Harvesting the Corn

The day before school starts, some families do fun things, we get to harvest corn. I know, you are jealous. . .

 

Jake decided that we needed to start harvesting on Monday, so I have had to enjoy the heat and dirt. I told Ryan that we needed to take some pictures for posterity, he said that he can't wait to show his kids and tell them that he filled at least a fourth of the crib. . .

 

The work is hot, and dirty, but it is satisfying to see the crib filling up. Fun times, and I guess it is good to see the boys working.

 

Take me out to the Ball game

On Friday, Jake called and wanted to know if we were going to continue our new tradition of going to a D-backs game (we went last year for a special price for tickets) -- so, I figured we better continue our tradition, so we went Friday to a Dodger game. It was really fun, too bad the D-backs didn't know we were there so they would win -- don't we wish? but the boys enjoyed the game and Jake always enjoys a good ball game, especially when I can't ask him to come help me do something "important" during it. :)

 

 

 

 

We rode the Light rail into the ball game, next year I think we will drive, but it was an enjoyable game enjoyed by all!

Family Reunion

For the 24th of July weekend, we made our annual trek to Kanosh for Jake's family's family reunion. Emmy, Jake's sister and her family were in charge, and boy did they plan a fun filled reunion. We had a lot of learning and playing "pioneer games" -- the life size Lincoln Logs were a huge hit -- one really big cabin was built by some hard working kids. . .ropes, and candles and rag dolls were also made.

 

 

Roller skating after lunch was quite an event. Some were old pros, and well others, got help to keep them upright. Some, by the end of the afternoon, were quite good on their feet. . .others, were old and their joints were feeling it. :)

 

Kanosh, Jake's hometown, has a fantastic 24th of July celebration. Jake's dad requested that he drive all of his grandchildren ride in his wagon with him and Jake's mom. So, all did as Grandpa requested and overcame the fact they couldn't collect the candy thrown -- fortunately, many of the people in the parade knew that when the adults called for some candy, it was really for some sad kids on a float. . .we were quite the sight though, collecting the candy .

 

 

 

The parade goes up one side of the street and then turns and goes back the other side, so these "poor" kids were able to catch the fire trucks at the end of the parade, and got sufficiently wet. Fun times were had by all.

TULSA

My brother that lives in Tulsa is a Dentist. He is a very kind brother -- and his wife is amazingly patient. . .so, I have had a dead tooth since I was about eight -- it's a long story about what happened -- think trauma -- so, it has never bothered me much, but my Dentist has always offered to fix it. . .the cost was more than I wanted to spend. . .so my dear, wonderful brother offered to fix it for the family discount. . . ummm sold! So I went out finally, last March to have him start the procedure. . .we had tried bleaching. . . and I had to go back for the fitting. . .he is starting his own practice in Oklahoma City at the beginning of next month. . .so, I had to go out to have it seeded. . .so this weekend we made a QUICK trip!! Drew's kids and Spencer are all close in age so, he loves to go and usually they love to have him. This time was no different!!!

Lauren, is so kind and picked us up at the airport and the kids got ready to swim. . .about the time we were ready to leave, she got the text saying someone wanted to look at her house (umm yeah, she is 32 weeks along pregnant and trying to sell her house) I did say patient, right? . . so, we had the kids play in the sprinkler in the backyard while she cleaned, and I got to vacuum. . .

 

Once we were done, we took the kids to the Kiddie Park about an hour from their house. We had a good time there, the rides and park are from the 1950's and all cost between 25 and 50 cents. It was so fun to watch the kids and even ride a few of the rides!

 

Lauren and I went shopping one night after the kids went to bed and found matching shirts for the boys, they wanted to document, and Georgia was disappointed she didn't have a matching shirt.

 

The kids all got along well, and we were all sad to leave but anxious to get to come visit next time!

Ryan and his friend earning Arrow Points

For Cub Scouts, I am Ryan's den mom, so he already has his Bear badge -- he turned nine in January and earned it by May. . .so, I have decided that he needs to get arrow points, so a couple of weeks ago, Ryan's friend Avery, was over and they earned TWO arrow points apiece! They had fun, here are some of the pictures they took for Photography, unfortunately, one of them turned on the video camera so the shots aren't as good in still life but they had fun :)

 

 

4th of July Fun

So, we were pretty busy on the 4th of July, we had two different BBQ swim parties and had tons of fun and food and friends at them. . .but I forgot to get the camera out to document the day. . .On the night of the 4th, we went from our house to another family's home for fireworks. . .again, no camera. . .so, when the "grand finale" firework the friends got ended up a dud and they offered a new one for free, we came again. . .after the haboob, to try again. This time WITH a camera. . .

 

We brought sparklers that night, and except for worrying about little kids getting burned, they were enjoyed by all.

 

I took careful notes on the fun fireworks from the night before and purchased a few of them on sale the next day. They were fun and our 5th of July celebration was a blast!

 

 

Thanks Cowarts for a fun night!

Summer in the HEAT

I don't have a single picture, and no reason not to have any pictures of pretty much the last month. But, we have been BUSY!! Our corn (sweet) was harvested and distributed to several friends everyone that we have talked to loved it. . .We put up a handful of bags -- our back patio is awesome for working outside in the shade -- we all could work hard and the garden hose made for a quick clean up.

Ryan just finished swim team -- he refused to race in the meets but I think it was pretty good for him to do anyway. I finished binding one of my quilts -- I still have a couple of things to do with it but it is up and I am enjoying it. I despise binding quilts, but I have learned that if I do it while I am stuck (lifequarding in our pool or waiting at swim lessons or swim team) I can see the efforts rewarded -- it only took a couple of days!

We have had several swim parties -- We have tons of great kids that I love to have come over. It is is simple though -- we have the pool and we got this fantastic snowcone maker that is delicious and bam we have the makings of a fun party! We probably have swim parties two to three times a week. We have from four to seven exta friends in the pool -- the boys seem to get along better with others there :).

We have been inundated with tomatoes and zucchini -- I have loved them all , but I think they are about gome for the season -- sorry to see them wind down, but there is always next year.

We have been working on learning too work -- it has been somewhat successful, but the summer is still here. . .

I am kind of bummed that June is gone, we only have five weeks left until the boys go back to school and we are BUSY in July!!! I can't wait! Maybe I will get some pics of all these fun parties, but then maybe we are having way too much fun at them!!