The Yentes Family Established 1986: Jul 25, 2008

Friday, July 25, 2008

Gillian Grace

Gillian turned 2 on July 11th. Where has the time gone? Out of all my kids, gillian has grown up from the baby stage the quickest. Looking back on her very first picture in the hospital all hooked up to monitors in the I.C.U., and seeing her now so beautiful and strong I am and will forever be thankful for her and the joy she has brought into my life and all my boy's lives. We love our gillian more than words can express! Happy birthday sweet girl!

To the Beach Again!

We went over to the beach for a few days to spend some time with "the cousins" as all our kids like to say. We had a great time! There are .......count them.......9 boys and 1 baby girl that round out this crew. What a great group of kids!

A Mud Fight?

Gillian and Caleb had a mud fight which had to be broken up by the older brothers because the little ones were showing no signs of ending the dirty battle. This is what I saw once it was over. Can you tell who won?

The Yentes Boys on the Water!

All in a Summer's Day!

Summertime is such a busy time but in a way a slow and lazy time too. At least that is how I like to look at it. We all fill our calendars with pool parties, lake trips, beach trips, BBQ's, camping trips, Fireworks, etc. Yet, when the party ends and we have time to relax.......we do. I never feel guilty in the summer for not doing all "my chores" but I would feel guilty if I didn't take the time to relax with a good book, stay up way to late hanging out with the boys, taking long walks on the beach, taking a nap, or sleeping out on top of the houseboat watching the stars in the sky. I love summer!

We have had a wonderful summer so far. So much has happened that I'm just throwing in a few pics of a few of the events. Some things I don't even have pictures for. My camera is on it's way out so it has been difficult getting all those great shots but even without pictures, we won't soon forget the memories we have made this summer and the time we have spent with fantastic friends and family. We hope you are having your best summer ever too!

Summer Fun!

Houseboating at Lake Don Pedro with our friends The Bell Family. Gary and Garrett tried barefoot skiing. Crazy!

All About Garrett

Garrett is our rock. As the oldest of our children Garrett has always been super responsible. He is almost to good to be true sometimes. Talk about helpful, caring, involved and loved by so many! Although I spent all last year planning and enjoying many "last" experiences with all our children living in our home (before Garrett's departure to college), nothing could have prepared me or the rest of the family for just how much this young man would be missed! There are so many qualities in Garrett that I admire. He is passionate about everything he does, he is kind hearted, he loves people of all ages (and they love him), he is a great listener, a super problem solver, he likes to have fun and loves to get the job done! lol. I love watching him make his way in college, growing and becoming an even stronger and more spiritual person. Garrett has always known what he wants in life and is always willing to seek after the "good things". I love this boy with all my heart and am so grateful for the wonderful blessing of being his mother!

All About Cameron

Cameron is our steady one. At 15 1/2 and now the oldest one in our home, I have come to appreciate his sure and constant pace in our lives. Cam is easy to please, happy, silly, very loving and just fun to be around. He has many interests that range from water sports, to snow sports, to playing on the basketball team to playing instruments. Cameron does love to horse around and seems to get all the kids wrestling at one time or another during the day which makes things crazy but thats our Cam! I have come to count on him and appreciate his willingness to help out with just about anything I need. I have watched Cameron with awe over the years as he has quietly and respectfully stood up for all that he knows is good and right! He is such a great example to me and others in our family. I feel so blessed to have him in my life and am so thankful I have Cameron to love so very much!!!!!.

All About Griffin

Griffin is a joy! I have always said that Griffin is a combination of both Garrett and Cameron which makes him almost perfect!!!! :) Griffin is quiet, helpful, respectful and kind. He can be crazy and is quite fun to be around. He still loves to hug me every morning and every night and for that I will always be thankful. Griffin is easy to be around and has so many friends that love him. Griffin loves sports of all kinds, especially golfing. If he had it his way, he would be at the golf range daily. He plays several instruments but his heart is with the drums. He is rough and tumble but also soft and gentle. Like I said, almost perfect! What a blessing he has been in our home. I love our "Fiffin" with all my heart!!!!

All About Caleb

Caleb.....Caleb.....Caleb......I have so much to say about Caleb but "Larger than Life" always comes to mind as I contemplate all that I know of "Cakers". From the moment he was born, he has had so much energy, so much passion, so much fire! He loves sports and wants to keep up with his big brothers all the time which sometimes gets him hurt. :) He can drum and play the piano (the guitar is next) but his greatest enjoyment in life comes from dancing, music, drawing and photography. His dream is to be a professional dancer and photographer. He even has his own blog. He is so much fun! Everyday is a new adventure with our fun loving Caleb and I enjoy seeing what each new day brings with him. I love you Caleb to "infinity and beyond!"

All About Gillian

Little Miss Gillian is my love and the love of all the men in her life:) but she has secretly taken me prisoner of her heart and it is there that I hope I will always stay. Gillian has changed so much over the last year. I once saw her as easy and go with the flow little girl but now I realize that she has always had quite the mind of her own as she does just about what she wants to do each and every day. :) She is strong and feisty and always knows what she wants! She is her own authority and dares anyone to challenge her on that. While this makes it difficult to get her to always do what we want, I see this as a great strength as she gets older and needs to be unwavering and unyielding. She is a true "diamond in the rough"! When Heavenly Father sent her to us, he promised me that she would be a "joy in my life" and when I look at my little girl, I know I have been blessed and I feel such gratitude and love for this daughter of mine. I love you beyond measure Gilly!