The Matusek Family

July 4th

Admiring dad's motorcycle, after his long and harrowing journey all the way from Illinois

July 4th is quite honestly my favorite holiday, perhaps it is a tie between Christmas and July 4th. I have so many memories wrapped up in those two words: July fourth! This year just added to all those memories. My dad was in town along with Matt and his family, and we weren't going anywhere so the festivities were centered around my parents house. We had a heart stopping breakfast and a long morning of outdoor activities (drawing sidwalk chalk bodies, bikes, ladder ball, bubbles, scooters, and motorcycle rides). When my parents and Matt's family left for Idaho Falls, Mike and I took our boys home and had a simple barbecue and in the middle of dinner we heard the familiar strains of music blaring from the Ice cream truck. We had no choice but to jump from our seats, grab all the change we could scrounge up and flag that truck down!! We ate our icecream and then headed across the street to play soccer and get our spot set up for the fireworks. Matt and his family and my parents joined up with us when they got back into town, and we had a great celebration as we watched the fireworks together that night.

Chilling outside, letting breakfast settle as we play games with the kids

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Brandon's turn for a ride

Kimball's turn

Kaydien's turn

Bri's turn

Waiting in line for a second turn

We had our spot on the lawn at the park, enjoying our July 4th evening

Summertime fun

Brandon and Zach at the park

I went combing through all my summer pictures and found some gems that make me smile and laugh, they are perfect summer time moments frozen in time!

Mom and Brandon being goof balls

Brandon acting like a clown on the tramp

Like mother like daughter

Even adults can act like kids sometimes right?

Madi having fun at the water fountain

Kaydien's turn

Kimball, your up next

Playing with his piggies in the car, a favorite pastime

Zach Attack turns 1!

Can it really have already been a year since little Zach was born, seriously? He is a bundle of energy, so fun to be around and has blessed each of our lives tremendously. His birthday bash was the weekend before his birthday on June 23rd. Mike's parents came up to celebrate, and we had Mor-mor here for the occasion as well. Mor-mor and I teamed up for the cake, I baked it and she decorated... I think that is a perfect arrangement and tradeoff:)

Zach was perfectly content to be the center of attention, because he is usually clamoring for a bit of my attention, as are my other boys. He received some clothes and bath toys from Grammy and Grampy, a new wagon from mor-mor and a rocking horse from mom and dad. He loved all his gifts, they are all used on a regular basis, if not everyday.

He is a smart kid to get excited over clothes, I'm sure it won't last long... soon clothes will be the most boring presents ever:)

It's my party and I'll cry if I want to

Zach was tuckered out and went to bed whilst the rest of his family enjoys his birthday present

Well, we had his birthday free on June 25th and decided to take Zach to one of our favorite places near Poky, Cherry Springs up Mink Creek (this was before the horrible fires in July that wreaked havoc on that area). We took the wagon along, grabbed some icecream at Farr's, and just had a nice birthday/FHE celebration as a family. Happy Birthday mister ZacMan!

Zach looks really weird in this picture

Baby Shower and Baby Monica!!

I love it when my sister or sister in laws are pregnant, it is so fun! Daymi was pregnant with her 4th baby (3rd girl) most of this year. Her c-section date was June 27th, and in preparation for that babies arrival, her friends threw her a baby shower on June 16th. It was a fun little party, it was good to see her pregnant one last time before Monica came.

Monica was born on June 27th at 8:02 am at the Madison Memorial Hospital in Rexburg, ID. She weighed 6 pounds 15 ounces and she measured 19" long. What a darling little thing she is!

I had a great time on Thursday the 28th being able to see Monica and take Abby, Elena, and Kelvin out on the town. We went to the park, swimming, to the movies and then home again for dinner. Congrats Corey and Daymi!

Pool+Rope Swing=Magic

Do I need to say anything else? I believe these pictures say it all:)

Massacre Rocks

June 1st-2nd: Matusek Family Campout at Massacre Rocks!!!!!
Summer isn't summer without a few camping trips, our first trip was to Massacre Rocks state park. It was a perfect weekend, complete with fishing, hot dogs, smores, lots and lots of dirt, a hike or two, little to no sleep, flapjacks over the fire, and lots of memories made! We would definitely return to Massacre rocks to camp, it is a scenic area and the campsites are well taken care of. We didn't have any problems with snakes, although we saw plenty of their holes in the dirt. The ants were pesky in a few areas, but they weren't near the campfire or our tent and table, so no worries. What a great family trip!

Mike making sure all the gear is in the car

Two boys geared up for an adventure

Hotdog time

Yes that is ketchup on my little man's face, so darn cute that Brandon is!

Keeping hydrated

Going for a little hike

So beautiful and picturesque

My back was so sore at the end of this trip, having a baby in a carrier does a number to one's body... sleeping in the car didn't help either

Reflections Choir

I posted a while back about being in a Choir called Reflections. I have been singing now for 3 years, although it doesn't feel like 3 years! I can't think of a better way to spend my Wednesday mornings September through May! I have made some good friends with some of the best women in Pocatello. I consider it a delight to sing with these ladies at various nursing homes in the Pocatello area and also at community events like Feed the 5000, Martin Luther King Jr Day, and other events. Whether or not we do lift the hearts of those around us, I am a better person for the time I dedicate to singing.

Memorial Day 2012

Corey, Daymi and their 3 lovely kiddos (and one on the way) were up for Memorial Day. Sadly we didn't make it to any grave sites as is our tradition, I was bummed. We had lots of fun though, as we usually do, hanging out at Mor-Mor's house. The kids love flying down the street on the scooters, playing with bubbles, and writing with the sidewalk chalk. Fun times, things are definitely looking up for the summer time... lots of fun around the corner! A great way to start the summer of 2012!