June Miscellany

So I am not really sure that "miscellany" is even a word, but at this point, I am just glad to get some pictures up. This summer has been really busy. We have spent alot of time out of town and had family visit here a few times as well. We've also tried to sneak in a few playdates, get in some swimming, visit the library a few times, etc. Its been busy, but fun!

Speaking of playdates, Brynn had her friend Quinci over for a sleepover in June, and we tried to cross a few things off our summer bucket list while she was here. I made them some "splash bombs" and turned on the sprinkler. They spent a couple hours playing in the water.


Eden wasn't quite as fond of getting splashed as they were
She did, however, like sucking the grass- and dirt-filled water from the splash bombs. (She's definitely kid #3, since I would have never allowed that with my 1st).

Dave and I got a few dates nights during the month, thanks to the-most-amazing-babysitter-ever Robyn! I was only a little jealous to come home from one of those dates to find Eden sleeping peacefully curled up on Robyn's lap. I can't remember the last time Eden fell asleep while I was holding her.

We made indoor (microwave) s'mores and the kids have spent most of the summer "camping out" in each other's rooms (one sleeps on the floor of the other one's room).

We spent mornings in our jammies. I also spent pretty much every morning removing Eden from the tops of furniture, and cleaning up constant messes.

Once in a while, the kids helped out too.

It's been a great summer! But, in the spirit of keeping it real, there has been an excessive amount of arguing between two kids in particular, I've heard "that's boring," "can I have a snack?," and "Up! Up! Up!" incessantly this summer. Its bittersweet to think about summer ending and school beginning.

Summer Reading

For the 1st time since having kids, I am finally finding time for some reading (you know, besides all the pregnancy and baby books I have flipped through in desperation in the middle of the night). I am realizing just how much I like reading. Luckily, I have several friends who have similar taste in what they like to read. Through their recommendations, I have liked all the books I have read this summer. If anyone is looking for a good, fun book, I would also recommend any of these:


The Hunger Games series
Pride and Prejudice (I don't think I ever read this in high school, so I felt that I should. I found it really slow in the beginning, and I almost gave up reading it a few times. I ended up loving it though, and by the end I understood why its a favorite of so many.)
Matched
The Help
Tower Window (I think that was the name of the book. It was a paperback from the 60s that I've had forever. It was a fun read, but I had to toss it in the recycle bin afterwards, because it was literally falling apart as I read it).
Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet

Camille's Birthday, Part 2

Blurry photo of the adorable birthday girl

Camille's "official" birthday party was at BounceU on July 9th. It was so fun to see all the cousins play together (except for Trance who wasn't there). We are going to miss them so much! Any way, more photos of the fun:

Micaela

Eden and my dad

They say that women end up marrying someone just like their dad.
I have no idea where that idea came from. :)
Collin and my brother Justin
My sister Alison, niece MaJesta, Eden, and my bro-in-law Travis
Micaela and Brynn
After she got over her initial fear, Eden had fun on the slides too
My sis-in-law Natacha, Grandma Bertha, my Grandpa L, and my parents
(my mom is holding my cousin's baby Timmy)
My brother Justin and his girlfriend Jessica
Collin having fun with his Uncle Travis

My cousin Chelsea and her cute kids
My Grandpa L and Grandma Bertha
Camille wasn't quite sure what to think of her cake
and all the attention she was getting
My sister Alison and her hubby Travis
Dave and Eden
Eden giving some love to her Aunt Alison
Camille had lots of "helpers" when it was time to open gifts
Dave, my dad, Justin, and Jessica

Camille's Birthday, Part 1

My cute little niece Camille recently had her 3rd birthday, and we were so happy that her and her family were in town so we could join in the celebrations. They have been living in California and are in the middle of moving to Ghana, but they made a stop to visit here in between. My brother Brian was only able to be here for about 24 hours, but his wife Natacha and their 2 kids Micaela and Camille were here for about 2 weeks. Since they won't be living near family for quite awhile, Natacha decided to plan something extra special for Camille's birthday. The Saturday before her birthday, she took the girl cousins for some pampering at a salon for kids. the girls got their hair done in the princess 'do of their choice. Then they each got manicures and pedicures, complete with hand and foot massages. I was lucky enough to get to tag along and watch the girls soak up all the girliness. It was fun watching them pick out their nail polish colors, and feel extra special. It is a rare occasion that all of them get to be together, and I know they created some great memories to help tide them over until next time.


The birthday girl enjoying a juice box while she waits for her manicure


Micaela

Brynn
Camille, looking like a little princess
Brynn looked quite serious as she got her nails and hair done, but she really was loving it all
Hair complete!
Brynn:
Micaela:
MaJesta
Relaxing

Time for the pedicures!


After the pampering was over, I tried to get a few pictures of the 4 girls together. Some were a bit more cooperative than others (bet you can't tell who was the one refusing to get her picture taken).
Micaela, Camille, and MaJesta show off their little pink toes
Posing for a few more shots
Camille
Micaela
MaJesta
Brynn

Summer Craziness

This summer has been really busy! We have been in and out of town, spent alot of time with family, and had other activities. Hopefully this weekend, I can get a little caught up on updating the blog. There might be a long string of posts in the next few days. In no particular order,and starting with...

Last weekend, Dave and I enjoyed a quick little getaway. Since having kids, I don't think Dave and I have gotten away together more than once or twice. It was heaven! We are so fortunate to have an amazing babysitter (my cousin, Robyn) who has pretty much been our only babysitter since Brynn was born. She truly loves our kids, and we know they are always in good hands with her.

Any way, we decided to stay in the valley, and ended up booking the weekend at the Arizona Grand Resort (formerly the Pointe at South Mountain). It was so much fun! They have a really great water park, so we hardly noticed the heat. A lazy river, lots of reading, alone time with my guy, good food, a bit of shopping, and uninterrupted sleep...perfect! We decided we need to at least make it an annual thing.

On the Saturday, we had Robyn bring the kids over to the hotel to enjoy a few hours at the water park with us. It was fun to get to see them a bit, but also nice when it was time for them to go back home. :) I had intentions of taking more pictures while we were away, but I ended up only taking two.

Dave and I in a less-than-flattering self portrait:
Robyn and Eden (somehow Eden even let Robyn do her hair. I was dying over how cute she looked in those cute little pig tails!)