Summertime Recap- Severely Out of Order

 We have spent A LOT of time swimming this summer. I never took pictures so these will have to do.

 Kate has been really trying to learn to swim. She's gotten pretty good and I think by next summer will have it down.

Her "swim lessons"

This week she spent the entire play group pool time with Isaac Morgan. He was great with her and she would attempt swimming a lot more than she would with me. Problem is she thought she was better than she really was and jumped off one time and got scared when no one was there.

Grandma made the girls new dresses. They want to wear them every Sunday.

The kids have enjoyed one of Bailey's birthday presents-Foosball.

 We spent a Saturday at Gilroy Garden's with Laugers, Wells and Wares

 Told you he was goofier lately

This one never fails with goofiness.

 This was Nathan last Sunday before Church.

He likes to look at his muscles in the mirror.

A few weeks ago, I found out last minute that it was Cow Appreciation Day at Chick-Fil-A. If you were dressed from head to toe in cow gear, you would get a free meal. It was close to lunch time, and I didn't feel like cooking. So this is what we came up with in about 20 minutes. 

While prepping for Girl's Camp I needed to know how to put up this tent by myself. Bailey was a sport and very careful gave me instructions. I'm a pro now:)

Nathan and his friend Jared trying to set things on fire. I told them as long as they are doing it right next to me, it's fine. Apparently Jared kept trying this at home without parent supervision. I don't think I'm in too much trouble with his parents...

Right after school got out, we spent the day at Sunsplash. The kids had a great time. Addison took a while to warm up to the idea, and I thought for a period of time I was going to have to take her home. She worked through it and ended up loving it. Uncle Curtis took the day off work and came to help me wrangle everyone. 

Eating at In and Out before Sunsplash fun.

So we attempted (and it was a good attempt) running a few night a week to help Bailey prep for Cross Country. Although then it got SUPER hot, then girls camp, then...well...now school is almost in session. But we had a good run while it lasted. 

 And to make this post complete-Nathan got glasses! I am really hoping this will help his school work. He is very excited to be just like Bailey. Their eye problems are totally different but the glasses are the same style. Nathan wouldn't have it any other way. Here's to first grade and being able to see!!

Now for the pictures I forgot!!

 At a discount movie showing of the Croods. The kids loved it, especially when it was 5000 degrees outside.

 7-11-13. Free Slurpees at 7-11. Anything free is excellent

 The twins helping me prepare for girls camp.

 Nathan being silly for the camera

 Emma being dramatic for the camera...check out that wingspan!

 B and E cooking their own dinner (Emma made Chinese, Bailey had lasagne) The three little ones were at Grandma's and they loved being the only two at home for a night

Kate's ice cream face.

12 is the Magic Number

Turning 12 is a super big deal in our family. Probably in a lot of LDS families it is a big deal as well.

 I was sure to document everything I could. This is Bailey on the way to meet with the Bishop for his 12 year old interview. We are super proud of him for completing his Faith in God requirements. He took it very seriously, as Bailey always does:)

One of my favorite pictures of him recently. I don't know what exactly happens to them at 12, but I have always noticed it with the boys and girls in our wards through the years. It's like graduating from Primary they all of a sudden has this mini transformation. Bailey has been a lot more outgoing and his serious I have to be an adultness all the time (although still there!) gets replaced here and there with pre pubescent goofiness.

 We had Bailey's family party after I got back from Girl's Camp. Nana put cash in a tissue box and it was a big hit.

 The weekend before Bailey turned 12 he had his friend party. Ben took Bailey and his friends to a paintball arena and they had a blast. Bailey said it was his best birthday ever. Mission accomplished:)

Boys and guns-a great way to turn 12.

12 means moving up in Boy Scouts. He was able to go to Scout Camp (and comes home today or tomorrow!!) He learned to pack everything up and be prepared.

I didn't take his picture when I actually dropped him off. The hug was all he could take:)

His first day passing the sacrament. And he had a youth fireside the same night. I almost wouldn't have sent him since I am not used to listening to the announcements for the Young Men. Guess I better shift my thinking! 

The other boys in the Deacon's Quorum were so awesome with Bailey showing him what to do that Sunday. Bailey sat down with a sigh of relief when he was done. 

We are really proud of Bailey and all he has done to prepare himself to receive the Aaronic priesthood. He is faithful in reading his scriptures daily, saying his prayers and trying really hard to do what is right.

She's HOT!!

I don't often come blog an event right after it happens, especially if I don't have pictures. However this might be one of my favorites...

To preface:
Bailey turns 12 next week, but our ward has already gone to Scout Camp. We got permission for him to go with another ward. To help him get used to the ward/leaders, we started last week sending him to their youth activities. Today was a lake trip.  I assumed it was a Scout lake trip...but when I got there saw that NOPE, it is a combined Young Men/Young WOMEN trip. Oh my goodness, my little boy is now old enough for combined activities with girls. In bathing suits.

So, of course what is a mom to do except call her mother in law, mother to five boys. Of course, calling my husband and squealing oh my goodness while he is at work probably isn't the best use of his time:) (But now he gets to read this blog!) While I am laughing/almost crying that Bailey is actually old enough to go to the lake and ride on boats and jet skis (and I mentioned the girls, right?!), Nathan was listening. I hung up the phone and this is what happened...

Nathan: Mom, is Bailey going to the lake with hot girls? (I never used this phrase in the phone conversation)
Me: Hot girls?!
Nathan: You know, the cute ones. I think I saw one at least that was. She had on a bathing suit...giggle giggle...

Looks like I need to worry more about Nathan's first co-ed lake outing than Bailey's. Sigh.

Nathan's Kindergarten Graduation and other scary animals

 Another Oram made it through Kindergarten. Not that Kindergarten is hard, but for Nathan it was borderline. I had to convince the teachers to let me work with him through the summer for him to be able to go to first grade. Call it middle child syndrome, call it Nathan first needed to learn to poop...but I was convincing enough and he moves on!

 Getting his rose

 And his diploma

 Nathan and best bud Rayce.

 Nathan LOVES these two ladies. Good thing he gets them for another year in 1st grade.

 The crew

 His diploma. 

 That same day I drove on a field trip. I almost died when I realized what we would be doing. I am scared of a lot of things but I am really scared of turtles, lizards, snakes, etc..

 Ah! This thing was nasty.

 And a snake?! Emma touched everything. I am glad she did because I am such a scaredy cat and she isn't.

When You Haven't Blogged Since Mother's Day

You might be a Mother...OR...
You might be a Mother who is prepping for Girl's Camp and is also the Primary Secretary. These two (three really!) callings only tend to overlap for a short time, then the rest of the year is peachy. But right now especially I am a little distracted and can't remember which way I am going some days.

I thought about making a lot of little posts about what we have been up to but I'm just doing one long one.

 Emma found a piece of my broken necklace and decided it made a good headband.

 Addison at the park, one of the last days before Summer began.

 This is Kate's favorite place.

 At a birthday party for my friend's two children. They love a good party and this was no exception.

 Ice cream!

 And more ice cream...

 All of the kids at the party.

 We met grandma, Leena and Johanna for lunch later that day.

 This was one of the biggest surprises we received...after being #42 on the waiting list for this school, we got in. They expanded their school by 50 slots! Bailey was all set to go to the local Jr. High (and I had finally come to terms with it) and then we got in here. I am much happier and less nervous about this move in schools, and Bailey is excited for something new.

 Emma did a great job in Girls on the Run, an after school program that trains young girls to run a 5K. They need a running buddy for the race they do at the end of the program.

 Emma, Kirby, Isabelle and Mackenzie. These girls have all been together since Kindergarten and are such good friends.

 She liked to decorate herself for the run.

 The whole group ready to go!

 My attempt at taking her picture while running.

 After the race with her medal. She did it in what I originally thought was 38 minutes, but it was actually closer to 36. I am really proud of her and how hard she trained.

 We did it!

 I wasn't quite sure how my ankle would hold up for this. I wrapped it tight, took some IBU and went for it. I had no pain at all thank goodness.

 Random picture of Nathan in his favorite hat.

 The thank you card from Emma for being her running buddy for the 5K. One of my favorites.

 

 Emma in all her Emma glory. She was set on this outfit until Bailey told her she looked like Lady Gaga. She changed and opted for a sequin scarf instead of the plaid shirt.

 Bailey loves to cook. Mostly because it means he gets to eat what he likes. He made pancakes for dinner one night, and often asks to make breakfast in the mornings. Mostly because he hates cereal...

 

 Addison playing in our mini jungle

 The three younger ones playing ring around the rosy

 And they all fell down

 They are super funny to watch sometimes:)

 We went to a Lincoln "Health Expo" a while back. That has to be in quotes because only Lincoln would consider a health expo a place with face painting, a bacon lovers food truck, ice cream, candy at every booth with a few gyms handing out pamphlets a "health expo."

 Getting her face painted

 Kate only wanted her hand done

 Emma's rose

 We found them on Emma's bed sleeping this way one night.

 No idea why all three were up there, but they slept that way all night long.

 These two still like to sleep a lot.

 Emma's class play, "Saturday"

 She loves to perform

 Every year when the boys go to the Father/Son's camp-out, we have Girl's Night. This was the twins first year being old enough to join.

 We ate Lincoln Chinese, rented a movie and ate way too much candy.

 This fur pile is Reagan. She was supposed to be our pet.

 Breaks your heart when I say supposed to, right?

 Well, she is a breeder's dog for labradoodles. The breeder put her with us thinking she would be OK with kids. She was for  a few days but then stopped eating and was having some anxiety. The breeder decided they had to take her back.

 Sadder thing is, the kids still don't know. We told them she was going off to have puppies. I know, parents lying to their kids...but I couldn't tell them right away. Their last dog hasn't been dead that long, and I just couldn't break their hearts right now. So, once she has been gone a while we will let them know she can't come back. Hoping I can put that one off for about 10 years. This will probably be one of those experiences that they tell their therapist:)

 Bailey has been working super hard on writing essays this year, and his last one he got a 94%!! He was so excited and rushed in to tell me when he got home. His last essay he got a 69%, so this was a huge jump.

 I drove on Emma's last field trip and she and Isabelle decided to take pictures of themselves on my phone.

 And they wanted to go on baby swings:) Isabelle is going to be home schooled next year and Emma is so devastated. These two have been best buddies for a long time.

 Kate asleep again. This was after a particularly sassy day. She's sure making life a little more spicy around here.

 School this year seemed to drag on FOREVER!! The kids were finally out June 12th

 I made these as end of the year gifts for Emma's teachers.

 One of her teachers is pregnant with her first baby. She already sent me a picture of this up in her house. I am so glad they liked them because they took all day to make. I either need a craft room or someone to just do all this for me. It's more work than I like to do:)

 Bailey on his last day of wearing a uniform. Bittersweet.

 Every year, their school offers discount tickets to Sunsplash. Every year my kids beg to go. This year I said yes, but we had to take Uncle Curtis with us. Big thanks to him for taking the day off work.

 We ate at In and Out before heading over

 All ready! The twins were the most excited as they have never been there before.

 I told them to say Cheese, and they held up the cheese...makes sense. It was a fun, exhausting day. They loved the water park, even if we had a few bumps. Addison had about an hour of not wanting to be there. Nathan wanted to jump in the waves all day-no shock. It could have been a little warmer for me to be in the water all day, but it was one of their favorite says so far.

 Father's Day Chess. I had no clue Nathan knew how to play! No seriously, he does. He watches B and E do it all the time. 

 Emma playing Hot Cross Buns. Lessons have started and she loves it.

 Kate's summer outfit. Who doesn't look like this in 90 degree weather?

 Nathan and his friend Jared. They were setting all sorts of things on fire.

 Two nights a week I take the older ones to the track. Bailey is trying to keep up his running, and Emma wants to do better in cross country next year. 

Phew...that was long. But now I am caught up!