A MC-MO reuion

So it just wouldn't be summer if I couldn't get together with Mandy and her tribe.  Happy for us she was Arizona bound and it we had a blast.  The kids were excited to be with one another and a fun visit and of course Mandy and I do what we do best, eat, run, laugh and talk.
Here is a run down of our adventure.
They got here in the evening so I was able to pick them up from the airport and have them for dinner. Then we met early in the morning and did what we love to do take a run. The kids had a lazy morning and got to play the girls with the girls.

 and the boys with the boys

at some point they made a cafe with a full menu and signs.

We hit up the lunch for old time sake. 

Of course we had to visit the pool to cool off and have a good time. It was so fun because all of them can swim and play on their own, jumping off the diving board, and going down the slides.

 We went to the temple. Mandy helped me to get some family names done. The day before we went shopping and went out to lunch, I had a great time being Mandy's personal stylist and helping her spend money and look cute.

 To pass some time we played the flour game. They thought it was great.

I had promised Mandy that next time she was here I needed to take her to Frost. We made it, like always it was delicious but maybe too delicious to share. : )

 Before they had to leave we made out to the science center and discovered the CREATE building.
Lots to do and lots to create.

 After our fun we had to drop them off and say goodbye. Thanks for making Arizona part of our summer. We love to have you and you are welcome any time hopefully not too long.

June 12th

Well I feel like I really had to stretch for this one but none the less I made it happen.

1.  Little man woke up with a tummy ache and threw-up twice. We had to change our normal Sabbath day activities. Meaning I stayed home with the sickie.
2. Lilly in her Sunday best. I have to take a double take quite often because she is just so grown up.
3. Max and Lilly waiting for church all ready to go. These two went all my themselves since I stayed home with Luke and Kevin had to work.
4.  We had this little cutie all weekend. It was so fun to have a baby in the house again. The kids were so helpful and cute with him.
5.  Nana and Papa came by to make a stop before they headed out on their way back home to Cali.
6.  Nana and Papa with the sickie that wasn't feeling very sick any more.
7.  Holding the babe and remembering how to do things with one had again.
8.  Piano playing kids.  They both learned to play a few songs this weekend while we were at the cabin. I suppose they learned because they were so board but I'm so glad they did.
9.  It's me. My hair was all curled nice because I really was hoping I would make it to church. Just trying to be prepared.
10. This picture HAHA The men folk watching our Sunday family movie. They watch it with such intensity.
11. Lilly and I stayed up late to wait for our little house guest to be picked up by his mom. We took advantage of our time by watching a few episodes of Fixer Upper.

Little Things May

Here is my little effort to keep up as a record keeper. The little things of May.  

Lilly played in her last cello concert in elementary school. She has made so much progress. I'm excited to see what she will do in Jr High.

This was a cute teacher appreciation gift that I got from one of my students. It is always such a treat to feel loved.

I have really been enjoying Luke, my little reader.  He asks to read together I can never say no.

Lilly made her first trip to the temple to do baptisms.  She did 11 family names.  I love that I can go to this scared place with her.

I just had to snap this picture so so many cups laying around I'm sick to death of it.

I was quite pleased with how the preschool mother's day cards turned out.

Luke got to celebrate his unbirthday this month. He was so delighted that he would get a day at school. He was pretty upset when he realized that he wouldn't be in school for his real birthday.

Max celebrated a real birthday.  10 years old, a whole decade, double digits. Still not sure how this is happening but I just have to roll with it.

I found this beauty on the side of the road. I have big plans for it but like usual Laura fashion it is still in my garage waiting for attention.

Mother's day. I'm pretty happy!

My very last field trip with Smarty Pants preschool. We went to the pet store and they gave us a great hands on experience. I think my Smartys had a good time. We got to hold all sorts of critters. I'm chalking it up as a success.

Golden Scholar night. Lilly and her friend Mary were both recipients.  Oh how I love to see her be rewarded for her efforts.

My teaching credential finally finally came in the mail.  It took FOR EV ER!!!! But its true. I am a certified teacher in AZ.

This is now my 3rd running partner to leave me. Yes three of my dearest friends have moved to other states. I will miss Amy so so much she has been such a constant in my life since moving to Arizona.  I could go on and on about the things we have done together, from summer art classes, to swimming, Primary presidency meetings, temple trips, education week and on and on. Oh she is a forever friend and it will be fun to visit her in Idaho.

With the end of the school year comes my preschool year book. It was shipped here just barely on time. I love doing this project for my kids every year I hope they know how much I love them.

Luke had his Kindergarten celebration. They sang one of my favorite songs A B See  you later.  He was cute performer. We will miss Mrs Smith, she was good for Luke and she was a great help to me as I was getting ready to renew my credential.

And here it is the last day for school. Last day that Lilly will be in elementary school, last day of 4th and last day of kinder,

On the last day the school held their power house meeting. My Lilly sang a lovely little solo, I thought it was a great way to wrap up her elementary career.

 Such a big day for my Maxo he was revived the Kid of Character award for this quarter in his class. Only four kids a year per class get this award and our Max has never gotten one. He is really turning into a great young man.

The other day I really had a craving for German pancakes so I made them and they were awesome.

Nana and Papa are in town we headed out on a little camping trip to Watson Lake. But to start off the trip we made a stop a 5 Guys for dinner. All was well as we where enjoying the burgers when Luke jumps up and says "Mom, my tooth"

His very loose tooth that he was trying so desperately to wiggle out had indeed fallen out during dinner as he bit into his burger but we never did find the tooth. We are pretty sure that he swallowed it.  It makes for a good story so Luke was okay with it and the tooth fairy found him even when we were camping and even without a tooth.

Lilly never was able to pull out one of her teeth even though the permanent tooth had already grown in. We needed the dentist to pull it out. I think it was a great experience for her because it was so easy and painless that if she has to have work done in the future she won't be so apprehensive. I have to look on the bright side because the little procedure cost $62.  Not bad but I would have rather gone out to dinner.

We had some cousin time this week and couldn't stop laughing at the funny bathroom sign at Pie5. I love how the boys are trying to mimic it,

This year we decided that it would be fun to buy a family pass to the pool for the summer. As we were hanging out in the house I hear Kevin say spontaneously "hurry hurry, we have 1 hour before the pool closes"  So we are all running around trying to find a suit and get out the door. I had decided that I wanted to swim laps, I found my cap busted out a 500.  I think I will like to swim this summer, The kids can play and I can do laps.

Our summer reading is going pretty good. Max has found some books that he has really liked and has been reading up a storm.  He has finished 4 books already and will read for pleasure. I caught his last night reading not wanting to put it down. Secretly it makes my heart so happy and I would probably let him read all night if he wanted to. Its summer so we can do that kind of a thing.

Max Turns 10

He made it to 10 which I think is an accomplishment for all of us.  Our Max is an amazing kid.  And I for one am glad that he is on our team. He has a curious mind and kind heart. He has killer dance moves and is funny to the bone.  We love our Max so let me tell you a little bit about how hi day went.

Birthday morning wake up and open presents.  He asked for an origami book and paper. He was happy about those. I surprised him with the book set of Weird but True books. He finished them in 2 days. He just loves all the factoids.

We also surprised him with a watch. He was surprised but really liked it and wore it almost every day.

Had to snap a picture at out chalkboard before we set out to get birthday donuts. We actually went to two places to get donuts because Frys was out of the kinds that he wanted. We hopped over to Bosa donuts where then line was out the door, But my boy has to have his class donuts so we made in time for school. I was subbing that day so we were trying to get there a little early. All was well and I'm glad that I got to sneak a peek at him at school on his big day.

 After school we brought his best buds Benji and Cody over and hit up Krazy air.  I love these trampoline parks, the kids think they are awesome they just have a blast jumping and running a muck.

 Max's favorite thing to do is play on the dodge ball court. He will spend most of the hour in there. He is not very aggressive but he is a master at dodging the ball.  He is getting better and better.

For his dinner it was pizza, and to end the celebration that night he opted for root bear floats rather than a cake. I love him with all my heart. I'm grateful for his buddies that make things twice a sweet.  First decade down many more to go.

May12

1. This morning started out early because there where a few things that I needed to pick up to have a super fantastic last day of preschool. When I got home at 6:30 Lilly was there to greet me.

2.  A is for airplane. part of preschool fun.

3.  At some point in the morning Max was saying that he didn't feel well, mostly that his stomach hurt. For some reason I asked to look in his mouth and found a weird thing on the back of his throat He sad it wasn't bothering him but it looked odd enough to me that I made his an appointment to see the Dr.  The appointment wasn't until the afternoon so he just hung out up stairs for preschool. $45 later nothing is wrong.  

4. Since it was the last day that I would be teaching preschool I wanted to do all fun stuff. Mandy helped me come up with the the ABC of preschool. So we managed to do one activity for every letter of the alphabet. Here is my planing sheet. And it was all fun.

5.  D is for Dance party.

6.  After preschool I worked on my resume. Ahhh why is that so hard.Thankfully Brandon was able to spruce it up and make me sound awesome.

7. About 12 I went into help in Luke's classroom.  I was helping with the decorations for their final program and they asked me to draw and cut out the letters. HAHA I can't draw, Because it was a funky font. I think they turned out alright.

8.  Lilly and her teacher. Lilly was a recipient of the Golden Scholar award for the second year in a row. we are so please with her grades and her dedication to her studies.  

9. An award night requires a treat afterward. Sonic all around. 

10. Enjoying the shake.

11. I'm trying to finish up the last of my water for the day.

12. Here is Lilly putting the finishing touches one final school project before bed. I think this is a scene that we will be seeing a lot of in the future.