two birthday surprises

Many weeks ago I found a Harry Potter scavenger hunt in Chicago. I checked dates and we didn't have a conflict so I booked it for Carson. Today was the day. As we drove in these three challenged each other with Harry Potter trivia. It was fun to hear their laughter. 

We had an hour and a half to answer 21 questions from ALL over the Art Institute of Chicago. Below we are looking into a miniature room that looked like a dining hall from the movie trying to count dogs  in the painting on the wall. It was tiny and so cute!

The hunt was more difficult than we imagined. There were a few times we weren't sure of what they were asking. We tried our best and we ended up getting 2nd place. CJ was a little discouraged. Luckily they gave all the kids a medal. That made it all better. Our team name was Wizit's, Wizards in Training. Brian thought of the name, we all loved it. 

I love many things about this city. 

Then we took Karlee to eat at a place she has been wanting to go for over a month. We were told an hour wait. It ended bring an hour and a half. Plus he never took down names. What's with that?! We all waited together. 

Man was it good!! It's a pot pie pizza! So worth the wait. 

We ended the day with ice cream. I hope they both feel a little special. I love my family so much!

teeth & tomatoes

She got permanent teeth today!! We weren't sure if she would have more temps. We were happily surprised!!

As soon as we left she ate gum. This afternoon she ate gummy worms. She's loving the feel of strong teeth. 

Look at these cute little tools he used. So tiny!

This afternoon we had our Stake A-Days pool party. When we started it was above 90 and hot. Around 3:30 it became overcast and even sprinkled a little. The weather was great! We had about 35 girls. We originally had it scheduled for the middle of June but rescheduled due to stormy weather. Considering families were still on vacation we had a good turn out. 

I can't believe I have more tomatoes!! It's only been a few days since I picked last. Promise! I also can't believe how big a few of those cucumbers are. I better search better so I don't miss them and they turn into zucchini. 

beach day

We were on our way to the beach and this cutie shows up on my phone! He's getting so big. It's hard to believe he's 4 months old already. 

The sand was so hot and the cool lake felt so good. These five fixed the problem of hot sand and made them a couch? I guess it's a couch. There's Karlee, Mason, CJ, Bailee, and Bailee's friend Cara from Canada. 

I like the shot of their legs and back of their heads. 

They all feel asleep for a bit. We are all sunburned. I guess that's means we had fun. 

We were on the road by 5 and hit all kinds of traffic. CJ had scouts at 7 that we barely made. 

a productive day

I've had a very busy day! I ran 6 miles bright and early. Then once I got home I asked Bailee to make breakfast while I painted the front door, outside. I was able to get two costs on by 10 before I took Karlee to work. Poor girl! She worked a double shift today. 10:30-8:30. 

Would you just look at this produce pickings?! I'm eating them as fast as I can and that's still not fast enough! I've peeled three cucumbers today encouraging the kids to eat them with me. I also had a tomato sandwich for lunch, soo good!! Then another tomato with my dinner. 

Here's my freshly painted front door! I love the color! 

This afternoon Bailee and I worked/sorted through boxes in my overflow closet for about an hour and a half. We really made a difference. Now I need to put away a few puzzles, hang up a few pictures, and put office supply items away and it'll look better. Still more to do though. 

Getting kids where they needed to be tonight was a little challenging. Bailee went to the airport to pick up her friend Cara. Mason had church tonight instead of tomorrow and Karlee was at work. Luckily, I was able to make arrangements for Mason to get a ride home so I could pick up Karlee. Carson and I decided to show up to Karlee's work 40 mins early for Carson to swim, in his denim shorts no less. Once he got in the pool we found out the pool actually closes at 8:00! He only swam 10 mins then we sat in the car watching a movie. Good thing we stopped by the library and picked up a few. 

summer swimming

We were able to do a fair amount of swimming while in Texas. The first two pictures were after Dex's blessing before we left for San Francisco.

The day after Geoff was killed I took all the kids to their neighborhood pool. To get them out of the house, to give me something to do, to give McKinzie some space... Anyway, while we were there the boys really wanted Adam to learn how to swim. I decided to step in and within a short time he was swimming!! He did awesome. As soon as we got home he told his mom then added, "I don't get to show Crae." We all started to cry. We tried to explain that Crae knows. 

Dad, Karlee and Mason drove back to Illinois for a few days. During that time Carson and Adam went swimming with Colton in our old pool! Crazy! Carson said it was kind of weird swimming there. 

We swam a couple times at Jerry and Aimee's too. Their pool made me jealous. A pool is one thing I miss in Illinois. A pool in your backyard was a dream. 

A day or so before I came home I convinced McKinzie to go to the pool with us. She didn't want to go but finally she got in a played with Retta. Retta loved it! McKinzie needed to try and have fun even if it was only with/for her kids. 

She's doing better lately. She still doesn't want to small talk with anyone. She prefers small groups. She's putting one foot in front of the other though. She's been to the temple a number of times and that has brought her peace. I have friends that are still praying for her. That touches my heart more than I can express. I know prayer works. I know she'll be fine. I know she's strong. We'll all keep praying for her for sometime. 

Thursday's adventures

I can't believe in a few short weeks this boy is going to be in high school. My quiet, beautiful wavy blonde, talk to nobody little boy is a Freshman. To be honest, my heart aches that he only has a few more years at home with me. I really, really wish time would slow down. 

We don't go to this pool very often. It's just not as convenient. We also like the lifeguards better at the other pool. Wink. Wink. But the boys LOVE the lilly pads! Especially Carson. He always leaves with blisters from using the ropes. His hands still hurt today. I don't think they've ever hurt this long. 

Karlee had mentioned a few days earlier about a movie in the park. It sounded fun and free. Why not? We popped popcorn and filled a cooler with drinks and off we went. 

Carson of course entertained himself while waiting for it to get dark enough. It was a fun zip line. I even pushed him a couple times to go faster. 

Every free minute Karlee has she's hanging out with friends. Like she'll never see them again once she leaves for school. (Some truth to that I suppose.) She did make it in time for the movie and grab this silly picture of Bailee and myself. This is Bailee's pose since her Senior year. I decided to stop fighting it. 

We had a fun time watching Goonies. I know I watched it as a kid but have only seen bits and pieces over the years. It was fun to sit and relax with my family. It was a very nice night. 

challenge accepted

On Facebook I was challenged to do the "Love Your Spouse Challenge". I don't usually do this but I thought why not. It lasted for seven days. I thought I'd share what I posted. 

Day 1 "Love your spouse challenge" Challenged by Sandy H to post a picture with my loving and handsome better half for 7 days and tag 2 people each day to keep the celebration of love going. Tag Kristie M and Angela W.

This was our wedding day if you couldn't tell. I love you Brian!

Love your spouse , day 2. I challenge Jennifer W and Becky J.

This was taken July 2013 as we were doing a scavenger hunt. This pose was Brian's idea. He has always put the fun in our relationship, from the very beginning. I'm so grateful for his fun loving attitude. He can make ANYTHING fun. Love you Babe!

 

Love my spouse challenge day 3. I challenge Janae P and Holly S.

Shortly after we had McKinzie I loved the idea of watching Brian with all girls. For a long time that's all we had. He was gentle when they got hurt. He loved to rough house and throw them around. He would even cut out cookies with them. I love you Babe! You are an amazing father!

Love your spouse challenge day 4. I challenge Tanya S and Brenda R.

This is our most recent photo/selfie together in San Francisco. Brian has taken me to some amazing places. I love traveling with him and I hope he takes to many more places. On our last "where do you want to go next" conversation I mentioned Africa...a safari. My fingers are crossed.

 Day 5 "Love your spouse challenge." Challenged by Sandy H to post a picture of my loving handsome and better half for 7 days and tag 2 people each day to continue the celebration of love going. Tag Janene D and Rachelle J.

This was taken when Mason was 9 years old when Brian was Bishop of our church congregation. Mason was getting too big for clip on ties so he planned on wearing a regular tie. Brian had left before we could get help with the tie. Luckily, the girls knew how to tie a tie and helped him. When we got to church it wasn't quite right. I sent Mason up on the stand for Dad to help. I love this moment of Brian helping Mason. It is so tender to me. I love the example Brian is to our children, especially our boys. I'm grateful Brian is worthy to hold the Priesthood (the same Priesthood in the Bible) and teaches our boys how to live worthily so they too can have the Priesthood for their families one day.

Day 6 "Love your spouse challenge." I challenge Ruth K and Christy D.

As most of you may know kids ask moms for everything. It's just their "go to parent" you could say It seems our kids do it overtime. As our girls have gotten older their relationship with their father has grown. McKinzie and Brian use to walk our dog Peanut every morning together. This picture was taken after one of their walks when there was "a chance" of rain. That daily walk together saved their relationship as changes happened in our family over the next few months.

It warms my heart to watch both Bailee and Kinzie need their dad. After Bailee's ATV accident Brian stayed calm and reassured her that all would be OK. Brian gave her a blessing and we all knew she would be fine. After Geoff's accident, as soon as we got back to Texas, all McKinzie wanted was a hug from her dad. She told me later how much that helped her.

I'm very grateful for Brian and his desire to take care of our family in EVERY way.

Day 7 "Love your spouse challenge" Challenged by Sandy H to post a picture with my loving and handsome better half for 7 days and tag 2 people each and every day to keep the celebration of love going. I tag Cherine M and Andrea B.

Because of Brian we have five amazing children. They are honest, kind, fun loving individuals. Plus, three beautiful grandchildren. Thank you Brian for asking me to be yours for eternity! I'd do this ride all over again. You have my love always and forever!