The 4th of July...A Dinger & Baird Family Extravaganza!

The Fourth of July is amazing in Meridian! Our ward has a magnificent breakfast with made to order omelets and pancakes. The girls LOVE a good breakfast...I LOVE that I didn't have to make it! Little Livy wore the dress that Katelyn wore this year...mind you it was a little big, but I cinched it as much as I could...it was too cute to miss out on!

This year we had the Bairds join us for our Fourth festivities.  There was a pool party for all the girls. Can you believe that there were 5 little girls in our pool! It was so fun! Caroline and Megan showed us how to line up the little trampoline for some jumping in the pool. Can you tell that they were having fun?!

Although Katelyn didn't get in on the water fun, she thoroughly enjoyed the antics of the other girlies! There was also lemonade to enjoy and shade to beat the heat! I just want to eat little Sarah up...she is only a few days younger than Brooke.

Jason was the BBQ master...we had some delicious grub...who doesn't like a little good ol' American food?! We had kabobs, hotdogs, a pasta salad, fruit salad and veggies with dip. Yummo. We ate in the shade and I took a few pictures of the only little man, so outnumbered by the little girls! I caught a shot of cute little Megan on the swing...isn't she a doll too?! That is Jessica up in the corner with the little man...and there is even one of me!

What is a BBQ without a little bit of pink, tutus, leis and modeling?!

While we waited for it to get dark the adults played games and the kids ran around having a blast and watched shows. Katelyn went to sleep and we went out at about 8:30 to check out the scene. We took the kiddos out to throw the poppers. I bought them each a box. Our neighbors provided the pyrotechnics this year. Our neighbor TJ (a teenage boy...need I say more?) spent his life savings on a huge display of legal fireworks and then our neighbor Sean (crazy pyro and teenage boy at heart) supplied us with the less legal ones.

All the girls lined up on the curb...including some little girls we collected from neighbors...and we watched the pre-show of fireworks that we didn't use last year. They were pretty lame, but the kids thought that they were pretty cool.

Then we all sat on the curb to enjoy the rest of the show. Check out TJ's collection! Brooke wasn't a bit scared this year, and she clapped after each one was shot off...Tori on the other hand did fine with all the legal stuff, but got a little nervous as the night went on and the illegal stuff boomed. Do you see her face!? Classic! Look...I got a picture of Sam too! Oh, and there is a picture of Jason and I too!

The Bairds left at about 9:30 and suprisingly, the girls did great and wanted to stay up to watch. As the night went on the legality of the fireworks waned...and we slowly creeped up the driveway and ended up watching from the car where Tori felt it was a safe distance from such shenanigans.  We had a BLAST (pun intended) this fourth and we were glad to spend it with good friends! Next year I will remember to blog this sooner so that I can remember more details!

Summer Shenanigans

Goodness gracious my hydrangeas have blooms...periwinkle beauties, popped up and this year I took advantage of the amazingness!

On to the shenanigans...I found these two beauties with their play dresses on in the pool! WHAT?! It was pretty hilarious, especially since Brooke is really not all that fond of water on her face. Instead of getting mad I decided to document their silliness.

On the first day of July we took some pictures of the girls in their dresses...we were outside enjoying our shade and I began to click...Tori of course went all model on me...she is silly. Please notice the blue toes...she LOVES her toes painted!

I only got one picture of Brooke before she was off gallivanting in the yard...but I did catch a picture of her first painted toes...she finally sat long enough for them to dry...she chose pink with sparkles. She always has her princess heels on!

Baby K....a doll...need I say more? Look at her cute little piggies...she had a lot of fun playing in the grass and I had a lot of fun trying to make sure she didn't eat it...well, too much of it anyway! check out those LONG lashes!

The Visitors

When my sister visits, I feel whole...is that weird? I don't think so! Jason always sees how long it takes Lora to get me giggling so silly that I cannot breath (which it didn't take that long). Life is just so much better when Oscar, Livy, Jake and Lora are around, although such close quarters for 9 people (especially when more than half are kids!) isn't a recommendation, but we endure it because the amazing fun that comes out of it!!!! We wait in deep anticipation until they arrive and when they leave I am in a funk for days because I miss them so much! But there is sunshine on the horizon...current events are making my future much brighter...vague? Yes! But not my news to share!
Mind you, these are not the only pictures...Lora, the photographer, took the amazing ones and will be featured on a later blog!
Sisters or Cousins?

Livy and Tori have a relationship like Lora and I when we were kids...it is hard to share when you are so little, but they love each other...it is fun to see Brookie getting in on the action too. Livy was sweet with both of them (although there were some serious throw downs...and some serious attitudes from all of the above mentioned girls), I am so glad that they are developing friendships. We welcomed Chocolate Chip Brownie (the little horse) into our home a few weeks ago. She was given to us by one of our neighbors and Livers and Tori were on that thing non stop one afternoon. It was even a hotter item than Liv's pink Barbie Corvette! And who doesn't love PJs (or in Brooke's case a dress and heels) and morning of phone games. The girls loved watching Livy and Oscar play video games.

 Case of the Stolen Camera

Oscar, Livy and Tori all had their hand in these lovely masterpieces (taken from a stolen camera several times during the week)! It is always fun to see what captivates their mind. Oscar wanted to take (and did...all pictures are not showcased) about a million (mostly blurry) pictures of Katelyn. Livy wanted to take pictures of people, herself and our backyard. Tori took pictures of Livy and Oscar. FUN!

Swimming!

Although Brooke was still a little scared of the pool at the time, that did not leave Tori and Liv dry! It was really warm when the Olesens came, so we visited Settler's water park and had fun in the backyard pool. Could they be any cuter?!

Community Oven Pizza

This is one of our all time favorites (a bit of Olesen Dinger tradition), a visit to Community Oven Pizza. We cannot resist as close to authentic Italian pizza as we (Jake and I) have found in the USA? NOT me! The girls love it because they get to make their own pizza and watch them bake right in front of them...this time Oscar enjoyed a huge bowl full of pasta...and we, as adults, love stuffing our faces full of the best pizza around (not to mention we had some tasty appetizers too!)!!! Plus they serve you delicious, fresh from the oven, chocolate chip cookies (well, the kids get them with their meal, and the adults "share" delicious morsels snuck from their unsuspecting children)....yummy!

We enjoyed our time together (our favorite time was at about 8:30 each night when all the kids were tucked in...and we got to hang out, just the adults, and play games or talk). I cannot wait to see them all again, which this time it will not be as long of a wait (insert an exuberant burst of excitement here!)!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What is to come? The water park, the zoo, and other fabulous happenings during our lovely visit! Miss you Olesens! See you soon!!!

June...Father's Day too!

Random pictures...yes! So the first one is just a picture of the fun that Brooke has when I am on the computer...she dislikes it when I leave the room to do things, so she comes to keep me company. While I am busy on the computer, our bookshelf ends up half empty with all of the books taken out of their jackets! Ha ha ha! What a funny girl! The pictures of Katelyn I thought were cute...they were taken after Tori put a crown (aka. headband) on her. She is getting so big! I cannot believe that she is 10 months old! She still isn't crawling, but she can go anywhere using her backwards scoot and roll and has added pushups to her repertoire. She does scoot forward a little too. It is so funny to watch her! As for the colored shirt...our YW did a value color run! It was awesome! If you want to see more pictures go here! We also had a really fun activity at our house last Wednesday called: THE Event. It was amazingly fun and pretty cheap. We did yard games themed to the Gospel is FUN, click here for pictures!

My roses after a rain storm!

A new sprinkler...gotta LOVE the summer in the backyard...maybe it might help with the dead grass. Brooke was a little annoyed that I made her wear a swimsuit, and was throwing a fit...hence the reason that she is not pictured. Do you see how it spouts the ball out in the middle! COOL!

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!!!

We made this amazing tie for Daddy! I cut out felt circles and gave the girls some buttons and jewels. We had a blast making it. I had the glue gun and the girls showed me where to put the pieces. I think they did a fabulous job! I forgot to take a picture of Jason wearing the tie on Sunday...but these super cute models filled in!

These are the cards that they made. Upper left is the front of Tori's card. It is a picture of her and daddy, a rainbow, and a sunshine. Next to that is the inside of Tori's card...it says I am so thankful for you. The bottom left is the back of Tori's card and it says...you do so much for me. The middle bottom is Brooke's picture...she even picked out and glued Dad right in the middle of it! The bottom right is Brooke's inside...she went a little glue happy!

Later that day Tori drew these fabulous pictures. Left: Baby Tori and Daddy. Right: Mommy and Tori (Please note that I have one brown eye and one blue eye! She pointed this out to me.) She is getting so good at drawing that we bought her (and Brooke) a little journal that she can draw in like I did when I was little! Tender!

This little number was drawn in Primary on Father's day. It is a picture of Tori, Daddy and Mommy. I LOVE our little artist!

The BLINGERs

 I have adopted 4 children (ok...not really, but if I could I would!) I had the chance to spend the day with 7 of the cutest kids in the universe on Friday and we had a blast! I could totally have 7 kids...if these were my 7 kids that is! The rules of 7 kids...planning...have things to do to keep the kids busy and have FUN! It is that simple (ok...after I was a little tired, but you will see that in the end, they were too and I just got to kick up my feet and read!)
Making Pizza Dough!

How do you feed 7 kids? Make pizza! How do you keep them busy? Have them make it themselves! (Ok...the littlelies Burke and Brooke didn't get in on the fun, I wasn't that adventurous, but I really wish I could clone the twins! I would LOVE two 8 year old helpers!!!) Natalie and Taylor measured and watched the yeast foam. (Check out the concentration of Nattie...she is the twin in the stripes... in the stirring picture! What focus!) When you look at them all in a row, all 3 of the Blues could be Tori's family...let's be honest!

 

 

 

 

Waiting for the Dough to Rise!

What to do while the dough rises? 1. Have a dance party! 2. Dress up in silly costumes! 3. Snuggle with baby Katelyn! 4. Pose for the camera! 5. Color!

6. Play outside!

7. Make silly things out of play dough!

 Making Pizza!

Two hours later...we were ready to make the pizza! (There is a lot that you can do in 2 hours!!!) They had a blast making the pizzas! There was a lot of eating pepperoni and cheese before it was actually baked (Brooke even tried to eat her pizza raw!) and although I didn't get pictures of them eating it, it was devoured!

 Park Time!

I would have attempted this on my own, but luckily Grandpa Dinger wanted in on the fun! We took 6 of the kids (Baby K was at home sleeping in company of Grandma Gwen and Auntie Joy) to the school to play.We put the littlelies in the wagon and away we went!

We played hard for almost an hour and then the rain descended upon us! Could you not just pinch them all?! Burke is always shoeless and a monkey! On the way home we were sprinkled on the whole way...good thing it wasn't torrential, but it was adventurous!

Quiet Time!

When we got back, we were all tuckered out! We all curled up in blankets and watched Bambi 2. Alli came back 15 minutes into the movie, but luckily I shooed her away and I got to keep them (minus a tired Burkie) for another hour and a half! Alas...all things BLINGER eventually end...but we had a blast and I am glad that I am ridiculous and took a million photos of our fun escapade! Are you up for it tomorrow?! I am sure this will be a trend the whole summer!

May Ends & Brings June!

One Sabbath afternoon we decided to go out and enjoy the Spring weather! It was gorgeous outside! This is Jason trying to get a picture with me and all three girls. First of all, Brooke would NOT get in a picture. So the first picture is of Brooke running away from the scene and Tori watching and Katelyn blinking (upper left). Lovely! The next picture is of a grimacing baby K and a not looking Tori (lower left). The next picture was a little more successful...(top right). And the last attempt was Jason trying his best to get all of the girls in the shot (lower right)...alas, Tori blinked and well, Brooke...is going down the slide. I don't even know why we tried...but hey, I look fabulous! :)

After the picture escapade we played outside for a little bit and enjoyed Spring! It was a beautiful day!

We blew some bubbles and tried to catch them.

It was Katelyn's first bubble escapade. She was really into it...but the wind was so crazy that the bubbles just couldn't get close enough for her to play with them all that much...but she giggled at her crazy sisters as they chased them all over the lawn!

Tori's modeling escapades are hilarious! She came to me one morning in this amazing get-up and said, "Mom, you need to take some pictures of me!" So we did!

Tori drew this magnificent picture of me and her...she even wrote our names at the top! I have the black hair with the rainbow dress and she is sporting the blue hair and the striped dress! LOVE it!

Well...Grandma and Grandpa Dinger along with Auntie Joy came for a visit...and all the pictures that I have of Auntie Joy and Grandma Gwen are these! You may say...well, where are they? Well, Gwen made Baby K this fabulous hat and that is her arm keeping her steady on the table! Auntie Joy colored this cute picture for the girls...so stinking cute. It is hanging on our refrigerator! We do have some pictures of Grandpa Dennis, but you will have to wait until the next blog post for that! Stay tuned!

Utah Trip...The Lora Photo Files

Temple Square

We decided to meet Lora and Jake at Temple Square for the day and boy was it BEAUTIFUL! The sun was shining and the sky had just a few clouds to make post card pictures! Gorgeous! We toured around the grounds and visited the North Visitor's Center where the Christus statue is. Tori was enamored! I LOVE these pictures!

Uncle Jake's Girls

The girls quickly fell in love with Uncle Jake (and Auntie Lora too...but she is not pictured because she is taking the pictures....see my pictures for proof that she was here!) Of course it doesn't hurt to bring bribes...ie. delicious european chocolate hazelnut hippos! But baby K was enamored without the chocolate! My favorite part...4 adults 3 children! GREAT ratio!

Temple Flowers

The flowers on Temple Square during this time of year are AMAZING! Tori took full advantage of the fact that Auntie Lora had a camera and modeled away! She is such a poser! If you look closely enough you will see evidence of the chocolate hippo!

LOVE this little girl! Katelyn was a doll! She even fell asleep in her stroller right after these pictures were taken. She is the best baby ever!

City Creek Center Mall

Is this really a mall? It was truly awesome...if you go to Salt Lake you need to cross the street from Temple Square and check out this mall! It is all outdoors (it does have a retractable roof for snowy and rainy days)! We enjoyed all of the fountains and the creek that ran through the whole mall. There is some fun window shopping to be done too! We even enjoyed lunch at the Food Court!

Models in Heels and Hats

Need I say more...we took modeling to w whole other realm while hanging out at Debra's house...she is a natural! Over the shoulder, wind blown, leg up, product placement...you name it and this kid can do it...even in high heels and a hat!

I can't even walk in heels that high anymore! Brooke is a pro! Loved her in the fedora too! A Natural!

The mustache (left over from the bachelorette party) kills me! Uncle Jake joined in the fun too! I LOVE that picture of Jake...it will go down in the annals of history now!

 Here Comes the Bride

The real reason for this trip...that beautiful bride named Rachie! I wish that we were able to get more pictures with her! Her reception was awesome...especially since we were able to hang out with all of our friends...the beautiful Debra (oreo unite...although it was April so it looks more like cream with creamer cookies...we are in need of some sun!), Michelle and Chris Belli, and the Dunns (duh!).

 

 

 

 

 

 "The Hoop"...like hook with a "p"!

Sunday, we all gathered in Hooper...for a bonfire of course. I was the only brave one to beat the heat and roast some wienies...it was dang HOT and we let the grill do the rest of the hard work! There is the famous Jake vs. the bird picture! Classic!

A little girl turned 4!

Brooke was really hard to photograph..she wouldn't sit still (or even comply for a flower shot at Temple Square) so we settled for Cheeto face at the party! What a nut!

Here is beautiful! Katelyn is gorgeous (all the time really, but in these photos especially! I need to get these photos and hang them in my house! ASAP! Thanks Lora for taking all of these AMAZING photos! I cannot wait until you are here! 17 days and counting!