wrapping up summer and back to school!

This summer seemed to fly by pretty fast. I had anticipated a very slow summer, especially compared to our incredibly busy and action-packed sabbatical summer we had last year. Swim team certainly kept us busy every evening and weekend though. I think the boys had a good experience even though both Hewitt and Tosh say they do not want to do it next year. We'll see. 

We were outside swimming one afternoon and the kids were pretending to play store and Liv said the following to Tosh, "My milkshake store is closed because it is excluded. Excluded means that you're left out...in Spanish." Ha! She cracks me up.

Burke and Liv have been playing nicely together which has been awesome. They dressed up one day as undercover FBI agents:

 Another time I caught them coloring together. So sweet:

Carla Cockerell Everett, my best friend from Jr. High and High School came for a short visit one day. She and her husband met at NAU, and wanted to show their kids around Arizona and visit the Grand Canyon. It was so fun to meet her kids in person after only seeing them on Christmas cards all these years. Here are some photos of Carla and me from Jr. High, High School, and now!

And one of our kids (the best shot I could get):

Liv took a ballet class this summer from the same teacher she had before. It was exciting to see that she had improved and was generally more focused this time around!

She still doesn't enjoy the stretching much (not very flexible), but she had fun and her rhythm was right on.

About a week before school started, Burke was sort of complaining and asking why we had to leave Utah so soon and could we please go somewhere fun before school started. We had a free hotel room to use by the end of July so Rob and I started looking into some options for something fun to do with the kids.

Things came together and we were able to put together a fun little weekend 'staycation' for the weekend before school started with a couple of surprises for the kids! It turned out to be a wonderful 24 hours together as a family.

I packed clothes for the kids without their help so they would have no idea what we were up to. I also bought some yummy treats and snacks that we would not normally have. Rob got home around 4pm on Friday and we drove to downtown Phoenix. We parked on the street (free weekend parking) and walked a few blocks to the Renaissance Hotel.

Checking out the view from our 17th floor room:

We walked from the hotel to get some dinner, and then a few more blocks to Chase Field for the Diamondbacks vs Cubs game. It was so great to walk everywhere and give the kids a feel for 'downtown' life.

Rob just happened to be able to get free tickets through Intel (great lower bowl seats!) so that was nice. Rob took the kids to the play area and batting cage during some of the game to break things up:

"Take me out to the ballgame!"

We stayed for the entire game and watched the fireworks show outside before walking back to the hotel. It was a fun adventure!

The next morning the boys played a little chess at the hotel:

And we did a little swimming:

We checked out of the hotel and drove to a "surprise" location--a bowling alley! The kids were relieved it was something good (one of them actually thought we were going to go home), and everyone was excited. The Groupon deal we found for bowling included two games, shoe rental, and free popcorn and root beer! When Liv was sitting here eating popcorn she said, "This is the best day ever, right Mom?"

It's been quite a long time since we've bowled together as a family. It was fun to see the kids improve from game one to game two even.

Burke got two strikes in a row for the first time!

I love Hewitt's form:

Tosh had gotten a spare on his prior turn and was really hoping to get a spare on his very last turn (cute face!):

Family bowling was a success!

We then took off for surprise location #2... I had told Hewitt that one of the surprises he had done before (bowling) and the other he had never done. He guessed "zipline" and I said, "Sorry, no zipline in Phoenix in July!"

We eventually found the place and the kids were pretty excited! Ice skating! Here they were out front:

I had packed a separate bag full of long pants and sweatshirts and we changed inside. Can I just say that the ice rink felt incredible! I may just need to go sit inside there during the day; the heat has really been bothering me.

It took everyone a bit to get used to the feel of the skates. The boys did really well. Liv was hilarious! She was sort of all over the place and trying to dance most of the time. Rob held her up 95% of the time because she was so wiggly and Rob is much better than I am on skates. I adore this photo of Rob and Liv:

We had such a great time and stayed much longer than I thought we would (until open skate time was over). I admired that the boys pushed past the "this is hard" phase and stuck with it until it got really fun (besides the fact that the skates made our ankles really sore).

I love these cuties!

Selfie on Ice!

This photo makes me laugh so hard. Liv is so funny! Lest you think she was terrified or something, don't worry, she was totally laughing here:

I love my family! What a fantastic weekend together.

We grabbed some dinner after skating and met our friend/realtor (Jami) over at the house we've put an offer on. The kids had never been there and it was nice to see it empty and remember what it looks like after not being inside for about a month or so. Things are still moving along (albeit slowly), and the bank requested an appraisal and a list of repairs that need to be made this week. The house is set to go into foreclosure next Friday so we are hopeful we will get approval before then!

School started on Monday, July 21st. It's a big year with Burke starting Jr. High and Liv going to all day kindergarten!!! I was a little stressed about getting to the three different drop-offs in plenty of time. Tosh and Liv take the bus from our neighborhood at 8:03, Hewitt catches the bus to his school from SanTan (the school closest to our home) at 8:39, and then I drive Burke to his Jr. High that starts at 9:03 (or something totally weird like that). They encourage all kindergarten kids to take the bus the first day, but most parents will get kids on the bus and then drive over to the school and watch the kids get off the bus and go into the classroom the first day. I didn't think I'd have time to do that and to get Hewitt to his bus stop early enough, which was stressing me out. I had a good cry about this on Sunday morning (and about missing my girl this year!), but I knew that Liv would be absolutely fine! I went to her classroom with her to meet her teacher the Thursday before school started, and she was totally ready and so excited to finally ride the bus!

I didn't get great photos before the first day of school this year. I offered to buy Burke a new shirt or something and he was like, "Why would I need new clothes?" He is SO ROB sometimes! 

Burke- 7th Grade:

Hewitt- 4th Grade:

Tosh- 2nd Grade:

Liv- Kindergarten (each kinder teacher has a different colored shirt so they can make sure they have all their kids on the first day and for field trips!):

Liv loading the big bus. Do you like her HUGE backpack with her lunch money pinned to the outside?

I was a little teary watching Liv and Tosh get on the bus. I dropped off Hewitt, and then Burke, and admit that I felt quite euphoric after that! A Boston song came on the radio and I turned it way up and thought, "This is the life! I am living the dream!" Ha! :)  I organized a lunch with some girl friends to celebrate school starting.

It's over two weeks later and the kids are all enjoying their teachers and doing great! Burke made the 7th grade soccer team and has started early morning practices (7-8)! So proud of him for trying out (I never had the guts to do something like that).

I received some great notes and reports from teachers just this week.  Burke's social studies teacher sent me an email out of the blue:
"I just wanted to acknowledge what a wonderful young man Burke is.  He participates in class and always has a great attitude.  He is enthusiastic about learning and it shows.  I look forward to a great year!"


And this note from Tosh's teacher yesterday made my day!
"I have really enjoyed getting to know Tosh, he has had to work very hard for that green stamp, but has earned every one of them every single day. I do adore him terribly. His smile and his amazing effort into everything he does makes me very proud of him. Tosh does have a great deal of energy and enthusiasm for learning and life, but I sure do enjoy having him in my room. He brightens the room, truly, I really mean it."

Looks like the school year is off to a great start!

to utah for the 4th!

  We went to Utah for the week of July 4th. The night before we left we had some fun in the pool. Rob thought the boys looked like Dr. Seuss characters:

 This has nothing to do with our trip, but I didn't want to leave out these hilarious shots of Tosh playing Wii tennis with me. This boy practically jumps the entire time he is playing:

  We left for Utah on the 28th of June. Rob grabbed a stack of our CDs to listen to on the drive and thought to introduce Mulberry Drive (Rob's college band) to the kids:

We made a brief stop at Lee's Ferry and walked across the bridge. On our walk back Tosh yelled, "Keep your eyes open for Mt. Rushmore!"

Church didn't start until 2:00pm on Sunday, which meant there was plenty of time to make chocolates with Helen on Sunday morning. The kids had never done this before and really enjoyed it. The chocolates were cute AND very yummy! Great idea; thanks, Helen!

We made a little trip to visit the Haynie's on Monday morning, while my dad was at the dentist and before the cousins arrived. We got to meet their brand new baby, Blake! I'm so lame and didn't take a photo of him, but here are the other cute kids:

My brother Todd's family arrived Monday evening, and we took the kids to the "Castle Park" on Tuesday morning.

Resting in the shade:

Everyone tickle Hewitt!:

Rob worked from my dad's house on Monday and Tuesday. I was excited that he had the rest of the week to be with us. Wednesday morning we did something I have wanted to do for a VERY long time: hike the Y in Provo! Hewitt practically ran up the whole mountain. He never stopped to rest once! Tosh and I saw a little snake on the trail. I also recognized a guy that Rob and I were in Young Ambassadors with on the way up. Such a small world when in Utah County.

Climbing the Y:

Helen offered for Liv to stay with her instead of going hiking (and let's face it, Rob would have carried her the entire way on his shoulders). It was no question as to what Liv wanted to do! Here we are at the top of the Y:

 Sweet photobomb by Todd:

Snack and rest break at the top:

On the way back down:

 Wednesday evening we got to go to a fun birthday party for Rob's sister, Jana! It was a fun evening of good food and great company. Here is Liv pushing Kiefer on the swing:

 Delaney and Burke playing some b-ball (I love these two. One of my very favorite cousin combos):

Peterson cousins!

Rob and two of his awesome sisters:

Mark's family got in on Wednesday evening and Thursday morning we went to the Mt. Timpanogos Temple. I sure love these people:

Liv was so excited to get to play with the new Princess Play-Doh that Helen bought. Cute Daddy and daughter time:

My niece McKaylynn did such cute braids on all of the girls:

Thursday afternoon we hiked to Battle Creek Falls in Pleasant Grove. I promised some of the younger kids that it would be more of a "walk" than a "hike" and I had read that there was plenty of shade on the trail. Well, it was quite hot and sunny, and some of the kids weren't too happy on the way up, but I was told it was worth it once we got to the falls! Liv had worn her swimming suit and both she and Tosh got right under the falls:

Most of the gang:

Thursday evening we went to our cousin Jackie's home for dinner. After eating, the Dunning kids started playing a game of football in Mark and Jackie's incredible backyard.

They were soon joined by the men and some of our cousin Mark's kids (and grandkids) that were in town as well, and it turned into a big and long football game. I took so many photos! I promise these are just a few of them. Such a fun night!

Huddle up!

At one point Jackie came out with a horn and cowbell. She is such a hoot! I love my cousin.

It isn't a real football game without some cheerleaders!

Such a pretty view of the mountains. I really like being in Utah in July. I wish we could have stayed at least another week--our trip was too short!

 On the 4th of July we headed back to Provo for the Freedom Festival Parade. The kids were so excited (especially these three) when the entire cast of Studio C walked by. Cute Cami seriously started crying real tears, she was so happy.

My sister Mindy had suggested that Jamie could do the geocaching merit badge with Burke. I mentioned it to my brother's boys, and they agreed to go along. I think the four guys had a good time together, and for the last requirement they had to plan a geohunt for other kids.

 Learning to work the GPS

A special photo just for Aunt Mindy to show how excited they are about their completed blue cards:

Eliza (and Amanda and Helen) made a very festive red velvet cake:

Helen helped the younger kids to put on a little "Independence Day" program with chimes. My dad and Helen looked so cute standing in front of the kids holding the poster of the music cues:

Helen even provided Liv with this darling outfit for the program. Her job was to stand and wave the flags while the kids played "My Country, 'Tis of Thee" with the chimes.

We had a great trip. It was wonderful to spend time with family. A big thanks to my dad and Helen for hosting our big, crazy group! Miss everyone already! 

This is one of my favorite shots from the trip...Livvy Liberty!