Cute Kids

I can not believe how much laundry this family goes through-I can never keep up! I literally have been doing it all day. It is the chore that makes me feel the least full filled, and no body helps fold or put away. Occasionally Dave will put in a load. Ho Hum-I just want to write down a few things about the kids before I forget and I'm avoiding house work. Usually the laundry goes down and little in the summer because we swim so much-but my kids have been changing out of their suits and into clothes this year-Darn.

 William is growing up to be such a wonderful kid. He has been watching his sister's by himself a lot lately. He does a really good job and being their older brother. He is wild! But he also makes funny cracks and is smart. He has a kind soft heart. He loves his pet sitting and is currently doing gerbils and just finished a dog. He was the ring leader at a lemonade sale on our curb the other day-he's really into make money but make sure to tell me he saved a few dollars. He has been very helpful around the house and is the kid who does his chore with the least amount of complaining. 

Holly, she is the one I can always get a hug and kiss from. She knows how to turn on the cute. She is a talker and is the one who I hear "Mom, mom, mom, mom" from all day. She has a funny little chuckle and the biggest smile. Every night when I tuck her in, I try to wrap it up and leave, but she just keeps talking-I hope that I always take the time to listen. She's been growing her hair out and is pretty good to brush it (about every other day which is good for us!) She's my competitive one. We did summer basketball and she was into it! Currently, she is my least emotional child, she is just always happy and goes with the flow. 

Every summer I love to watch Allison swim because she swims with a huge smile on her face-even under the water. When she's happy she's happy-when she's sad she's sad. This summer she has enjoyed being home and just playing. By far she was the best performer at summer musical camp and got 2 lines when everyone else only got one. She is constantly creating/crafting. She's taken a new interest in the piano recently and does her practicing when I ask her too. 

Summer Madness

Summer has hit! I actually am really enjoying having the kids be around-William and Allison have been way less stressed and it shows. I'm so glad my Orangewood time has slowed down! I don't know how I was working everyday!

This past week did get really crazy though, I literally had things back to back to back for 4 days straight! I'm ready to slow it down again. Although crazy, I'm grateful for the wonderful things that happened, I got to connect with friends old and new, create with my friend Calli, work with kids who made me smile and laugh, watch my kids do hard things and be so proud of them, and get a few things done around the house. Conncection, Creations, Kids, and Keeping Commandments-these are the things this past year that brings happiness. We ended the week with swimming as a family-David actually had a few hours with us! And he has had a nice Father's Day. It was sooooo nice to have him be with us and not be grumpy about things around the house or stressed about school and work. We literally have only seen him a few minutes in passing for the past 1.5 years. 2.5 more to go! I told him it felt like we had him home from an overseas deployment for a day.

Micah took me to the "Birthday Cake" in Phoenix-who ever actually goes there? We did! We had  a great night out that ended at DJs.

We started the summer off right going to the movies with our cousins. Kelli was fun to sit by as we laughed together!

A show and treat with my friend Tracy, we tried prickly pear ice cream with lime on the outside-sooooooo good. 

David pretty much is gone every single night, so I let the kid take turns sleeping in my bed. I was out late with Tracy and when that happens every gets to go to sleep in my bed. Will moved back, but I didn't have heart to move these sleeping cuties. 

Swim meet. The first swim meet had some tears, this one had a grumpy kid. I try to explain to them that they will get a different place every time, but still it can be hard when your brother/sister gets a better ribbon than you. I am very proud of them for just doing it, and trying!

Father's Day

Spy Academy-it was a lot of work, but also a lot of fun. These kids did a great job and it's always a pleasure to learn from my friend Calli who has a remarkable gift. 

Mesa High Basketball Camp-Allie decided she didn't want to do it again, Holly loved it, and Will learned a few things. I think Holly might be our only athlete who hangs in there. 

Wrapping up the School Year

May gets a little crazy sometimes, work at Orangewood has slowed down a ton but I found myself still keeping busy just trying to keep up with everything at the end of the year. David bought me flowers for Mothers Day and cooked a delcious dinner for me, he is a good guy. 

William at his orchestra concert. I am so glad that he loves the cello! He is getting better and I couldn't be more proud. 

This baby-we had the best time together when I got to babysit her. She always makes me happy. Baby Olive doesn't like anyone to hold her-but eventually we will bond as well. 

I got to connect with some old college friends last minute one day-so fun! It wasn't long enough. It was wonderful to spend time with these gals. 

Fuse Show, I was so proud of my girls toughing it out even when they didn't want to go sometimes. And proud of myself for working hard with these kids and toughing it out even when I didn't want to go sometimes. My girls love to perform and my Broadway Kids were awesome. 

Piano/Cello recital at Kasey's house. These kids were so proud of themselves. Sage and Faith have become the best music teachers! And my heart always melts when I hear them play-what outstanding nieces I have!

Micah took me to the Birthday Cake Castle in Phoenix. We had a great night out and wrapped it up with Don Jose.

The girls at the Irving Star Assembly.