Water parks, Friends, and Summer Camp.

 We got to get together with some of our Gibb friends while they were in town.

We took advantage of the summer weather, and headed to Rexburg Rapids for some fun!

The kids had a blast, and I will do anything to be outside in the sunshine! :)

Caden was at camp that week. This boy loved going to Pine Basin last year, and wasn't about to mis it this year. He even chose to go over his birthday!

Can't believe I have am 11 year old.... where does the time go?!

State Geography Bee

 Yesterday we headed up to Rexburg for the state geography bee.

I can't even begin to describe how smart this kid is. None of it came from me that's for sure:)

The one bummer was that the preliminary rounds, we weren't allowed to see:( They only let you watch the finals, which they narrowed down to 10 kids. Caden made it to the end... one wrong question kept him out of the final round. BUT he was going up against 8th graders! And his studying was minimal. 

After this experience he says he is going to study even harder for next year so he can make it to the finals. I have no doubt he will. :)

Champion!

 It is that time of year again, geography bee!

Last year I didn't really know what to expect, or that Caden was even going to do well...

This year I knew his potential, and I was so nervous for him!

I don't know why I was so nervous the kid rocked it, flying through to the championship round.

This year was his year and he won! I was so proud of him!

Now it's the waiting game to see if he passed the test to compete at the state level.

The end of a season.

 Today was Caden's last football game of the season.

It was an exciting one, as they won!

 The season wasn't quite the one they wanted, but they played hard all season, gave it there all and learned a lot. It felt good to end on a win!

My three littles were such troopers going to every single one of his games and never complaining once!

Party Time.

So for Caden's birthday party, he decided to pick a few friends, and head up to Rexburg Rapids.

We had gone with my family a few weeks back, and had a blast, so we packed up and made an afternoon out of it!

Caden invited his friend, Carter from the neighborhood, and Carter, our friend from Minnesota, our on vacation visiting his grandparents. It was perfect timing!

Brookie is a little fish!

These boys knew just what to give Cado for his birthday. I guess you can never have to many Bayblades....

Kylee was in heaven, having Allie there to play with!

It was a great day with friends, and so fun to celebrate Caden's birthday.

Double Digits.

I can hardly believe that this tiny little face entered the world 10 years ago, and made me a mamma.

He was my first little buddy.

He is a smart little dude, lover of legos, books, video games and friends.

My little buddy is not so little anymore. How did this happen?! When did this happen?!

Love this kid to the moon and back!

Of course Buffalo Wild Wings was the choice for birthday dinner.

Which made fans for life from his sibblings.

Happy Birthday Caden. Thanks for your sweet spirit, the joy you bring in our home, and for just being you. LOVE YOU.

Summer Fun.

I was surprised with an early birthday present. Ryan had gotten it while I was gone for Ragnar, and my kids are the worst at keeping secrets. He also wanted me to have it before we headed to Bear Lake for the family reunion.

 I was shocked, and super excited! While running is my first love, I have been wanting to join Ryan in the cycling department for awhile. A fun cross train, and there are duathlons out there. :)

I have learned I suck at clipping out and stopping put together, but I'm getting there.

Caden went to a camp the school district puts on up at Pine Basin. First time sending him off on his own. For a full work week. The house was not the same without him, and I missed him. But not as much as Brandon did. That poor kid was missing his best friend.

We went up Thursday night for parents night, and he didn't even seemed exited to see us:(

He was having way too much fun.

Once he was home, we decided to celebrate the next day by heading to Ribgy Lake.

The kids had fun getting buried... no thanks.

 I had fun reading my book and watching from a distance.

Love my little family.

Life of a Soccer Mom.

 I never could figure our sometimes why the phrase is soccer mom?! 

While we did try soccer for a short season, I think Basketball, Dance, and Cheer are going to be in my future for a long time!

Kylee has become quite the little dancer, and has gone to 3 cheer camps now and loves them!

The boys just finished their second round of basketball at the Y.

Brandon(#4) was awarded the Speedy Gonzales Award. The kid was pretty fast, and can drain some good shots.

Caden(#10) had a blast, and was quite the baller! He is already talking about fall ball... Oh boy. That is basketball all school year long!

Needless to say I have spent many hours in the car, sitting through dances, and watching games.

As much as I do love watching my kiddos, I am ready for a break!:)

Pinewood Derby.

 This must be the highlight for ever cub scout, the pinewood derby!

As goes in the Ellis household, we took it down to the wire getting Caden's car ready.

It was so fun to see him get excited and have fun with his friends.

Next year we will have two boys. Yikes. No more procrastination!

Cub Scouts.

 Caden is trucking a long with scouts.

 He got quite a few badges this past meeting and he was pretty proud.

So was I.

Geography Bee.

 Caden was chosen to participate in the schools Geography Bee this past Thursday.

They choose one student from each class.

Thankfully I was volunteering in Kylee's class, and saw that it was happening, or I totally would have missed it! That dang Caden never tells me whats going on in his life...

Caden is the third from the left:

Both Ryan and I were so amazed and shocked at the questions this kid got right?!

I had only studied with him for maybe a total of 20 min.

There were questions I for sure he was going to miss, and he would just rattle them off.

At this point Caden had one question wrong, and the two on the end (6th graders) had two wrong.

Once you had three questions wrong, you were out.

The next question, all three got the answer wrong. Making the 6th graders battle it out to face Caden in the championship round!

I seriously couldn't help laughing at how much this kid knew. I never saw him study for it on his own.

He ended up loosing in the championship round to a girl in our ward.

I was so proud of him.

Before it started, they explained that if you won, you could go on and compete in Boise. If you won there, you could go on and compete in Washington D.C. This is for 4th through 8th grade.

After the competition was over, Caden says to me:

"Mom, I have four years to get to D.C!"

And no doubt this kid will do it.

Caden.

 I just can't even believe that this cute little boy:

Has turned in to this handsome BIG boy:

I feel so blessed that this is the child that started my journey in being a mother. He truly is a joy to have around. 

He is the best big brother, especially to Brooke. He is so overprotective of her.

He loves to build Lego's, and and type of connecting, building thing.

But the Wii is his first love. He'd play that all day long if he could!:)

He loves being in Cub Scouts, and hanging with his friends.

The only sad thing to report is he has grown past the age of wanting his mom around, let alone giving him a hug or a kiss in public. :(

Caden, I am so glad you are a part of our family. 

Happy Birthday Bud!

DERBY.

 Saturday was Caden's first pinewood derby. Mine as well to be exact. I know I have two brothers, and didn't go to theirs... terrible sister...

It was really quite fun!

The girls awaiting the races:

 Caden standing up as his name is called:

 His first heat:

 The crowd of kids:

 And they are off!

 The finish line.

 The boys raced their cars 4 different times. Caden's car was not the fastest, but he did place second in one race! He's already planning his next years car!

What a grown up boy I have!

Caden's baptism.

Today was a special day for our family.
Most importantly it was a special day for Caden.
Caden was baptized a member of our church today. I couldn't be more proud.

He was beeming ear to ear. The spirit was so strong. I love this gospel and the way it makes me and my family feel. It's amazing.

We were lucky enough to have all of the Ellis family out to witness it.

We also had some of the Willardson side, Holly and Garrett, and my dad was able to make it!
This was the family clan!

Willardson family:

And my little family. I am so proud of Caden and his decision to be baptized. I am so lucky that this little family that Ryan and I have created have the opportunity to be together forever.

And man, I really love my children and their awesome ability to take great pictures.
I have learned to embrace them though. They make for great memories.:)

The Party!

We had a great party for Caden, with a bunch of his friends!
Even though the weather wasn't great, it was muggy and so the water party stayed in play.
Thank goodness too cause I'm not so sure what I would have done with all of those crazy boys.
They sure have A LOT of energy.
This was Ryan getting them with the hose. They thought that they were pretty good at keeping away...:)

After the hose and some water balloon fights, we headed over to the field for some good ol fun with races. Boys love to race, and love to WIN!

Since we got them good and worn out, pizza was next, and boy can those kids EAT! I think half of them ate 4 pieces!

Then of course we had to follow that up with singing to the birthday boy with his choice of cake, Ice Cream Cake fro Dairy Queen, delish!

Then it was present time. He is one lucky guy! His friends didn't' disappoint. He couldn't pick a favorite, he loved it all.

It was fun to see all these kids have so much fun, and now we get to do this all over again in a week!