Birthdays and other stuff....

Well, we are behind in our posting. Summer kind of gets a little crazy and these types of things tend to slip unless you are on top of them. Katie has been asking me for a few weeks to post pictures of the kids birthday party at their respective schools and since other things have happened since then, I figured on good post of everything would get me caught up. Hope you enjoy!

Caitlyn had an absolute blast at her birthday party at her school. She wanted a Cinderella theme, which the boys weren't to fond of...but she knew that going in and didn't care so we went with it. She was sooooooo happy, she couldn't stop smiling. She helped us hand out the cupcakes and treats to all her classmates and they all sat together and ate while Katie and I dolled out additional juice boxes and napkins as needed. Joshua wrote on the class white board with a Sharpie, you can see his legs at the top of the picture in the act....

As you can also tell, Joshua was enjoying the Cinderella cupcakes. If he has my genes, this may be the only moustache he ever grows.

We did the same party at Caleb's school (without the Cinderella theme). He had a great time as well. Caleb's good friend, Ryan who has Down's, is in the bottom-left of the picture. They are inseperable at school and we are glad they will have another year together.

And yes, Joshua did enjoy the cupcakes at Caleb's party as well. As you can see, he has graduated from the blue moustache to the full brown goatee.

4th of July
A few days after we celebrated the kids birthday it was the 4th of July. We did a simple bbq with some of the ward members who were still in town and then headed over to a local park for the town's fireworks show. There was a little carnival there and the kids rode rides for a few hours until the fireworks show started.

Here is a quick video clip of the fireworks show. Yes, it was raining and Caleb and Caitlyn weren't too excited about all the loud noise, but they handled it well and we all had a good time!


Trip to Utah

About a week after the 4th, Katie, Caitlyn, Joshua and Ellie flew to Utah. Caleb and I stayed behind for a few days so Caleb would miss less school, but joined them that following weekend. It was great to see everyone again and to let our kids reacquaint themselves with their cousins and grandparents. Dad has build a kid's wonderland in the backyard, with a fort, trampoline and sweet sandbox! The kids were in heaven!

This is a great picture of the "girls"...Ellie couldn't get up the ladder fast enough to be part of the shot.

Everyone know understands Ellie's obsession with ice and popsicles...

Joshua loved the sandbox! He is so into building things and has a very creative imagination and would spend hours in there playing and getting dirty!


Fish Lake

While we were in Utah, we split time between my parents house and Fish Lake. Fish Lake has been a gathering point for Katie's family for decades and is a tradition we try to participate in whenever possible. It was the first time that Joshua and Ellie had been there and they had a blast. Caleb and Caitlyn played with their cousins, got dirty, and had a good time as well. It is such a beautiful place.

Here is Caitlyn with Megan and Emma on the lake.

Ellie though that stumbling around the boat as it rocked from side-to-side was fun...until she fell and hit her head! This was taken before that took place....

Joshua loved being on the boat and immediately wanted to fish...

Jeremy (Katie's brother) let Joshua put a flat fish out the back of the boat first and within the first 5 minutes, he had caught his first fish. He was so determined to reel it in that he would only let me do it when his arms got tired, but then grab it right back when he had recovered. He was so excited about catching it!

Caitlyn also caught her first fish. However, she wasn't that excited about reeling it in so I did most of it and she was even less excited about getting close to it once it was in the boat. But hey, at least she caught one, right?


After Fish Lake, we returned back to my parent's house for a day to get ready to return home to NY. We got back Saturday afternoon and Katie and I were exhausted. I think family vacations aren't relaxing for the parents until the kids are a little older because it felt like I needed a vacation from my vacation. But we had fun and the kids had a blast and we hope to do it again soon. Thank you to Mom and Dad Carver and Mom and Dad Tomsik for all your hospitality!

-Cim

A new nephew!

My sister Sarah had another baby boy on June 19th at 12:54 pm. Wyatt Gary Robinson weighed in at 7 lbs. 9 oz. and 20 inches long, tiny compared to her last one, Regan who weighed in at over 9 lbs! Sarah even asked the nurse to double check the weight because she didn't believe her. That makes 6 grandsons and 9 granddaughters for my mom and dad. Christmas is getting more expensive every year! :) Congratulations Rhett and Sarah!

Grandma Tomsik, big brother Ryan, baby Wyatt and big sister Regan

Proud Moments as a Parent!

I have been so proud of Joshua because he recently accomplished potty training and he's not even three yet. And today, he learned how to apply his own lipstick and he is so proud of himself!



Cute, huh!



Then, last week the kids decided there was no need to dirty a swim suit when they wanted to go swimming, just wear what you have on at the time, shorts, skirts, pajamas, whatever.

Sometimes you just have to let them live a little!

Another Niece!

My brother Jeremy and his wife Natalie welcomed girl number four on saturday, June 14th (Flag Day)! She was born at 12:03 pm and Jeremy almost missed the birth because he was in the drive-thru at Taco Bell when Natalie called and said it's time, get back to the hospital! He was trying to pick up some lunch for himself and the girls and they thought they still had a couple hours. Anyway, Hailey Noelle Tomsik arrived 11 days early at 7lbs. 14 oz. and 21 inches long! She is beautiful, of course, just like the other three girls! Congrats Jeremy and Natalie! We are so happy for you!
-Katie

Hailey Noelle Tomsik


Becca, Natalie, Emma, Hailey, Jeremy and Megan

My boy Caleb

I have been meaning to write this posting for a couple weeks. I just haven't had time until now. And our camera isn't working so I haven't had any new pictures. Anyway, a couple weeks ago I had a meeting with Caleb's teachers and the school district people. Caleb is almost 9 years old and is in the third grade. We discussed how Caleb is doing in school and we reviewed his IEP which contains his goals and services for the year. He was put in a self-contained special ed classroom this year in a regular school instead of a special ed school like he was in before. It has been a really great year! When he started the year he couldn't write any letters or numbers. Now he can write his first and last name and most of the numbers and letters. He is even reading over 60 words now! As most of you know, he is a great athlete. He gets to play with the 5th graders at recess and lately they have been teaching him to play kickball. I am so grateful to those kind 5th graders who allow Caleb to play with them. It just so happens that Caleb's teacher is also the bowling coach for one of the local high schools and she was voted bowling coach of the year and she is in the bowling hall of fame. Well, about once a month Caleb's class gets to go on a field trip and they have gone bowling a few times so she has seen his skills. She told us that Caleb is an excellent bowler and that we need to get him in a league! We are pretty excited about this. It's an individual sport where Caleb won't have to worry about all the social rules and strategy that is involved in other sports. Anyway, they said he is a great kid and has a beautiful smile and I happen to agree! Even though I still have to change his diapers, I do really love my boy Caleb!

Katie

Cute Kids!

Ellie and Joshua were looking cute before church. Look how mischievious Joshua is!





Ellie's first words were mama, dada, uh-oh and shoes! She loves her shoes!


Ellie and Caitlyn were very excited about their matching Cinderella pajamas! Can you tell? Well, at least, Caitlyn was.

This and That

Joshua and Ellie on the swings in our backyard. They love to swing!