Dentons Do Summer-Male Installment

I have the three most beautiful daughters in the world.

But there is something about being the mother of sons--they can charm their moms into anything. And my boys are the best. Not the easiest or the gentlest or the fastest (maybe the smartest and studliest), but they are THE BEST.

'Rum is turning into a complete boy. He's lost his pacy, he's lost his baby fat and training underpants, and he's currently topping the charts for wild child at our home.  He came home with a beat-up eye from Church Sunday--running into a table.  Lucky he didn't split it open.  This summer, Hyrum rode a horse alone, learned to swim almost completely, and developed a new-found love for all things Harry Potter.  He waves a wand constantly, occasionally catching an unaware passerby with the tip of his wand and the back end of his spell.  He is adorable, and his chocolate brown eyes trick me out of time out.  He says the funniest things right now, and he can't wait for Joy School with his friends.  I can't express how much I love this little boy--wild side and all.

Tucker, Tucker, Tucker. This shot was taken with my phone while I was in Provo last week.  He can be cute.

I can't believe the changes in this boy in the few short weeks he's been gone.  He's stressing about tests and grades this week (who is this guy????), and he's working 20 hours every week at his dream job at the candy counter.  I loved spending time with him last week, just him and me, hearing funny stories and laughing and laughing and laughing.  They say absence makes the heart grow fonder, but I don't know how I could love him any  more than I do, especially when I get a text that says, "Love You, Mom."
We've finally discovered a significant difference between him and Hyrum--Rum loves mashed potatoes and gravy.

I have a new son to report on:  Don't you love this picture?  Having Sam as part of our family has been so easy--almost like he's always been here.  The kids all fight over sitting by him or who gets to ride on his shoulders.  I adore his sense of humor, easy-going attitude, and especially the way he treats my Heidi.  I couldn't have hand-picked a better son-in-law, and I'm thrilled to include him as one of my kids.  And he pulled a 4.0 this semester!  Marriage must agree with him.

This may have been as much physical activity as Brad saw most of the summer. His shoulders are bugging, his hip is bugging, his hamstring is bugging. He refuses to admit that he's as old as the calendar states, but he still won't let the boys beat him when they wrestle.  Still hot at 43, that's my guy.

And Ben?  Did you know Ben was still part of our family?  We missed him for four entire WEEKS this summer.

I couldn't get the computer to read his memory card, so pictures from the National Boy Scout Jamboree will have to wait.  Of all the kids, I think the biggest changes have occurred within this teenage body.  He's grown another inch or so physically and by leaps and bounds emotionally.  He is so responsible, yet still our crazy vocabulary master.  I can't wait to see what happens for him this year--football, wrestling, seminary, church dances, school.  And he still loves his mom more than any other female (except maybe Evie, and I'm willing to share that spot with her).  What a guy.  He rocks, and not just his abs either.

And then there's my Micah--Mikes.  That boy is so awesome.  When his teacher asked him to fill out a survey, the three words he used to describe himself were "cool, fast, and slow."  Definitely not slow on the uptake, that's for sure.  This summer he's been all about fun--movies, swimming, camping, friends, Wii, horses, family.  And he will be the first to remind me that snack is seven minutes late at 9:52 or 3:22.  He is all about rules, especially how they affect others.  No broken bones, no mishaps, just occasional spontaneous hugs or a "fill-Mom's-mouth-with-air" kiss.  He kept a journal this summer, and I can't wait for him to look back on all the things we did this summer and his perspective.

What is it about a mom and her boys?  I just feel so spoiled that I get to call these guys my own.