Getting ready before the show

Hadlie & Abby

We were so proud of Hadlie. She won an award for the most improved dancer. When they started to read her name I thought there was another girl named Hadlie at the studio. Then when she read Hanks, I couldn't believe it. On her first day of dance she told me in the car on the way home that "dance was the best part of her life."

Birthday Boys!

Here are a few pictures from Bronco & Maverick's birthday.

We woke the boys up with balloons. Mav looks scared but he was just upset that Bronco touched his leg. Bronco has teased him so much that when Bronco even comes near him he squeals. I guess brotherly love has begun.
Hadlie trying out the waterslide.

Birthday Boy

Action shot

Bronco, Treyden, and Kade playing with the new toys.

Mav and his first birthday cake.

End result. Wow I need photography lessons. For our next baby we will make sure that the cake doesn't have dye in the frosting. What a mess, but ooh so fun.

Maverick enjoying the fireworks.

Judd told the kids to say the "Pledge of Allegiance" while the fireworks were going off. We need to teach Bronco his right hand from his left. These are most of the cousins on both sides of the family.

Bronco had all the neighborhood boys over in the afternoon for a party and then we had both families over to celebrate at night. All in all, it was a busy but great day.

Seven month update!

I am still trying to decide whether or not I want to keep blogging. I love checking blogs of friends and family and so I guess I'll give it one more shot. Any one who knows me well, knows that I hate scrapbooking and keeping a journal so I guess that is why blogging is hard for me. Oh well, Hadlie keeps asking me to post her pictures on the blog so here we go again. I will try to summarize quickly what we have been up to lately. We have celebrated all three kids birthdays. We recently celebrated Mav's first birthday and Bronco's 5th birthday with two parties in one day. I can't believe my baby is one. He is so much fun and I can't imagine our lives without him. He is the best baby and has definitely convinced me I want more little ones running around here. I will probably jinx myself and number four will be very hard. This isn't an announcement yet. We have had two major weddings in the past couple of months. John (Judd's youngest brother) got married in May. Lena (who we consider our daughter, sister, and friend) got married last month. We are sooooo excited she and Mark found each other. They seem perfect together and we are looking forward to getting to know Mark better when we travel to Russia together next summer. SCARY. Judd says that I am in for the shock of my life. We kept busy in the spring and beginning part of the summer with numerous baseball games, soccer games, dance practices and recitals, and preschool graduation. My kids start kindergarten in less than a month. Most recently we have spent some time at the condo in Bear Lake. We just returned from a trip with all of Judd's family and a few weeks before that we went up there with all of Judd's friends from high school. We had 16 adults and 20 kids under the age of 8. We had a great time and it wasn't as crazy or chaotic as I thought it would be. We sure missed Stu and Lanea and hope all is going well with Brooklyn. I will try to post a few pictures everyday so as not to overwhelm my very few followers.

A few pictures from our friend trip to Bear Lake.

Spencer playing bingo with the kids.

The boys entertaining themselves on the stairs.

Gatorball

We sure had fun with everyone. I am still recovering two weeks later from our late nights. I am too old to go to bed at 3, 1, 3 three nights in a row. Next trip we will have to ban Spencer from starting the conversation. j/k

Lazy summer evening

Mav loving the pool when it is getting emptied. Check out that diaper.

We took the kids to the Temple open house. Bronco's favorite thing about the temple were the 'bucking bulls' aka baptismal font and Hadlie's favorite thing was the chandelier.

Hanks Family Trip to Bear Lake

Bronco finally getting comfortable with his four wheeler.

Sadie, Hadlie, Ellie, Bronco

These kids love to pose. Check out those tans. Sadie and Ellie are sooo dark. We are just proud Bronco has a little color.

Mav - with his new haircut, the curls are gone

John & Sarah

I had some more pics from our trip but I didn't think the pics from the 'booty shakin'' contest and upper thigh comparison were blog appropriate. Judd and his brothers know how to have a good time.

12 inches of snow + Grandpa's four wheeler = afternoon of fun