A Democrat in our House?!!!

Spencer always puts a smile on my face with the things he says. Sunday was no different. He was talking about the Pledge of Allegiance, he told us that it annoyed him to have to say it, and sometimes he didn't say it. We asked him why, which he proceeded to say, my teacher said that when you pledge allgiance, what you are saying is that you are promising your country that you will do your best, and sometimes he doesn't want to do his best. I proceeded to tell him that if he doesn't want to do his best he isn't going to want to be a cub scout because they always promise to do their best (he can't wait to be a cub scout). He thought for a few minutes and reported that he guessed he would say the pledge. He then proceeded to tell us that when he grew up he was going to be a gasp Democrat. Jake took it in stride and said ok Grandpa Knapp (my grandfather that I never knew was a Democrat) -- I guess we will have to see what becomes of my aspiring Democrat, but I sure love our Spencer boy!

Snocones for Sale!

 

In June and July, I marked one of the things that I really wanted the boys to be able to have a snocone stand.  They did it!  Along with a dozen of their favorite friends at different times.  They made about 50 dollars to have a late night, that still is to come. . .
Ryan sold snocones when the firework stand was across the street and made 30 dollars on his own.  I was proud of fhim, as this is a stretch for him!  It was hot, and these boys all earned their snocones, that is for sure!

All Caught up!

This is a text that Jake sent me while he and the boys were in Utah.  They forgot or wore an odd combination of clothes or forgot items.  It really is demonstrative of all three of them and their personalties! 

I finally caught up with blogging!  What a  crazy summer we have had!  Glad to be caught up, but wish I would have stayed on it.  Here is to turning over new leaves!

2nd, 5th and 8th!

 

 

 

We started school today.  The boys were really excited to get back to see friends, meet new friends and get started with the new year.  I think they are hopeful that they will all like their teachers, and with the excessive heat, they might as well be back to school.  Ready or not, here we go!  I will miss having them home, but I know they will enjoy the new things they will learn!  I can't believe they are getting so OLD! 

Honey and Sugar and YOUTUBE

 

Two or three bored boys -- not sure if Jacob was involved or not -- but Sunday, while Jake and I were walking, the boys made candy makeup.  I guess I am glad they documented it! 

Lego Camp and a Movie

 

 

My boys all went to a legos camp this summer.  They LOVED it.  They learned lots of new secrets and were anxious each time they got to go.  Ryan and Jacob went to a camp that used alternative forms of energy, and Spencer went to a robotics camp that they learned some basics of creating robots. 

Ryan has been working on a Legos movie. The pictures above are a handful of the pictures that if you were to look at my camera you would find.  He has posed all of this legos and taken meticulous pictures of these legos and when we get a chance, he will make a movie.  I love to see the effort he will put into something that HE is interested in! 

Horseback Riding

You would never know that this little boy was fussing about having to go horseback riding by his face would you?!  I took the boys down to go riding at some friends down the street. 

Ryan is always cautious. . .he did have fun, though

Jacob rode a really tall horse, and was shaking to begin with, but ended up having a blast.  Jake was a bit embarassed by the helmets, but all three had a blast! 

Science Center

 

 

I bought an annual pass for the Science Center this year from Groupon.  The boys LOVE going to the science center, they were interested and amazed at the math exhibit they had and how math is used in our daily life.  They were really glad to go back to a couple of their favorites, the weather interactive and being able to dam up the water. . .The boys had so much fun, we really need to head down there SOON!

Tadpoles and Cousins

 

 

After a really violent storm, there was lots of standing water.  While we were visiting my parents, my boys and their cousins, found TADPOLES!!!!  They had so much fun playing in the water and catching TADPOLES.  Gross.  They collected them in a shopping bag and otter pop container -- they weren't very happy with me as I wouldn't let them bring the gross things in my NEW car.  Thankfully, Grandpa took them home, otherwise they would have had to hoof it. . .

Redneck Swimming

 

 

 

My parents called while my sister in law was visiting from Oklahoma -- we are irrigating, do your boys want to come over?  Cooper and Spencer had SOOOO much fun playing in the water outside!!!  It was like a dirty swimming pool.  Ryan and Jacob enjoyed the water, but got bored and came in and played with the little girls and with legos.  Fun times!

Swim Team

Ryan swam in a private swim team this year.  It was hard, it was a little bit of a drive, but there weren't very many people in it and they actually helped Ryan learn how to do things just a bit better.  So glad he was able to participate!

Bowling

 

 

I took Ryan, Jacob and a friend, Lincoln bowling with a Groupon this summer.  We had soooo much fun!  The boys, and I had a blast --- yep, I love the bumpers being up and being able to bowl lots of strikes and spares! 

Happy Fourth of July

 

 

 

We went to Mesa's fireworks on Saturday before the 4th, but after last year, we decided not to risk Gilbert canceling, so we bought some fireworks from the stand across the street and had  little firework display in our front yard.  The boys loved setting off fireworks. and it was nice to not go anywhere!

Basketball Camp

Ryan and Spencer both went to basketball camp in June.  Ryan had a week of double basketball camps, the morning one was with his good friends, the later one was an hour after Spencers.  So, for the doubled up week, we would have our friends join us for lunch at the school, and then pick up Spencer and then drop off the friends on our way home.  Spencer reported that he learned to "shoot like a man".  Love him!

Chilling in the shade

 

Before it got too hot at our house, I went outside and found Jake reading to Spencer in the shade of our playstructure.  Love these pictures, love both of them!