July 08'

If anyone knows the kids, Gavin especially then you know that they have a love for animals.  So right by Stacy's house was the Wildlife Park.  We took the kids and it was a great park.  A lot of walking and by the time we left there I don't know who was more tired us or the kids! 

 

Last day on the vacation and at the beach house Uncle Bubba took Gavin and Grace and got a kite because it was perfect weather to fly one.  On the way they stopped by a park where they climbed up on the big rocks.

July 08' California continued

Natalie, Lucy, Gavin and Stacy holding Ellie

On our trip Aunt Stacy was volunteering at a Botanical Garden and so we decided to tag along.  There was a special garden area for the kids they had fun exploring and digging in the dirt.  

SUMMER VACATION IN CALIFORNIA!

Our vacation every year usually is in California.  So this year we went and stayed with Blake's Aunt Stacey and her family.  (Thanks for letting us take over the house:)  We had a great time! We went to the beach and Sea World.  And of course, our favorite Sushi place which only Blake got to eat this time because I'm pregnant!  Not to mention that he ate it like everyday!  Oh, how I would love to eat an Albacore special roll right now!  The kids were great at Sea World.  We took a few pictures.  By the way, you'll notice in the picture that Gavin lost his front two teeth.  He was very excited that the tooth fairy was going to come see him.

4th of July!

So when it comes to doing things Mom (I) am usually a stick in the mud.  I always say I'm going to do better and usually right at the last minute come through.  Well it was a typical time that Blake had to work late and we weren't sure if he was going to be able to do anything with us and I dread taking the kids all by myself.  I have realized though that I just have to buck up and just take the kids or we will never do anything.  So I decided that I wanted to take the kids to see really good fire works!  I wanted to get some dinner so we went to Oregano's and Blake was able to meet us.  It was a fun night because a monsoon started to roll in and it rained on us during dinner (we sat outside, because it was nice).  I knew that it would probably blow over so we went to MCC.  We didn't want to pay to get in.  So Blake was like lets try behind the Target and park back there.  It was great we got an awesome spot an could see the fireworks perfectly.  Unfortunately the camera battery died and so we didn't get any pictures.  Happy 4th of July!  

Diamondbacks Game

Ellie

Gavin and Lucy

The Family

Gavin picking his nose (Dad told him to do it)

My office got tickets to go to the Diamondbacks game and so we took the family.  The kids love to go see the players and just be at the game.  The entire game Gavin kept begging me to get him the #1 hand foam thing.  I kept telling him NO!  Towards the end of the game we were sitting there and what do you know falls down from above and right in front of us, but one of those #1 hands.  Needless to say I was glad I didn't buy one and that Gavin ended up getting one.  Of course it got broken with the kids fighting over who got to use it by the end of the game.  Oh, well.  It was fun even though the Diamondbacks lost!

June 27, 2008 ----- Taking "My Circus" to the Circus!

My kids love to go to the Circus!  We invited the Forsgrens with go with us.  We got some dinner at Nello's pizza and then off to the Circus we went!  The acts were good.  Some of our favorite was these two men that could lift each other and of course the elephants.  It was pretty dark and so our elephant pictures were really the only ones that came out the best.  

Cardinals Autographs with Dad

Ellie in the stroller so she doesn't run everywhere!

Good thing dad listened to mom and packed a lunch and water!

Lucy, Gerald Hayes and Gavin

Gavin, Lucy and Antrell Rolle

Blake has always loves to get autographs and has been a Cardinals fan forever, wait....he's a fan of sports and will get a autograph whenever he gets the chance!  So typically when I have to wirk an he knows that they are practicing at the Cardinal facility he would take the kids down there.  They absolutely love to do it.  On the other hand I think they have been "brain washed" by my husband.  I think that is is a waste of time and that all the sports memorabilia he collects is clutter!  I'm glad though that they all have a good time and get to spend time with Daddy!  Go Cardinals!

Tempe Town Water Park

My sister-in-law Posey told me how she took her boys to this water park and that it was fun, so Blake had a day off and I packed us lunch for some summer fun!  In Arizona you have to start early, so we tried to be there when it opened.  My kids have such fair skin that we can't be out long anyways or they become FRIED LOBSTER!  It was a great time, the kids loved it and it was nice to be able to watch them all under the shade!  I definitely suggest it to all mom's looking for a cheap, fun day out with the kids!

Summer 2008 --Lucy swim lessons

Okay so the last few years we have been doing swim lessons and we have the best instructor!  She moved away last summer and we were so sad.  Fantastic news though, she decided to come back for the summer and do swim lessons.  Geri Broadbent is the best and is great with the kids!  Hope to have her back next summer!

Gavin's Kindergarten Promotion

The family!

Gavin and Ms. Groves

Gavin and Maddison

Gavin and Creed

May 2008

As you can see I'm very behind for my posts in 2008, so I better do some more and try to catch up! 

Gavin with a few of his friends from Ms. Groves class.  Gavin had a great year!  Its amazing that he is on his way to the 1st grade.  We love you!

Go Thunder Cats!

The Thunder Cats had a great season and to finish it off after our last game we decided to have our team party at Peter Piper Pizza to give the team their medals.  We had a great group of boys and parents.  Hope to see them again!

WHAM Basketball!

We signed Gavin up for basketball.  Needless to say it was interesting but fun.  Gavin is definatly complete opposite when it comes to his mom and sports!  I am the competitive one and he is out there to have a fun time.  It was funny how one game he just came off the floor and sat next to me and I was like, "what are you doing?"  He said "I'm sweating I need to sit down!"  I said no you need to get out on the floor your leaving your team short and no one is defending your man.  After much encouragement or threatening from his mom he went back out on the court.  He did really well and I was proud of him.  Toward the end of the season he made a few baskets and that made him happy.  I was glad that Blake could be there to see him and help coach the team.

Gone Fishing!

Dad and Uncle Joe took the kids fishing.  The kids love to do this.  They just go to the local parks and as you can see it's not the size of the fish that matters!  It's cute too, every time that we pass the park where they went fishing my kids inform me that that is where they went fishing!