ELLA GETS A VISIT FROM THE TOOTH FAIRY

August 18, 2010 will go down in history as the day Ella Van Gieson lost her first tooth.

It had been loose for a couple of days and she was thrilled when it finally came out

Smile for the camera!!

So tiny and yet so monumental!

The Tooth Fairy was kind enough to replace the tooth with a dollar the next morning. Way to go Ella, this is only the beginning!!

ANNUAL SANFORD WARD BIKE TRIP

This was a great bike trip. The weather was beautiful and I was not in charge! Victor rode the first day but had to stop because of a bad knee and didn't want to injure it more. I drove up to the campground with the kids and met him there. The campground has a pool and game area so the kids had a blast.

We enjoyed smores that night and then after the kids went to bed we stayed up and watched a meteor shower. Very cool.

Cooper enjoying a delicious pancake breakfast

We left the campground to head up to the Joseph Smith Memorial but first we took Ella and Mason to a fair that was going on in town. Cooper rode with his friend so he missed out on this leg of the trip.

Mason got a little nervous riding the pony but he did great

Maybe it's time to head home

In front of the Joseph Smith Memorial in Sharon, Vermont

We met the bikers at the memorial for a picnic before heading to the river for a swim

Too Cute!!

The river was a little cold in Jack's opinion

Ella is always ready for a picture

Jack and Mason happy to play in the sand

Say hi everyone!

A NIGHT WITH PETER PAN

A couple of weeks ago we were invited to join our friends at Prescott Park in Portsmouth. Every summer they run a play in an outdoor theatre, this year it was Peter Pan. We brought a picnic dinner and ate right there before the show started. The kids thought it was pretty cool. We had a great time and here are some pics to prove it.

And the show begins..

a little self portrait during intermission

Peter Pan, Tinkerbell, and the children all got to fly. Our kids were pretty jealous.

Victor and Mason hamming it up for the camera

Ella and Mason ready to join the pirates.

A DAY AT THE BEACH

We finally made it to the beach this year so I thought I'd take some pictures

We just happen to pick the coldest day of last week to go to the beach but that didn't stop Ella and Mason from getting in the frigid water

My boys, Hungry, Mopey, and Mr. Freeze enjoying some down time. Poor Mason just doesn't have enough fat on his little body to keep him warm. Cooper wanted to be somewhere else and Jack was really enjoying that piece of bread.

Jack didn't think much of the water so he stuck to the beach

I never saw another soul get in the water that day but that didn't stop my little troopers

Ahh the wind in my hair and the sand in my teeth... doesn't get much better than that

Waiting for the wave

Quick mom, take the picture!!

Mason enjoyed chasing the seagulls...

and mom got to chase Mason to get these action shots

A perfect day to build a sandcastle

Not a bad days work. Posing with their masterpiece. Emily, Dakotah, Ella, Alia, and Mason

Had to get a couple of family pictures in before we left

What would a family picture be without crazy poses and bunny ears.

We had a great day and look forward to getting back to the beach before the summer is over