We are just going to do one giant recap of the month of August in pictures.

Because I can't believe September is already half over.

We started off the month in Kansas City. Ryan went through the temple, so we all met in KC to go through with him (we all made it but Shane and Sadie). And for another related update....Ryan left more his mission 2 weeks ago. So crazy! So for any of you going to conference in Salt Lake this October, be on the lookout for him!!

We have this cute little park downtown that had these little old rides. It's such a cute place. So we finally took the boys for the first time and let them ride the rides. 

Discovered bubble snakes. And how super cool they are.

Turned our water table in a sand box. Score! Seriously, how many ways can we use this table?...we love it!

Headed to the Iowa State Fair for our first time. I took like 5 pictures....boo. But it was fun! Lots of animals, food and fun! Although we aren't bigger eaters around here, so we didn't do much eating. And I'm probably the only person at the fair that packed a lunch for my family...hahaha. But we did get a strawberry funnel cake. It was yummy!

Headed to Skyler's parents the middle of August for Dallen and Jacee's wedding reception. 

And some more very random pictures. 

Shooting with my love!

Sweet little boys sleeping on our 45min drive home from church. They do this every week. I just decided to snap a picture of it this time.

And Super Wes.

The moment we pulled into town the party began. And it never stops. 

WE LOVE IT...who wouldn't?

Here are a few fun things we did while we were back home for summer break.

I remember my Grandpa Grover getting on the tramp and jumping with us when we were little, and we thought he was SO COOL. It made me happy to see my parents get on the tramp with the boys. Such fun memories.  

There is a little pond across the street from my parents that is perfect for taking the little guys fishing. The fish in the pond love hotdogs. You pretty much catch a fish almost every time you cast. It's almost like a little game...who can not catch a dinky little fish. So when you get one bigger then your hand it's a little exciting.

Ryan and Tayler are like rockstars around the neighborhood and with the nephews. Not even joking. We were eating dinner at a restaurant one night and these little 7yr old boys walked up to our table and asked Ryan if he could play when we got home...? There are always little boys knocking on the door asking if Ryan and Tay can play. It's pretty hilarious. They are the sweetest teenage boys you will ever meet. And every little boy wants to be around them. The best part, Ry and Tay don't mind it at all. They are going to be the best Dads ever. So of course Preston and Wes were in heaven having their uncles to play with for weeks.

My little brothers bought ducks a few months ago. As you can tell they are pretty big now and have outgrown my parent's pond in their yard. The ducks now live across the street in a much larger pond. But they still know their home. The ducks walk across the street and come to the yard at 7am and 5pm, for breakfast and dinner. My Dad feeds them and then they walk back to the pond. Preston loved feeding them everyday with Grandpa. He also took on the responsibility of feeding the fish. Every time he walked outside he would throw some food into the pond for the fish. I'm sure he was way overfeeding the fish, but I think it made him feel pretty important. 

Life is good when your with your Grandpa and Grandma.

Had to add these pictures in. Check out how dirty this kid is when he gets home. He works on a farm, mostly on the cattle crew. He always came home with some awesome stories and extra dirt everywhere. But don't let that dirt fool you though, he really is that tan...slightly jealous.

The middle of May we decided to do a very quick road trip to Kansas for my little brother Ryan's High School graduation. We couldn't leave until Friday evening after Skyler was done with school, and Ryan was graduating Saturday. So we hauled it to Garden and spent more hours in the car than we did in Kansas. 

I must say, our family is known for last minute, seriously long road trips.

We loved it and were so happy that we got to be there (with the ENTIRE family even)!

What's a road trip without twizzlers...and goofy boys!

I told Wes that the carrot was Olaf's nose (off Frozen), thinking it would get him to eat more carrots. Clever little boy stuck it straight up his nose...I guess I should have seen that one coming, my bad :)

For the first time in a LONG...too long time, the whole family was actually together. Such a blast. It needs to happen way more often.

Is it even possible that Lane and I be together without taking the signature Brooke/Lane twin pose?...I don't think so  :O

And now that I'm a little behind at posting there is even more exciting news to share. 

Ryan got his mission call! 

The whole family Google+ while he opened his call a few weeks ago. 

AND....

He will be serving in the SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH mission. Which was a shocking surprise. But I must say I absolutely think it's the perfect place for Ryan. Seems to fit his personality just right! He doesn't leave until the first week in September. So we are all happy that we still get to enjoy having him around for a few months.

Ryan is such a good kid! Can't wait to see where all of his adventures will take him.

...I'm sure to some pretty great places.