HanksTown - Brian Hanks & Natalie S Hanks

Claire, my little Shakeo stealer.

A surprise gift from my honey.

Meal prepping in my great grandma's apron.

Wes and Sydney with Grandpa Swensen.

Swinging with Sydney.

Selfie with Claire.

Sydney attempting a plank.

Sydney lifting weights.

Ruth wanted me to take a picture of her.

Ruth and Claire put on dresses to play like they were going to nursery.

Mother-daughter pie making night!

This was the perfect activity to do with Sydney because she loves to cook.

We made five mini pies and she made them almost all by herself.

One of the finished pies.

Our hike/walk for our Cub Scout activity.

Claire wanted to ride Brian's bike.

We got a little tennis playing in with our friends, the Bairds, before it started *pouring* down rain.

Wes participated in a STEM contest at the Discovery Center. He had to build a structure out of gumdrops and toothpicks.

The goal was for it to hold the most amount of weight. Here is his finished product.

Brian and Wes are slowly adding weights to the gumdrop structure.

Focus.

Wes getting a prize for participating.

A sunflower from Wes after his baseball game, the day before Mother's Day.

Brian and his mom on Mother's Day.

My kiddos and me on Mother's Day.

Claire trying to climb the fence to see Wes at his baseball game.

Ruth often asks, "Am I still three?" This was one of those (many) times.

Kids in the car. I can't remember why I took this picture.

Saying hello to the horses next door.

Sydney holding a ladybug.

Sydney made a fort for her and Ruth in their room.

Cute baby Claire. Every time she wears these doggy pajamas we just think she looks so cute.

Sisters doing puzzles together.

Wes and Sydney prepping smoothie bags for themselves.

Brian meal prepping for the week.

Ruth loves helping me fold towels.

This is how Claire came down from her room one morning. It totally made me laugh!

Claire put off her nap for a little bit so she could finish her peas.

Sydney throwing a fake tantrum. What's a mom to do??

Hiking for Friday Family Fun.

Family picture.

Sydney got this amazing face painting done and Claire told me her face was dirty.

Me with Wes and Sydney at our MCO concert.

Sisters and cousins after the MCO concert.

Jennie and me.

I went out of my comfort zone and took acting classes at Urban Talent with Lance Williams. It was so fun!

Baseball wrap-up party!

Baseball doughnuts to celebrate.

Ruth playing in the dirt in her Sunday dress.

Making silly faces in the Walmart grocery pickup line.

Ruth had to use the shoehorn to get on her Crocs because that's what she's seen her older siblings do.

Yay for a beautiful park day!

Family picture at Merrill Park.

Ruth and Claire hanging at the park.

The Field of Honor at Merrill Park.

Claire's just one of the big kids!

Sydney had an end-of-school party for all of 1st grade at the house of one of the other 1st graders.

Ruth playing a little golf.

Claire eating the frosting off a cupcake.

Sydney got her own food...LOTS of treats!

First graders on a boat.

Wes with his 3rd grade teacher, Mrs. Eardley.

Me and Wes in his class for his awards program.

Wes and some of his school friends. Landon (in the white shirt) is his best friend right now.

Sydney with her 1st grade teacher, Mrs. Stallones.

This is one of my favorite last day of school traditions: when all the teachers stand outside and wave goodbye to their students.

Our family's last day of school tradition: new books!

Claire reading her book in the car.

Wes trying to get Brown Dog out of a tree at Grandma and Grandpa Hanks' house.

Me meeting my nephew, Liam, for the first time.

Sydney and Wes playing in Oak City Memorial Day weekend.

My grandma's family.

They found themselves!

Putting flowers on grave-sites with (Great) Grandma Smith.

Visiting Great Grandpa Smith's grave.

We "camped" at Aunt Lisa's house. My kind of camping, for sure!

Sydney found a kitty friend.

It was fun to get a little quality time with just my two oldest.

Hanging out with my cousins, Hillary and Jeremy.

Smith cousins: Phil, Hillary, me, Jeremy, Mary, Luke, and Michael.

Getting ready for Bunco!

The kids got to learn about their ancestors at the Oak City cemetery.

Treats galore while waiting for the program to start.

Stirring the sourdough batter!

Sydney pretending to be grumpy with Aunt Pam.

The Memorial Day Breakfast.

Sydney and me wearing our aprons and ready to serve!

Serving up the sourdough pancakes!

Wes was a great pancake runner!

Wes and Sydney and me.

At the cemetery for the Memorial Day program.

Wes with Great Grandma Smith. Love this pic!

A few minutes into the car ride back north, Sydney was asleep.

Hanging out at Grandma and Grandpa Hanks' house.

Wes and Sydney learned to climb a tree.

Claire enjoying Grandma Hanks' picnic food.

Claire getting bites from Grandma and Grandpa Hanks.

Ruth getting tickles from her daddy.

Claire with some "Flock of Seagulls" hair.

We made sure to visit Grandpa and Grandma Swensen's Menchies while we were in Utah!