june {condensed}

At the beginning of the month,  I helped plan the first Primary activity our presidency had done.  I think it turned out well.  The kids had fun, and learned about the prophets as well.  We had four stations, where a prophet of the Book of Mormon came to talk with the kids.  We had Captain Moroni and the Title of Liberty, Nephi building the boat, the brother of Jared and the smooth stones, and I was in charge of Samuel the Lamenite.  I had someone from the ward dress up, and come tell Samuel’s story.  The kids were so excited to get to meet him!  After he told us his story, I had shields that I’d made for them, which said, “When I obey the Lord, I will be protected”.  I gave them each a sheet of aluminum foil and a piece of paper.  On the paper they wrote down something that they needed protection from.  Then they wadded up the paper in the foil, which represented a rock.  They practiced being protected with their shields and rocks.  As you can probably imagine, they had a lot of fun throwing the “rocks” and deflecting them with their shields.

Father’s day started off well, but didn’t end so great.  I made Dave a nice breakfast, and the kids gave him some presents and picked some flowers for him.  I had a little sore throat, but I thought it would get better as the day progressed.  Unfortunately, it got worse!  By the time the third hour of church came around, I was completely miserable and nauseous too.  I got Dave and the kids, and we left early.  I spent the rest of the day in bed, and went to the doctor the next morning.  It usually takes me a while to decide I should go to the doctor, so the fact that I went straight away shows how sick I really was.  I was diagnosed with strep, and got some antibiotics.  Man, was I miserable!  Unfortunately, Dave’s birthday was that Wednesday and I wasn’t feeling well enough to do anything for him.  He worked extra hard and took really good care of me and the kids while I was sick.

I finished up my recovery on the road out to Arizona, for a family reunion on my dad's side.  I like road trips, and the kids seem to enjoy themselves as well.  It was so fun to be at the family reunion and see everyone again.  We spent a few days at my grandparent's house, then traveled up to Sedona.  It is so gorgeous up there.

We had a barbecue

Watched the sunset over the red rocks

We all rode a ski lift up a mountain.  Some of us, are a little tinsy bit nervous about heights.  It's definitely genetics for me, from my dad's side.  Kind of a crazy vacation for a family of people a bit anxious when near the edge of things.  There was also a hot air balloon ride as well.  I found out on this trip how nervous Dave gets.  I guess I hadn't realized that about him before.

Posing for pictures at the top

We made it!

We also got to spend a day at the Grand Canyon, which I had never been to  before.  

Cousins

A rainbow over the Grand Canyon!

We stayed for the sunset

Which was amazing

We spent the night at my aunt's house, and then it was time to head back home. Unfortunately, on our way home, Dave got strep AGAIN!  He had had it on our way out, and then got it again on our way back.  He went to an ear, nose, and throat doctor when we got home.  The doctor told him that he would have to have his tonsils out.  That got taken care of in August.  Kind of a crummy end to our vacation, but we had a great time seeing some beautiful places, and enjoying family.

swim lessons

June started with swimming lessons, which are one of my favorite parts of the summer.  Both kids did fabulous in the water, and are doing even better now.  Chris was in level 1, and can swim across the pool by himself.  We're working with him on his strokes and kicks, but he can swim independently.  Naomi had her first year in the toddler class - without me in the water with her.  She had such a great time playing the games and practicing floating, kicking, and scooping the water.  Since lessons, she has started swimming short distances under water.  We're pretty impressed with her lack of fear - it also means we have to watch her pretty close!

may {condensed}

May was busy and fun for us.  Christopher finished up T-ball, and decided that it wasn’t really the sport for him.  He thought it was kind of boring, but since he’s only 5 we’ll probably try again sometime.  He’s signed up for soccer in the fall, so we’ll see if he likes that one any better.  It’s what he chose, so hopefully it will be fun for him. 

He “graduated” from preschool, with a ceremony and everything.  The kids sang a few songs, and each child got to say what they wanted to be when they grew up.  Christopher said, “a Daddy”, which made me smile, of course!  They each got a diploma and treats from their teachers.  It’s on to kindergarten in the fall!  He and I are both excited for that.  He gets bored around here, so it will be fun for him to have a new adventure.

 we were far away, and didn't have very good lighting.  chris is on the bottom row in the blue shirt

chris and ms blythe

 chris and ms. janet

 with jacob in his cubby

 getting ready for next year!

We celebrated Mother’s Day, which was fun.  I got breakfast in bed, flowers, and cards.  The kids tried extra hard to be nice to each other.  We had dinner at our place, and invited Donald and Stella, and Jonathan and Katie and their kids.  It was fun to spend Mother’s day together.  We were also able to all get on a conference call with Ben on his mission.  He comes home in September, so he’s getting close to being done.

At the end of the month, Jonathan and Katie surprised us with a trip to Forth Worth.  They booked us a hotel, and watched our kids for us over the weekend.  The are super duper, and we are really, really lucky to have such great family!  We mostly relaxed and walked around downtown, and enjoyed each other’s company.  There are a lot of fun shops to see.  It was nice to get to spend some time together, just the two of us.  The kids had a great time, too!  Memorial Day was the standard pool and barbecue, which kick-started our summer quite nicely!

april {condensed}

No pictures for April :(.  My camera was acting up, so we didn't get any.  Here is the month in a nutshell:

We really enjoyed General Conference.  The kids are old enough now to give us the chance to listen to almost all of the talks.  I enjoyed how many people spoke about families, and protecting them.  It felt very pertinent to me.  That Sunday, was of course, Easter.  The kids got their baskets, which just had fun little toys in them.  We watched Conference, then went over to Jonathan and Katie's for an egg hunt for the kids.  They had fun with their cousins looking for eggs.  Afterward, the kids played with their cousins, and the adults watched the last session.  I helped Katie in the kitchen, and we had a yummy Easter dinner.  It was a wonderful weekend! 

The other fun thing  was celebrating my birthday.  I was completely spoiled!  My friends took me out to lunch the day before, Katie watched my kids all afternoon, Donald and Stella had us all over for dinner and then kept the kids overnight so Dave and I could have a date, and Dave took me out for breakfast the next morning.  What fun! 

Other than that, we had a few get-togethers with some friends, which was fun.  And mostly just day-to-day activities.  Storytime at the library, piano lessons, preschool, T-ball practices and games, and church.  It all keeps us pretty busy, but I like it better that way.

march 20-28 my parents visit

(Just as a warning: There are a lot of pictures in this post.  Proceed at your own risk :D) 

My parent flew in Saturday the 20th.  Unfortunately, they had left a beautiful, 60*, sunny day in north eastern Washington, for 30*, cloudy, and windy in Dallas!  We arrived home just in time for dinner and chatting for a bit.  The next day, Sunday, it snowed!  Church was almost canceled, but us Texans are tough!  Naomi got to open her birthday presents from Grandma and Grandpa.  They got her a new "princess" dress, with purse and sweater to go with.  The pink Dora sunglasses are her own addition. :)

Monday was spent taking a lot of walks.  I took Naomi to the doctor for her 3 year check up, and she's growing well.  She even got a chance to walk the dog while we spent some time outside in the sunshine.  I love our crazy weather!

We all enjoyed the sunny day (by Chris)

The next day was my dad's birthday.  Happy birthday, Dad!  It was fun to get to spend it with him.  We went to the lake and had some fun.

After the lake, we celebrated with presents, cake, and ice cream.  Look at all those candles!

The next day, Wednesday, we fed the ducks at the lake, took the kids to The Princess and the Frog (which was cute!), and went to Christopher's first T-ball game.

Thursday, we did the touristy thing and went to Fort Worth.  We went to stockyards to watch the cattle drive and look at the museums, fun shops, and have some barbecue for lunch.  Fun!

Friday, we went to Christopher's sports class, and then headed to Chuck-E-Cheese for a birthday party.  Naomi's friend, Cali, is only 10 days younger than her.

My dad watched the kids afterward, so my mom and I could go shopping.  It's become something of a tradition, and I love it!  Katie is a saint, and watched the kids that evening so the adults could go out to dinner.  We had a great time together!

Saturday we had Naomi's "Dora" friend party.  We made "Swiper the Fox" sandwiches, asked Map (played by Chris) how to get to the fiesta.  We had to go "through the tall buildings, over the "troll bridge" (troll also played by Chris), and that's how we got to THE FIESTA! (said in Dora voice)."  The fiesta was a pinata.  After that, we opened presents and had Dora cake (which came out a bit better this time) and ice cream.  I think everyone had a good time, which makes it a success.

After the party, we headed over to the Allen Natatorium, which is an indoor water place.  We had fun swimming, going down the slides, and floating/playing tag in the lazy river.  It was a great end to a fabulous week!  My parents had to leave the next morning, and we were sad to see everyone go!  Who's coming to visit us next?!

catch up again!

Well, I'm back to doing some catch up here.  At least our lives are getting recorded, right?  I'm starting all the way back in March when my sister came to visit.  She arrived late Saturday the 13th.  We had such fun together.  The best part was that she got to be here for Naomi's birthday.  Naomi turned 3!  I can't believe my baby is already 3 years old!  We celebrated with presents, and a Dora cake - of course!

Chris wanted to make her this doll for her birthday.  He helped with as much as he could, and was so excited to give it to her.  This is her smiling for the camera!

After we had set up for the family party - Naomi - showing "3" - and Amy

Opening presents with Ouma and Chris

She asked for a "pink Dora" cake for her birthday

Blowing out the candles (in her hand is a flashlight that came with the pop-up Dora book we got her)

Happy Birthday, Naomi!  We love you so much, and are so glad to have you as part of our family.  We love your energy and spunk!

Back again

I'm back!  (Did you notice I was gone?  No?  Didn't think so, but that's okay.)  My sister was here for a week, and we had a BLAST!  It was fun to have some girl time with her.  My parents were here the week after that, and that was also a fabulous time.  My family it totally awesome, and I love 'em!  The only things that could have been better is if my brothers could have made it out (missed you guys!), and if Dave could have taken off work.  I will post all about our adventures soon.

Even though I didn't post my menus for the past few weeks, I did make them.  I am a negligent blogger, but I've come to live with that fact.  I can also justify my behavior with the fact that I blog way, WAY more than I ever journal, or ever have journal-ed (unless you count middle school, when I felt the need to write about boys, at least once a week - I was a little boy crazy).  At any rate, I will carry on.  Here is the plan for this week:

Monday (today): Tostadas

Tuesday: Creamy Pasta Primavera (I'm going to make a double batch, and freeze some), baked sweet potatoes, salad

Wednesday: Ham & Cheese Quiche (my sil, Katie, made this for Easter yesterday - it was sooo good, and easy too!  It's going on my freezer dinner list), green salad, fruit salad

Thursday: Tasty Pork Ribs, salad, rolls

Friday: Baked Chicken Parmigiana (this is seriously so good, and easy!  it tastes like it came from a restaurant), salad, green beans

Saturday: something easy or leftovers

Sunday: Dave cooks

Monday: Chili (I'm also making a double batch of this to freeze), cornbread