Dance Machine

It is common practice in our house, when we clean, to put some music on for motivation, distraction, whatever you want to call it. That works for awhile, but then THIS usually ends up happening (at least with one member of our family.)



Thanks Grant for the comic relief!

Family Pictures

We were finally able to get everyone together for some family pictures. We took them on the grounds surrounding the Sacramento LDS Temple. They have these great oak trees that look amazing! Thanks Sarah for being so patient with our little brood of kids! If you want to check out this amazing photographer you can find her at: www.sarahblairphotography.com

Here are a few of our favorites!

Skating

More Summer Fun! I think my kids should have grown up in the 70's with disco skating!


And yes, those are pink princess skates on Grant. I'm such a mean mom, but he is so secure in his manhood, he didn't even question them, just embraced the princesses and went out there to strut his stuff!!

4th of July

We spent the 4th of July close to home. I got up early in the morning and went down to the park with my sister Debbie, to participate in a 5K fun run. It was kind of cool to run through the tree shaded park and then along neighborhood street of where we grew up.

Then, we spent the day relaxing, and swimming in the pool. Came home for quick naps and then headed back out to the park. We played a little soccer, tag, and of course had some ice cream treats. Then it was time for the fireworks to begin. It was about a 45 minute show. Emma and Grant both loved watching!

4th of July Camping

It all started with a plan:

Daddy set the tent up in the heat:

Grant went out to help, but ended up taking cover in the shade:






The weekend of the 4th Jamie had a little campout in the backyard with the kids. It has cooled down considerably here, and we have had some great evenings. So it seemed like the perfect time. I have to admit, I kept the back door open and the kitchen light on waiting for someone (or all of them) to sneak back in during the night. I my amazement all three thoughed it out the whole night, and even claimed to have slept very well. Thanks Daddy!!

Cousin Fun

My sister and her family have been here visiting since the 1st. Emma and Grant have thoroughly enjoyed having their cousins here. They wake up asking when they get to see them, and go to bed asking when they get to see them. Here are a few pics. We've enjoyed each other just "hanging out", swimming at Grandma and Papa Redfearns, picked apricots, played at the park, and got family pictures taken. I'm sure there will be a second installment of Cousin Fun before the end of the trip!

Soccer Continues

So we are in the middle of a summer league with Grant. It is almost comical to watch 3 and 4 year olds out on the soccer field in 100+ degree weather. There was a lot of this.........

and this...........

and don't forget this..............


But not so much of this...........

Oh well! Go Team Lightning!!

Non Camping-Camping Trip

A couple weekends ago we were all set to go camping. We basically had our bags packed ready to head out the door (okay, it was the night before we were supposed to leave), that we decided to change our plans. California was set to get a big storm in the Sierra Mountains where we were headed, and both Grant and Emma were just getting over (or now we know, on their way to) being sick. So we jumped on the computer and made plans to go to Gilroy Gardens.
It is a fun little amusement park/garden park for kids 10 and under. We took Emma when she was Grants age and she LOVED every minute of it. It is clean, has lots of shade, and PLENTY of rides for a 3 and 6 year old. Here are a few shots of the actual grounds. Some people just go there to see the amazing trees, flowers, etc:


I think they went on EVERYTHING in the park at least 1 time. And Emma and I rode the Banana Ride 4 times in a ROW!! And Grant rode the Snake Roller Coaster 6 times!!


Grant in his glory.........


(I just learned how to use the collage feature on Picasa, can you tell? I promise not to use them in EVERY post. I was just so far behind it was a quick way to post a lot of pictures at one time)

Kindergarten Graduation

I realized that in the hustle and bustle of the end of the school year, I never posted pictures of Emma's graduation. She is officially a 1st grader!! She had a great performance where they sang all of their favorite songs from the year.



Emma, you had such a great year! You started off shy and reserved, but quickly made friends and developed such a funloving, care free attitude. You developed a LOVE for reading, and by the end of the year you have started to read "chapter" books. And I saw a spark of interest in math too. Money has really caught your attention and you love to figure out how to count by 10's, 20's, 100's etc. You are constantly asking how to spell words and love to make cards for people. Good job Emma! We hope you continue to love learning, and make many more friends as a FIRST GRADER!

Summer Bounty

These are a few updated pics of our garden. This is about the number of squash we pick from the garden--EVERYDAY!! And we have our GIANT pumpkins growing over the boxes and to who knows where (the kids think this is absolutely amazing)! We also have 4 tomato plants doing very well, and green beans that we just picked for the first time. We are thinking about doing a winter garden--any tips?

Family Outing

I would like to say that we have some fun, interesting, highly adventurous activity to report on, but I don't! Instead we took a family trip to Urgent Care this evening. Long story short--Grant and Jamie both have bronchitis, and both have the start of ear infections. So off we go to get prescriptions, juice, and a good movie to round out our weekend.


PS-We did take a fun, adventurous trip LAST weekend, but then everyone got sick and I didn't have time to post. But stay tuned--once everyone is resting comfortably I'll get to it. =-)

CHANCE

Okay, sometimes my kids make me laugh soooooooooooo hard. Here is the most recent conversation with Grant. Let me set the stage. He is strong enough now to open our freezer door, and does so quite often. This time he saw some of the premade cookie dough in the box and wanted to make some. So I agreed, and asked him to go get the stool. Everything was going along fine, until he thought he should THROW the cookies on the tray because they bounced:

Me: Grant, stop.
Grant: Threw another cookie.
Me: Grant, if you don't stop, you have to get down and won't be able to help me make the cookies.
Grant: Threw another cookie.
Me: Okay, get down you lost your chance.
Grant: No, no, no!
Me: Yes, get down. I told you if you threw another cookies you would loose your chance.
Grant: No, I can get my chance back! See, "Chance, come back, where are you!?"

OH Canada

Below is the email we received from Jamie's parents YESTERDAY!!!!

Welcome to our world today. I cleaned about 6 inches off the car, only about 3 inches off the deck because some had melted, and knocked lots off our trees and bushes so they wouldn't break. It's sure disgusting! I hope it doesn't kill our berries & apples - Saskatoons, strawberries, & apple trees were all in blossom. It's supposed to freeze the next two nights. We'll cover what we can & hope for the best. We cut all the asparagus yesterday, and covered the tomatoes and some corn & potatoes. We hope all our work wasn't for nothing. Love you all, Jane

And here is proof of what she is talking about:




We LOVE to visit.........but let us know when the snow clears!! California is sunny and warm if you need a "vacation"! =-)

To Be Six Again

I got this one over an email and it gave me a good chuckle:

A man was sitting on the edge of the bed, observing his wife, looking at herself in the mirror. Since her birthday was not far off he asked what she'd like to have for her Birthday.


'I'd like to be six again', she replied, still looking in the mirror.


On the morning of her Birthday, he arose early,
made her a nice big bowl of Lucky Charms, and
then took her to Six Flags theme park. What a day!

He put her on every ride in the park; the Death Slide, the Wall of Fear, the Screaming Monster Roller Coaster, everything
there was.


Five hours later they staggered out of the theme park. Her head was reeling and her stomach felt upside down.


He then took her to a McDonald's where he ordered her a Happy Meal with extra fries and a chocolate
shake.


Then it was off to a movie, popcorn, a soda pop, and her favorite candy, M&M's. What a fabulous adventure! Finally she wobbled home with her
husband and collapsed into bed exhausted. He leaned over his wife with a big smile and lovingly asked, 'Well Dear, what was it like being six again?'


Her eyes slowly opened and her expression suddenly changed. 'I meant my dress size, you retard!!!!

Organized Sports

Grant has just started a summer soccer leauge. We really debated since he is only 3, but one of his best buds, Sterling, is also going to play on his team. So we are jumping in with both feet. Jamie and Sterlings dad are going to coach. This is a picutre before his first practice: Then we had opening day with pictures. Grant wasn't too thrilled with that part, as you can tell. Attitude was written all over his face: This is the closest we got to a smile all day, with him and Sterling: But then the true meaning of the sport started--The Belly Bump!