Wednesday, June 15, 2016

Family Home Evening


Forgot to add this picture on my last post...Andrew has his driving permit.  He will drive with an adult for the next 6 months and then will be eligible for his licence.  Wahoo!  I'm excited for him to drive himself to his own events.  He has clocked in two hours of driving time in the last two days and I've only had to correct him once.  He's doing a great job.

 Ok...now to FHE.
We took the kids down to Derkie's lake Monday night to hike the loop.  Steve has some shoes he needed to break in for his scouting trips later this summer. 
The weather was cool-ish and the kids did great.

Andrew needed this shot for his Instagram...his hair was cooperating.  (wink wink)

Colby wanted pictures at every large rock he could find.

The kids explored and enjoyed the beauty of our Idaho home.
To my pleasant surprise, there was minimal arguing.  Physical exertion brings out the best in my children. 






I think we will have to make family hikes more of a priority these days. 

 We live in such a beautiful place.

Grady did great until the very end.  His little body was all worn out and therefore sleeping on Steve's head seemed reasonable...but he did complain about his hands getting wet from Steve's sweat.  I laughed pretty hard - beggars can't be choosers Grady1

I love this family of mine!

After our hike, we drove down to Shoshone Falls and then splurged on blizzards and fries at Dairy Queen. 
I think this FHE might have to be repeated.

Tuesday, June 14, 2016

May into June

Schools out and summer is marching along full throttle.  It's hard to believe we are into our third week already!   The following pictures are glimpses of the past month.  I don't want to forget what is going on in our little life while time whisks past so quickly.   Between writing in my journal (a lot less than I used to) and Instagram Chatbooks, I hope our life gets documented.   
So the Dixon house has been full of the following...

Planting and more planting.
I have loved setting up my new flower beds and figuring out what will grow best where.
Saylor and Grady have been my faithful nursery buddies.  

 The north-west side of our house has the most fun flowerbed set up, however, the wind without a fence being installed is whipping my poor little plants to death.  They are growing ever so slowly.  I'm also haveing to adjust the water I give the plants constantly due to wind and changing temperatures.  It's only June 14th and I know I'm going to have to rip out a few tender plants that will never survive on this side of the house.  It's frustrating, but also a good learning process.  I hope by August I will get it all figured out.

We had our end of the year recitals and school concerts.  Carter had guitar and Colby had his violin recital.  I only took video of Colby's piece so sadly I don't have have a picture of Colby...

so I'll use this one instead.  He was and is still pretty cute.

 Carter also had his school cello concert.  He is loving this instrument. 

On one of Andrew's many bike outings, he fell hard and scratched up his right arm and leg.  The bandage made it hard for him to eat his giant bowls of sugar cereal.  His life is hard. 

 Andrew was inducted into National Honor Society along with his many handsome friends.  These are great boys and I'm so grateful Andrew has these friends.

 Grady is potty trained!  (insert a chorus of angels for dramatic effect here)  
No my diapers at this house!
He still insists on only using the little potty, but is wearing underwear all the time which he adorably pronounces undi-wheres.

Saylor had her last day of kindergarten...

and she graduated!!

She had the most fantastic teacher who happens to also be the primary chorister in our ward. 
  Mrs. (Sister) Stanger is the best.  

 Steve is working on his two Land Cruisers and has loved testing them out on the dirt hills behind our house.  The tan one is sporting new tires and will be lifted soon.  We've decided that in our marriage, he can spend money on cars and I will spend money on flowers...it works. 
Andrew has been the busiest around here.  He attended high adventure with our ward up by Sun Valley and then the next week attended Priest Encampment with the stake at Camp Bradly.  He leaves next Monday for swim camp at BYU.  Keeping this boy busy is a good thing...he's happier that way.

My parents so graciously agreed to watch our kids while Steve and I went to Boise for a few days to get away.  

I'm not sure who had more fun, us or the kids.  Saylor actually told my mom she loved her more than me.  A blizzard and fries will do that to a six year old!

Carter spent his free time at Grandma's sewing on her fancy machine.   The sewing gene skipped a generation for sure.

The only bad part of the trip was that our new patio furniture was stolen off our back porch.  
I'm frustrated...what else can I say.

 Saylor has been loving having friends over to play.

We made it to Steadmans farm.  This is a yearly must for us!


It's the best and cheapest fun around.

Andrew...is fun.
Had to include this handsome picture.

The spring weather has not disappointed and we've loved watching the crazy lightning storms roll in.
The back of our house is all windows so we have an awesome view from inside as well.

We bought Carter a cello....he is beyond thrilled.

We bought us a new bed.
I'm beyond thrilled.

 The yard is coming along.  I should have included another picture of the trees along the back of our property.  We have 21 trees total in our yard.   This makes me smile.

Swimming has started up again for Saylor.  She is getting stronger all the time...and tanning like a roasting turkey.  She will be golden brown and blonde by the end of the summer.  Love her.


Monday, May 16, 2016

Eagle project donations delivered

Our friends, the Young family, came back a little over a week ago from Guatemala where they served the people with free dental and health care along with delivering Andrew's eagle project donations.   Kaitlyn young used her great photography skills while she was there and returned with pictures for Andrew's thank you notes and final presentation.  
Seeing the pictures for the first time I cried big fat tears - tears of overwhelming gratitude for how blessed my family is.  We are privileged not to see our privilege of living in a first world country.  We take for granted clothing, dental care, health care, basic hygiene products and so much more.  
I was a little grumpy with my two littlest kids this morning as I tried to get ready...then I saw these pictures.  I feel for the parents of these darling, beautiful children and how frustrating it would be to struggle to find basic necessities for them.   I hugged Saylor and Grady tight and was grateful I have a house to clean and clothing to wear...not to mention a washing machine, dishwasher and so so much more!

These beautiful pictures speak for themselves.