The Sommer Family

It's only been 16 months since an update.....

2011-12-22T05:41:00.000-08:00

Well, it's been a while. A LONG while. I was looking through my pictures this morning looking at all of the fun things we have been up to and decided it was time! It's almost Christmas but here is our back to school picture and a few others from our great summer!

Carson (thinks he is starting school this day....super unhappy when he finds out that Joy School doesn't start for a few weeks. Brooklyn 1st grade and Andrew 2nd.

We had the chance to be with both sides of our family this summer and see everyone- it was awesome but reminded me of how much we miss everyone and love being together.

This is the whole Sommer Family- we were all together for 1 day for baby Lola's baby blessing.

These are a few of the cousins in my family...minus the ones under 5. We didn't get a good picture of everyone together.

My beautiful friend Tiff (Yost) Roundy took our family pictures this summer- I was so thrilled with the way they turned out, she is truly talented. Carson threw up during the first family shoot so she came back 2 weeks later when he was up to it. I want to frame this picture because this captures the true reality of life. Perfect.

He is still not so happy.....but he was a trooper.

2 weeks later.....happy Carson, 3yrs old.

Brooklyn 6yrs....there were so many amazing pictures of this Angel!

My handsome Andrew 7yrs, what a little stud.

My three little amigos......

Us.....LOVE him.

Well.....who knows, maybe by next June you will have an update on Christmas!

Back to reality....

2010-08-30T14:33:00.000-07:00

Well, this summer has been a great one! We will miss it.... I will miss the sleeping in probably most of all. Today was the first day of school, I have so many emotions. Sad....excited.....and everything in between. I love my kids so much- Andrew to be gone the whole day is a bit much. He is just too good of a kid to wish him away. Brooke will do great she does love school and 3 hours is enough to get her fix yet I still get her most of the day. After everyone left this morning Carson went down stairs and was yelling "Dada, dada... where go?" Next I heard him yelling for "An-do, An-do (Andrew)" He came upstairs and said "Mom- where go?" I told him Dad was at Work and Andrew was at school. Then I asked "Where's Brookie" and he responded "Wok (work)"! It's going to take some getting used to just Carson and I alone...maybe we will get a new hobby, like jogging or folding the clothes they same day I wash them :).

First day of school! Brooklyn started Kindergarten and Andrew is in 1st grade. Yes- those are coats on August 30th.

Kevin had an amazing opportunity to go to Alaska fishing for 3 days, he just got back. He loved it. This is him with his 45lb Halibut.

The Melaleuca crew with just ONE day of their catches.

Carson......

Playing at Rigby Lake

At Warm River feeding the fish, it never gets old.

Boating with friends while we stayed at their cabin in Island Park.

Carson has newly discovered the art of 'Pluggy Walking' (pacifier=pluggy). He is one of a kind, I know it's kindof gross.

Hope you all had a wonderful summer!

The Sommer Summer Update....

2010-07-06T11:42:00.000-07:00

So far this summer has been fun and is going by too fast! We just ended our Tee-ball season- which turned out to be really fun! Andrew is a great hitter and Brooklyn...really improved from the beginning of the season (mainly she is just really cute out in the field).

Andrew caught his first snake in our back yard (usually dad catches them), he asked over and over "Mom, are you the proudest you have ever been of me?" He was super cute- not so much the snake. (can't turn this pict for some reason).
We just had a great visit with our cousins from AZ, The Madders (my sisters kids). We loved having them and we already miss them so much! This is my mom with the grandkids. 4th of July (well...actually 3rd of July)- Down at the River....

Carson eating Corn on a Stick and loving it!

Brooklyn with cousins Ally and Analiese- so cute! They are all with-in about 8 months of each other.More Cousins.....Halle and Jagger.

Right when the big fireworks started...this is what Carson did. Sparklers......
Happy Summer to you all!

Birthday Week 2010

2010-04-25T16:08:00.000-07:00

Well, birthday week is over and all 3 of my babies are another year older! Yes, they are still my babies and we love them so much. We celebrated their birthdays separately this year. We had Dino, Curious George and Butterfly parties! We had a lot of fun but now I am de-toxing from all cake and good food.

Andrew on his 6th birthday, April 14th.

He's pretty excited about his gifts.... Happy 2nd Birthday Carson, April 16. Loved blowing out candles on his rice-krispie 'cake'.

Talking to Grandma and Grandpa Boise on Skype while Carson opens their gift.

Brooklyn the morning of her 5th birthday, April 18th.

Brookie and friends at her Butterfly Tea Party.
Grandma Tamara didn't even know and bought her a butterfly dress,
matched the party perfectly.
All said and done...even if I had planned when I was going to have my babies I would probably have their birthdays close together....maybe. There isn't any pouting because they have to wait forever for their birthday...because it's not more than 2 days away! Thanks for all the birthday wishes and gifts. We love you all!

A Leap of Faith

2010-04-08T07:44:00.000-07:00

Hey! It's been a while since I've update.... I had a particular event that happened a few months ago that I have been wanted to blog about. Meet Mason...my little brother, he is nine years younger but at least nine inches taller than me. He is truly and awesome person. We have never lived in the same house, we share the same dad but different mom's. He is a Senior at Hillcrest (Go Knights!) and over the past few years we have really gained a great friendship.

Mase with my kids...Anyway, to make a long story short Mason started taking the missionary lessons a few months ago. We were privileged to have them in our home. The first night of the lessons I sat down expecting to hear a simplified version of our church history. I expected to hear much of what I have heard the past 2o-some years. Wow- was I wrong. The spirit was so strong and he was in a teaching mood! Yes- the material I had heard before. However, the difference was the perspective I had of someone I dearly love learning about the Gospel of Jesus Christ for the first time. Mason has been in wonderful friends homes and has attended church, however this was different. He was wanting to know for him self if this was the church for him. Well the result: my testimony of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints has been deeply strengthened. I am so blessed to be a member and to have the amazing support system that this Gospel provides me. And Mason......well it seems that he got that too!
Mason, with his friend Tanner (who baptized him) and the great Missionary's.
Mase, with just some of his friends that attended the baptism. So, on February 20th, 2010- Mason got baptized. It was an amazing day. I can't even express how much this experience has done for me. I have a deep admiration for Mason and his decision, at 18, to follow this path and follow his promptings to learn more about the church. Thanks for your great example Mason, We love you!!!

END OF THE YEAR UPDATE!!!

2010-01-10T15:45:00.000-08:00

Happy Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years!!! We have had a great 2009. I'm sure you all know but time flies! I sit here with a new year at hand and can't help but be extremely thankful for all I am blessed with, the good and the average. :)

For the first time in almost 3 years we had family pictures taken. Here are a few...it was freezing so we had to use bribery for them to get out of the car one more time for this one of all of us. We offered "the biggest, fattest Ice Cream they have ever seen", and gum for Carson. If you look close you can see the green between his teeth.
Merry Christmas from our bright house to yours. And Kev said he wasn't going to do lights this year!
The Sommer family sent an amazing woman home to heaven this holiday season. Grandma Sommer (Kevin's Grandma) passed away Dec. 30th. We had the opportunity to share Christmas Eve with the whole Sommer gang- this was the last picture taken with her. There are over 50 people with only a few missing. Almost everyone got to say goodbye and be here for the funeral. It was a bitter- sweet experience. We will miss her and I have truly realized now what type of impact being a good, loving, and hard working mom can make. It really does carry on through generations. This picture is proof!

Decorating the Christmas tree....and Carson continually un-decorating the tree, everyday!
We left Santa Grasshopper cookies and Mt. Dew this year!
Carson got a broom, he loves it! We decided he needed to start pulling his weight around here.

Sick baby....

Happy Halloween?!? This is the first year we haven't had a specific "theme", sad for me but fun for them. Yes, Kevin wore that (inflatable pumpkin)to work all day. ;)
We hope everyone's holidays were great, thanks for being a part of our lives!

Disneyland and such: Family Vacation '09

2009-10-12T12:53:00.000-07:00

We just got back from a great trip, so much fun! We went to Disneyland for 3 days, Sea World, Laguna Beach, and took a day at the beginning to recover from the stomach flu! Yes...the flu hit me right as our plane was leaving IF...I spent the whole flight in the bathroom. It hit Andrew the last 20 min of the flight and Shawn (my brother) and his daughter right as we were landing! Kev and Brookie got it the next night. However, it went away fast and we were up and running the rest of the week. While we were in CA we got to spend time with my brother and sister's families which made it all the more fun! Kevin and I seemed to enjoy Disneyland and Sea World more this time, I think as our kids amazement grows so does ours!

The whole family at Bugs Life show, 3D. Brooke and Carson hated it, it was intense. :)

We waited in line for over an hour to meet the princesses but it was worth it. Andrew was a little hesitant at first but it didn't take him long to warm up to the pretty girls.

M-i-c-k-e-y M-o-u-s-e!

Kev, Brooke, my niece Ally and Andrew on Alice in Wonderland ride.
We loved riding the train around Disneyland, except when Carson was trying to jump off :)
The fam with Shamu- that was an amazing show, we loved it!
Kev and I with my sister Heather, my bro-in-law David (Todd), my brother Shawn and sis-in-law Leah at an awesome taco place near the beach.Kev, Carson and I at Laguna Beach....

My kids with my sister's kids, cousins are so much fun! Sad we didn't get all of the cousins in one picture!Time to start planning the next vacation!!! Who wants to come?

School, Pets and Summer!!!

2009-09-01T12:21:00.000-07:00

Hey! Wow, this summer has flown by! It has been a great one! Andrew started Kindergarten last week....what an adventure (for me) he seems to be just fine. I love that he likes it, he even said his teacher is pretty. He is such a great kid! Carson is now walking and is as crazy and adorable as ever! Brooklyn is about to start preschool and is my little busy body princess. Today has been a day where I have reflected a lot on my beautiful blessings. Too many to count! However a Father in Heaven who watches over us, healthy and happy kids, an amazing husband, and wonderful family and friends who unconditionally love and support us......those are a few that top my list! Anyway, on to the pictures!

Andrew on the first day of school in his classroom.
New pets! So I was in favor for something a bit more exciting that the kids could play with. Dad won and now we have fish. However I kindof like them. They are Dalmation fish. Andrews is named Oreo, and we wanted Brookies to be Cookies 'n Cream but she calls it "Cookies, Ice Cream , Snow Cone fish."
Bath tub fun! We were at Grandma and Grandpa Boise's house (Kev's parents) and the kids decided to rev up the bubble bath by turning the jets on! It looked so fun I wanted to join them.
Good thing bubbles make this a censored picture!
Kids at the Melaleuca Picnic! Is is pretty much a full sized Carnival for the kids and a ton of fun!
My beautiful sister Heather, Brooklyn and her daughter Analiese. We look forward to their visit every summer! Heather had a princess tea party for the girls while we were camping, all the big boys were trying to get in on it too! They liked the little plates a cups :).
Brooke, Andrew and cousin Ally at Rigby lake, one of our favorite summer pass times.
Carson. Enough said.
Carson with the monkeys at the Zoo, not sure who was enjoying it more.
I hope everyone is doing well!

Summer Fun & Kev turns 30!!!

2009-07-10T12:14:00.000-07:00

Although summer around here has gotten off to a slow start, we have enjoyed it! When we bought our house 41/2 years ago I remember watching all of the little neighbor kids play up and down the street, almost like one of those fantasy neighborhoods you dream about with the white picket fence. Anyway, I have loved that my kids are finally old enough to join in! However, Brooklyn is quite generous with giving away all of our Popsicles and treats so we are getting quite the little posse! Well, it has happened....Kevin hit the big 30! Funny actually, now any shortcomings or forgetfulness is blamed on his old age :). I threw a surprise party for him, it turned out great! The kids and I are so blessed to have him!

I had this cake made for Kev. It included most of his fav things: BSU, Dodgers, Pepsi, Golf and Melaleuca!

His employees had this cake for him on his birthday.... priceless!

So....for months Andrew has begged to have daddy and grandpa's haircut. I told him its the other way around...they would like to have his hair :). So for 2 days he got his wish (this is as short as I would go on top).
Nothing quite like a bare bum to welcome in summer!

My handsome little brother Mason...well, I should say "younger" brother, and Carson! We have loved having Mason go to Hillcrest and be so close by! He is a starter on the football team and is awesome, Go Knights!!!Cuties! Brooklyn with cousin Ally at the splash park, aren't cousins great!

Clowning around with friends! These guys have all been best buds since they were about 1! The Larsen twins, Ally, Brooklyn, Andrew and the Blanchard twins!

Happy summer to you all!!!

CELEBRATE!!!

2009-04-28T15:01:00.000-07:00

What an exciting month April has been! We had Easter and then celebrated all three kids birthdays (twice)! I am almost coming down with "no more party" withdrawals. For Andrew and Brookies birthday party I made Superhero capes with masks for the kids. They all got to pick their own colors and customize them, lots of work but fun! Kevin set up a Superhero training camp for them which consisted of them shooting the Dinosaur that was eating a baby and throwing bombs at the bad guy (my beauty school mannequin). It was hilarious, he even showed up with his own cape. I love that guy! Anyway, we have had a ton of fun and we truly are lucky to have our 3 amazing babies (does a 5 year old still count as a baby?)!

Opening Superhero capes (I didn't get great picts).

Brookie opening presents....well, really everyone else opened her presents but she is still happy!

Kids opening a John Deer tractor.... we got it off Craigs list, what a hit! We can hardly get them off it! Andrew thinks Brookie is a CRAZY driver though, Kevin just said "she's a girl, they are all like that."

Birthday boy! We let Carson loose on his cake, it was so fun! I should be used to that by now but he is the only baby that has preformed for us! When Andrew turned one he kicked his cake and cried because there was frosting on his foot! :)
What a DELICIOUS baby!
This is just a fun picture, we were in Utah and took them to a Dino museum. Andrew loved it but the most exciting thing Brookie found was a "rolly-polly". She also wasn't convinced that this Dino wasn't going to come alive and eat her.
Well, we love you all!!!

It's about time....

2009-02-10T15:50:00.001-08:00

Wow, it's been forever since I have updated! I have some random pictures, mainly Christmas and such. What a good year '08 was! We are excited for all that is to come in '09, so far we have been blessed. Our greatest blessing have come in the form of our family and friends. So to you....thank you, and we love you!

Truly adorable. Carson just after he learned to sit up.

This is my favorite, Carson's first swim suit experience in Yellowstone. He loved the water!

This was pretty early on a Saturday, as you can tell. I love this one, this is the family's favorite past time. However this is why we are getting a King bed. So I won't get kicked out all of the time!

Christmas eve Santa visits (sometimes a bit tipsy) Kev's grandparents house, lots of fun though!

Christmas eve we had a food gift exchange. All of the kids, Jayce (nephew), Ally (niece), Andrew and Brooke were fighting/obsessing over the huge barrel of cheese balls.

The kids chose to leave Santa a Pepsi to drink while he ate his cookie. Good thing Santa has a lot in common with Daddy!

Pizza Theif...

2008-11-25T18:09:00.000-08:00

So....apparently Carson is trying to help me lose all of the weight I gained with him. I was holding him and eating a piece of pizza the other day and this was the end result....I can just picture him saying "Mom, that is going to go straight to your hips, let me take care of it." :)

Carson is 7 months already and grabbing everything from anyone!

Hard to tell if he is enjoying it :), I do feed him I promise he is just blessed with Kevin's figure!

Happy Halloween!

2008-10-31T10:00:00.000-07:00

So far this has been quite the Halloween week! We have worn our costumes everyday since Tuesday! Gymnastics, preschool, Melaleuca trick or treat & Boo at the Zoo...and now today. When I woke up this morning it took me a minute to realize today is actually Halloween. Fun times! So as you can tell I really love to do themes for Halloween. Our theme this year is:
"GO BRONCOS"!!!

At Kev's call center. They really get into Halloween...they did "Nemo's Submarine" and Kev was a Shark attack victim (notice his bite mark on his side).

These are the 4 Rex Managers babies, we all had kids within 10 months of eachother. They claim they all empathized with eachother having to deal with "Pregnant wife syndrome". Carson just got beat up by Tyson :).

Preschool Party! Brooke & Andrew of course are in blue. Spiderman & Batman are Katie (Liebels) twins.

So...I am proud to say that I MADE Carson's football costume. Really...the cutest football I have ever seen!

What a babe! Brooklyn keeps cheering and all she says is "Yeah Cheerleader. Go Cheerleader. Boise State Broncos!"

Scary football player, at the Zoo. He has a helmet but prefers to have "spikey football player hair" and the blue under his eyes.

Happy Halloween Everyone! Go BSU!

Kevin C. Sommer

2008-10-07T20:52:00.000-07:00

So apparently I have been tagged to write all about my man!

1. Where did you meet? Well we went to the same high school but didn't really know eachother. I moved next door to him right before he left on his mission and I was on a date on my 16th b-day and my date said "Hey it's Kevin's b-day too, lets go say hi." So that was the first real meeting. 2 years later we both happened to be at the airport welcoming a missionary and that was all...

2. How long did you date before you were married? We hung out for about 3 months, dated for 4 months and engaged for 4 months.

3. How long have you been married? It was 7 years in August! 7 best of my life might I add :)

4. What does he do that surprises you? His gifts are always creative, he thinks of things I would never think of asking for but I always end up loving them. My favorite are the notes he leaves me on misc. pieces of paper. He is not a generic romantic, you can tell he really means it.

5. What is your favorite feature of his? Umm...everything! I love his eyes and his half smile. Really it's the whole package the scruffy faced hat backward look that I love!
6. What is your favorite quality of his? His ambition! When he gets his mind set on something there is no looking back. He also has amazing patients with our family (not customer service reps) I really learn a lot from him, and am so thankful that he is so forgiving of me all the time.

7. Does he have a Nickname for you? Angel

8. What is his favorite color? Um...the only thing I can think of is BSU/Dodger Blue

9. What is his Favorite food? Chips & Salsa or popcorn (he should be a professional popcorn critic)

10. What is his favorite sport? He loves to golf (when I let him), to ski and we play on a co-ed softball team. He LOVES to watch college football.

11. When and where was your first kiss? Bunkhouse #7 (Kevs apartment) Um...can't tell you in what room because it was BYU-I, and the Dean might take our diplomas back! :)

12. Favorite thing to do as a couple? We love weekend getaways! Our favorite is Vegas.
13. Do you have any Children? Three! Andrew (4), Brooklyn (3), & Carson (6 months)

14. Does he have a hidden talent? Well, he is a pilot. It's hidden because he never gets to go flying anymore....because of me. He is also amazing at creating games or distractions for the kids, not always mom aproved!

15. How old is he? 29 and gets hotter with age!

16. Who said I love you first? Um....I believe I said if you ever feel like you want to say the "L" word it's ok because I feel that way too. So of course then he said " I love you." So he totally said it first :)
17. What is his favorite type of music? Um...I still hear him sing Beastie Boys and he makes up raps for the kids out of '90's rap songs, some Spanish stuff but if I get in his car I have to change it from the butt rock station.

18. What do you admire most about him? Everything. Sounds dumb but I really feel like I found the most wonderful person for me. In our 7 years he has not even once yelled at me or said anything too harsh. I admire that he follows the right path and does what is right for our family without making a scene of it.

19. Do you think he will read this? Maybe, to see how dumb my answers are. :)

I tag: Julia, Nicole, Rachel, Amy and Mindy

Go Broncos! Go #51!

2008-09-18T07:30:00.000-07:00

Well we, along with many of you are huge BSU fans (right behind the Stephens fam). We were able to go to the game last weekend and we are off to Oregon tomorrow to watch them against the Ducks, thanks to my great husband dedicating all of his bonus, profit sharing and Home Theater money we are going to 5 games this year! Kevin has been a big BSU fan since he attended his first year there and his family has lived there for the past 10 years.

However, since our bro-in-law Dallas Dobbs has entered the family our enjoyment of watching BSU has times by 10. This is his last season as a Bronco. So... we just wanted to thank Dallas for all of his hard work and dedication (and his wife Katie for putting up with it and to their new beautiful baby boy:Tiger). I had no idea the amount of time and work these players put in, it is crazy they not only practice a ton but they have to eat their meals together and do other "bonding" activities that take a ton of time. Dallas has worked so hard he has already gotten his bachelors and is now working on his Masters.

So once again, Thanks Dallas for all of your hard work, and Katie for sacrificing your husband, so the whole Sommer family can enjoy watching football so much! We especially love watching you sac the Quarterbacks! We love you guys!

Dallas is #51, he is the one in front of the referee. He is a linebacker and the long snapper.

Kevin and I at the BSU stadium after the game.

Katie (Kev's little sister) and baby Tiger watching the game. She looks a little concerned...

The first touchdown of the game.

We are starting Carson early...he loved the blue turf!

First day of Preschool and last days of summer...

2008-09-08T17:00:00.000-07:00

August was quite a busy month for us, but lots of fun. This week has been nicer here in I.F. but Fall is already in the air. I am sad to see the summer go but I am looking forward to all of the beautiful colors and fun things Fall brings: Football, Halloween, sweatshirts...ect. I am also looking forward for Carson being able to run around next summer (he really hates to be packed around in the car seat). However the thought of another toddler freaks me out!

Andrew & Brookie on first day of Preschool. Kate (Liebel) Larsen and I are doing the Preschool ourselves this year. She is the "Teacher" and I am the "Aid." Fun Stuff! It is pretty much impossible to get a great picture, this is the best of 10. They are too busy for pictures.

This was the day of Carson's blessing. These are the best pictures we got of the fam and the kids alone.
This is Carson's "Please save me face!" He wears it frequently when the kids are smothering him.
I had to put this picture in because this is how things normally look around here! Not quite put together :)

Next, are some pictures of our Sommer Family Bear Lake trip. We loved it and had a ton of fun with our cousins! We were beach bums all day long and loved the fun rides on Auntie Amber and Uncle James boat. This picture has 6 of the little cousins riding the Bananas.
Andrew is at the stage where he has a goofy expression in every picture but he is still a babe!
Auntie Amber made a great make-shift bed for Carson under the table...he was a happy camper(for that short nap anyway).

Summer Fun!

2008-07-30T14:02:00.000-07:00

Well, I have once again slacked on the blogging. I made a deal with Nicole that I will start out trying to update like once or twice a month. So....we will see. Anyway, for those of you that I was able to see over the 4th and this summer it was really great to see all of you. Here are just a few more pictures of some of our activities this summer.

Kevin and the kids in Park City, Utah.

My brother bought a gymnastics center and Brooke and Andrew take a preschool class. They love it, every day they ask if it's "nastics" day.

This is the 4th of July at the river. I made those bows for Brookie that day and later that night I noticed they were missing I asked several times and she said they were in daddy's pocket. So later I asked Kev and he didn't have them. So I asked her again and she said "oh....I threw them in the riber (river)." It was too funny for me to be mad.

This is Carson on our camping trip to Island Park, he is now 3 months old.

Kevin tried for 3 days to finally get Andrew a fish. He was thrilled with catching this tiny one.

Carson after throwing up all over my foot...in West Yellowstone. He is still cute, even after that!

My foot... (I'm sure some of you wanted to see this one...right?)

Ok......I am finally doing this!

2008-06-14T21:01:00.000-07:00

Well, I seem to be quite dysfunctional at this blogging thing but I am doing my best. It has been fun getting on here and seeing what everyone is up to. Life has been a little crazy getting used to having three kids but I am starting to get the hang of it. I just had to get used to having two sippy cups and a bottle and only two hands to carry them with. I really am so thankful that I was entrusted to take care of these 3 amazing sweet little kids. I thank the heavens for such a wonderful husband and amazing support system of family and friends who have helped me through this transition.

Carson Christopher Sommer
Born: April 16, 2008 6lbs 11oz 20 1/2 inches

All three of my kids are born within the same week, April 14th, 16th & 18th. Ya.....that wasn't planned. Kevin and I also share the same birthday. So when it comes to b-days it is pretty crazy around here!

Since I am just starting this I will do a little flashback of a few pictures from the past year. This was taken at my mom's wedding in February (keep in mind I am 7 months pregnant).

My cute boys! This is Kev and Andrew at the monster truck show, and you
thought the state fair brought out all of the crazies!

Brookie and Andrew last October. They are a year and 4 days apart,
Andrew is older.