Shark Reef!

Why are these kids afraid of catfish?

The whole crew checking out the fishes!

Megan scared of more fish...

Cute kids

On Saturday we visited the Shark Reef as a family.  Parker had wanted to go for his birthday, but since it didn't work out we changed the date.  Everyone had a great time and the exhibits were amazing!!

Colton's 5th Birthday

Cute birthday boy!

Opening presents

Super Mario treats!  Marshmallow mushrooms and star sugar cookies

Colton jumps off the diving board

Brian and Laynee get ready for swimming

Parker jumps in 

Megan can swim like a fish!!

I can't believe my baby boy is 5 years old!  Colton had to go to school on his birthday so we had a family celebration that night.  He also wanted to go swimming and share Super Mario treats with everyone so we had a bigger celebration over the weekend.  He had a lot of fun and was excited to be five so he could be twin brothers with his best friend, Caleb.

First Day of School 2012

Cute kids on their first day of school

Handsome 6th grader

Dubious kindergartner

Beautiful 3rd grader

The first day of school went without a hitch.  All the kids got up early, excited for their first day.  I was freaking out about Parker going to Middle School but he was totally fine with it and had a wonderful day.  Colton wasn't too sure about getting left at school so I had to make a quick exit when he started clinging to my leg and freaking out.  According to one of the other moms, once he saw I was gone he shrugged his shoulders and sat in his chair.  What an act!!  Megan also had a great day and loves her new teacher.  True to tradition, we all met at Sonic for happy hour after school to talk about the day.  I'm so proud of my kiddos!

Parker receives his Arrow of Light

    

Amazing boy receives his Arrow of Light Award

Parker and his cubmaster

The Arrow of Light Ceremony

Parker walks the hot coals to "cross over to boy scouts"

Parker received his Arrow of Light Award in a really cool cross over ceremony.  He worked really hard to earn all the Webelos Pins so that he could finish with the Super Achiever Award.   The crossover ceremony included walking over the hot coals to meet his new scoutmaster and receiving a cool arrow mounted on a plaque.  We are very proud of him for his accomplishments.

Legoland and the Beach

Hanging out with a lego guy

Parker and Megan in lego racers

Brian and Parker race with the fire trucks

Megan on her noble steed

Knight Colty

Laynee explaining how she likes Legoland

Riding the train

Colton getting VERY wet in the splash park

ARRR....The pirate Brian drenches his mateys

Cute, wet Megan

Parker trying to dry off

Hoff eat your heart out

Playing in the surf

Parker loved body surfing

One of these girls did NOT like the ocean

Our second day in San Diego, we went to Legoland.  The kids had a blast going on all the rides and getting very wet in the water.  We had a fun picnic lunch and hung out at the park until it closed.  It was such a fun day.  The next day we woke up and went to spend some time at the beach.  The kids had fun playing in the surf and riding the waves.  After we were worn out, we headed to a park for lunch and headed home.  It was an amazing and relaxing trip.

Mormon Battalion and San Diego Temple

The whole gang in front of the Mormon Batallion

Two cute girls

Parker driving the wagon

Parker getting ready to fight with the Mormon Batallion

Megan, Laynee and Brian enjoying the courtyard

Colton panning for gold

Megan's castle...someday

Brian and Laynee in front of the San Diego temple

Me and the two youngest...Colton and Laynee

We headed to San Diego the last weekend before school started for some end of summer fun.  The first day we went to the Mormon Batallion and enjoyed the amazing tour.  The kids loved participating, especially Parker, who got fitted as a soldier.  We also had fun panning for gold, pumping water from the well and pretending to make bricks.  After a yummy dinner at Noodles and Company, we headed to the San Diego temple grounds to walk around and take some pictures.  What a gorgeous place!

Camping in the great outdoors!

Taking a hike

All the kiddos

Parker starting fires

Playing kickball

We were able to escape from the heat for a weekend and go camping with some friends.  On friday afternoon we headed up to the mountains and set up camp.  We had some yummy chicken and potatoes for dinner and the ever popular smores for dessert.  The kids entertained us with some skits and songs.  The next day we headed to the meadow to play some kickball.  Some of the kids went on a little hike and we had fun playing around the campground.  We made dutch oven enchiladas for dinner and rode out a pretty rough rain storm under a tarp.  After it got dark and we got the kids in bed, the adults sat around the campfire talking and looking at a clear sky full of stars.  It was an amazing weekend!