Thursday, July 5, 2012

Summer Break cont...

Continuing our summer break... Joe was nice enough to let us leave sunday morning and head down to Enterprise (where my parents retired). Its about 35 minutes north of St. George. So that we could spend the afternoon with my dad on Father's Day. So, saturday night we celebrated for Joe. So to make it a little special I decorated the table with balloons for fathers day and accessorized with jelly belly's (his favorite) and with the manly thing I remember as a kid Big League Chew gum. I didn't know this stuff was still around and what memories it brought back. It's amazing what the dollar store carries. The boys loved it and thought it was neat... So, for dinner we had what Joe requested which was cheese raviolis, salad and bread. It was a nice dinner with a little bag of goodies. A new t-shirt, his favorite chocolate, white, beef jerky and some more multi vitamins that he has been requesting. I know simple but it was nice. Sunday morning came and off we went for a week of change, at least for us... 






We got to Enterprise Sunday afternoon and my mom made spare ribs for dinner, it was great. Then we had my dad open a couple of gifts.. I didn't get any pictures. Wasn't thinking.. Monday we then spent doing some organizing in one of there storage units to help with a yard sale they were going to have on Saturday. We also took a ride for the boys. Tuesday was the big day of swimming at a pool in Veyo which is in the next town over about 20 minutes away. I swam at this pool so much when I was a kid, when we would come down to visit my grandparents. It was nice to be back and bring my own kids and share in the memories I had as a kid there. The boys loved it so much! Grandpa took them back on Thursday when me and my mom went to St. George for the day..



The pool is set down in a mountain of volcanic rock..


Jake testing his jumping skills in the pool


Then the twins both had to do it together



Patrick doing so well. Swimming in the deep end and under water





After a day of swimming we headed up the mountain to a Ranch to cook out (my dad's friend owns it) We also came back up to the Ranch another night and cooked out with my dad's friend and his girlfriend. (just took video that night)


The boys riding in the back of the truck.. they love it!


Cows just hanging out on side of the road


Entering the Ranch and the cabin at the Ranch


My dad getting dinner ready.. Yummy dutch oven potatoes and chicken




There is a pond there with HUGE trout fish in it and they love to eat cat food. So, the boys loved feeding them and seeing them swim all around




The Challenge... apparently Patrick dared Jake to eat a piece of cat food with him to see what it taste like



There they go.....


What you don't see in this picture is Jake throwing up the cat food, because I was getting it on video as well... Jake did not like it and Patrick thought it wasn't bad... sick is all I can say.


Playing on the swing and teeter totter that were there


As we left at dusk the deer where out and just staring at us as we left.. Tons of them down drinking with the cows



Another evening we spent doing a little 4 wheeling..



Parents chilling as we did the 4 wheeling


Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Ahhh.. Summer Break.. or is it?

Summer officially started on June 1st this year for us. We have never been out this early before, which makes a month and half break for the twins instead of 3 weeks (because of year round school). And then its going to be 3 month break for Patrick because he starts Junior High this year... With our start to summer the first couple of days are just sleeping in and relaxing. I then got the call that my dad was going to go on a week and half fishing trip and my mom didn't want to stay home alone that long and wanted to come stay with us. Totally fine with it, but it was going to be a little busy. So, she came up Thursday and I was getting everyone ready for our first round of things to come with only being out of school a week. The first Saturday the twins had there first Cub Scout Day Camp..  so bright and early we were up (5:45 am) to get them off. Then back to bed for a half hour and then it was Joe and Patrick's turn to get up and go to there Scout Day Camp starting at 8 am. As all this happened me and my mom took advantage of the guys being gone all day and we went shopping and some lunch! All in all it was a busy day, everyone had fun at there events and we were all tired by the end of it.. 
The following week proved to be busy with playtimes, my dad coming through town to his next fishing adventure, preparing for Father's Day, preparing Joe and Patrick to do there 2nd Scout outing an overnight camp out and also packing and getting ready for me and the boys to go to Southern Utah for the next week. So, to say the least not much of a summer break yet... and I don't think from now on there will be. As your kids get older its just busier and busier. But, I am doing my best to enjoy it now, because one of these days they will have their own lives and we won't be sharing these moments as much. 




The twins before there Cub Scout Day Camp




Patrick at his Boy Scout Day Camp...


Patrick is not really that much taller than these boys. He was standing on the curb.













2nd weekend, Boy Scout Camp out.. up at beautiful Monte Cristo






Saturday, June 2, 2012

6th Grade Graduation...


Patrick graduated from 6th grade on June 1, 2012. It was exciting but yet surreal at the same time. I can't believe my first born (baby) is leaving elementary and going into Junior High. It seems like yesterday somedays that he was just starting Pre-k (4 days a week like kindergarten) when he was 4 because he had speech delay and language issues.  It was a process and it did seem like some days its been an adventure but has I reflected yesterday realizing its also gone so fast. Almost 12 years old. Where has the last 12 years gone... Its been an adventure thats for sure. We were so proud of him to be moving on. It was a nice ceremony. The Theme was "Making a Splash" hence the beach theme. They did a nice job decorating and the whole program was well done. They had officer Penrod even there to say his last words to the kids and for the Dare program that they do with the 6th graders. He also awarded some of the kids awards for the Dare Essay winners.
We had 2 out of the 5, 6th grade classes graduate yesterday and so they had each class line up on either side and walk up the stage to there teacher as she read what they wrote where they would see themselves in 20 years and then awarded there certificates. I thought it was a cute idea to hear all of the kids thoughts on what they wanted to be and were they thought they would be in 20 years. Some of them were pretty funny and some shocking of what they think they will have done with their life..
Patrick's said "In twenty years, I will be a self employed video game designer. I will live in California with my wife. In my spare time, I will draw and play the video game Minecraft." Well, I hope he does fulfill his dreams. But also hope there is a few other things in his life he does as well, even though he didn't mention them. Congrats Patrick! We love you and are so proud of you!




As the kids walked in to line up on the stage


Officer Penrod and the kids that got awards



As Patrick walked to the stage and received his certificate


I think he was a little embarrassed for what he wrote on his 20 years


Singing portion


It's over!


They each had to draw a picture of themselves.. Thought he did a great job drawing himself.


Me, Mom and Dad



My 6th grade teacher Mrs. Hyatt... Thanks for everything!


Me and my best bud, Blake..



My certificate of completion, my folder with my 20 years and picture, and they also got a certificate from Syracuse Police Dept. for completion..




br>You Are Snow White!
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Pure and trusting. You are a gentle soul who can get along with just about anyone. Everyone you meet instantly falls in love with you. How can they resist? You have a pure, lovable nature that's irresistable. Just don't trust everyone who comes across your path.


Which Disney Princess Are You?