The Yentes Family Established 1986: 08/01/2009

Friday, August 28, 2009

Last Lake Trip of 2009

Caleb ready to learn to ski

Cam Standing on the Knee Board

Caleb is a wild man

Gillian Ready to ski

Griffin standing on the knee board

Dad bounced these boys hard.....look at the feet

Gary jumping

Just a few pictures from the last lake trip of the season. Wow! The summer really flies by! It's time to put the boat back into storage and hopefully watch the temperature drop! :)

Thursday, August 13, 2009

At the Dunes the Day Before School Starts????? Crazy!!!!!!!

Griffin

Gillian

Taking a break from 4 Wheelin!

I can make it! I know I can!:)

Garrett

Cam

So I was thinking that it would be fun to do something unplanned, spontaneous and out of character for me the day before school started so after a lot of thought, I loaded up the car and took the kids over to Pismo Beach for the day to ride quads, play, eat and hang out with some friends. I didn't finish getting school supplies or even back to school clothes shopping done, my house was a little unorganized and it is 2 1/2 hours over to Pismo but..........we put caution to the wind, loaded up the Bell's quads in the Morris' trailer (thanks guys) and headed out for a super fun day! Even without Gary there we managed to figure everything out. We met up with some of the Holt family and the Wilcox Family. We took the trucks up the dunes and took turns on the quads. The kids played in the water, hung out around the fire pit, roasted marshmallows and ate really well! After our ride, and a few scary moments for mom, we went over to Morro Bay and met up with some of the Henriksen Family, played at the Tides Park and made our way to Cayucos to the Sea Shanty for dinner and ice cream pie. We finally found our way home around 10:30 and believe it or not, the boys did really well getting up for the first day of school. Tomorrow will be the real test though since they have to be at Seminary by 6:00am. :) As we embark upon this last year with all our children home, living under one roof, we want to remember to take full advantage of those "spontaneous" moments and live each minute to the fullest!

Monday, August 10, 2009

Caleb's First Official Drum Lesson

Because all the brothers play several instruments, Caleb always wants in on the fun! He loves his guitar and plays it and makes up songs all the time. He plucks at his little piano and does the same. He can be heard all over the neighborhood banging out beats on Cameron's drum set so we all give him mini lessons to encourage him. Today it was like a dream come true for him when I decided out of the blue that it was time for the boy's drum teacher to give Caleb his first official drum lesson. That boy showed us all what he had and his drum teacher was amazed! Here are a few pictures of Caleb strutting his stuff! Too cute!

A Teenage Weekend!

Dance Off Party Gang

What?

J-Dizzle moves so fast we couldn't even catch it on camera!

Fresno Temple

We had a super busy but super fun weekend! It started with taking Cameron to High School Orientation where Garrett's ASB team greeted all the new incoming freshmen with a crazy, fun party! Lot's of music, games and food. Following Orientation day, the ASB gang came over to our house for more food, swimming, music and hanging out time. After the last teenager left, Gary and I went out to dinner and a movie with friends while all 10 of our combined kids stayed here and hung out. On Saturday, I took Garrett and Cameron to Fresno for a Youth Temple Trip, then out to lunch at the Cheesecake Factory (our favorite!) then some final school clothes shopping. We got home in time to clean up, organize and welcome another group of teenagers over for a Dance Off and movie night in our Basketball Court. I didn't win but the kids taught me some new dances and praised me and gary for our efforts. :) Sunday was a YW lesson for me and Seminary Orientation that night! So what am I doing now?????? Planning another party of course:) It is Caleb's 5th birthday and he is counting the days until his "Man Party". Superman, Iron man, Spider man, get it? A superhero party! Back to the planning board! No rest for this Superhero Mom thats for sure!

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!