Road trips

We have had 2 road trips during the past couple weeks (more pictures/details to come!) For the most part, the kids have been great travelers. We did have a funny moment the other day that is pretty typical---

Preston teasing and fighting with Hannah in the back of the car.
Mom (trying to distract him) says: Here Preston you can play on my phone. But first, what do you say to Hannah?

Preston: Please.. Umm... Thank you.

Mom: no --what's the other one?
Preston: You're welcome
Mom: try again
Preston: I love you?
Mom (exasperated): How about 'I'm sorry?!!!'
Preston: oh yeah I forgot about that one

Things we do to keep ourselves busy in the summertime.....

Hannah just finished performing in "Broadway Review" which was an amazing multi-stake production. She performed in about 7 different numbers--songs from Les Miserables, Footloose, Wells Fargo Wagon, Tradition, Lion King and Aladdin. She made some new friends and learned a lot about performing. After 2 weekends of performances and 4 months of rehearsal she was exhausted.

Preston had his very first swim lessons this past week. Our friends, Molly and Sarah Berger were his teachers. The first day he didn't have a clue about how to do the crawl stroke or side breath. By day 5 he actually swam 2 laps crawl stroke, side breathing. Way to go Preston!

We celebrated Mike's Birthday by going to the Seattle Center, seeing Harry Potter 7:2 at the IMAX, playing in the fountain and eating lunch at Dick's.

TrekStrong 2011

This was an incredible 4 days in the wilderness with 160 youth, pioneer trek. We walked and walked and walked, got very dirty and bonded with our company and families. Katie had a wonderful time getting to know her trek family with Meagan and Brian Mugleston as her Ma and Pa. The scenery was beautiful, the food was amazing and the youth and adults were hardworking and happy. We learned so much from this experience!

Babies

Hannah loves Babies! Here she is with baby Gavin Edgley and Allie who is now 6 weeks old.

Welcome to baby Allie Marie. Ben and Rachel's 4th child a beautiful baby girl was born in late June and it has been so fun to enjoy this tiny new little one. Hannah LOVES this little baby.

Welcome Home Bryce

Bryce served a faithful mission in Romania and we were so happy to welcome him home!

Beautiful Santa Barbara

Mike enjoyed a wonderful weekend in the town where he spent most of his childhood. The 4 brothers and his parents reunited there and had a memorial for Uncle Helmer who passed away a couple weeks before. Helmer was the only sibling to Sonia and he had no children and so he was a close part of the Bateman family. It was a lovely time together for the Mike, Paul, Bryon and Eric and Mom and Dad as they reminisced together of all the

great times in Santa Barbara.

Downtown Santa Barbara with family owned Anderson's bakery and Arlington Theater

Saying Good bye to Uncle Helmer

No More Braces