Summer Time

Ben and Dane in our old trailer.

I know that this photo is from a long time ago, but I found it and couldn't help sharing.  :)

Update:
Dane: Working on a week long course from 8am-4pm everyday.  He had to take off work to finish it.  It was pure torture. ;)  He traveled all over and learned about "Water Shedding".  He got to hike, canoe, and have take out lunch everyday.  But did have a lot of follow up homework.  He was sunburn and tired when he got home.  He did try to catch a rather large frog to bring home and show the kids.  But he was unsuccessful.  He is now working on finishing up this semester and going to start training with his "Student Teaching" for this coming Fall.  He is excited to start putting things together and working with the kids.  :)  There is a light at the end of the tunnel.

Britt:  Well her kidney is giving her a hard time and she's just trying to keep up with Dr's visits, tests, and Dr's orders.  Tomorrow I will be going to have a VAUG done and will look forward to the results.  (Not the test, but the results.)  I have been pretty lazy.  (It's kind of hard to be motivated when you're in pain and walk around like a crippled up old woman.)  But I am slowly trying to keep up with my small apartment and have cleaned out a few boxes.  My goal is to have my storage unit cleaned out and organized by this fall, so when we move this winter.  I don't have to do all of that, just pack up and move a storage unit.  ;) (I'll let you know if I get it done.)

Ben:  Has been bored to tears.  He has gone to friends houses to play games.  Water Birthday parties.  Riding his bike with his new helmet and bell.  Playing on the play ground out back.  Catching up on "Phineas and Ferb" from the Disney channel.  Eating popsicles. Reading books.  Laying around crying because he's so bored!  Working on curriculum work books. Watching "Red Box" movies.  Going to 3D shoots with his Dad.  Annoying his siblings.  Putting his nose in "time out".  Singing at the top of his lungs.  And of course going to the grocery store with me. (pure torture that last one.)  He has "kindly" informed me that I am a boring Mom.  That I need to have something for him to do "ever time of the day!" because that's what they do at school.  Too tall of an order.  He'll just be extra excited when school starts again!

Symi:  She is talking, bossing, and taking charge in our family.  She sure likes to put everyone in their place.  For the good as well as the bad.  She is our first one to cheer someone on, as well as the first to tell them what they did wrong.   She has been Ben's little shadow this summer.  Following him and doing all the fun previously mentioned activities as well.  She loves to play with her babies and has nearly destroyed her stroller she got a Christmas.  She likes it.  A LOT!!!  She also loves to sing at the top of her lungs and run around the house.  Tangled is a new found love and she is happy that she has "Rapunzel Hair".  It's a blessing because everyday now she wants to have pretty hair like Rapunzel.  So I finally get to do her hair everyday and make her cute.  Sure it doesn't last very long, but at least for a few hours in a day she looks cute.  

Jayden:  He has turned from my little lump of chunk.  To my little monster of terror!!  He loves to MOVE.  This new discovery has gotten him into some tight situations.  He was trying to get a toy he had dropped into the tub.  As he was reaching I saw him.  Like slow motion he teetered and slipped over the edge just as my hands missed him.  He landed on his head with a *SmAcK* and started crying. Tub without water by the way.  Poor kid had a bruise and bump to prove his craziness.  He also pushed our little "potty" over to the sink.  Climbed up the potty.  Grabbed the edge of the sink and with legs dangling and arms clinging to the sink tried to lift himself up onto the vanity.  I caught his just as his arms gave way and he was heading back to earth by sheer gravity.  He likes to push things around and walk behind them.  He has started to jabber a little.  Not much of a talker, but always a giggler at his siblings.  He says "Da-Dee" (daddy), "Ahh-DUuu" (All Done), "Uh-Oh", "No", "Uv-Oooo"(Love you), and "Bye".  This kiddo loves to be outside and laughs when someone picks him up and takes him out the door.  He now waves "Bye-Bye" and blows "kisses".  

He loves to tackle his siblings when they least expect it and sit on them.  I was laughing so hard at him the other day.  Symi had been teasing him all morning and he took it.  And took it.  And TOOK IT!!  He was so patient.  When she laid down to watch a movie.  He struck.  He was sitting across the room and grabbed his hands together, tucked his chin to his chest, and giggled evilly to himself.  Then he took off doing his fast crawl and grabbed a huge handful of her hair and PULLED!!  He got some and crawled off in the other direction.  Then later that day Ben was teasing him and he was done.  He waited until Ben was watching the movie with Symi.  Shortly after getting her he came back and attacked Ben.  He ended up straddling Ben's head and farting on his face.  Laughed to himself and fast crawled away.  Both of the older kids were upset and I was laughing.  They both deserved it for all the put him through.  So how do I get mad!!

We are doing well and having a "FUN" summer.  I know it's not ideal, but I'm trying to do the best I can.  So far we've had some fun memories that I'll cherish.