Carly's Birthday - Big 5!

Carly is officially 5! She is so grown up now. She had a great birthday. She FOR SURE wanted to open her presents before school. She got her very own Hello Kitty digital camera. It holds about 90 pictures and it was filled up by the end of the day. She loves to take pictures (a true Barlow.) She took a book (Marley goes to School) to her class as a present. She said everyone loved it and laughed lots. She told me that now everyone in her class knows her name but she doesn't know everyone else's name. A definite advantage of having your birthday the third day of school.

Blowing out her candles. She helped me decorate the flower garden cake. We ate dinner at Andria's - the absolute best seafood place. Carly loves popcorn shrimp so she picked to go there.

Wearing her birthday outfit from Grandma Thompsen.

She could barely stand to wait for everyone to be ready so she could open her presents.

She is checking to make sure the outfit Grandma Barlow gave her fits by laying on top of it. This girl cracks me up! We love you Cars!

Brad Update

Where's the camera been?! AHHH! Our cute little Brad is growing up right before our eyes but not before our camera! I just can't seem to get it all together and take more pictures of him. He is growing so big and so far has been our biggest baby. Our other kids were always hanging out toward the bottom of the averages but not Brad... he's BIG. I have to remember to wash in between the cute little fat rolls on his legs when I give him a bath. I always wanted a chubby baby and I got one! He is so much fun and has started jabbering, rolling over, and playing with toys.Mac thought this was sooo cool that Brad was in his bed. He didn't want him to leave (probably because he didn't want to go to bed.)Ironically McKay was checking some scores on ESPN when I took this picture. He hasn't had as much time to watch sports lately (I am not complaining by any means.) Brad doesn't sit much - he prefers to stand. He will arch his back so you will stand him up.

He loves his toes!

Rollin' over.

Mac is great with Brad. Brad thinks it is so funny when Mac practically catapults him in his swing. Mac will hold it up way high then let it fly. I try to tell him to be careful but Brad laughs and thinks it is funny. It is fun seeing them start to interact.

All dressed up in his Sunday best. We love you tons Brad - even though we don't have many pictures!

First Day of School

The first day of school was officially a success. There were a few tears but at the end of the day everyone was happy. Carly started Kindergarten and they changed it to full day this year. I was a little skeptical and was ready to pull her out the second week and send her back to preschool (not for real but I am sad she is growing up.) She is handling it like a pro though. She has Mrs. New who was one of Anna's teachers so we already felt like we 'New' her. :)

They, of course, coordinated their outfits. Carly now 'eats' lunch at school but usually comes home with like three bites of her sandwich gone and nothing else eaten. So she eats it when she gets home. Too many distractions and fun things to go and play with. I am not a fan of all-day kindergarten but we are trying to make the best of it. Carly seems to be doing great.

Eating breakfast.

Carly sitting on the carpet.

Anna is in a 1/2 combo class. I was a little nervous at first for her but she is doing great as well. Her teacher is Mrs. Huntting. I don't know her well but she seems nice. I feel like first grade is a whole different world than Kindergarten. It took her a few days to get used to being at school the whole day but she has adjusted. I definitely miss the girls during the day. The house seems way to quiet and empty with them gone. I have to keep myself busy or else I get sad. I am hoping I will adjust soon too. :)

Walking up to school.

They are growing up way too fast!

It's Gone!

After some drama Anna's front tooth finally fell out - eating a piece of chocolate! She was having a hard time eating and McKay even gave it a few good tugs and it wasn't wanting to come out. She was excited to have it gone so she could eat normal again. Her tooth fell out on a Saturday and Anna reminded us that she has lost all four of her teeth on a Saturday. She remembers everything.

Cute smile!

Champions

McKay and some friends played on a basketball team at the YMCA. They play together on Tuesday nights at the church so they decided to see if they were as good as they thought they were and sign up for a league. It was fun to watch them play and yes, they are the champions. Free T-shirt and all.

PDC Reunion Trip

The last member of the PDC is getting married so the boys all thought it called for a reunion trip. They met at a beach house in San Diego and had a super fun time. McKay loves getting to hang with the boys. They are all great guys. I'll do my best to describe the pics... Celebrating at a restaurant.

They toured the US Midway - an aircraft carrier. Very cool I was told.

They all want to quit their jobs and try for Top Gun now.

The amazing house.

Hanging out at the beach. Now that they are all in their thirties they sit under the umbrellas and wear as much sunscreen as possible.

They played a lot of volleyball and football on the beach. McKay came home pretty sore. They were all poppin' ibuprofen to ease the pain. Not as limber as they used to be but still just as fun!

Mormon Night at Dodger Stadium

We decided to go to Mormon Night at Dodger Stadium and sit in the all-you-can-eat section. It was awesome and well worth it! We ate a ton! It is pretty much a once-a-year experience. It was super fun to let the kids eat whatever they wanted and to let them get as many sodas as they wanted. I didn't even care when they didn't finish their hot dogs because I wasn't thinking about how much money they cost. Normally the $5.50 per drink price completely deters us from getting any drinks so we made up for it this night and all had a lot of soda. I must say it was completely awesome getting ready for the game too. I didn't have to pack ANY snacks or water - fabulous! Dad and the boys after the game - note all the trash - the place was a DUMP from all the food. But yet again, well worth it!

Family picture before the game

Mac was lovin' the rally cap!

The girls having fun.

This was Brad's first Dodger game. He took it like a champ and was great the entire game!

The Dodgers won with a walk-off homer from Andre Ethier. Carly is convinced she made the win because she had the idea for everyone to put on their rally caps. It was a great game!

Sweet Carly

Sweet Carly made me lunch yesterday. I was halfway through my PBJ when she told me I better take a picture so I could put it on the blog! She was so proud of herself. She even took the yogurt out of the container and cut up my string cheese. I was quite impressed with how well balanced it was. Today she and Anna made me lunch and I got PB and honey, grapes, tomatoes, and TWO sticks of string cheese (they each wanted to cut one.) Thanks for the treat sweetie pies!

La Playa

Some family came into town and wanted to go to the beach so we decided to join them. Anna and Carly went a little earlier with them then I came. I know all you native So Cal people are going to cringe when I say this but for my posterity's sake I need to let them know that I think the beach is slightly overrated! I haven't quite figured out what is so fun about sitting in the wind wondering why you have goosebumps in the middle of the day in July. Is it the sandy chips you eat that makes it so fun? or maybe the seagulls trying to steal all your food? the umbrella that refuses to stay in the ground and wacks your 2-yr-old on the head when it gets blown away? the sand in your eyes? the backache you have from trying to carry all your stuff and kids to your spot? trying to convince yourself the water is warm while your toes are turning purple? the two hours it takes you to get ready for the beach and the three hours it takes you to clean up? the sandbox in your car after the beach? Believe me I could go on... but I won't. Brad screamed the entire time and Mac cried almost the entire time and I was only there about 30 minutes. It didn't take much convincing to leave the beach and play at the pool (sorry no pics of the pool - we were too busy having FUN!) I guess these cute pictures made it all worth it.

Lynette and I trying to save the umbrella.

Sandy chips.

Needless to say I won't be attempting the beach again until all my children have passed the age of three or if McKay is with me. (maybe)

Pony Rides on Pioneer Day

They had pony rides at our stake Pioneer Day this year. I was a little hesitant to wait in line for them because a few years ago I waited in this really long line and then we got up there and Anna wouldn't get on the horse! They promised me this time that if I waited in line they would ride. So I waited in line while they ate dinner - it was only about 30 minutes of dust blowing in my face. I didn't know if Mac would do it or not but he marched right up there and sat on that horse. He thought he was sooo cool. He had just had some watermelon so you can imagine what he looked like after the ride with dirt blowing on his sticky face. The girls thought it was wonderful!

I couldn't get Mac to smile but I could tell he was having fun.