Summertime means...

Summertime means...
... Books! The boys were being quiet this morning so I went in to check on them. They had pulled most of their books off of the shelves but were happily reading. I love that they love books....Sports!
Isaac finished up soccer just in time to start t-ball.Luke loved kicking his soccer ball all over the field while we watched Isaac play his games....Goodbyes!
Why is that people think summertime is the perfect time to move away? We have had to say goodbye to lots of friends including this awesome nephew! We miss you already Cedric!
...Swimming!
Isaac and Luke both loved their swimming lessons. Now we just need to make it to the pool more often so they can use their new skills. I wish it wasn't so expensive to go swimming! I miss the free AZ family pools.
...Parks!
We've enjoyed going to the park with friends. Here are some of my oldie but goodie MBASA friends! 3 of us had babies this past year and Lindsey is due in 2 weeks with her 4th girl!

Kyle swinging on the swings with his friend Danny.:)
He didn't know I took this picture...I just thought it was too funny. Those fun boys...I mean men!

...Parades!
Friday night Isaac got to be in our wards float. They did a rocket and the kids dressed up like aliens. Of course Isaac thought it was the coolest float ever! Saturday morning we watched the parade. I made sure the our family demonstrated proper parade etiquette. What? You didn't know there was such a thing? Yes and it includes lots of yelling and clapping and waving. Luke would eat a piece of candy and his hand would shoot right back in the air for some more waving. I was a proud parade mama. I taught Isaac that the more clapping and waving and yelling you did, the more candy you got. He was a quick learner.

My opinion? Don't go to the parade if you don't plan on cheering on the participants...those people worked hard on those floats!!

Wave. eat candy. Wave. eat candy.
This motion was continuous and entertaining to watch.

apparently, Isaac thinks summer means no shoes...he was shoeless for the parade. When the police rode their motorcycles around in the parade I told Isaac to hide so they wouldn't catch him without shoes on...he got very nervous and ran to hide. I love playing tricks on my kids:0 Of course I told him I was joking and he thought it was funny.
Even Ruby cheered-- hooray!

...Flip flops.
Flip flops are the official summer shoe. Ruby tried hers on for about 30 seconds, but she prefers the other official shoes of the summer--bare feet. I can't blame her. If I could stick my feet in my mouth that deliver hours of entertainment, I wouldn't want shoes on either.
...summer camp!
The free kind. I organized a neighborhood co-op summer camp and the boys love it. We have 3 different age groups (a total of 33 children participating) and so far it is worked out great thanks to some awesome moms! We have done a western theme and pirate theme and next week is water fun!

...Smiles!!
I have a feeling we will be smiling a lot this summer.

Smiles for friends.

Smiles for swings.And smiles for s'mores:)

Summer time also means:

...visitors!
(coming soon:)
...Blogging!
Hopefully, I will keep up with my journaling this summer!!

Flashback Friday: 1st mommy moment

I can't believe it has been over 5 years since I've become a momma!

Isaac is just a few days old in this picture.
Sometimes I look at my kids and wonder, "Am I really doing this? Is this real? or I'm I just pretending to play house?"

It's my birthday I can blog if I want to!

I finally figured out how to upload you-tube videos. I thought I hated baseball until Isaac's first t-ball game. I seriously laughed so hard!! Our preschoolers will ALWAYS do t-ball so I can get my hard belly laughs in every year. Too funny!

(Isaac with his pal Zach who is super duper smart according to Isaac because he knows all about Star Wars.)

How to play t-ball
(according to this video)

1. Run to get the ball no matter what. Even if you are supposed to be covering home base and it gets hit to second base. Even if you are the runner--you might as well help the other team out.
2. t-ball is a lot like foot ball...tackle anyone who stands between you and the ball.
3. If you don't get the ball, fall to your knees in defeat and cry like a baby. You might not get the ball, but you will get a fellow team member to come over and stand by you while you cry. Wondering if he should comfort you.
4. If you do get the ball--jump up in the air and shout hooray!
5. If you drop the ball after jumping up and down in celebration, be sure to pick it back up.
6. It is harder to pick up a ball with your glove, but you might as use the darn thing sometime.
7. It is harder to throw a ball using your glove too, and it actually doesn't work, but trying it out will get some attention from the crowd.
8. Even if you finally do throw it to 3rd base, using your hand not your glove, it doesn't guarantee he will catch it, but good throw Isaac!

watch this hilariously video here. You won't be disappointed.

In other newsworthy news...yes, it is my birthday (the big 27) and
I got this from Kyle and the kids:

hand made cards with beautiful illustrations...cute cute bag...mini b-day breakfast (we do our big breakfasts on Saturday)...candy...and my favorite orange juice (closest to the real thing I can find)...and flowers...oh ya, and Kyle made me a new play list for my blog since our last one got erased (I'm still tweaking it a bit, but I think he did a good job on the chick music).

(click on picture to see close up on illustrations:)

And for my birthday I allowed myself to shop for my daughter. It may surprise many of you, but this is only the SECOND time I have shopped for Ruby since she was born. Last time was about 3-4 months ago and I only bought 5 things. We are saving money and I am enjoying my sister's hand me downs...thanks Annie!! But let me tell you, SHOPPING for baby GIRLS is so much fun! Blackledger (Kyle's company) needs to hurry up and make some money!!
(my loot, sorry it is up side down)

And because I think posts are a little bit boring without pictures--here are a few:

Picture courtesy of Isaac

Fathers day button--this came on a card that the "kids" gave to Kyle on Father's day...it said that Dad could wear the "I'm the boss" button on Father's day but then he would need to give it back to mom. Isaac wondered why I was the boss and not daddy...he didn't think it was very fair.

Me and my Ruby

Luke and Kyle on Father's day

We love our Dada!

These kids are crazy about their dad. They were so excited to wish him a Happy Father's Day. Isaac asked me if there was ever going to be a kid day. I told him every day was kid day.
I have so many pics to upload and so much to catch up on...but not right now.

On Father's Day--

To Daddy
From: Isaac
"I know you are just a dad, but you need a celebration too."

To Daddy
From: Luke
"Happy New year party!"

Flashback Friday: The Windy City

The Windy City
Chicago, IL
October 2004

Kyle worked in the tallest building to the right.

Some days we miss Chicago.

But not ALL days:)

I've never done a flashback Friday before...I just couldn't stand looking at my toe pictures any longer:)

Swear word, swear word, swear word!

A Completely ridonkulous injury!

These pictures are for my sister Jenny. For some strange reason, she LOVES pictures of peoples' feet on blogs (note the hint of sarcasm).

Sorry it is so blurry. And sorry if my feet stink. I didn't get a chance to do my daily pedicure before this unexpected event occurred.


I never swear (except for the very occasional swearing that goes on in my head:). So let me put it this way, I never swear out loud. Which is probably why I yelled at the top of my lungs "swear word! swear word! swear word!" at the ER when they numbed up my little pinky toe with a nice shiny needle. Ouchie!! If you haven't had a shot in your toe, I do not recommend it.

I also do not recommend stubbing your toe so badly that your toe does a 180 degree spin off to the right (my little toe naturally turns towards the left). The doctor quickly twisted my toe back into place but couldn't do much for the part of the break that descended into my joint below the toe. I'm taking it really easy (not cleaning anything and staying off my feet as much as possible) so that on Monday when I go to the foot doctor I don't have to hear the words "now we will have to put pins in your foot to help it heal correctly."

After I yelled "swear word!" 3 times I quickly told the nurses I should have worn a different hat.
(for those of you who don't get it, I literally said the words "swear word" instead of actually saying *&*#)
I was wearing a BYU hat and remembered in the nick of time. I also remembered that my white Chicago cubs hat was hanging on the door upstairs and wish I had worn that one instead. I don't know what would have come out of my mouth if I had chosen my hat more wisely.

These pictures just aren't doing my toe justice. If you look at my little toe next to my pinky toe you will see how my toes turn to the left. My pinky toe is supposed to be turned almost completely to the left. I told Kyle maybe now my toes will look more normal.
One crooked toe straightened, only 3 more to go!

(these pics were taken before the doc twisted my toe back into place. My toe is now straight)

And because my feet are so ugly (and probably stinky too), I'll leave you with some cute pictures of Ruby. These pictures are for G&G Fillmore. Thanks for that adorable Guatemalan dress! Ruby wore it to church last Sunday.

Words of wisdom from a half-step-hoppin' mama:
Give yourself plenty of room to clear the corners in your house.
Breaking a toe in such a ridonkulous way is not only embarrassing, but expensive too.