Summer Time in the PHX

Time flys when you're having fun. Summer is now over, Lily is in school and we are into new activities. But we had a great summer traveling visiting family and spending time together. Here are some of the highlights from our last two months.


July:
We started the month with going to the Horton family reunion in Northern California. We spent a night in Santa Monica, which was lots of fun enjoying a day at the beach and Pier. We had fun catching sand crabs (chonchitos) which is something that I loved to do as a kid with my mom. I miss being near an ocean. Then we played some games at the pier and Briana won a prize for both lily and herself. We even had a known actor as our waiter at a sushi restaurant (Chris Owen). I love southern Cali.

Then we drove to Northern California, 2 hours outside San Francisco, a small town call Angels Camp. We stayed at the 'Jolly House' with all the Horton clan for two nights. It is always so much fun to see my brothers and sister, but I think the best part is to see all the cousins play together. My littles love their cousins so much, and look forward to being with them every chance they get. First day together, the cousins were playing with the 'Bunchems' I brought them to play with by putting them in poor Reagans hair. That was a bad idea. Those things took 3 hours for us to pull out, it was a nightmare. But surprisingly great cause we got to spend some close time together. haha. We rented a kayak and paddle boat to take to a near by lake and then another day went to Yosemite National park for the day. Yosemite is a beautiful place and the weather was perfect. Had a great time hiking around the park with my family. It was a quick family reunion, but so worth the trip. Can't wait till we are all together again for the next reunion.

Then we drove to San Francisco, my favorite city, to enjoy the life there. Just for five few hours, but we filled it with lots of fun. My mom had never been there before, and now she's a fan. Fishermans wharf, boudin, Gherideli square and china town. so much fun! Except our favorite cocktail rolls were all sold out, fat people problems. haha

Other happenings in July, Mark's sweet cousin Kara got married here in Gilbert, so we were able to celebrate that union. The kids had a blast dancing at the reception and Lily loved being the flower girl. It was a great wedding and Kara looked beautiful.

 The kids and I went to Tucson for a week while my mom had eye surgery. We loved some of the animals we got to see and I enjoyed the time with my mommy.

I 'voluntold' for a partner crossfit comp. I went to judge and was asked to compete since they needed pairs and someone hurt their shoulder. It was a lot of fun, so I got lucky.

 Lily and Jacob had some good times this summer on play dates with their friends. below is a picture at the pool with the Dahle kids. and pretty much the cutest pictures ever!

 Mark and I were able to get away to the Tucson temple together. Which doesn't happen too often due to child care, so a picture to document was necessary.

August:
Lily started a new school year in the first grade. So far she is loving it, no doubt. Her teacher is very sweet and so far from what I can tell, does a great job with her students.

I joined a three week rowing competion at my gym for meters. the most meters in the 3 week period won $100. And I won! I went in about two hours a day and rowed as many meters as I could, 6 days a week. first three days my butt hurt so bad! not just sore, but burned my skin! I thought maybe I got myself into something I wouldn't be able to finish. But, I'm no quitter. I will not come in last if I know I have no reason not to win. So, I kept to the plan. The last week, the person I was competing against was doubling her meters per day, so I knew it was time to step up my game. Two days in a row, I rowed 30,000 meters. The last day of the comp I rowed about 23,000 meters. It was a lot of work, a lot of soreness and cuts on hands, feet and butt. However, in the end, I took home the prize. It was well worth it. I would totally do it again! the below was a post from the gyms owner:

And then, there are the Dads, celebrating their birthdays with us. I was pretty proud of my cakes. haha.

Overall we had a great summer. Now onto new adventures!

June Birthdays

 Jacob and I celebrate our birthday's three days apart. Mine 16th, him the 19th. I've never been big about my birthday. Try to avoid it by going out of town or to somewhere people can take their minds of trying to make the day about me. I'm not a fan of attention. SO it couldn't have been more perfect for Jacob to have come into our family in June. now it can be about him! So that's what we did.

We threw a birthday party for Jacob on the 16th. Invited all his little friends to the splash pad for some piñata fun and bahama bucks. The kids had a great time and the weather was perfect! Cool enough for the parents but warm enough for the kids to play in the water. We had a great time and my little man got the party he wanted.  I had a few parent fails, like forgetting a rope to tie the piñata, and a lighter for the candle, but we improvised with imagination.

 

Mark tried to hold the piñata at first, but we quickly realized the kids are vicious and it was a bad idea. haha

This is my 'hey I'm 34 now' selfie. Mark competed that morning in a crossfit competition, I judged. It was a fun event. Then we had Jacobs birthday party, then shopping with my mom alone and then dinner at Joes Farm Grill. It was a good day. I got a pair of lifters and lots of gift cards, just what I wanted. Wahoo!

He looks like such a little kid in this picture. Where is my baby?!



This was my actual birthday, but Jacob joined me in blowing out the candle. love my birthday partner.


Now, prepare for picture overload! (in no special order)

Then Tuesday was Jacobs actual 3rd birthday. We celebrated this boy by going to see the Incredibles 2 movie, Lego land and donuts. He had such a blast and did surprisingly well with his first movie (minus the last 10 minutes when he ran around the theater). Lego land was his favorite. This kid loves to build. He enjoyed building cars and buildings with his family. I'm noticing more and more how he is changing out of baby mode into kid mode. He loves love loves toys! All toys. He could spend hours building with his legos, riding his cars around the playroom or having his transformers fight his ninja turtles. He has a very big imagination and also really good at putting things together. He is a picky little eater, but loves to eat bread (probably cause we never have it) and cucumbers, cheese and drinks like a sponge. He has the cutest little lisp and talks a lot! Like when he asked me to open his Capri Sun 'so I can be a man' or Yesterday woke me up saying 'mommy I need to take your car to the baby store to pick up my little brother,' which he is also obsessed about  getting a baby brother someday. He moves non stop! I don't think he can sit still for a minute! Which may be why he is such a good solid sleeper. He loves transformers, super wings, ninja turtles, pj masks, Cars, and the list goes on and on. He is still the most cuddly little monkey and when we cuddle at the end of the day, it is like finally taking a deep breath. I want to hold him forever! Love my little man so much!