4th of July

Park #1: breakfast of eggs, sausage and made-to-order funnel cakes with blueberry, cherry, and apple toppings shared with a big group of friends who share your same beliefs and appreciation for your freedoms.

Park#2: $5 flag T-shirts for the whole family. Razor scooters. Park toys. Soccer. Glow Necklaces. Sub Sandwiches. Soda. Cookies. Finale: awesome fireworks show.

Dillan has never liked the loud noise of fireworks. He cuddled under a blanket with me and kept his hands close to his ears, but ooohhhed and ahhhed and made comments about the fireworks.
At one point he said, "I'm the only kid who doesn't like the sound of fireworks." To which I assured him was not true.



We talked a little about Independence Day and why it's important. Talking about the flag, he said. "Oh you mean like we did at school? I gen-ti-ly hold the American Flag, with stars, and I get a car, and I drive to the airport, to go to Tenesseee, to see Roxy. Please sit."

I don't know if they learned the Pledge of Allegiance, but maybe.
Anyway, that's the part he remembers!

Yep, another perfect weekend!

Beach Day!

I love where I live.

Our goal is to get to the beach every week when we are not on vacation. It's just too easy to go!
It was a little cool, but honestly perfect.



The kids didn't seem to feel any kind of cold on their skin, they were even splashing in the water. Leah was even filling up her "shower" (water can) and sprinkling herself over her head! At least she's loosing some of her fear.
Some friends from church showed up and we had a fun-filled day.
We'll be back soon!

Last Day of Swim

This morning the kids had their last swim lesson of the session. We did the morning to get it out of the way and to give us the rest of the day for whatever. Dillan got out of bed every morning and put his suit on without issues. Leah was different. She must have changed her suit at least once every morning. Sometimes to a different suit, sometimes back to PJs. Once we got to the pool, however, she was fine and would stay in her class. The last couple days she insisted she had to use the bathroom more than once during her class. I saw right through it, but the teacher's aide would obediently bring her to me each time. Little Staynker!



So I was looking forward to the end of lessons, just for a break!

On the last day the teachers give out cards with a checklist of all the skills they worked on during the 2 week session. They then give their recommendation for what level to sign up for next (the same or move up). I didn't look at the cards until we got home. Leah's was what I expected, since she's only 2, although she did have a check by all the skills on her card. I expected Dillan to stay in Level 1, since the other kids had been older and seemed to have more coordination. I was surprised to read that his teacher bumped him up to Level 2! He had done all his skills and done them well. Even backstroke! He seems to really like swimming on his back, even though he can't swim in a straight line (Must get that from me. It's totally overrated anyway), but that could come later.



I think he caught onto my excitement when I was reading his card because he says he wants to sign up again! He said he was sad it was his last day and wants to do more! So now the dilemma is do I sign both of them up again? I'd have to push Leah to get there, and work the system to get her into the class again because of her age. But if I didn't sign her up and she had to sit next to me on the deck and WATCH, would that be agony for the both of us?

Plus I was pretty honest in my parent evaluation, although I'm glad my kids learned some things and it was an overall great experience. BUT one of the instructors had her Starbucks cup in the pool with her while she was teaching her class! More than once! She wasn't my kids' teacher, but if she had been? Oh I definitely would have said something OUT LOUD and not just on paper. My other complaint was the lifeguards who were on duty. One played with her cell phone during lessons and another I'm positive had fallen asleep more than once.

Happy Daddy Day!

Here's our weekend so far:



5 year old soccer can get rough sometimes! He's had so many comments about his eye, some that were nice and others that should not have ever been said. A few people have told him how tough he looks. He looked in the mirror today and reminded me that he is pretty tough.

Dillan cannot get over the fact that Daddy gets to have Father's Day and his birthday only a couple weeks apart! He reminded me that MY birthday wasn't close to Mother's Day and HIS birthday is so far away from Christmas! We're working on learning about GIVing gifts not GETting.

So Daddy took us to eat Rosa's for dinner last night, even though it's all the way across town and then some. He then took us for milkshakes afterward. Leah cracked us up at the restaurant. She couldn't keep her eyes off the 9 or so pinatas hanging from the ceiling over the salsa bar and kept pointing them out to us. I'm not sure if it was because she thought they were full of candy or because whenever the air from the vents hit one of them, they would move slightly.

This morning it would have been nice for Daddy to get breakfast in bed, but with 8:30 church, it just doesn't happen. But we had a few fun things for him.
Dillan had made a cute card at school nearly a week ago. He was so excited to give it to him, and had left it in the car all week. Every time he found it he would remind me that it was for Daddy and I would remind him not to lose it. Amazingly enough, he made it and remembered to get it out of the car last night.
We took Daddy's suit to the cleaners (since he'd been talking about doing it for months) as a little surprise for him. And musn't forget the tie the kids helped me put together:



It was a big hit at church. He told everyone that he gets one every year. Usually there's some theme to it. This one was christened the "silly" tie.

It was the least we could do for the best, most silliest Daddy in the world!
He works so hard to take care of our family. Even with work, being Ward Mission Leader, and school (only ONE class left!!!), he always has time to play and do fun things with us! He is Leah's prince charming, Dillan's sidekick, and treats Mommy like his queen.

We love you Daddy!

And Happy Father's Day to the best Dad/Grandpa in the world!


So many things I love about my Dad. Here are a few:

• He's funny. He doesn't take himself too seriously and laughs at himself.
• He's smart. He was always willing to help me with my homework, college applications, last minute school projects. Chris thinks he is the smartest person out there. Although I didn't always think so, I'm starting to agree more with Chris.
  
• He works hard. No matter what it is he's doing.
  
• He's fun to be around.
• He took us camping. He likes to take my kids camping. And kite flying
  
• He loves to be with his family. Even though we're not perfect.
• He plays with his grandkids.
• He's a good coach. And mentor.
• He's a leader.
  
• He loves my Mom. She is his queen!
• He loves the Gospel and follows the Savior.
• He's the perfect example.

Love you Dad!


Happy Father's Day!
to all the other Fathers in our lives: Papa Rod, Papa Bob, Grandpa Blackman, GGPa,
Great Grandpa Sam

Preschool Graduation

Yes Dillan is officially done with Preschool!
We are all so excited for him to start Kindergarten, but he is definitely growing up too too fast!
The good news is that we don't have to totally say goodbye to Ms Carol and Ms Melissa because Leah will be starting in August!

His preschool put on a fun Luau-themed program where they sang songs, did the limbo, and had speaking parts.
Of course Dillan had the best part: We loved our Cowboy and Cowgirl week in May and we talked a lot about our Mothers. I think my Mom is the greatest!
Yup, he memorized it and made me hold back the tears!


All the graduates on stage


Receiving his diploma


with buddy Nate



CONGRATULATIONS DILLAN!
We are so proud of you!

More Swimming!

Seriously can we get any more of the water??? No, no I guess not.

We've started our 2nd session of swim lessons. Thanks to a little insider (wink wink) Leah was able to join the 3-year-old class which means: NO MOMMY! Before we leave in the morning, however, she reminds me a dozen times to put my suit on. But by the time we're in the car, she's forgotten! She loves her class. She's the smallest one, but braver than some others! She loves her teacher and is doing so great!



Dillan is also in a "bigger" class. He's the youngest in his class, since it's 5+, but the only one who swims with his face in the water! SCORE! I couldn't be prouder! And while I love being in the water and swimming, it's still a lot of fun to watch from the deck and see them doing well and having fun!

Utahland

Chris had his 10 year high school reunion last weekend. Well, it was planned, paid for and we had everything figured out before it was finally...canceled. They decided that whoever wanted to could show up at the park, with kids in tow, bring your own lunch, and mingle. We haven't been up there in about 2 years, so it was time to take a trip anyway.

Cutting the trip in half in St George is perfect. Plus we found out Chris' brother would be up there for the summer with his family. A little something we like to call Cousin Heaven!


BYU Creamery

When we got to Provo, we immediately went to the park. There were quite a few people there, a lot of kids, but then he reminded me that his graduating class had over 500 people. He mingled, I met a few people, heard a few stories, pushed Leah on the swings, and took in the scenery.
I really love those mountains. I miss them. If I lived back there, I think I'd just stare at them all day. There's definitely something different about that place. It has it's own spirit. We even got a special treat of a hail storm two nights in a row complete with thunder and lightning! That's one thing I used to love about that area. Unpredictable, but still happened at least once every spring and summer I was there! So fun, we never get that here!


Lifelong friends

We visited with old friends, had a list of restaurants we HAD to taste again, and spent a lot of time with family. We even showed Dillan where he was born to which he replied, "Can we go to Chuck E Cheese?"
We drove by the pool I used to work at until I had Dillan. Once he saw the pools and the water slides, he talked of nothing else and every morning asked when we were going to the pool!
We spent all of Monday at the pool. I never knew how hard it was to keep track of your kids at that place! I couldn't get Dillan to go on the water slide, but Leah went twice. She had to wear a life jacket, but still loved it! She'll probably brave a rollercoaster before Dillan. He may or may not have an issue with that.


Hey! She can tan!

The kids actually traveled very well. DVDs were a lifesaver. Dillan liked to ask every few minutes what state we were in. They loved the hotel, Dillan commented everyday how he loved to get back to the big bed he slept in and wondered who it was that was making it!
They loved seeing their Grandma and Papas. Leah seems to have formed a special bond with Grandma Donna. When she was at our home just days before, she loved to go with her into the bathroom to brush teeth, do hair, and put on makeup. And for whatever reason, she calls her "Great Grandma!"

Of course the time went by way too fast, and of course, I should have taken MORE PICTURES!
We really wish we could have spent another week AT LEAST up there with everyone!