Family Pictures

We finally were able to get family pictures. Nothing makes my mom happier than pictures and I believe we started talking about getting a big family picture once Brandy and I found out we were pregnant with Tanner and Adyson. I was really excited myself because mine and Mike's last picture of our own family only has Gage in it. We never did one with Landen. I blame nursing school. Sorry Landen. I feel like the kids did relatively well and am happy with how they turned out. I will have to crop a few of them.

The photographer took this one randomly of Landen. I love it. I wanted to get the boys' individual pictures, but decided they couldn't take anymore that night.

This is the Zampedri clan.

Here's our family with the grandparents included.

Now it just wouldn't be the same without some Zampedri luck would it? Once we were all posed with the kids, adults, and grandparents, the sprinklers turned on. You wouldn't believe how fast we scattered.

Here's my dad with his mom, my grandma Liz. She really holds the Zampedri family together. I am so grateful for her. I have really gotten to know her these past couple of years because she lives so close to my parents now. She is hilarious and I love how she tells it like it is!

This is my mom's parents, my Grandma and Grandpa Hall. They are such an example to me and have such a great marriage. I only hope I got some of their genes because they are so healthy and active.

Gage's 1st Day of Kindergarten

Gage had his first official day of kindergarten yesterday. About a week ago, he had school orientation where the parents were able to sit in on a shortened class and the students were able to get used to the teacher. Since then Gage has been so excited to actually start and I have been a nervous wreck. The past week I have been drilling into Gage all sorts of safety information about not talking with strangers and only going home after school with mommy or daddy. We walked the school a few times so he would recognize where his classroom was and where we would pick him up after school each day. I kept quizzing him on what his teacher's name was in case he got lost. It didn't take long for Gage to get tired of this routine of mine and he would cover his ears the second I began. I finally said that his teacher was the one who wanted us to review the safety rules with him. Gage then would listen because anything his teacher says must be important never mind what his parents say.

I have been so worried about Gage making new friends. He has had a best buddy since birth and they are inseparable. Unfortunately, they don't go to the same elementary since we moved. I have been talking to Gage about being friendly and introducing himself to others. We'll see what happens.

Walking to the bus stop.

Gage is the one with the Scooby Doo backpack.

We live within walking distance to the school, but the district doesn't want to pay for a crossing guard in the middle of the day. So, the kindergarteners get bussed to school in the afternoon and then the parents are responsible at the end of the school day. This actually works out nicely because starting in September I have Landen in morning preschool which is only 2 hrs. If I put him in afternoon I would have to interupt Tanner's nap to pick him up and we all know how important a l year old's nap is. I have Gage in afternoon kindergarten because it was the only way to get the teacher "everyone" recommended and from what I have seen thus far it is well worth it. If it wasn't for the bus and Mike being able to pick up Gage on the way home from his work, I would be strapping three children into carseats 4 times a day. Can you imagine?

At the end of his first day, Gage came home and said his favorite part was riding the bus. Gage instantly informed me saying, "Mommy, I was the only one wearing a seatbelt on the bus!" I didn't even know buses had seatbelts. Gage is not one to break the rules. I don't think I will have to worry about him much. Landen on the other hand.........Stay tuned for his first day of preschool.

Trip to Utah's Hogle Zoo

On Friday, Brandy and I decided to load up the kids and take them to the zoo. Gage wasn't in a good mood until we were able to make it to the reptile building to see the snakes and spiders. He has something with snakes lately. Landen of course loved the train ride. Tanner was just happy to be let out of his stroller every once in awhile. I'm not sure what Ava's favorite part was. She was simply happy to be there.

Here is the rowdy bunch posing on the tiger.

Row, row, row your boat. The kids loved hopping into this canoe for a picture. Ava's daddy would be proud because the display was sponsored by Cabela's.

I had a hard time getting Tanner out of the turtle shell. He loved sitting in it and playing peek-a-boo!

I love this picture! Tanner is in control of this catepillar.

Best buds!

A Birthday Party for Two

We finally "officially" celebrated Gage and Tanner's birthday yesterday. I say "officially" because it seems like we have been celebrating Gage's since his real birthday on the 3rd. Having 3 birthdays (Gage, Tanner, and me) within 6 days of each other has proven to be extremely difficult. I don't know how to celebrate them each year making each one special and individual without breaking the bank or running me ragged. If anyone has any suggestions, please let me know.

Anyway, the party was a lot of fun. It was great having my sister Brandy there and her family. She also was great helping me get ready for the party. There was tons of kids and I hope everyone had fun. We appreciate everyone's love and support!

Probably a few too many kids on the trampoline. Thankfully no one got hurt!

The airplane teetor totter was a hit! (I bought this while Mike was out of town. He was not happy to say the least.)

Gage received most of his presents on his actual birthday. How do you tell a 6 year old to wait? He did get this fun Wall E Robot from his Grandma Pedri.

Tanner was ready for bed by the time we opened his presents. I know he will love playing with all of them.

So I tried making some cakes from a book my friend authored (Cut up Cakes for Kids by Melissa Barlow). Thanks heavens Brandy was there to rescue the car. We think it turned out like the car on Harry Potter.

In keeping with the tradition of letting my kids destroy/eat a cake on their 1st birthday, I let Tanner have a go with his car cake. He was fascinated with the donut wheels. Once he was able to pry it off the car, he only wanted to eat the donut and have nothing else to do with the cake.

Gage picked the snake cake for me to make. I actually made this one all by myself. I think it turned out really cute don't ya think?

These two have been inseparable since she arrived from Cali!

Tanner also got this great swing for our swingset. I know you can't tell, but he really does love it!

Camping with the Hoovers

Last week, we went to Lava Hot Springs with the Hoovers. Mike wasn't really wanting to go because all of the work that was involved, but we ended up having a blast. The kids loved playing around the camp ground, roasting marshmallows and swimming at Lava. I hope we are able to go camping more often next year. It was nice getting away from tvs and reality for a while.




I was so proud of Tanner. I have never had him wear shoes so I was nervous about him walking and possibly crawling all over. He did awesome in his shoes and walking on the bumpy ground. Sometimes, we had to put him in his new playpen because he just kept bonking his head on everything and eating all the sticks and rocks he could find.



Laura had a great idea and had the kids go on a scavenger hunt. The kids found a certain number of rocks, sticks, and leaves. Then, they found their treasure which was a bag filled with fun toys.



Here are the babies at Lava. Tanner finally loved playing in the water. He kept walking up and down the stairs in the pool and would go head first when he missed a step.



The men showing off their physiques.



Landen loved shooting hoops with his Daddy!



Bombs away!



The family.

Happy Birthday Tanner!

Tanner turned 1 yesterday. This year has flown by. We were out of town camping so that's why I'm a little late with the post. Tanner has been such a fun addition to our family. Gage and Landen absolutely adore Tanner. Tanner loves playing with balls, cars, and anything he's not supposed to be into. He has started opening up the cupboards and loves to play with the real vacuum. He is walking all over and did great with shoes on the unsteady ground when we were up camping. Tanner's personality is really starting to come through. He is quite determined when it comes to something he wants and becomes upset if I don't let him have it. He loves to swim and splash in the water and play in our new backyard.


Tanner has more nicknames than anyone I know including Tanner bananers, Nanners, Cubby, Budzos, Chunker Munkers, and Gage recently started calling him Chunks.

I am so glad Tanner can be a part of our family. I love having 3 boys and I know they will continue to be the best of friends. I love ya Nanners!

Happy Birthday Gager!!!

Happy birthday Gager! I can't believe he turns 6 today. Gage has been talking non stop about this day for a long time. All day he has been going around asking "Whose birthday's today?" We made him a nice birthday breakfast that he requested and then gave him a brand new bike. He has been riding around on the tiny one he got when he was 3 so this bike is long overdue. Maybe we can work on getting rid of the training wheels soon.

We are waiting to throw a joint party with Tanner when my sister comes into town so there will be more pictures to come.


Gage will be starting kindergarten in a few weeks. My baby isn't a baby anymore. I even held him back a year because of his August birthday. I am so glad I was able to spend that extra year with him. He is so loving and has really grown into an awesome little boy. Some things Gage enjoys are the tv series Ben 10. We have moved away from Scooby Doo, but Ben 10 still has monsters and aliens. I think it is just a little more mature I guess. He also is quite the couch potato. Sponge Bob is on all day long and Gage could literally sit and watch it all day long if I let him. Gage is still really into doing crafts and coloring. He loves drawing pictures of his family and his favorite aliens and monsters. Gage is very analytical. He talks his way through problem solving and uses his hands a lot to help explain things. He also loves playing on the computer and jumping on the trampoline. Gage is also a fish. He loves to swim and is getting really good at it since I made him endure those private lessons. He will thank me someday, I think.

I am so grateful that I am able to be Gage's mom. He has been such a blessing to our family and I am so thankful our Heavenly Father sent him to us. I love ya buddy!