Pirate Activities

Because it was "talk like a pirate day" on Monday. My mom's club got together and had a storytime and craft. We made pirate ships and that afternoon the girls dressed up like pirates. This morning we had our simple preschool and themed it around pirates. Rachel's favorite part was having to go follow a map to the buried treasure. We had to jump across turtle lagoon and walk on the slippery brindge (curbing), climb up skull mountain (club house), swing across monkey pass (monkey bars) and jump down the rushing falls (the drop from the bars) then enter the pirate cave and find the x. The proudly divided the loot (their dress up jewelery and some pennies). But she had so much fun that she did her own later. For snack time we made fruit boats- this was Ashley's favorite part! We had a great pirate morning. Argh!

Helping Sisters

After naps yesterday I had the girls get their shoes so we could go pick up the babysitter. Rachel still had her Lamby and I asked her to put it away in her bed so they could find it easily at bedtime. She said, Mommy can't you do it. I told her no you need to. So calls for Ashley and Ashley gladly does it for her.
Rachel turns to me and says, "Ashley's such a good helper"
I replied, "and you're lazy, she won't do everything for ever"
"Yes she will"
"Oh no she won't"
Ashley hollers from half way up the stairs for Rachel to come with her.
I over hear Rachel ask Ashley "Will you always help me"
"Yes"
"Forever?"
"Yes"
They come back downstairs.
"Mom, Ashley said she'll help me forever. I told you" -Rachel

I laughed to myself and thought, oh sweetie just give it at most another 2 years and she won't.

Playing Outside

The past week has been really nice out. The girls have been spending more time outside. Ashley goes out all by herself and gets on the swing and hollers for me until I come give her a big push then I can go back to doing what I was doing, normally dinner or dishes. But I have gotten a couple pictures.

September 1-December 31st is the best

September is the start of my favorite months. When September comes not only does the extreme summer that Vegas typically has cool off a little but birthday's start, fall festivities arrive with fun annual traditions, and it ends with Christmas and New Years. It's the best time of year from September to December. Yes there's lots of stress but there's so much more joy and that even includes being part of Mike's favorite reason- Football! Our Saturday's entail eating pizza, drinking soda and watching the game. And then of course any other day the USC Trojans or Philadelphia Eagles may be playing too.

Car Wash

Summer Trip to Houston

Krsipy Kreme Tour

My MOMS Club Chapter had a tour at Krispy Kreme (8/15) and we had a big group.

I'm holding Ashley sitting 2nd from the left on the bottom and Rachel is standing on the top 4th from the right.

4th of July

The full story of Ashley hurting her fingers I saw her holding her the sparkler in the burn zone and tried to take it from her so we could readjust it. No big deal to someone a little older, but you try to take away a shiny sparkling new toy from a toddler that wont listen while trying to not burn yourself and you'll understand that by the time I was able to peel it from her had it was getting hot and she started screaming. It was dark so I couldn't see her fingers, fireworks are booming, Mike is yelling to me wanting to know if she's okay and I was very frustrated by the time he grabbed her from me. I think it was a lot of drama for very little damage. She did have red marks but nothing awful, thankfully. Looking back it probably wasn't smart to give a 1 year old a sparkler in the first place.

Summer Trip #2- Faye's Baby Blessing

The following week after our family reunion once again found us on the road headed to another state. This time it took us to Orange County, CA. We stayed with dear friends of ours, the Mercker's, who moved away from Las Vegas to California about a year ago. So it was really nice to catch up with them.

Saturday morning we convinced Kevin to stay at the beach until we go there and then to join us for a delicious breakfast at Ruby's on the Pier. Rachel tried very hard to spy some dolphin playing but didn't see any. Kevin and Mike were busy playing with the kids toy that came with the meal.

After breakfast we let the girls walk the beach looking for shells. We were unfortunately over dressed due to a sudden change of weather, we were prepared for cool weather and it was warm. So if we look strange in the pictures you'll understand. The girls had fun playing in the sand and I think Uncle Kevin made it even more fun than had it been just Daddy and I.



Saturday afternoon found us at the Long Beach Aquarium with college friends, the Hendrickson's. They have 2 children as well. It took Rachel and their daughter some time but they eventually became friends. Ashley took a nap in our friend's stroller since we didn't think to bring one. We watched a fish feeding- a scuba diver got in the tank with different fish and rays and hand feed them broccoli. Who would have ever thought to give fish broccoli, not I. Rachel got to touch a sting ray and then touched a shark. The aquarium was nice and big and even had a place for the kids to just play for a little while too. We easily spent the entire afternoon there.

Sunday morning we went to Lindsey and Brad's ward for the blessing of their little girl, Faye. Then spent a quiet afternoon eating and socializing with family in the park while the kids played. Rachel got to see Cassidy and her sister Hannah who braided her hair, which was a first. I'm happy to say it's been braided since, but it's not easy with her fine hair. We went back to the Mercker's to say bye and then made our way home. 2 Great weekends in a row, but the traveling had to take a break for a little bit.

Summer Trip #1- Gibson Family Reunion

Saturday of Memorial Day weekend we headed up to St. George, Utah for a Gibson family reunion. It was nice to see family we don't get to see often. The facility we barbequed at was amazing. They had an awesome pool and Rachel had fun playing with Mike's cousin Cassidy, and her cousins Maren Evey in the pool. She even went down the toddler water slide all by herself. Ashley on the other hand screamed if she had to touch the stuff. Mike was even able to slip away to go play basketball. So overall I'd give the day an A+.

Busy Busy Busy

So here come the excuses for my lack of blogging... and scrapbooking for that matter.

1. our wireless died and is now finally back up after months of being tethered to the modem in our bedroom

2. I got voted in as my MOMS Club chapter president. So I've been busy getting ready and now getting our new term started. Which is now flowing nicely, thanks to all the moms who are stepping up to help.

3. You'll see below.

4. We've done some traveling, post to follow.

5. I started reading again! I've been in a book club for a year now but I'm reading more than just that book. I'll have to start a list of my favorites and why. I do want a book journal but this can be that too.

Coming Soon.

I promise there's an update on this summer and everything else I've missed coming soon.