Jennifer's Move..and my first flight by myself.

Kristin had invited us to go to dinner with her a couple weekends ago.  We went to Z'tejas last year for her birthday and she wanted to keep up the tradition.  I was going to be in Minnesota for her birthday so we went a week early...cause there's nothing better than making your birthday week last a little longer!


The last few weeks have been crazy busy.  We've had baptisms, baby blessings, and Jennifer and her family moving to Minnesota.  I was sad to have her move away again.  This last year has gone by way too fast.

Chase and Brock used their T-shirts to make ninja masks.  We are already missing their whole family!

 Kate was in town and her and Alyssa decided to curl Boston's hair and dress him up like a girl. 

 The day before Jennifer moved she said "I just want to go to Chick-fil-a."  So I told her to meet us for breakfast...and then go back for dinner too.  The workers there were so nice, I told them she was sad to move away and they gave her a gift bag...with a big ol' stuffed animal cow, and a couple other fun items.

 Nothing like waking up at 3:30 AM to make an early flight.

 Dash was actually a really good traveler....he got lots of rest.

 I'm bummed I didn't take hardly any pictures while I was gone, because I felt like we were working so hard to get her house put together before I had to leave.  We were up late and then up early again every morning.  It was fun to see the progress everyday.  I was only sad I didn't get to see her kids expressions when they got to see their new house.  (My Mom and Dad drove the mini van with the kids a few days later so we could get everything set up with out the kids.)

Me and Dash had our own little cell phone photo shoot one morning.  He is one cute little baby!

 These are a couple pictures from my cell phone of her house. 

 I made Jennifer take one last picture with me at 6 AM before I left....I might have cried a little bit knowing it will be a long time before I get to see them again.

NEW NEPHEW..and a couple other fun things.

 Jennifer went in on Monday to have her baby #4.  I was so excited.   Just as I was taking Brock to his all-star tryouts my mom called to say she had her baby.  Brock had a game after tryouts, so I didn't get to see the lil' guy until almost 9:45pm.  Jennifer delivered "natural" without any meds.  I couldn't believe she did it, but she said she didn't want to pay for it, and figured she could use the money for Chase's preschool next year.  CRAZY WOMAN!  Anyway Nate ended up being able to deliver the baby.  He said he hadn't delivered a baby since med school, but he did a great job...and Jennifer recovered awesome!

 
MEET DASH NATHAN HULL

 7lbs 7oz 20 inches long

Proud Mom and Dad!

 Proud aunt Betsy!!

 
We sure love you baby Dash!

 Brock and Boston have been growing their hair out for what feels like FOREVER.  Brock decided the other day that he wanted to cut it.  I've been trying to encourage them to do different hairstyles for  a while, but now that they finally decided to do it, I got kind of sad.  I guess it's all part of growing up.  It started out that Brock still wanted it long on top...but within a few hours he changed his mind and opted for the buzz.

 You see here at the Mikesell home, I don't necessarily think its important to wipe off food (or s'mores in this case) off their face just for a picture.  I like to keep it "real".  ha ha.

 I can't get over how different they look now!

Saturday I took the kids to see the Herriman Parade.  I've never taken them to it before, and Gentry had to work so he missed out...bummer.  It was a really fun parade.  The kids got loads of candy, and I stayed thoroughly entertained...even though there were only about 5 actual floats between trucks and advertisements...but who really cares as long as they throw candy to the kids right?

We got to the parade early and the kids played at the playground for a few minutes.

 Reese slept over the night before and Alyssa picked out their outfits and did their hair.  (Reese is wearing Alyssa's clothes.)  I love that Alyssa is so good at doing hair...it makes my life easier!  They look so much alike to me!

 Patiently waiting for the parade to start.

 Nate ended up coming with the Chase and Jett.  Jennifer stayed at home with baby Dash.  Chase and Jett were cracking me up, anytime they heard music they would dance their little hearts out.

  By the time the parade was over it was lunch time.  Chick-fil-a was celebrating their 4th anniversary at the District.  So they had a bunch of games and a bouncy house.  So naturally we had to go there for lunch.

Boston won the awesome hat he is wearing.  The kids all won a few prizes and a couple free chicken sandwiches.  Plus they got their faces painted too.

 

 Later that night we took the kids to see fireworks.  We decided to park at a church near the park and watch the fireworks rather than battle the crowd at the park.  The only problem was as we were sprawled out on the blanket the sprinklers came on.  WE GOT SOAKED!  So after moving locations we got comfortable and watched the fireworks.  The kids loved it.  We've never taken them before because we always said it was too late.  But their comment was "This is way better than watching from our bedroom window!"  Apparently when we thought they were asleep in previous years they were watching from their rooms.

This picture is a classic.  All of my kids have issues with blinking...hmm I wonder where they get it?

 Within 5 minutes of driving this was my kids...we wore them out!

Brock and Boston's Baptism Day

Today was Brock and Boston's baptism day.  I love these boys.  I still can't believe how quickly time flies.  (I know I hate when people say that, but this time it's true.)

Brock and Dad

 Boston and Dad

 A few weeks ago Gentry was talking to the boys and asking them who was going to baptize them, thinking they would say "You, Dad!"  But instead Boston said, "Hmmm, I think Connor".   We kind of laughed because Connor was leaving for Hawaii that day, but then we found out that he wasn't leaving until that afternoon...so long story short, Connor baptized Boston.  It was a special day for everyone!

 We gave the boys scriptures for their birthday with their names printed on them. 

 It was so fun to have so many friends and family support these boys!

 After the baptism we had everyone come to our house for lunch and swimming of course!

 Connor and his girlfriend Hailie.  The boys love when these two "babysit" them.  Because really it's just a fun craft making, game playing night.  They have a blast!

 Jennifer and Nate were here...she's having her baby in TWO DAYS!!! And we can't wait to meet the little guy!  (I've already named him Dash...we'll see what his parents choose.)

 My mom was nice enough to give the Holy Ghost talk....unfortunately she thought I told her the talk was on Baptism, so she had a talk all prepared on Baptism...she did a great job turning it into a Holy Ghost talk.  She even joined us in a game of Tornado afterwards.  (I have so many traits of my mother's...down to the way I shoot a basketball, and I love my Mom...but she's not any better at basketball than me.)  Grandma Betty was in town and I was glad she was able to make it to the baptism.  She even played a little basketball too.

 I'm so glad I have these fun sisters here!

It was such a fun day.  I mentioned to my friend that it was a sad day, but I only meant that it was sad because of how fast my boys are growing up.  I will say that they get more and more fun the older they get.  I'm so proud of them and the choice they made to be baptized.