Summertime

I've gotten so behind on blogging. Mostly because we misplaced our camera charger for a few weeks and pictures are what give me ideas of what to right about. Anyway, this is what we've been doing with our time..

-Church: I gave a talk in Sacrament meeting 2 weeks ago. They'd ask me to speak 20 minutes on "the Sabbath--a delight". That's the longest talk I'd ever given and I put a lot of time and energy into it. It feels good to go through that every once in a while. Also, after more than 2 years, I was just released as RS teacher. I really enjoyed that calling even though it was a stress every month. At least it kept me honest with my scripture study, etc.

-Tennis: Matt has a dream of everyone playing tennis. The girls really like it and identify themselves as Tennis girls. We put them in a 2 week, 2 hour a day camp. It's really pushing Ellie's attention span although she made a friend there so it keeps her going. Sophie's improving a ton. Mathew cries that he wants to play so we got him a racket and I've been just throwing balls to him during the class--it's very cute.

-I hired a 12 yr old girl to come over 2 hours every morning to help me with my routine. While I do piano and reading with each girl, Sydney works with Mathew to do "chores and homework" (unload dishwasher, clean up books, work on coloring and cutting). While I work with one girl, the other does chores & homework. Then the girls play board games while I take Tito on a snooze cruise. So far it's been nice because it would take me all day on my own. This way we work hard for 2 hours and then have time for play.

-Gymnastics: Ellie and Mathew had been doing gymnastics but Sophie wanted to go too so we found a time where all of the kids take a class at the same time. It is the most enjoyable hour for me to sit and watch all 3 of them!

-Thundercats: Matt loves digging out old shows he watched when he was young..somehow got a hold of the old Thundercats episodes. The girls LOVE them. I was trying to hide them because I think they are a little too old for Ellie but she eats it up. Whenever Mathew is sleeping I let them watch an episode. Ellie tells everyone about the show that has really cool face painting and practices running like Cheetara.

-Mini-family reunion: Matt's cousin, Lee, and his family are moving to Guam with the Air Force so there was a reunion at a park last weekend. It was fun to see everyone and then we were able to hang out with Matt's cousins on Sunday and Monday too.

Visit with the cousins

James and Kristy stopped in Arizona for 2 weeks before going to Mexico City for the Summer (James has an internship). Here are some highlights:
-Filling our van to full capacity with kids/luggage
-Taking 7 kids ages 7&under all genetically siblings to the zoo twice
-Dancing in the rain with umbrellas
-Kids had a blast at a small amusement park in Phoenix.
-Ellie and Isaac bonding over Magic Tree House books
-James and Kristy buying a used Phil and Teds stroller on Craigs list and then realizing it was being sold at Costco for the same price. Then they sold the old one on craigs list and then bought a new one.....all of this within24 hours