Dentist

Tanner and Landon had much overdue dentist appointments.  With Dean finishing up school a lot of things have fallen by the wayside for a bit.  Now we're playing catch up and we finally got the boys into the dentist.  It was Landon's first official visit and he did awesome.  The hygienists at our dental office are so, super, nice.  Technically Landon has one little cavity, but that's what they told Tanner last time and he was cavity free this time so I'm not too concerned.  And they of course came home loaded with loot . . .

Father's Day

After a bit of a rocky start to our Father's Day when Braddock ended up getting into some ant poison(don't worry poison control said just to give him a drink) things had no where to go but up.  This year we had a "Fish" themed Father's Day. The Grandpa's got Swedish Fish and a card and we loaded Dean up with fishing gear so we can hopefully get in some fishing this summer.

Dad and his boys

And it was another perfect excuse to give Dean more of his favorite gummies.  You have to have worms in a tackle box right!?

The card inspiration came from this, but I designed my own . . .

Fun Find

I happened upon these adorable alligator clips at the dollar store the other day . . .

I knew they'd be perfect for the boys stuffed animal rope.  We've been through a couple kind of clips so far that just didn't work out for one reason or another, but these are the green color that is throughout their room, are big enough that Braddock can't fit them in his mouth, are strong enough to hold the stuffed animals on the rope, and they were 3 for a $1.  So we had to snag them.  And so far they fit the bill . . .

Creepy Crawlers

Yesterday we spent a good part of the day in the backyard. We just got a new tent in preparation for the Stake Pioneer Trek we'll be heading on next week and we wanted to set it up and waterproof it. While doing all of that the boys and I got in some bug hunting. I think we all have a love-hate relationship, but we pushed our fears aside and found a few bugs we could handle. ;)

All geared up and ready to go.

Love that this is just right in our backyard.

Landon's millipede.  He's a tiny one at the bottom there.

Landon was excited to find a worm, but a little less excited to pick it up, so I helped.

Tanner observing his two worms and a roly poly.

We gave them a little dirt to crawl around in, but I'm afraid that ultimately led to their demise. 

Welcome Back

So high school graduation is over for the year, which means Dean's out of school for the summer.  The past couple of summers that just meant he had more time to work on his Master's classes, but he's pretty much done with that as well.  We're just waiting for them to schedule his final defense, but he already has the presentation all ready to go.  Wahoo!!!!  The boys are just as excited.  On Saturday Tanner slipped this note under the bathroom door while Dean was showering . . .

"Welcome Back Dad"

It does actually feel like he's been gone for the past couple of years.  Ha!  There are other advantages to having Dad around more now.  We all enjoyed his chocolate chip pancakes on Saturday, but none of us enjoyed them quite as much as Braddock.  This kid enjoys food, but we've never seen him shovel anything into his mouth as fast as he did these . . .

We're so proud of Dean and all his hard work these past two and a half years.  It's been a big sacrifice for all of us and we're so grateful for the miracles we've witnessed as Heavenly Father helped us through.  We're excited to be done, and for Dean's new job, and for a jam-packed summer.  Bring it on!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAN

Yesterday was Dean's 31st Birthday. We kinda took advantage and celebrated all weekend. We started out with a backyard BBQ on Saturday. Dean grilled up (per his request, I didn't make him cook his own birthday dinner) steak and vegetable kabobs, and we also had yummy garlic, cheddar, biscuits and fresh strawberries and cherries.  It was beautiful weather outside and everything was so DELICIOUS!

LOVE how Braddock's stuffing his face in this picture.  A common sight around here. ;)

Later that night we topped things off with cherry pie and ice cream.  Dean was lucky enough to have some helpers when blowing out his candles.  We had to light them a few times so HE finally got a chance to blow them out. ;)

Then Sunday morning on his actual birthday he opened his presents.  He got some jerky, new stylus' for his ipad (from Landon since he's destroyed all his other ones), The Phantom of the Opera blu-ray, and another Batman T-shirt that I made him. . .

I actually was feeling pretty sick so Braddock and I stayed home from Church, but we all headed over to Dean's parents afterward for another birthday dinner there.  Mom fixed homemade Gyros (one of Dean's absolute favorite foods) and Ho Ho Cake for dessert.  Doesn't get much better than that.  And of course a birthday wouldn't be complete around here without a birthday door. . .

We sure feel blessed to have Dean as our husband/father.  He's one amazing guy and we're so grateful for all he does for us.  HAPPY BIRTHDAY Babe!  We LOVE you!