all caught up on the blog?! no way!

All of the blogging I've been doing, finally brings me to the present week!  Liv is sure growing up.  She is enjoying school and is very independent.  She really got into folding laundry the other day, and is a pro at washcloths and dish towels.  She is really good at matching socks and is learning to fold socks together:

My cute cub scout earned his 'Wolf' (and three arrow points) back in May, but they haven't had a pack meeting since April, so he just got the awards:

They had him 'wolf down' a tin of whipped cream:

 I mentioned that it was time for a hair trim and Liv said, "I want it short like Addie's (her cute little friend)!"  Her hair is so fine that I knew short hair would probably be better for her (and much easier for me).  It was a good choice!  We both really like the change:

Her little face and eyelashes look so cute in this one:

Liv got really tired of me trying to take a photo of her new haircut.  Can you tell that she's had enough?  So funny:

I was asked to do some 'dance instruction' for a Teen Elect activity this weekend.  Rob was actually the person that asked me to do it (he was on the planning committee).  The details were, shall I say, lacking?  I was told that it should be "fun" (probably not formal ballroom?).   I agreed to 'assist' my friend Angela and we decided to do more of a 'flash mob' type of song that they could throw into any stake dance and the kids could all do the choreography together.  Angela put together a throw-back medley including some Devo (Whip It), Wham (Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go),  Michael Jackson (Thriller), MC Hammer (Can't Touch This), and Europe (Final Countdown).

We used some original choreography (Thriller and Can't Touch This) and it seemed to be a big success.  There was a bit of confusion prior with the stake leaders, but it all came together (and they ended up following my suggestions, ha!).  I had heard that the younger boys in our ward were dreading being partnered up for ballroom-type dancing, so they were all relieved to do something different.  I think our discussion prior to dancing about, "It's OK to look ridiculous; we all will.  Just go for it.  I promise it will make the dance more fun...(etc)" really worked!

We ended up teaching three times.  Friday night we had  the 12 and 13 year-olds.  It was a HUGE group--over 100 kids.  They were so cute and fully got into it.  We had boys doing the worm even!  The best was when we would introduce the next song and they would cheer!  It was great.  I laughed when I arrived and found this sign on the door:

Hilarious!

Saturday we did two groups.  First, the 14 and 15 year-olds (close to 90 kids).  Rob was running the music and took a couple of shots with his phone:

This next picture is great because it looks like the kids are having fun!

We then went to a different building and taught the 16 and 17 year-olds.  They were a much smaller group and it went a lot faster with the older kids!  It's been a LONG time since I've done any kind of choreography/dance, let alone taught.  Guess what?  I loved it, and realized how much I missed this (it was a great workout too)!  It was interesting too how much more outgoing and confident I feel in front of a crowd with a microphone in my hand.  Not sure what to do about that...  Anyone want to hire an old lady that can still do a few good '80s moves?  :)

back to school (for me too!)

School started on Monday, July 22.  Burke is in 6th (Mrs. Dailey/Mrs. Iyer), Hewitt in 3rd (Mrs. Barakat), Tosh is in 1st (Mrs. Delsman), and Liv is in preschool (Ms. Montes).  We have THREE different elementary schools this year.  I was worried about the schedule, but it has worked out great.  Tosh catches the bus from our neighborhood every morning at 8:00am.  Liv's school is MWF mornings, and thankfully Burke and Hewitt can catch the bus to their school from Liv's school at 8:30 (same time she starts).  On Tuesdays and Thursdays, Burke has band that starts at 8:15, and Hewitt catches the bus from Tosh's school at 8:45.  Did any of that make sense?  Luckily it all works out and I can get everyone where they need to be.    Next year Burke will be in Jr. High and Liv will be in all day kindergarten!  Crazy!!!

We were all ready by about 7:45 the first day so I had plenty of time to get a few photos:

Do you recognize Tosh's shirt from just about every single picture taken this summer?  He got it from a friend for his birthday, and it is no doubt his very favorite (certainly 'first day of school' worthy).

Over breakfast on the 24th, I mentioned that it was Pioneer Day, and Liv went upstairs and grabbed this bonnet.  She was all set to wear it to school.  If this was a video, you would hear Burke playing, "Come, Come, Ye Saints" on the piano.  You'll just have to take my word for it.

Tosh lost tooth #2!

Hewitt got the idea to take our old printer apart and invent something new with it.  When I asked if he had permission (from Rob) he replied, "Yes; I suppose he wants me to be like Arthur Weasley."  He is such a funny kid...and a little obsessed with Harry Potter right now (as I write this he is on the very last book).  Such a cute assistant lending her brother a hand:

Everyone gets in on the action:

Burke went to his first Boy Scout Court of Honor--  I know, I know, family; Burke was not in full uniform!  Can I even claim to be a Dunning? :).  Burke received TEN merit badges (and a bunch of other patches and awards from camp).  Way to go, Burke!  He also just completed the swimming merit badge last week and is really enjoying scouts.  I'm thankful he has some great leaders.

With school starting, the kids have piano practice and lessons before school.  Hewitt is so awesome about practicing without being asked (or nagged, or bribed (etc.) like another child might possibly require).  He is really improving and enjoys playing more and more.

Our bed got taken over early one morning by these two little monkeys.  I love Tosh's arm around Liv.  So cute:

I was downstairs doing dishes one day and Liv came halfway down the stairs and said, "Uh Mom, I need some help; how do you get this off?"  I guess her first attempt at mascara didn't go exactly as she had planned.  It was the 'waterproof' tube that she used, of course:

I was able to fly to Colorado the first weekend in August for my 20th High School Reunion!  I spent the majority of the weekend with my good friend Lori (we started singing together when were 11, I believe).  We are like sisters, meaning we have spent thousands of hours together, have traveled all over together, have fought and made up, and been through so much together.  Twenty years ago this summer we were performing in Asia with a DOD tour--can't believe it's been that long.  Lori just had her first baby in November and it was great to see Lori as a mom!    Lori teaches at Lifetime Fitness and I went to her core class on Friday (was very sore the next day) and then Leslie Von Forell joined us for lunch.

On Saturday we headed to Ft. Collins.  We ate at Young's Cafe (a very favorite) for lunch and saw some old performing friends (Jalyn, Dan, Scott, Shelby) and then stopped by our old High School (isn't it the coolest looking school ever?) before heading downtown for our reunion.  The reunion was nice (and a little trippy to be honest).  It was sorta bizarre that some people look exactly the same and others (especially the guys) were harder to recognize.  I was thrilled that my very best friends from Elementary, Jr. High, and High School were there.  I wish we had had more time to visit.

Unfortunately, I hardly took any photos (what you see is really all I took, and they are not great iphone pics), but I got photos with Jennifer Owen, Carla Cockerell, and Lori and Shelby (Shelby is actually a year behind us but is married to our classmate, Luke--we had forgotten to take a photo at lunch).

Sadler Merrill (my very first kiss!) showed up to say 'hi' at the very end of the night (he was actually a year ahead of us, but was friends with everyone).  We go way back and exchange Christmas cards (he has the cutest little girls), but it's been a few years since we've spoken and it was great to catch up on his family (our brothers were best friends back in Jr. High).

We stayed with Lori's parents Saturday night in Ft. Collins, and enjoyed a lovely breakfast and visit with them on Sunday morning.  Lori then dropped me off at Mark's house in Littleton, and I was able to join them for church, and hang out and visit some.  Mark took me to the airport in time for my 7:00pm flight home.    It was a busy and fast weekend, but so great to see everyone.  I was glad I made the trip.

home again, home again, jiggity jig

We got home from our big trip late Tuesday night (7/16) and had the next few days to get ready for school.  We bought new school shoes, went to "Meet the Teacher," and tried to squeeze in some more family fun.  We were able to get into the Arizona Science Center for free (with Rob's Intel badge) on Saturday, the 20th.   Rob and I had never been there before and we were not disappointed.  We had a GREAT time!  

Hewitt's eye in the huge scope hanging from the ceiling:

Our kids could have played in this water/ball area for hours:

There were all sorts of interesting sections of the science center including an amazing area all about the human body.  This cool "TAM" would tell you about different body parts and functions (each part would light up while being explained):

Burke's cool creation:

Hewitt trying his best to get the ball all the way to the top (Tosh's face is so cute)!

Burke gets the ball up, no problem:

It's Hewitt vs. Rob/Liv:

Go, go, go!

Hewitt requested this photo in the 'musical instrument' area.  Can you pick him out?

There was a really interesting 'weather' area.  In the middle of the room they had a huge platform to stand on as we watched a movie about different kids of weather.  You could feel the different elements such as wind, heat, rain, earthquake, etc.  It was really fun.  We did it about three different times.  The typhoon (wind and rain) felt much better than the forest fire (major heat).  I love how Liv is clinging onto Rob as she watches:

Building a dam:

This is was in the 'digital' area where there were all sorts of cool things.  Isn't this such a cool picture?  I think it looks like an album cover!  :)

One good thing about being gone most of the summer is the the kids are still really interesting in swimming!

Cute kids!  This has to be one of my favorite photos of Tosh ever taken (it is so him!):

yosemite (vacay part 6)

On Saturday, July 13th, we drove from San Francisco to Clovis (Fresno).  How awesome is it that we basically started and ended our summer vacation there?  :)  It was nice to be able to spend more time with  Todd (my bro) and Tracey, instead of just dropping our kids off (but that was nice too, don't get me wrong--ha!).  We went to dinner at Dog House Grill in Fresno which I've heard both Todd and my Dad talk about, but had never been to.  It is a very popular local place and was quite busy.  The parking lot only holds so many cars (they have parking attendants that direct you in), and if there isn't a spot then you are out of luck!  Rob and I shared a steak sandwich and salad (they were both huge!).  No joke that the steak sandwich was probably in my 'top three' sandwiches I've ever had in my life.  So delicious (I'm getting hungry just thinking about it).  And the home made BBQ sauce was incredible.  I was trying to find out if they sell it, but I don't believe they do.  I'll be going there again, for sure! 

Sunday was a true DAY OF REST!  Was nice to take it easy in the morning, go to afternoon church, and enjoy a yummy dinner together.

On Monday, we made the two hour drive into Yosemite National Park.  Again, I don't believe I have ever been here (maybe when I was really young, but I don't think so).  There were winding roads leading in, and unfortunately my nephew (Brock) and Liv threw up.   I have to worry that Liv's pregnancies will be difficult like mine were (I swear there is a connection to getting car sickness and severe nausea when pregnant).

This is the spectacular Yosemite Valley (about an hour in from the main entrance):

The kids were so done with having to have their picture taken.  This is the best we could do:

A big group shot (we were missing my niece, Eliza, who had play practice--dress rehearsal week):

Adler (now 16!) brought his cute 'friend' Sammy along, and Liv fell in love with her right away (I'm loving Brock's fingers in this photo!):

We hiked up to Vernal Falls.  It's about three miles round trip, but quite steep (it was by far the best workout of the summer and made all of our other hikes seem more like nice strolls).  Rob carried Liv about 90% of the way and was really tired by the time we got toward the top.  Here we are at the bridge (about half way); you can see the falls in the background:

There were so many people at Yosemite.  It was interesting because just about every single person we passed was speaking something other than English, and most from Europe I would guess.  You can see from looking at the black on the rocks that the falls are MUCH bigger in the spring.  At that time the entire stairway is wet and very slick (people wear ponchos on the hike).  I was thankful that the stairs were dry or it would be even more difficult/dangerous with kids.

So pretty!

The rainbow at the bottom was so cool!  I could have sat and just enjoyed the view here for a long time.  This was a good 'happy place' as they say...

Our boys are such good climbers/hikers.  They just keep going and going.

At the top!

The boys wandered around a bit at the top (maybe not the safest idea?  I would never allow it in the spring).  They had a blast exploring with their cousins.  It was hot and they were drenched in sweat when it was time to head back down.

Can you tell how wet Hewitt's hair is here?  Todd was able to convince Liv to ride on his shoulders for a bit to give Rob a break (thanks, Todd!).  Both Rob and my legs were really shaky on the way down:

We then drove back about an hour near the entrance (Tosh and Liv both crashed!) and hiked into Mariposa Grove to check out the giant sequoias.  Pretty amazing!

At the Grizzly Giant.  This tree is about 2000 years old and has limbs bigger in size than most trees!

Yosemite was so awesome and to think we only saw a small fraction of it.  It would be great to come back again and camp here for a few days (it's very tough to get reservations here).

We grabbed food on our way back to Clovis and got all packed up and ready to head HOME!  Our original plan was to spend the next several days at Disneyland, but I am so thankful that we changed those plans (back in May maybe?).  We had such a fabulous vacation, but were really excited to get back home and ready for school.