week 26

Next yard project: getting the concrete lifted. When we put in our yard almost 5 years ago, we tried to get the ground compacted. Shortly after we did all the pavers and concrete we realized it was sinking.   We finally decided it was done sinking, so we took the plunge and got it fixed.

After our trip to REI, Christian decided that he wanted his own hiking backpack. Mike helped him find one on KSL, for a price he could afford. He loves working and having his own money. He has no problem parting with his money for the things he wants.

He wore it around all day, packed a few camping things inside, and eventually used the hiking sticks to go down the street on his longboard.

The fire pit is taking shape.

Drew worked hard on a welcome home poster.

We have missed Courtney for the 4 months she has been in China teaching English.  We surprised her and came to the airport.

While we waited, Jess did the limbo.

The girl and her mom.

Katie missed her so much too.

We are so happy she is home.

I was lucky to be able to help with field day. I checked in on Bev's class just to see her teaming up with the boy in her class who happens to be in a wheelchair. She did the running for him while he threw the frisky.

Christian really gets into the competition aspect of the activities.

Jess did the activities in between doing her tumbling tricks.

Jessi has been blessed with the best 2nd grade teacher. They all made paper mache puppets, sewed their clothes, picked the play they wanted to perform, recorded the performance and then performed it for the parents.  Jess was the narrator and a townsperson in the story Strega Nona.

Christian's English teacher taught them about reptiles, and then how to make lizard boondoggles. He is now making one for everyone he knows.  He asks us what colors we want, and personalizes them.

I find all kinds of notes and drawings on the kitchen desk. Today Bev wrote about her love for her cats.

Oh man, I'm a trying...

Courtney brought home some treasures, the most important of which is herself.

Listening to some tunes while killin' some weeds.

Every once in a while I look outside and Kiki is "training" Freddy. This old dog isn't learning new tricks, he just sits and waits for Kiki to say "come" and he comes and gets a treat.

week 25

Father's Day at the Huff's and Jessi did Grandma's hair.

The man and the man's best friend on Father's Day.

Drew with new adorable cousin Emma.

I wonder what is his favorite color???  Christian had been saving his dollars for a longboard, and finally found one on ebay.

Christian had to do a book report in the form of a cereal box. I am barely surviving getting the kids to school let alone all the extras like fancy book reports.

Trampoline wrestling: an event held nightly in the backyard.

Drew was out of school so he came with me to spend the day with Grandma B in the hospital.

Mike's coworker is passionate about her Greek heritage and came through in a big way helping Bev with her presentation on Greece.

Mike and the kids finished the trellises, so I helped the littles paint them.

Jessi is always checking up on the workers coming and going. She is constantly offering them drinks and popcicles.

We gave Mike a smores starter kit for Father's Day--we will be making lots of them here soon.

Grandpa Huff invited us to a Bees game. The kids had a blast.

Grandma is such a patient hair client.

Mason was adorable--constantly keeping tabs on the big bee.

After a very busy day, we tried out a new local Indian restaurant. Christian was so sleepy he put his napkin over his head and fell asleep.

Shopping at REI for shoes and camping gear. Jessi was supposed to watch my purse, but couldn't keep her eyes open. She had been at a sleepover with her cousins the night before and apparently it was more of an "over" and not so much "sleep."

Bev saw her having a hard time waking up and picked her right up and carried her out.

Trying to do a little better on the nutrition front. I kept a food record and had to record my mood/activity at the time. There was a lot of "tired" and "happy." This getting up at 5:30 to workout is causing a lot of "tired."

week 24

I have been trying to put the finishing touches on Bev's room. I wanted her room bright but couldn't find a chandelier I liked for a price I liked.  I ended up doing a little Pinterest inspired DIY and bought a brass chandelier from Amazon and spray-painted it a teal/aqua color.

We ended up with just the two littles for sushi.  It is starting to happen--the older kids are becoming increasingly scarce.

Tennis for Family Home Evening. She plays for a few minutes and then gives herself a chest, plays for a few minutes and then remembers to give herself a chest. My sisters and I used many a tennis ball for the same purpose.

One of Drew's goals for the summer is to learn how to cook. He chose a few recipes and I had him do the shopping for them.

The first day I taught him how to make a yummy (to me at least) veggie salad. He is a bit of a picky eater, but having made it himself helped him get through it.

I had my Cub Scouts over to do a lesson on food and cooking. We made oatmeal cookies and trail mix for camp.

We have started the work on the backyard and it seems like every day there is someone new doing something different back there.

Mike met Jessi at her class field trip to This Is The Place State Park. She was thrilled for him to come.

The best recipe he has made so far: Eclaire Cake.

Saturday morning Mike was going to help a neighbor dig a hole to bury a trampoline. The kids heard about it and wanted to go help.

Bev took some pictures of Tiger hiding from Freddy in the yard.

Sweet old boy.

The pergola got up, and in the process a lot of pavers were damaged, so Mike did some repairs.

We had been running around and I stopped at Cafe Rio to get take out. Jessica has a thing for Cup-of-Noodles, and asked if she could have that instead. I will never understand this.