Cool treats

in the summer heat!



What a mess!

Trying to jump

We got out the mini trampoline today because everyone (well, mostly Stephen) was wanting to jump on the furniture. He had us cracking up trying to jump. He just moves his feet really fast.

Stephen "reading"

He has a sudden interest in "kitty cat"s, probably because they are his most frequently seen animal in real life along with birds, which he also really loves! He likes to find the kitty cats in books and look for them over and over. Cute boy!

Swim lessons!

They began today, and everyone did great! We went to the pool yesterday afternoon and practiced, especially with Gloria since this is her first time. They were all so brave and swam well. I am so proud of them!

This girl was all smiles the whole time. Her only complaint, "I want to play longer." Must have been fun since she said "play" and not swim!


Mariana did great and was so happy to be in the group that went to the big pool. She was smiling every time I looked too!


Allia is in the most advanced group for her class. Her teachers even came up after class to say that her group would mostly be reviewing and would probably have extra time to learn some extra stuff. They will be going to the really deep end tomorrow for diving, etc. :)

Fr. Chris gift

We have been working on a going away gift for our associate pastor, Fr. Chris, and now have it ready to present to him at his farewell reception this Sunday.

Mass kit with plaque attached to cover cloth


Mass kit


Closeup of plaque

Cute little swimmer

Zip line fun

One of the great things about having a big boxy two story house facing West-ish is that after dinner most of the backyard is covered in shade so we can actually play out there even when the high for the day is 100 degrees!

Happy Father's Day!

Trying to enjoy despite the nausea so no pics to show but blessings sent out to all the Dads! :)

Dance camp finale!

I hastily threw together three buns this morning because, of course after the last recital, they all wanted buns for their performance today!


Allia dancing Lyrical


Mariana dancing Jazz


Gloria...this was about as much as she moved in all 4 dances. She did a good job smiling but was a little immobilized by all the people watching!


Gloria also did this sache in a circle part thanks to the teacher grabbing her hand and helping her along!




You're finished...strike a pose!

She did it!

Gloria danced in the purple room today. Austin told her she wouldn't get to go back to dance camp if she didn't. That along with some extra encouragement from the audience (big sisters), and she did actually dance today. So hopefully I will have pics and video from the finale tomorrow. :)

Dance Camp Day 3

Everyone is doing great and having fun except for one little problem. The younger girls (Gloria's group) are in a smaller room most of the morning, the "pink" room, and the bigger girls are in the "Purple" room. At the end of the day and for the performance at the end of the week, they all go into the purple room to practice their dances. Gloria will not dance in the purple room. She does great in the pink room, but when they move to the purple room, she just stands still as a board the whole time! Silly girl!

Dance Camp!

All 3 girls have dance camp this week. (It is Gloria's first time to go!) They seemed to really enjoy the first day and were very cute! Stephen and I managed to hold the fort down here without them.

Getting ready
Pretty


Silly


I was a little concerned at first leaving Gloria because she looked a little uncertain, and some of the children in her group were crying, but when I got there to watch the end of class she was all smiles and having lots of fun!

Swimming with Friends

We had the blessing of swimming with some sweet friends this morning...
Swim buddies


All the girls (the two boys...one brother from each family, were otherwise entertaining themselves)

Big Rig Day at the Library

We missed this last year but just happened to go to the library yesterday and found out it was this morning. I was surprised that the girls remembered so much about it. They were so excited this morning and had lots of fun.

The only two bold enough to get in the helicpter


This little talking remote control fire engine was by far the favorite attraction (along with the free popsicles!)


BIG tractor wheel...Stephen was really interested in this tractor


Handling the excavator...they actually got to maneuver it!

Dance of the Irish

Allia has been working on this song for a few weeks now and really likes it. (It is the one she played at Lita's house with Austin's choir director). She can now play it by memory, with her eyes closed and can transpose it into different keys! She amazes me (and makes me a little jealous...wish I could play piano like that! ;) )

My cuties

Loveseat for 4? Will it fit 5?


Stephen is having a tough time transitioning from 2 naps to 1. He needed his paci this morning...and some sisterly comfort. :)

A new little heart

beating in our home! Yes, there is another baby baking, due to arrive mid January. Everyone is hoping for a boy for Stephen's sake, except for Gloria who insists, "But I need a sister." We will see!