SwIm LeSsOnS

Annelise has had (almost) three sets of swim lessons so far this summer. They are each two weeks long and I timed it so that after a set she has two weeks off. I was just telling Jenelle Nordfors that is has been a blessing and a curse. Positives: I really love to always have something to do; Annelise absolutely loves the water and has shown some serious improvement; it was affordable; I get to take the kids swimming after her lessons anytime (which I usually do 2 times a week); and it is teaching Annelise how to swim. Negatives: It is sometimes so annoying to have to take her; and the pressure from the kids to stay after and swim is terrible (it is alot of planning and pack-muling around a bunch of stuff).

More positives then negatives. Good thing because we still have to get through this week and another set in August. I hope more of you meet us there...is always makes it more fun to chat while the kids swim...so come join us someday! I am still working on geting a little tan- "tan fat looks better than white fat"...and since I am getting bigger- this is crucial. Official invite: Come swim if you ever can!

WoRk SoNg

Work work work...all day long...
work work work...while I sing this song...
going clean those teeth...going to make them shine...
I get off just in time for kids' bedtime!

I have been working way too much lately and I am so glad I have this week off! I need to catch up on a hundred projects and start a whole bunch more. I have always been a self-appointed tasker to make my life more difficult (as Josh says). I wonder how other moms keep up on things so well...when I feel like each day is just slipping away! I am so inspired by so many of you and get help from so many others as well. I really do not look forward to next week...I work everyday. And then the next week it is the same thing! Then, I cut back to sparatic days each week until Sept. 12 being my last day of work.

I might go back after the baby...or...I might not if we don't need me to! I certainly would rather not with the monotony of my job. But, it is good money for the time I am there! I can't argue with that paycheck when I need to pay the bills! I do miss the kids though. Hard to imagine sometimes when they drive me nuts when I am at home.

AaRoN's SeCoNd BiRtHdAy

My sweet lil Aaron had his second bday on the 6th of July. It was a Sunday so on his actual bday we just had Grandma Vicky & Grandpa Delyn for cake. I made spice cake for him since he is named after my dad (his middle name being Dennis) because that was his favorite...and apparently Aaron really likes it too! He loved being sang to- he would join in the best he could and loved all the attention.

I have made a rule for myself that I would only have official birthday parties on the even years for the kids...so this year Aaron got a party. We wanted it to be about something he really enjoys so I thought naturally it should be a swimming party. And to make it "cute" I had a themed swimming party with pirates. Aaron is lucky to have a few sweet friends this early in life who came, and we invited his cousins. Not all the cousins could make it so I was so glad that his friends could enjoy the pirate cake! We had the party at Clearfield Aquatic Center and I am telling you that there is no where he would rather be. Aaron is a lil fish! He loves the water and is usually the last to want to get out.






I have so enjoyed the last two years with him so much and love him more than words can say. His little personality is so fun and I love how tough and pain tolerant he is (esp. with a rough big sister). He doesn't say much yet, but I can see so much in his eyes that tells me plenty. I almost get sad when we add to our family that I might not be able to give as much of myself to the older kids, but I hope Aaron will always know how much we all love him and are so glad he is in our family.
Happy birthday Aaron Dennis.

LaGoOn SeAsOn PaSsEs

This summer we have had Lagoon season passes and have visited it quite a few times already! We love Lagoon. Well, except on Saturdays (crazy busy). Annelise is Miss Brave and will ride anything she is tall enough to ride and Aaron started at as a big 'ol wimpo...but now loves the rides! We have been with cousins and with friends and have been lucky enough to see lots of ward & neighbor friends there too.






We also have gone to Lagoon-a-beach once and soaked up the sun. That was a little harder with little kids. The water was cold and there isn't the best areas for playing with little ones like at Cherry Hill. And...while I am sporting a pregnant belly...there are a million cute young things sporting cute bodies around me really helping my self-esteem!



We are definitely going to have to go back during Frigthmares so I can ride Wicked. The temptation is killing me and I can't ride anything but kiddy rides! It has still been worth it to buy the passes and has made for some fun evenings with the kids.

ThE fOuRtH oF jUlY

For the fourth of July this year, we swam with the Roberts/Matheny family during the day...and then at night we were hoping to see fireworks. AZ typically gets monsoons around this time of year...and there was a lot of lightning and wind in the early evening...so we thought the fireworks would be cancelled. Well, they weren't. Arizonans are diehards and knew the wind would die just enough time for them to celebrate this GREAT COUNTRY and they went off at 9.
Anyone knowing me...we were late anyways when the news said they were still going to go off and we only got to see fireworks out the windshield of the car from 5 miles away. Poor Aaron only saw them on tv..and it was so cute that he would fall back on his hands when they would go off on the tv! And Annelise was so depressed to not see any (really)...so we promised her to do "AZ fireworks" back at home and that we'd see them on the 24th of July in Utah. Now AZ fireworks are just sparklers and snaps because they are against the law because of the extremem dry climate unlike in Utah- where you can really put on a show! We did get to take a ride in my mom's Rhino (street legal/golf cart/go-cart thing) to Sonic to get treats.
So Happy 4th of July America! This truly is a great country!

GiRl's DaY oFf (FoR lUnCh)

I really wanted to plan a lunch so that way I could see some of my cousins in AZ. I miss them and actually have a really good relationship with my cousins. Josh doesn't even know a whole bunch of his cousins...but I grew up a little different. We did alot with our cousins and they make up a significant of my best memories of my childhood. The Gardner family and beyond (Roberts, Harlines and on...) is a very specail family and I am so glad that most live in AZ so when we visit I can see some of them (they are getting quite large). I sent out invites to all of the "Gardner ladies" and I am so glad that some of them could make it! And who wouldn't love going to the Cheesecake Factory if you feel about cheesecake like I do!

GiRlY gIrL dAy At ThE sAlOn

My mom is the ultimate grandma. She loves to spoil...and I mean it! I do really appreciate it...and it is so fun for the kids since we only see Grammy on special occasions. She took Annelise to this place called Girly Girl Salon for a treatment and Annelise loved it! It was her really late bday gift from my mom. My own grandma went to...so I could see her. It was like a tri-generational day at the salon...only Annelise was the only one who got the pampering! Thanks Grammy.

OuR tRiP tO aRiZoNa

We had the best time staying at my mom's in Az over the week before the fourth of July. I don't know what it is...but I absolutely love going on vacation and being away from home. I know most people desire to go home...but I get anxiety when the trip nears an end because I know what awaits me at home (work, cleaning, bills, LIFE). We went to see my sweet sister-in-law graduate from nursing school...
CONGRATS MAYRA!
And we went to see my family...and my dog Mockie (who I miss terribly) Now Annelise asks to get a dog almost every single day!
and we got to see Brandon's dog, Yoshi and visit good 'ol Officer Harline in uniform one night...



I got to see one of my best friends from high school and her 3 super cute girls...(I love you Pish!) (& thxs for the swim & pics....her daughter took them!)

We of course got to swim many, many, times...WHAT ELSE DO YOU DO IN 115 DEGREE WEATHER? We swam in my mom's pool...(which I love because it is a salt water pool with a waterfall) And we swam with my cousins for the fourth of July...and pretty much got pruney hands each day!




We couldn't not go to the lake either...I went once with the kids, my mom, and Brandon...and then Josh got to go again with Brandon and Mayra. And I am sure they tore it up...the water is so nice there (dirty but calm) and Brandon is seriously getting so good...and I have always been Josh's biggest fan.




And Annelise got to play dress up...ALOT. My mom's house is outfitted with lots of toys and dresses and lots to do. My kids love the scenery change and seeing Grammy and Uncle Brandon, Aunt Mayra, both dogs and even Aunt Amy for a couple days!!! It really was so nice. I think the next time we go back is at Christmas time...and it will be hard to wait.