A night out with the girls

I went with the girls to cheescake factory for Camille's birthday. I love our neighbors and it is so nice to get out with the girls.

The splash park with Aiden and Drew

We had so much fun at the spash park today. There were so many cute pictures that I just made a little slide show so I didn't have to pick and choose which pictures I wanted. And there are a few of the zoo and the park we went to last week when the kids played the whole time in a puddle on the ground. I think the splash park is a little more sanitary.

Camping with the Shields Clan

We went camping with the Shields at Cascade lake this weekend. It was a blast! Here is our "incredible family". This was the best picture of everybody. Except me. I think I was talking or something. But look at my Mason in the front row. Yes folks, that is a smile. I think this is the first posed picture that he has smiled in his lifetime. I guess it proves that he had a good time. I can't believe how awesome the kids were! The ride in the car was a piece of cake now that both of my kids have discovered movies. We stayed in a Yurt which is basically a round tent cabin. It had a space heater so most of the nights we stayed toasty warm.

I think this is the first time I have posted a pic with my short hair. Ta daaa!

We went to the lake and played on the beach. Tess was hilarious. She loved it so much. She wouldn't even let us hold her hands. She wanted to be free to wander as deep as she wanted too. That girlie is fearless. Total opposite of her big brother. Mason, Ryder, and Parker loved paddling in the boat. They are starting to be old enough to play together. hooray! And we loved hanging out around the campfire. Here is Tess loving the bubbles. Here they are in Grandma and Grandpa's RV watching... what else? Incredibles of course.Tess and Mason both loved Bear. Mason screamed like a little girl the first day every time he barked or came close to him. But he warmed up to him and by the end of the trip was feeding him his dinner and laughing uncontrollably every time Bear would look at him. Hopefully this is helping him overcome his fear of doggies. We loved the trip. Thanks so much Shields fam for all you do! We love being with you!

The End.

I'm so glad when daddy comes home!

Hooray! We are all smiles in the Shields household now that Daddy is back from Alaska!! He had a great time and caught lots of yummy fresh fish. This is his 57lb Halibut. Wow. I'm glad he had fun with the other men because fishing on the ocean in 50 degree temps and pooring rain for a week straight is not my idea of a good time. But neither is taking care of the kids all by myself for a week. It sure makes me appreciate my man.

So Sunday we took the kids to the park to get some quality family time. Here is my handsome 2 year old. What a little stud.

Swinging with Daddy is the best!
Tessa taking in the sites. She can't sit still for a second! Can I just say that church is a joke right now. She will not sit still and screams if I try to keep her in one place. So I pretty much just roam the halls with her for 3 hours. She likes to go up to everyone and say "Hi" with her huge smile. It cracks me up. But it can be kind of embarassing when she walks to the front of the class next to the teacher, turns around to the class, gives her big grin and says "Hi" and of course the whole class laughs and she just beams. I think church will not be the same for quite a while.

Okay... so I thought this was pretty funny. Tessa is finally getting long enough hair that I can put about 5 strands in an elastic and call it a pony tail. She loves to check herself out in the mirror. The funny part is that Mason really likes the "bugs" that I put in her hair and wanted me to put them in his hair too. So, as usual, I gave him what he wanted.

Visitors

How much fun can one girl have? That is the question! Is this the happiest photo? I love it. This is my little girl's 1st ride on a carousel. I think she had fun. What do you think?

I haven't posted in awhile. We have been busy here at the Shields household. We have had several visitors now that our basement is finished. Grandpa Val and Grandma Sallie came and stayed with us for a few days. We took the kids to the zoo. The best part?? The carousel of course!Check out this happy face. They loved it! Just as Val and Sallie left, the Christensen's came to town. Makayla, Alexa and Ryder just wore themselves right out in the bounce house at Tess's birthday party. We loved having them here to play with us.


Tess didn't eat much of her birthday cake. She just crumbled it up.

Since then we've just been busy busy busy. Rakelle and Steve stayed with us this last weekend and we had a blast with Parker and Kaylee. Jared and Matthew stayed with some other friends so we didn't get to see enough of them. But we went to the pool and splashed around with them all. When Parker left Mason stood at the door saying "More Parker, More Parker."

I love it that all the Shields came to stay with us. I hate it that they are all in Boise and get together every week, if not more, while we are the Salt Lake outcasts of the family. It made me feel closer to them and I hope they all come back soon.

So.. Today is Burke's 36 birthday! Wow what an old man!! He's off fishing in Alaska this week so we don't really get to celebrate except over the phone. Love you babe! Happy Birthday!