Painting with Pudding!

It was rainy a few afternoons this last week, so the pool was not an option so we had to get creative with something to do so I let the kids fingerpaint with pudding. It was definitely messy, but kept the kids entertained for awhile!



Ellie skipped the fingerpaint part of the activity and just went right for the full on face method!


Kelsey just started to get silly after awhile, and Cameron was the only one who actually understood the concept and came through it all mess free!

Bring on the Smores!

One of my kids favorite things about Aunt Ali's house is having a fire in the fire pit on the patio and roasting marshmellows. This is the greatest thing ever to them. So--thanks everyone for getting the fire going and making my kids day!


Roasting marshmellows with cousin Briton

My cute neice Caitlin, and Ellie and cousin Keenan

Good Luck Elder Moffitt!

We took a trip to Michigan last week to visit my oldest sister Aleta and her family. My sister was so nice to drive down here to Lexington and pick up me and the kids and then drive us back home the next morning so we could spend a few extra days together. Blaine joined us for the weekend. Our purpose in going was to wish my oldest nephew Briton farewell because he leaves on his mission this week. He is going to Russia. Briton is such a great person--he gives me hope that kids can turn out okay in today's world and he's going to be a great missionary. We were so happy to be there to hear him speak in church and help out with an open house for him at my sister's house.



My Bro-in-law Mike, Sister Ali, and nephew Briton


Kelsey jumping to her Daddy.


The Blood's with Elder Moffitt.

Awesome Dads!

Happy Father's Day!


My sweet husband Blaine--the best Dad ever for the following reasons:
1. He comes up with discipline solutions for the kids by telling them to "Give yourself a spankin".
2. He lets Mommy take naps on Sundays.
3. He makes up silly songs for most any occasion.
4. He has some killer dance moves when we have "dance time".
5. He goes to works everyday and handles complicated legal issues and misses out on the pool, the park, trips etc.--all of which would not be possible without his hard work and support.
6. He keeps us all reading the scriptures and praying.
7. He is fine with "MYO" dinners--("Make Your Own" dinners--something we do too often when mommy doesn't feel like or have time to cook.)
8. He has faith to move mountains.
9. He makes Mommy laugh (a lot) EVERY single day and lets her have her way and what she wants (most) days, and makes her feel cute and appreciated.
10. He's really just a kid himself for many things... i.e. the Wii
11. He is really smart and really strong---should we remind his brothers who won the bench press competition??

We love you Dad!!


Blaine and I have been blessed with 3 Dads that all are so wonderful. Each of you have taught us many things and have been such great Grandpas and we want you to know how much we love you and appreciate all you've done for us. Happy Father's Day!


Grandpa Despain and Cam are really good buds!


Grandpa Blood--He recently came to Lexington to visit and I didn't get many pictures of him--he's usually the picture taker! We had a great time with him when he was here.


Grandpa Bell--always up for a story with the kids!

Blaine's Big Weekend!

Blaine turned 30 on Saturday and also lucked out to have Father's Day the same weekend as his birthday. For his birthday we went to Cameron's TBall game (where Cam was thrilled to earn the game ball for his first time--he had some great plays out in the field) and then we went to a movie (without kids!--thanks Lisa!) and saw the new "Indiana Jones" movie--which we liked. And then, we had a great BBQ last night with some of our great friends and neighbors. So--Blaine is 30 now--he can't tease me about being older anymore. Happy Birthday Blaine!



Blaine got Wii Fit for his bday--its so cool. Come try it out sometime!


The whole family loving our awesome Dad!



Blaine blowing out candles on his birthday "trifle". He's so old now he needed some help from Cam and Kelsey.



This is Drew--we are considering adopting him as our son.

Summer Fun!

We look forward to summer so much and mostly because we go to the pool several times a week! The kids love it and I love it because they just play and have fun and don't fight or get in trouble!
Then they're so tired that night so they sleep really good. Here's some fun pictures of our summer fun!



Cameron is our little fish in the water--he is a great little swimmer and prefers to be under the
water rather than out!


Nothing is cuter than babies (well not so much a baby anymore) in their swimsuits!
Ellie is quite a dare devil when it comes to the pool--she does everything her brother and sister do!


Kelsey is usually pretending to be a mermaid or something while she swims.

Family "Motto"

I wanted to post this quote on our blog because it has become our "family motto" I suppose as we get ready to start a new chapter in our lives with moving to D.C. Many of our friends and family are in the same situation so its good for all to read! (It's a bit long, but well worth it!)

"I have just two things to say to you who are troubled about the future. I say them lovingly and from my heart.
First, we must never let fear and the father of fear (Satan himself) divert us from our faith and faithful living. Every person in every era has had to walk by faith into what has always been some uncertainty. This is the plan. Just be faithful. God is in charge. He knows your name and He knows your need.
Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ--that is the first principle of the gospel. We must go forward. God expects you to have enough faith, determination, and trust in Him to keep moving, keep living, keep rejoicing. He expects you to not simply to face the future; he expects you to embrace and shape the future--to love it, rejoice in it, and delight in your oppurtunities.
God is eagerly waiting for the chance to answer your prayers and fulfill your dreams, just as He always has. But he can't if you don't pray, and He can't if you don't dream. In short, He can't if you don't believe." --Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, "This the Greatest of all Dispensations" Ensign, July, 2007

This quote just says it all and brings a lot of peace to us as we do have an uncertain future right now. Here we go again... walking by faith to another adventure in D.C! This is our way of "embracing and shaping our future" and we are "delighting in our opportunities"!