Summer Happenings . . . . so far!

So much has been going on the past few weeks that I am finally finding a moment to post some pictures. So, sorry for the overload - but the excitement of summer just keeps us all sooooo busy. However, it has been so much fun to be celebrating, vacationing, visiting, and driving, driving, driving. We have had fun getting to spend time with our families (yay for cousins!) and seeing some good friends (thank you Adams family!). So here is a summary of our summer so far . . .

ALEX'S BAPTISM
Alex & Grandpa

Family Picture (well, kind of - this is the best I could get while trying to gather everyone together before the baptism started!)

AJ & Bailee (just one month apart in age!)

Andrew Siblings - LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!

All of Us Together - Family Time!


BEAR LAKE VACATION
We went to spend a few days in Bear Lake with Kallee & Ashley. It was cold, rainy, and a little dreary - but we still managed to have fun (with multi-trips to the indoor pool on a daily basis). It's ok though, it was still time away from the normal day-to-day life and we got to hang out with our favorite aunts/sisters!
Alex & Ryan at the pool

Poor AJ was sick nearly the entire time we were there. So Unhappy!

A picture with a "bear" just for the memories!

Krista & Kallee

SMILE!

The O'Dells On Vacation

AJ & Ashley (a happier moment for baby AJ)

Down at the Lake


Silly Nick

This kid loves swimming!

Kallee, Ashley, Ryan, Alex, Nick, & AJ

Family Love (I see many more vacations together in the future!)


FREE PASSES TO ROARING SPRINGS? NOT TO BE WASTED!
The boys earned free passes to Roaring Springs Waterpark, so we just had to find the time to go! Here are a few pictures . . . . not sure why I took so many of Nick - but everyone had a great time!
Nick Just Chillin'

Climbing Thru A Tunnel

Yay for Brave Nick on the tube slide!

Ryan & Alex racing down the slide!

Happy 8th Birthday Alex!

Alex just celebrated his 8th Birthday with a mario-themed party with a toy-story cake! We played some games, opened a few gifts, and ate pizza & cake. Not a bad way to spend a Saturday afternoon! We sure do love our Alex and can't believe how fast he is growing up. Happy Birthday Alex!!

A Glimpse of a fat roll - FINALLY!

Finally a small glimpse of a fat roll forming - won't his pediatrician be so happy!

Happy, blue-eyed little boy!

A SURPRISE Party for Kallee!

While I was visiting in Las Vegas, we planned a SURPRISE 30th Birthday party for Kallee! It was so much fun and the best part? She really was surprised! It was great to have friends and family together to celebrate Kallee cause she really is worth it.

Sister Bonding Time

Shawn was kind enough to offer me a weekend away in Las Vegas with my sisters! I LOVED IT!! We had a lot of fun. How lucky am I to have such wonderful sisters!

A small amount of gambling (just for fun) C'mon - it is Las Vegas!

Sisterly Love

A Pedicure for Three!

Who Needs A Teenage Daughter?

People always ask me if I am "sad" that I will not have a daughter. I say "no" but I will admit that sometimes I do wonder what life would have/could have been like with a girl thrown into the mix of these crazy O'Dell boys. Well, tonight I got a good dose of reality where it doesn't matter about having a little girl who will grow into a teenage girl and occassionally think that I am the "worst mother ever".
Previously tonight . . . .

Nick: I want to play club penguin.
Mom: Not tonight. It's time for bed.
Nick: No Thanks!
Mom: Well, it is still time for bed.
Nick throwing himself down on the couch - apparantly annoyed.
Nick: You are the worst mother ever!
Mom slight surprised - c'mon he is only 3 yrs old
Mom: What?
Nick: (long sigh with face buried into the couch) You are the worst mother ever!

Hmmmm. Who needs teenage girl? I have Nick!

Nick - A future "MC" at many upcoming events!

So we attended a school talent show tonight. Nick was constantly making comments about each act. Problem was that he was making all these comments loud enough for the people around us to be:
1. slightly entertained
OR
2. slightly annoyed.

Just a few of his commentary listed below:
"This song is better on RockBand!"
"That girl needs a different dress."
"Why is that girl soooooo mad?" (a serious looking teenager during an interpretive dance)
"Hey mom this song is good for your cell phone!" (the 2nd of many, many Taylor Swift songs sung that night)
"They sound like the Chipmunks!"
"Why didn't he comb his hair if he is wearing church clothes?" (dressed up nicely with spiky-hair)
"She is singing too loud I can't hear the music!"
"Oh man, that was awesome!" (LoveStory by Taylor Swift sung by two 5th/6th graders)