boys WILL be boys!

disclaimer:  by looking at the following photos I'm allowing you to see my dead backyard!  We landscaped our backyard in the winter, so we planted winter lawn and planned on putting in summer when it got here.  It just got too hot too quick! So we opted to wait until the weather is cooler and Clint plans on putting down some sod.  {So all I'm sayin is don't judge! =) }

Last night as I'm cooking dinner Caden strolls outside in his swimsuit and turns on the hose to have a little water fun on the trampoline.  I notice that Archer follows along {not too worried knowing that he can't get onto the trampoline himself}.  Several minutes later I look outside and see that Archer has made a mud cocoon around himself!  Literally, I think he felt he was in heaven!  He was splashing, playing, rolling and laying in the mud having a grand ol' time!  

He kept laying down like this...I was dying laughing!

from the mouth of a kindergartener...

Caden: "Mom, I have a girlfriend!"
Me: "Oh you do?  Like a girlfriend or a girl that's a friend?"
Caden: "A girlfriend, Mom.  A girl in my class."
Me:  "Oh!"
Caden:  "She's a pretty girl."
Me: "What's her name?"
Caden:  "I don't know....I'm too scared to ask her!"

classic....i love that he "thinks" she's his girlfriend....yet doesn't even know her name!

8/10/11

Mark this day as an "all around" emotional day!  We woke up early, maybe even too early because everyone was too excited about school starting, even me!  Don't get me wrong...I love summer and having the kids home and our days open to do whatever, but I was so ready to be back on a schedule and have a routine again.  

Lexi started 2nd grade.  Yesterday as I dropped her off, I could tell she was excited to see her friends and was confident in being an "older" kid.  She told Caden all the "ins" and "outs" of elementary school.  She was sure to help him as much as he needed.  In fact, when she got home she told me that she said, "hi" to Caden every time she saw him, but he would never acknowledge her.  I guess he's already a bit embarrassed by his older sister!  Lexi got "the teacher" that everyone says you want to steer clear of.  Well, since you can't request teachers it was just our luck that we got her.  We'll see how it goes.  I figure Lexi is a great student and can always rise to the top...we'll make our best of it and who knows? Maybe (fingers crossed) everything will be just great!

Caden began kindergarten.  I remember feeling a realm of emotions when Lexi went to school, but not quite the same that I felt with Caden.  I think a big part of it, is that he seems (and is)  so much younger and less mature than Lexi was.  As I dropped him off I was feeling anxious, sad, excited, worried, happy...you name it!  I was wondering all throughout the day how he was feeling, what he was doing at that very moment, how lunch was going, if he was asking his teacher "how much longer?" or "when is school out?".  To my surprise, he LOVED it!  He came home happy and had so many stories to tell.  

 Caden got a wonderful teacher and really likes her.  I have already been so impressed and know that she is going to be great for him.  

When I asked what Caden's favorite part was he responded, "playing tether ball at recess!" Lexi's was lunch!

Kindergartner

2nd Grader

Caden insisted on Lexi not putting her arm around him!

other fun happenings...

While in Utah, we stayed a few extra days after Aspen Grove.  Mainly to see my Grandparents and also to stay away from the AZ heat for just a tad bit longer!

I am kicking myself now for not getting a picture with all my kids and my Grandpa and Grandma Westphal.  It was sure fun to visit though.  The kids had a blast playing with Grandma's dog and watching a movie in their basement.  It was fun to visit with them and I always LOVE the stories I hear about my Mom...good times! =)

We had told the kids we would take them to BYU to go bowling. (I remember all the times we went there as kids and the times I went with my Grandpa Jensen when he'd take all his grand daughters.)

Just in case you were wondering...I did win the first game!  Oh and I had 4 strikes.  Not that I'm competitive or anything. Just thought you'd like to know.

So Caden has all of a sudden broke out with these dance moves! Lately whenever he's in a good move and hears music he just can't help himself.  Here's a little bit of what he's got!

We also spent time going to Temple Square and the Conference Center.

Lastly, the kids thought they were in heaven at our hotel.  (Mind you it was the nicest "economy" hotel.  Holiday Inn Express is the place to stay!)

Aspen Grove: Randoms...

here are some random photos of good times we had:

Like I said: random!

I could always find Caden hanging out on this bear.

Archer trying his hand at badminton.

Love the attitude Jacks has in this one!

Archer taking this ram by the horns!

Piper loved to make Archer happy!

This is my best effort at a photo of my boys!  Yes, not one of them is looking at the camera!

We have this same shot of all these girls (with a few added) every time we go!  Lexi was Archer's age in the first one.

Getting our groove on at the family dance!  Caden was having another one of "his" moments and wanted nothing to do with dancing!

Farewell to AG 2011...until 2013...we'll be missing you!!!

Aspen Grove: It's On!

Volleyball...that is!  Although many sports are played throughout the week, none of them seem quite as important as volleyball to the Albright's.   

  

Aspen Grove: Frontier Night

Another highlight of the week is Frontier Night.  The kids kept asking when they got to have snow cones...for some reason they remembered that the most from the last time we were there.  I was a little worried they may cancel it due to it raining right before, but they didn't and the kiddos enjoyed their snow cones in the rain and all.  

Caden, Lexi, Gracie & Blue stained teeth from snow cones!

Don't let Archer's face fool you.  He absolutely LOVED the train.  As soon as the ride was over he was signing "more", "more" and would point to the train.  Needless to say, we basically rode the train all night long!

Isn't the scenery beautiful! 

Panning for gold

Clint Knife throwing = watch out!

Aspen Grove: pool time

We all spent our fair share of time in the pool.  Caden and Lexi went swimming every day with their groups.  I enjoyed water aerobics, which always seems to be a fun time with all the girls and we all spent some fun family time in the pool together!

Lexi with her second cousin Breanne

Archer jumping in to Daddy

Love her face in this one!  Pure enjoyment!!!

Aspen Grove 2011

Oh what a fun trip we had to Aspen Grove this year for the Albright family reunion.  I was a little worried about the 11 hour drive with Archer (being that he screams whenever we drive to the grocery store), but it wasn't too bad.  There were a few crying spells, but for the most part everyone did pretty good.  We arrived on Sat. July 23rd and stayed for a week.  Clint's wonderful Grandpa takes the whole Albright crew every other year and it seems to get more and more fun every time we go!  The best part about this year was that the kids Loved their groups and Lexi was in heaven being so "in charge" of herself and roaming whenever and wherever with whomever she chose!  Here are some of the highlights:

opening show:

Lexi was a cub for the week

Caden was a kitten.  The funny thing is Caden's group had all boys during our week; about 14 of them!

 One of our favorite activities:  Aspen Follies

Lexi got so into the games...freezing water and all!

Caden on the other hand was having one of "those kind moments".  Yes, this is pretty much what he sat and did while the rest of us ran around having a good time.  

This is the man we love dearly, Grandpa Chuck!  He's made quite the impact on our family!