June 2010

In case you think I've gone completely AWOL, we have actually had stuff going on this summer. Yes, we've had multiple crises to deal with (including my own breakdowns over everything) but we had done a few fun things as well. I just have had no time or energy to think about blogging any of it. I thought I had caught my cold in time and was feeling better, but it's back with a vengeance so I'm going to try to have a relaxing week with the family and just do the basics at home and call it good. Here are some of the things I never blogged about because I was either too busy, too tired, too sick or having a complete breakdown. :)

School Carnival

We went to the school carnival and wasted a bunch of money. Dave and Anthony had invited us to go to dinner that night, but when we remembered about the carnival we did that instead. The kids had a good time and we left when the weather got too cold and miserable to endure.

Planting the garden

Yes, we did finally get our garden planted. We were going to borrow our neighbor's tiller, but when he realized we had a double gate, he brought over the tractor and plowed it for us with that instead. That was definitely fun for the kids. They were both in the dirt and mud all day driving me crazy while I was trying to plant. I finally had to give Preston a timeout. When he doesn't cooperate for timeouts, we strap him in his booster seat (the high chair kind strapped on a chair). I decided we would do that outside, but unhooked it from the chair. Duh, how dumb can I get? He just stood up and walked around with the chair hooked to him. He was a complete mess, but we got the garden planted so we're good to go. I was so sore for a couple days after that, but it was worth it to get the garden planted. Now, if only it will grow!

Bird Preserve

Marcos took the kids to the bird preserve one day so I could get some stuff done at home. I love when they get to spend quality time with Marcos and it's obvious they had tons of fun exploring the great outdoors with him! He wore Preston out completely! He came home and crashed on the love sac in the family room.

Summer Party at Grandpa Mike & Grandma Suzanne's

We had our annual summer party at my dad and step mom's house a couple weeks ago. Marcos had church stuff and couldn't go and neither could Justin or Gustavo, but it was fun even without half of the "big boys" there. I had a weird pregnancy moment toward the end of the night and could not keep anything down. Angie had to drive me home because I couldn't stop throwing up, but we made it and the kids had a blast so it was worth it. Here are some of the pictures from that little adventure.

Backyard Swimming Pool

This is a picture of the little pool we ended up buying this year. It's actually really big and awesome, but it's kind of hard to fill. The sides don't want to stay up until there's water in it so holding them up while you fill it can be a problem. It's been a really good backyard entertainer though and a great way to cool down during our air conditioning crisis (we're still unsure what we're doing about all that...we'll keep you posted though).

Discovery Gateway

Our pass to Discovery Gateway is going to expire soon so we took a chance to go down and play there again. The kids had a blast and were so good! Preston played in the water and with the eggs. He has an obsession with eggs lately. Every morning he wants to help make eggs for breakfast, but the kids don't really eat them. I've finally gotten smart so we crack eggs and make french toast, pancakes or waffles a lot. He filled his basket so high with eggs, then he would walk a few steps, drop two eggs, bend down and pick them up and start the whole process again. But it kept him VERY entertained! I couldn't help but laugh at the whole process. Dylan was content playing in the market and barn area so the whole time I could just sit and watch both kids play. It was perfect! After that, we went to visit GG since we were already in SLC. The kids were pretty good there too. It was a really fun day!

Wrestling Camp

One of our neighbors called me last Monday to ask if Dylan would want to go to wrestling camp. Her older son had decided he didn't want to, plus she really needed him home that week to babysit the younger kids. So Dylan got to take his place at the wrestling camp. Dylan went Tuesday and LOVED it! I also found out I was going to be watching Anthony for 4 days while his dad went to Florida so I called the coach and asked if Anthony could come too. It was perfect! It was hard for Preston to be left alone, but it really helped break up the week of having an extra kid and I think they both really enjoyed it. It's a pretty good sport for rowdy little boys who just want to "fight" all the time. :) Coach said he did really well learning the moves and is super strong and competitive. Yep, that's Dylan! They had a bbq Friday night that Marcos took the kids to (I had to get ready for a Girls' Camp activity so I sent him alone). Poor man was on his own for a bbq, baths, movie night and bedtime, but he survived it!

Sleepovers

Here are some pictures from the week long sleepover that happened as a result of my tending Anthony. We put the blowup mattress in the baby's room and hooked up the portable DVD player there. I tried to have a sort of normal routine so they wouldn't be so grumpy, but it was hard. They were up at 6:30 every morning. At night we did baths, books and then they could have one 30 minute movie, then lights out. I learned the hard way the last time Anthony was over that he literally could stay up FOREVER and watch show after show without ever falling asleep. This worked perfectly, but they were still wasted by the end of the week. It was a long, hard week with lots of physical activities. The last night (well what we thought was the last night, but turned out to be the second to last night) Marcos let the kids watch a movie and have popcorn downstairs. Then he put them to bed...all while I was at a camp activity. He's the best!

Swimming

Saturday we took the kids swimming. Anthony lives in a community that has a pool so it was perfect. We had the pool to ourselves until a HUGE extended family came to the pool. Perfect timing to get some pizza and have lunch. It was a bit chaotic while the others were there, but we stayed until they left and enjoyed the quiet pool once again. We all got a little sun and were able to keep cool when our house was anything but pleasant. It worked out great!

Father's Day

Father's Day wasn't as special as I would have liked. I still wasn't feeling well and was way worn down from a LONG week. Marcos was cute in the morning and went in and laid with the kids on the blowup mattress. Then I fixed him (and the kids) waffles and orange juice before he had to leave for church meetings. Dave came to pick up Anthony and then I rushed to get ready for church. Preston was exhausted! I had planned on giving him an afternoon nap, but his body had other plans. We didn't even make it through the bread and water. He was so grumpy and poor Marcos had to take him home since I had to teach the lesson in YW. Nice Father's Day present huh? He cried in the car so Marcos took him home and held him - he was out within 10 minutes. He took over a 3 hour nap and Marcos was able to relax and watch a little soccer. Anyway, we went to my mom and Barney's house for dinner and had delicious Italian food. The kids were well behaved (for the most part) and got to spend a little time with grandpa. Nothing too special and I don't have many pictures, but it turned out okay. We got Marcos a book that he's been wanting (I didn't know that when I bought it so apparently I was in sync with him that day) and overall he didn't have too many responsibilities to take care of. We made the most of it and that's what counts. Marcos really is such a great dad! My boys absolutely adore him! I couldn't have picked a better father for my children!