The Man of the Hour

David had a birthday in June. In true David form it was low key.

He makes 34 and 6 kids look so good!

He used to say he wasn't a "baby" person. I always handled the babies and he always took care of the older kids when our attention was split. Then I left him with 5 month old Rachel for 4 days when I went to girls camp. Oh how quickly that changed, he has found his little buddy in Rach and she gets so much love and attention from him.

David is my best kept secret. He is a huge introvert and only a few people at every location actually get to see how amazing he is. He's hilarious, some of the best one liners ever, come from him. He is the kind of Dad you will see at Chick Fil A with 6 kids by himself and be calm. Not very many husbands/dads can do what this man does on a regular basis. He gets the importance of families. I'm sure many people think I am the crazy one convincing my husband to have this many kids. What people don't know is that David also always wanted a big family. And we have always been on the same page about family size and the logistics. When people finally get to see the real him (past the initial meeting) the first word they always use to describe him is "gentle". He is guileless.

He is detail oriented and hard working. He's the ward clerk right now (his dream calling) and he loves that he gets to hide out in his office and make things happen behind the scenes. There is no ego and or fanfare with this guy. I will be grateful for the rest of eternity that he is mine.

Son's Island

We let the kids ditch their last full day Friday and took them all to Son's Island. It's a tiny little island off a lake/river with cabanas and tons of fun stuff.

We rented an ifloat. Worth every penny. The kids played all day on the huge raft that just wouldn't sink. 

We hung out in the hammock. (No, not pregnant, but it does look like it here!)

To reserve a spot on the island you have to rent out a cabana. It had water, electricity and a grill.

I have always, always wanted to try paddle boarding so David rented us one. It was SO fun!

 Mallie with friends on the ifloat!

Scotty on our little private dock.

Ashton figured out the paddle board and took all the kids on rides. In the little grass bank behind them the kids found a ton of turtles.

Oh it was heaven paddle boarding. We can't wait to go back!

Hannah Turns 7

Opening up gifts bright and early!

All she wanted for her birthday was a mermaid tail.

Originally Hannah was excited to bring donuts to school for her birthday but when her teacher told me there would be a sub that day we changed plans. Who wants a sub on their birthday? So we decided a trip to Schlitterbahn was in order with Mallie and her little bestie Berlyn.

She's so cute and so grown up!

 They each got their own dip and dots which they thought was the best and we went around the coolest wave pool/lazy river at least 30 times.

 Blowing out candles!!

Hannah is the most animated little 7 year old you will ever meet. Every day is the absolute best day ever or it is the worst day ever. I don't think she's ever used the word "fine" to describe something. She is kind and compassionate and always looking out to make sure everyone is taken care of. I love this oldest daughter of mine!!

March

Since I've resigned myself to only blogging by months and birthdays I figure I better get caught up! One time in March David and I went on a date to some awesome caves and stopped at Petsmart on the way home. We picked up two rescue cats and surprised the kids. They were in love and the kitties were pretty darn cute. Then the sneezing and itchy eyes started for David, so the poor little cats went back after 6 days. The kids were pretty devastated so we bribed them with a trip to Chuck E Cheese.

Then in March over spring break I headed to girls camp while David held down the fort.

This camp is a kids summer camp with cabins, rope courses, a lake and this cool blob that I just had to try! That's me mid air and it was so awesome to catapult people off.

Here are our girls singing a song and doing a little routine instead of a skit. They stole the show, it was so awesome.

Freeze Tag at the park.

And this was where I found David and the kids when I got home. This guy held down the fort with a 5 month old that was used to just nursing (I pumped at camp - what a beating) and the 5 other kids. I got home to a clean house and happy kids. He is the best!