What didn't we do this summer...

I love summer.  I think it stems back from both my parents being teachers so the entire family had summer vacation.  We were sure lucky.  The theme for this summer is "strengthening relationships"  Here's why...

We love Grandma Sara.  I did my student teaching with Sara back in Fall of 2003.   We were instant and life long friends; she's been so dear to me ever since.  The boys love spending time with her.  We love summer because we get to see her more!  Here's some pictures of them golfing and feeding ducks at the Piggy Park in Sedona.  We love you Grandma Sara!

She's a great swimmer too! 

For the Pre-4th of July, the Bleaks invited us to vacation with them down at Jim and Vickie's resort in Scottsdale.  Of course I forgot my camera.  But we had a blast, and of course, lots of swimming!  We love you Bleak Family!  For the 4th, we went up to Arena Del' Loma to watch the fire works over the Casino.   Lane loved his first fire-works show!

We love Monday Movie Day with Nanna and Tanner.  We head over the hill to spend the day with Nanna and Papa every Monday.  We're getting to be quite the pro's at Theatre shows.  Every Monday is a new adventure, right Mom?  We love you Nanna and Papa!

Of course I have to go out with the girls to make fun of, I mean watch the new vampire flick.  What a fun night out with the A-Team (Andrea M., Andrea F., and Adriane.)

The boys also had fun catching up with old friends.  We loved getting to see Malachi and his family.  Miss you guys!

Of course we still hit the library when we can.

Our good friend Jo met up with us at the Cottonwood library this summer.  We're so sad she moved to Cottonwood, Witt misses riding his bike down to her house. 

And of course, we harvested our apricot trees.  We didn't get much this year, but we got some!  The boys had fun pickin'.

If you're ever in the mood for the best omelet around, the little place up the road, Crickets, serves the best.  Grandma Armstrong agrees.  About February we started our monthly tradition to drag her over to our side of the mountain for breakfast.  We look forward to our visits; this last time, the boys even washed her truck for her.  One side of the truck looked great!

And lastly (we wish we could have stayed longer), we headed down to my sister's house for her wonderful music class.  Annell teaches a class called, Let's Play Music, and it is absolutely wonderful.  Check it out, the curriculum is amazing; a great way to get your kids started in music. 

Good ol' Arty came for a day too with his son Bosen.

We got to see Logan (Tyrrell's son) while we were down.  He's so cute!

And of course, more swimming in Kissy's (that's what the boy's call Annell) pool!  We love hanging out with the cousins.

What a fun summer filled with wonderful memories.  One of my most memorable summers as a kid was the one I spent with my Grandma.  I still remember the songs she sang to me (Que sera sera), the movies she introduced to me (Funny Girl, and Funny Lady), the music we listened to in the car (Tom T. Hall, and George Straight), the stories she told me (mostly about my mother...good ones of course), and the places she took me.  I love those memories.  I want my kids to have the same kind of memories with the older generations and the new.  How blessed we are to have those special relationships with so many special people.

Summer Swimming

If anybody asks what we did this summer, the answer is....swimming!  Yes, Race and Witt are swimmers!  Going to the pool practically six days a week (facing my fear of public pools, and my anxiety of taking 3 fearless boys to the pool) has payed off; not to mention they had a great time too.

Race loves his goggles.  He doesn't take them off the whole time.  Such a cute kid.

Witt climbing out of the DEEP END!

Little Lane loves the water too!

Race swimming through the deep end.

Witt swimming through some traffic!

Lane loves swimming with Daddy.

Go Swimming Speed Racer Go!  He loves this picture.

Thinking of Home

John and I took a quick trip up back up the mountain for a dear friend's funeral.  I've been needing to go back (for the funeral and to see my good ol' high school getting repaired)  One too many unexpected events.  And as usual, when I come back to our home, so much reflection and thinking takes place.  I've been looking through old pictures, trying to find some to send to Julie, and in the process, crying, laughing, and just being so thankful for my life.  I'm so grateful that I grew up where I did.  I'm so grateful for the roots I have in that small town, for the people who had positive influence in my life.  It's the place that carries so many memories, it's the place I found my testimony, it's the place I ran probably most the streets of, it's the place that made me...me.   I love you RV, see you in another year. 

This was the way my house looked as a kid.  The big tree out front isn't there anymore.  We used to swing out of that tree into the road.  It's so sad to see it without that tree.  It's so sad seeing someone else living in the house.  It kind of makes me think of that new song.... When I drive by now, I can't help but see Daddy working in the yard, Mom through the living room window, reading a book on the couch; Annell playing the piano, I'm out jumping on the tramp...dreaming; Tyrrell's drawing one of his inventions, Tanner's crawling around by Mom, and Bandit's laying by the tramp watching me jump.  I love this house.

These are my dear dear friends the Bosen girls when they graduated.  It was their dad, Todd, who passed away and we went up to the funeral.  He was an amazing man.  This family has done so much for me.  I love you girls.

Daddy and Todd on the Trek in 2000.  Two great men.

My John helping Todd put up his Christmas lights in I think 2001

This was our State Champion 4x8 team.  We were so awesome, these girls meant so much to me.  Michelle, Dustin, and Kimmy.  They taught me so much! 

Janice, Leah, me, Sarah, and Michelle during the trek 2000.

Bountiful Baskets

Here's some pictures of our good ol' crew doing our every-other-Saturday ritual.  What a blessing Bountiful Baskets has been to our area.  I'm so grateful for the good friends I've made through it.  I can't believe it's been about a year and a half since Becky and I ventured out to start a site!  Since then, Camp Verde has two sites now, and some gals and I branched out (miss you Becky) and started our Rimrock site to spread the love a little more.  Go fruits and veggies!

John's Father's Day Quilt

Here's a picture of the quilt that I made (yes, that's what I said, I made it) John for Father's Day.  I've been working religiously every Tuesday evening since February on it.  It's a queen size quilt made from the jeans of everyone in the family.  My good friend and neighbor Jo Birch has taken on the brave task of teaching me how to sew.  I've made the kids pajama pants and now this quilt.  I never thought I'd say this, but I love to sew!!!  My next project is a Jedi Halloween costume.  Wish me luck. 

Putting this quilt together has been such a learning experience for me.  It hasn't just been a lesson of sewing and quilting itself, but so much more on a personal level.  The big lesson was a reminder that I can do hard things.  I've never been one to sew.  I've never had a desire to either.  But I do have a desire to be more self-sufficient.  So, I decided to face one of my weaknesses and wa' la!  It was such an empowering task,  I can't wait to do another one!

Happy Father's Day

Small boys become big men through the influence of big men who care about small boys.

-unknown-

We love you Daddy, thank you for working so hard for us, and for being such a great example to us.  We're so blessed.

My father gave me the greatest gift anyone could give another person; he believed in me.

-Jim Valvano-

Thank you Daddy, for the world of difference you've made in my world, over and over again. 

Super Brothers!

Sometimes being a brother is even better than being a superhero.

-Marc Brown-

A cape to hide your secret powers,

Swords can make you smile for hours.

Magic spells and wizard's wand,

In far off lands you greet the dawn.

-Julie Perkins Cantrell

Everyday, when Race and Witt play together, I say a little prayer of thanks that they have each other.  Lane just can't wait to keep up!

Legos and Noses don't go Together

This is one of those stories I love to read about and laugh, never dreaming it would actually happen to one of my kids.  But it did...Just when I think life can't get more exciting...yes, Witten stuck a Lego up his nose. Actually Race and Witt stuck legos up their noses (a brother bonding moment?), but John was able to get Race's out.  He saw Witt's was a little too far up so went to find something to fish it out with; when he came back, Witt had his finger clear up his nostril, trying to fish it out saying, "I can't get it out Daddy!  It's stuck!"  John took a look, and couldn't see a thing...

After 3 days of doctors and deciding what to do (plastic doesn't show up on x-rays), Friday we went to the hospital in Payson for the ENT, Dr. Zenouski to retrieve the Lego.  When we pulled into the hospital, Witten looked around at all the cars and said very seriously and confused, "Do all these people have Lego's up their noses?"  I'm pretty sure the kid will never stick another one up his nose again.

So yes, Witt was put under anesthesia, got a little loopy with the stuff too.  He was saying the funniest things!  One of the nurses made the comment to never let this kid have alcohol when he gets older...don't worry, we won't. 

This is Witt after they gave him some loopy medicine, saying, "those are beautiful trashcans."

I'm not kidding, he's actually saying, "Luke, I am your father!"  We just watched "Empire Strikes Back" this week, Race is into Star Wars right now.

So, all that drama and you guessed it, no Lego in the nose.  But it had been there.  The doctor said he must have swallowed it or something.  Witt's nose is a bit sore from the Lego itself and the the procedure.  What an exciting day...what a long day.  After all the frustration, anxiety, worry and praying, I am finally laughing about it.  He's back to his funny exciting little self.  Gotta love that kid!

Race's Kindergarden Promotion

I can't believe it!  Already!  We're so blessed to be a part of this great school, The Montessori Children's House, it's been so good for Race.  We love you Ms. Suzanne and Ms. Eva, thank you!  Thank you!  Thank you!  Of course I have a special place in my heart for teachers...

Race did so well at reciting his poem (Undersea) with his good buddy Jason.   He didn't get shy at all despite the 200+ people who were there.  Ms. Suzanne said so many wonderful things about him, and while she talked about him he gave the crowd some entertainment.  He did a little dance...not shy at all.