June phone pics

I was totally gearing up myself for June because school would be out and it's super hot, so I had lots of things planned for the kids to do.  I made chore charts, and we had all sorts of "summer fun" outings planned.  We also signed up Rachel for swim team at 5p - practice on M, T, W, F & meets on Thursday.  Gratefully, the pool has open swim at that time, so I could swim with the little kids at the same time rather than wait in the heat.  The kids will have dinner next month, I guess!

All month, the high has been over 100 degrees, but most of the time it has been over 105.  And shockingly, this has been the sickest month of our year!!  What?!  It started with Rachel having a nasty cold with ear infections, then Andrew, then Kendall, then Kendall and Andrew got pink eye, Rachel got sick again and this time it was strep (right before her friend party, but thankfully she had been on the meds for more than 24 hours), then Rachel had the barfies, which thankfully did not get passed around.  I also got a brutal sinus infection that lasted for 2 weeks (I get a horrible night-time cough just like Rachel).  Needless to say, our summer fun outings were far and few between and we barely made it to all the swim team practices and meets that we needed to be at.  We swam a lot, but that's about it.  I also had made big goals for myself in going to the gym this month, but when the kids are sick, I can't take them to the kid care unless all three of them are totally well, which was like - twice.  That is why I have a hard time paying for a gym membership, because I don't want to get disappointed if I can't go because the kids are sick (which the gym may even be the root of the sick problem in the first place).  :)  

OH WELL!  We are so excited for July and our trip to Utah!!  Goodbye June!

p.s.  Rachel really did not like swim team, but she stuck it out!  She was one of the youngest swimmers, and practicing for an hour a day was hard work, but she did it.  She competed in one freestyle race, one backstroke race & one relay.  She got last place in all of her heats, but that meant she got a pink ribbon! :)  There was no urgency to her swimming, but she did enjoy the meets and didn't ever give up.  I am very proud of her.

Andrew waiting "patiently" for his blankies to get dry.  He waited for them for 15 minutes in the laundry room.

Organ Stop Pizza - I can't believe this was the first time we have been here.  It is THE most random old-school Mesa restaurant, but we love it.  There is an lively organ player who plays well-known songs, and the kids loved it.  

More chalkboard art for me - I'm getting recruited to make some chalkboards for baby showers :)

This is the chalkboard in our house that I change seasonally

We were too sick to go to the pool, so we blew up the backyard pool

Our family went to the Diamondbacks game - and this is what I did - I just followed Kendall around and she wanted to climb to the very top of the stadium and then walk around on top.

More climbing.  Go D-backs!

Those play glasses are too cute on her!

Swimming Ribbons!

Father's Day

We have a pretty awesome dad at our house!  And he actually got to celebrate Father's Day this year ... usually it is the weekend of mine and Rachel's double birthday and it's hard to squeeze everything in.  But this year, it came before the birthdays, so he got treated like the King he is. The kids gave him something similar to a coupon book of sorts where he was able to pick items that he wanted the kids to complete.  Rachel came up with the ideas and daddy picked 1. clean out his car  2. watch sports with him  3. put on a party for him  4. snowcone of your choice  5.  draw a picture for him  ... so the kids and I had a busy day.  The funniest part, was the "party" they put on for him.  They got out the birthday decorations box and decorated with all sorts of pinwheels, flamingos, mustaches, signs, etc. and then we had ice cream and then they knew how much dad would want to watch a kid's movie with them for his party.  :)

Brandon is still enjoying his job at Osborn Maledon, and when he isn't working, he is playing with the kids.  When he tuckers them out, then he is in his wood shop in the garage.  He has been working hard on lots of wood projects for the house.  He is building plantations shutters for the inside windows (which is such a long process, but they are looking nice), garage storage that keeps the sawdust off the holiday boxes and other garage storage, a wood banister for a more finished look, and seriously built a shed in one day - he's still working on the finishing touches, but it's looking great.

Andrew took all these pictures of Brandon at a swim meet - it's what dad looks like from his perspective.  :)  

Just a few wood projects Brandon has been working on - garage storage with doors and a wood banister

Happy Father's Day!!

Impromtu Father's Day party :)

Father's Day party contributors

Happy Father's Day (Kendall's face!)