A Farewell To Summer Vacation

So as you will see our summer has been filled to the brim with fun activities. Below are just a small part of the things we have done. Because Southland Elementary School is changing from year-round to traditional we have had an extra long summer break. While most morning while I was at work Jeremy would get the kids ready and make sure the chores and reading got done. When I returned home for the day it was nap time for Jonathan and usually play time for the Girls. Which meant that Jeremy could get his work done and I could have some quiet time/chore and house keeping time; such as ironing, folding laundry, working out, etc. Anything that was quiet to keep our extremely lite sleeper asleep! One of the things we did was

head off to the movie. Yep you guessed it we saw Toy Story 3 and LOVED it. Woody and Buzz are Jonathan's favorite. Boy did he giggle :)



We also did lots of backyard marshmellow roasting, hot dog grilling, tag, and Duck Duck Goose playing.









Jonathan roasted his first marshmellow and liked roasting them but doesn't really like to eat them cooked.









"1 little monkey jumping on the bed".....

Jonathan also had a big milestone happen this week. He moved into his "Big Boy Bed" I can't believe how well he has been doing and he is SO very excited to have his own bed.










Look at that smile!








I am the champion!!
So last week while Grandma Greenhalgh was in town, Heidi and I decided that on my day off of work (Monday) we would meet and take the kids swimming. As you can see in the pictures we are NOT swimming but bowling. Just as we were headed to the pool the craziest thunder and lightening storm hit and hit hard. It was raining cat's and dog's. Do you remember where you were when it hit?? We do, just getting in the car we got more wet than we would have at the pool. So because of that we headed back home to changed out of our suits and we went bowling instead. "All Star Lanes" offer free bowling for the kids during the summer. Jonathan was the big winner that day. He bowled a 160+ game.


Aren't those the cutest, and littlest bowling shoes ever!











Julia and Hannah, with cousin Brielle in the background.











One of the first activities we did as a family was to head to "Tracy Aviary" Jeremy and I hadn't been there since grade school. It was fun, and the kids had fun reading the info about the birds and seeing some really cool birds up close and personal. Here are the Girls in front of one of the rides that they have just outside the park. None of them had ever been on the big "Yo-Yo Swing" So with A LOT of encouragement from Jeremy and I they hoped on, and strapped themselves in. They were afraid of falling out :) I have lots of fond memories riding on a few rides just like this one. It was fun, and fun to look out and see the world from a different point of view. But the

were less than excited. You can almost see how white their knuckles are from holding on SO tight. So if you remember the ride starts out nice and slow working it's way up and the swings move out. Lets just say that neither of the Girls relaxed at all and their knuckles were just as white at the end of the ride as they were at the begining! I must be a mean mom because I took great pleasure in watching them on this ride and the looks on their faces were priceless. Boy I laughed and laughed..... MWAH HA HA HA (that was my evil laugh). They were scared but they concured a fear and ended up having a good time.

This is a big Emu. We saw this at the bird show. It was a great time with some very strange and interesting birds up close and personal again some flying right over our heads.

A beautiful Peacock. We waited and waited hoping he would spread his tail feathers. We decided to move on he was not cooperating. But he was pretty to look at.

Maia hanging out in the front yard enjoying the evening.

Jonathan loves riding in his "tiny car" with just his toes (that's his way of saying he doesn't want his shoes or sandals on) He makes me laugh. We enjoyed a lot of our summer evenings hanging out in the front yard with our kids. Watching them play and trying to teach tem how to do cart wheels, head stands, back bends and rollerskating. We also played a good old fashioned game of 4 square (mine and Jeremy's rules that we remembered from grade school). And woopn' their tushies!! :) he he he

Hannah loves riding her bike all around the neighborhood. She only biffed it twice. The first time she went off the neighbors ramp and jumped off it ok but didn't quit stick the landing. She was "triple dog dared" by her oldest sister and with out much thought of what might happen she went for it! Way to be brave Hannah!! Now that I've bored you with some of the few things we did together this summer, I just want to thank the kids for such a fun summer. I had a great time with them and had a relaxing time when they went to visit Grandma and Grandpa Greenhalgh in St. George. I'm so proud to be their mom and couldn't be more blessed to have such an amazing family that I enjoy hanging out with and doing so many fun things together. I hope they will remember them and have lots of fun memories of their childhood. They grow up so fast and before Jeremy and I know it and are ready for it we will be the uncool parents who just don't understand and they wont want to spend time with us. I hope they prove me wrong though! Here is to many more fun filled happy summer vacations! Cheers...... til next year :)