08.31.2015: Playing Hooky Today

Avery didn't feel like going into school today, so I came over to hang out with her while Alisa worked.  I love these hooky days with Tubbas.  She will grow up fast enough, soon enough, and she is already as smart as her Kinder counterparts at only 4 yrs old.  So, she will be just fine when she starts Kinder for real next year. 

 

In the meantime, I am going to treasure every second I get to spend with this little girl while I can!!  We colored, put together puzzles, played with princesses, and read books.  We hung out in Nana's room for a while, which I am pretty sure she shouldn't be doing....but we tried not to invade Nana's stuff too much.  She does have all the cool toys in there!  We also read some books...and did our nails.

 

After lunch, Avery performed her newly choreographed tap dance for me.  It was amazing.  I video taped it, and half way thru she stopped and asked if I would play it for Vince when I got home.  Then a few mins later stopped again and asked if I would call or text Alisa to let her know what Vince thought of her dance.  Too funny!!  So, of course I did!

 

School Legos

Reading  book that Nana is writing

Avery took a pic of me watching her dance

Vince's reaction to her tap dance routine.   :)

08.28.2015: Picture Projects at Home

 

We have an area in our entryway that was in major need of a picture or decoration or something.  We remodeled the area & changed out the closet to a wine bar on the kitchen side.  Have been in constant search for something to put here, but nothing really fit.  One day I was looking at my pics and decided this one would be perfect to enlarge & put here.  I LOVE the colors in it...and it was taken on the ride up to Yellowstone...Utah area.  So, I had enlarged & printed...and we decoupaged it to a piece of wood.  Ta-Da!!  PERFECT.

 

Also decided that I am going to start putting up my scenery pics that I take.  I have so many, of so many beautiful places.  I need to start doing something with them.  I don't know why I haven't thought about decorating the house with them before.  Ugh. So, that is our next home improvement project...redecorate the house!!

 

Lighting is terrible, but you get the idea.

08.23.2015 Drake's Birthday Party

After the lake, we headed back to Mesa to relax, have dinner, and celebrate Drake's birthday.  We were exhausted but got to enjoy some football and hanging out with the family and kiddos. 

 

Drake got an ammo box and some shooting accessories for his birthday, as well as money!  Vince and I got him a .22 rifle that he opened last night.  He was SO excited!!  Can't wait to take it out shooting!!

 

08.23.2015: Apache Lake Trip

Sunday morning we woke up early to head out to Apache Lake...which is about 90 miles from Brent & Alisa's house in Mesa.  The first part of the drive is easy...the last 20 miles or so are on a dirt road, hanging off the edge of a cliff.  I don't know why we like this lake so much when there are other ones closer...maybe because it is so hard to get to...makes it half the adventure!?  Who knows...it is interesting though!

 

We try to get an early start so we can get some good time on the lake before the afternoon monsoons hit.  It was a gorgeous sunrise this morning, and so nice to be up and out of the house while it was so pretty!  We drove to Brent & Alisa's and regrouped, hooked up the SeaDoos to the Durango, and headed out.  The kids were super excited but also still a bit asleep.  I think we all were a bit.

 

Once we got to the lake, it was about 8:30.  We launch the water toys and headed out in search of a beach.  The first few beaches we came to were already occupied.  One with some wild dogs and giant buzzards.  The other few with huge herds of cattle.  Finally found a nice one, with no occupants! We got unloaded, setup up the spot and relaxed.

 

Kids had a great day of tubing and kneeboarding, SeaDooing, and swimming.  It was perfect weather, with perfect water temp.  We ate lunch, had some drinks, and worked on our tans.  Early afternoon we packed it up and headed back to Mesa.  Storms were rolling in and we wanted to get off the lake before the lightening started.  Perfect timing too...once we hit the paved road, the downpour started!  It was crazy.

 

Such a fun day & so glad Mom & Dad made the trek out with the boat!

 



 

Our gorgeous morning sunrise on the way to the lake

 

This beach was already inhabited!

Always ready to tube!

 

Our little camp...brought back memories of camping at Lake Mead - all huddled under the shade!

Daredevil Avery

Andrew completely annoying her!

Time for the bog boys to tube!

She was "shooting" them as they tubed!

This beautiful red bird came to join us

Obligatory group shot

08.22.2015: Just Hanging Out

Mom, Dad and Gina came out this morning for a weekend in AZ.  Vince and I headed out to Mesa tonight to hang out for dinner and visit with the Cali folks.    Pre-season Chargers/Cardinals football was on...pool was cool...kiddos were cuddly...drinks were flowing and food was yummo.  

 

08.15.2015: Lennox Visit

This morning we woke up and decided to go for a run.  Yup, you heard that right...a run!  Well, to start off, Vince and I drove to Riverside to pick up the SeaDoos and bring them back to AZ with us, in preparation for the Apache Lake day trip next weekend.  Since Mom & Dad were towing the boat out, they needed to get the SeaDoos there too.  So, we came out yesterday for the weekend.

 

Back to our run....Dad, Vince and I decided to go for a run this morning.  I haven't run in weeks...well, maybe months.  Not really at all since the Tink run in May.  It has been a while for Vince too...Dad on the other hand runs mostly everyday...or at least a couple times a week.  Anyways, the hill is the worst...which is about a 1/2 mile in...which is when I am ready to give up on any run.  However I powered thru and made it to the top of the hill without stopping.  Big deal for not running in so long!!  The rest of the 3 mile run was more of a run/walk.  Oh well, felt good to get out there again!  See if I can keep that up.

 

This afternoon we all headed out to Huntington to visit with Christina & Lex and so Mom & Dad could meet baby Lennox.  They got the official tour of the house, had some margaritas (and Bud Light for Dad), then we headed to dinner on the beach about 5:30.  It was soooo pretty and the weather was perfect!!!

 

 

 

 

He looks grumpy, but really wasn't!