One Great Man

I could go on and on about Jim's wonderfulness (seriously I could), but I will keep it simple by just saying - Jim, you bring out the best in those around you! Thank you for your kindness and your example.

Happy Father's Day! We love you!

Freeze Dance

Sunday evenings we also try to play games as a family. Tonight the kids came up with Freeze Dance. They would dance to music and then whenever I paused it, they would "FREEZE."

Austin and Sarah "strike a pose."

Bounce, Sammy, Bounce.

Going vogue.

Pucker up!

If the pictures aren't enough for you, and you want to see them "shake some booty
and "spank some booty" and "jump, jump, jump" and "the hypnotic" and "the twirly whirly" and "the cha-cha train," I uploaded a little video to YouTube - Freeze Dance. Enjoy!

Swim Team

2010 Swim Season

The boys participated in the first swim meet last Thursday (6/10). The missed the first one because we were in Utah. I am so proud of them because each of them did better than they did last year, even with the limited practice time. We are definitely not the fastest swimmers, little by little we are showing improvement.

Tommy

Austin

Sammy

Tommy excited to dive off the block.



Sarah - definitely the cutest cheerleader!

Another Milestone

Last Wednesday (6/9), Austin got braces!! He looks so handsome and grown up with his braces. It makes me proud and sad at the same time. He has been a trooper and thus far has enjoyed showing them to everyone. If anybody is interested, we love our orthodonist - Dr. Dunn and Dr. Dunn at Dunn Orthodontic. It is actually a husband and wife team and they do excellent job. Tommy goes in for another evaluation in six weeks....right now Tommy doesn't need them but they are pretty sure he will. It is just a matter of WHEN.

Aaaaa-aaaa-AAAA-aaaa

On Monday (6/7), the kids and I drove down to St. George. We love the Tuachan Theater in St. George and they were performing "Tarzan" this summer. Several months ago, we bought tickets for my parents and Jim's parents so we could all meet there and see the play. Then I found out about my family reunion, the half marathon, etc., so I decided to stay that whole week (Jim flew back to Phoenix after my run because someone has to work).

First I met up with my good friend Jolene and her kids. My dad also drove down and we spent the afternoon swimming at Jo's brothers house. That was a lot of fun, but I never took any pictures. After swimming for a couple of hours, it was time to check into our hotel. Jim, his mom, and Ladd (the newest addition to our family - Jim's mom got married a few weeks ago), and Grandma drove up to St. George together.

We had a couple of hours before we needed to be at the play, so we made a stop to the St. George Temple. One of Jim's great-great aunts (Jim's grandma's aunt) was a temple worker in St. George.

Sarah, Sammy, Austin, and Tommy sitting on the temple stairs. They engineered this whole pose. I'm so proud of them.

Grandma, Ladd, Gwena, Tommy, and Austin.

We still had time after the visitor's center, so we went to one of our favorite places in St. George. I don't even know the name, but it just beautiful. It is a great place for the kids to climb around.

Tommy

Austin

Sammy

"Tarzan" was excellent!!! I highly recommend it to anybody planning on going to St. George this summer. Although from what I heard it might be difficult getting tickets. Again, no pictures of our fun at Tuachan.

I am so grateful that I was able to spend over a week with my family in Utah. I miss not being closer. I'm so grateful to have great parents who totally spoiled us while we were visiting. I never cooked a meal or did the dishes. Thank you, mom! I know it was a lot of extra work for you. I appreciate my dad planning daily field trips to keep the kids entertained. I enjoyed getting to see most of my family. Nette & Joe, I miss you guys! I need to make a trip out to North Carolina soon. With all that being said,

THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HOME!!!!

Having Fun with Grandpa

Being away from home and, more importantly, Jim for a week and a half can be difficult for my kids and I (especially me). Jim is such a great dad and a wonderful husband.

Fortunately, we had Grandpa!!!

Besides taking us on some awesome field trips, he helped Austin build a tool box, he took time to listen and talk to the kids, and he played dodge ball with the boys on the trampoline.

I lost track of how many times he pushed Sarah on the swing.

WE LOVE YOU GRANDPA!!!

Hogle Zoo

On Saturday (6/5), we went to the Hogle Zoo in Salt Lake City, Utah. The kids had a great time, especially at the end when they played in the Prairie Dog holes.

First stop, the train ride. The train had some technical difficulty and Hogle Zoo employees had to come put sand on the track so the train could get some traction to go up a little (and I mean little) hill. Personally I was a little disappointed in the train ride because even with the delays it took all of ten minutes. I expected to see a little more of the zoo.

We found this cool drinking fountain. Austin and Sammy were brave enough to get a drink.

I always enjoy looking at the giraffes. What interesting animals. We went inside and they were letting kids' feed a giraffe. Austin and Sammy stood in a "unofficial" line and shortly after they announced, "Okay, only two more." Tommy, who barely got over there, and a some girl were the first to raise their hands.

To Austin's disappointment Tommy got to feed the giraffe. There was a little bit of drama there, but a fruit snack and a rice crispy treat later everyone was feeling good again.

Sarah LOVES the merry-go-round. And apparently she likes turtles.

Tommy picked the praying mantis and Austin picked a turkey.

Picture time!

Sarah is the size of a juvenilee ape (with the exception her arms).

Tommy the crocidile hunter.

Watch out, Sammy! You are inside of an anaconda.



Austin hanging out with the prairie dogs.

Tommy, Sammy, and Sarah.

The Hogle Zoo was a lot of fun. Grandpa, thank you for taking us!