Summer Night Swim

Last  night we had our first summer night swim of the year. It is quickly heating up in AZ which means the pool is basically bathwater. It was my nephews birthday yesterday and his part is scheduled for Saturday but it was nice to see him yesterday. He hasn't been sleeping great so when my sister asked to come over and swim to tire him out before bedtime I knew Everly would be excited to have them over. She loves her boys. Cam is such a good little swimmer and his brother is pretty crazy in the water too. Everly is finally getting more comfortable with her puddle jumper and is pretty proud of herself too. Yesterday she kept saying, "Look! I'm turning. Look! I'm floating." It only took her a year! Aspen even had fun splashing around and then peed on me after, haha. It was a nice little mix-up to our week. I think with two full-time working parents and kids too young for school yet, there is not a ton that differentiates summer from the rest of the year, but nights like this definitely help. Happy 4th Birthday, Cameron!

dangerously cute

also, dangerously cute.

 

My mom stopped by and Everly on the right is working on her back float.

 

 

Prowl & Play at The Phoenix Zoo

Saturday night we met my sister and her family at the Zoo for a special Prowl & Play night. Normally the zoo closes at like 4 p.m. and we actually usually go right when it opens in the morning but this night it was open from 5:30-8:30 for this special event. My sister had apparently been before, but I had never been. It was very busy. There were long lines to buy tickets which I didn't understand because you can buy them on your phone and you don't even have to print them but whatever. It was hot. When we first got in we went straight to the train. I had not been on that tour in forever so it was cool. After that Cameron was hungry so we sat down and ate the dinners we packed before heading to the splashpad. The splashpad was packed but the kids had fun so that is all that matters....right???? After the main splashpad we walked to the smaller splashpad which was also packed. Aspen pounded a pouch (because she does that now) and there was a huge line to see the (fake) Anna and Elsa but we pretended they weren't there. Everly saw them in Disneyland so she should be set for life now! Before leaving we took the kids on the blow up waterslides. Even Cam went down with a little help from Kim. They really loved this! We also took a ride on the carousel. Aspen was not a huge fan and Everly does not even need me to go on with her anymore. I would not go to this event again because it was so hot and so packed but the kids did have fun. I will stick to my early morning zoo trips!

We turn the camera and she just lights up!

Safari Train!

threenager

 

monkeys

Aspen pounds 3.5 oz. fruit & veggie pouches now.

Teddy face first splashing cracks me up!

 

 

the little 3D theatre at the zoo shows a short of Ice Age and the kids liked posing next to Sid.
 

Video Update

We really did get lucky with these girls (also, please remind me that when they are teenagers). They are generally really happy and healthy and just make our lives better. My sister has been coming over for dinner occasionally lately to get a little more time with the girls (and free dinner) and these videos were taken when she was over. Aspen was just being a happy little chunk and Everly was doing some interpretive dancing to Bad Blood by Taylor Swift (although, You Tube removed the audio so use your imagination). I have no idea where she gets the moves from???
Enjoy!

 

Weekend in Review

This weekend was a busy one! Well, at least Saturday was anyways. Friday night we stayed home and got ready for Saturday. We were having people over so we got some cleaning done and put Aspen in some 12 month jammies that were Everly's. She is so dang cute, that one. Saturday morning I ran a quick 4 miles since I would be missing soccer while Justin got the yard cleaned up. When I got back we finished getting the house picked up before getting ready to go. I took Aspen straight to church with me since I had to be there early and Justin took Everly to a home depot workshop before meeting us at church. For catholic confirmations you need to have a sponsor and I was lucky enough to have our good family friend Kris sponsor me. She basically watched Everly from 3 months to 3 years so we are definitely lucky to have her and her family in our lives. I met Kris at church and we took our seats. She was a great help with Aspen because I had to nurse her in the pew during mass and the mass was long as they were not only doing adult confirmations but over 100 youth first communion and confirmations. It was packed. My mom and sisters and even my Dad all made it to the mass. I know it is not a big deal to every one, but it is a big deal to me and I was glad to have their support. I had been taking classes for 5 weeks in preparation through out parish and it was nice to have them all to celebrate the sacrament with me. After church we headed home and had some hot dogs and pasta salad and played in the pool. The hot dogs were a great choice because we were all hungry and they cooked up fast. The pool was great and I think the kids had fun. We were all exhausted that evening but it was a good day. The next morning Justin headed out for a 7 mile trail run with his sister so the girls and I got bagels together after Aspen had her breakfast. I just love spending time with them and it was nice sitting down just the three of us girls. I don't know if we have ever done that before! Justin met us at the grocery store after his run and once we got home we took it real slow the rest of the afternoon. Ev and the dogs watched Lady and the Tramp before naptime. Later, I bagged up milk, Justin made some baby food for Aspen and then the girls and I made brownies. It was a good weekend filled with lots of family time!


I just wanna squeeze her all day long!

cloudy run

 

Perfect pool weather

the boat is supposed to be for the kids

bye Cammie!

Roi watching Lady and the Tramp

sunday morning with the girls

Ladies breakfast!

Aspen's eating keeps us busy!

 

Sunday night baking!

Weekend in Review

Now that it is almost the next weekend, I am finally posting about last weekend, but hey, better late than never. Last weekend was our first real hot weekend of the summer, which is actually kind of exciting because it means the pool is getting warm. The weekend started of with a little time at home Saturday morning before I headed out for 2 soccer games. Justin met me there with the girls and we took them to the splash pad with their cousins after. I took advantage of some amazing deals at Gap and I think Everly had the most fun at the splash pad. Aspen is still not sold on the idea but it took Everly a summer to warm up as well so I'm not really surprised. We were pretty exhausted after that but got cleaned up when we got home and headed out to a graduation party. The girls got to hang out with their second cousin (I think) Remi. He is our niece's son and I can never remember the technical name for that. Anyways, it was funny to see them all interact. Aspen is still a bit sensitive but I know it is just a stage. On Sunday we used our pool for the first time this year! It was cold for the first step but once you were in it felt great because that sun was hot. We got to play with the blow-up boat the kids got from Easter from my sister and her husband. Aspen actually did pretty good in the pool, too. We area already planning on having people over for a pool day tomorrow!

 

Oscar and Minnie begging for Saturday morning belly rubs

Saturday morning soccer. Only a couple games left and then we wait for fall season (or play indoor).

 

Everly, Remi, and Aspen

I know, I'm really white!

The stinger!

She was being such a wimp about jumping in!

November Project

A week ago I got to participate in a fun fitness activity called November Project. You can read more about it here but basically a couple of guys started a group for people to get together and workout during the cold winter months and it has expanded over several cities. It is currently expanding into Phoenix thanks in part to one of my friends. My sister-in-law has been going along with some of my other friends but last week one of the creators was coming out so I was really excited to be able to go. First of all, the scenery for the workout is awesome. Papago park is beautiful so that is a bonus. Second, having other people motivating you to work out and be accountable makes it more fun and less of a chore. For me it is fun to mix up my workouts every once in a while. Unfortunately the time and location is not convenient enough for me to make it there weekly but it is awesome to have as an option if I can make it. It is fun and free and a great workout for all ages and fitness levels. I am really glad I got to go and can't wait to go back again!