Summer Update

Well it's been another month, so here we go with another update!  It's been a busy summer and I can't believe we're already halfway through July.  So here are a bunch of pictures from June!

Swim Lessons!  The kids all did great and had so much fun.

Mia fell asleep reading one night.  She regularly stays up until 10 (even though they are in bed by 8:30).
She likes to read, play with toys, change her clothes, and come out to tell me how she's not even tired.  Meanwhile Ava will be in the same room totally asleep.  She'll be able to sleep anywhere for the rest of her life after sharing a room with Mia!

Mia's bed.  She had to show me how she tucks in all her babies.  I try to sneak some toys off the bed, but the next time she cleans her room she'll find the toys and they'll end up back on the bed.

David's nephew Zach got married!  It was a crazy busy weekend with all sorts of family and wedding stuff, but it was a lot of fun!

The happy couple!

"Mom, take a picture of me with Millie!"

4th of July!  The kids and I went to the parade and found a great spot under a tree so we had shade the whole time.  Later we went to my parents house for hamburgers and swimming and then back to Idaho Falls to watch the big fireworks!  David wasn't feeling well so he stayed home.  He also had to protect Millie from the scary fireworks and they spent the evening down in our basement.  Also, in this picture Asher said "Does Rapunzel have to be in the picture?"  Yes, apparently she does. 

Yearly picture before the parade with each of the kids.

This guy is Idaho Falls High School's biggest fan.  He goes to all the games and dresses up in his tiger pants (Tigers are their mascot) and is usually in the parade with all the cheerleaders!

There were about 3 different cybertrucks in the parade.

My nephews Nathan and Zach performing with the marching band!

Ava spent the last half of the parade watching an ant pull a big piece of popcorn into it's hole.  

This was my favorite float!  The local aquarium always brings out snakes and parrots and lots of cool stuff.  They let people pet the snakes as they walk down the road.

And this year they had mermaids which Mia and Ava were super excited about!

I looked forward to this one the most!

Andy, Jayda, and Grandma.  Jayda really does not like me...but someday I might win her over!

I was about to run to the grocery store, but after I got in the car I realized I forgot to look at what we needed.  I asked Asher to run inside and take a picture of the list.  He was taking forever and when he finally got back in the car he handed me my phone with this picture.  He added an Xbox, Wii, and PS5 to the shopping list... He did get a picture of the real list and we did not buy any of the consoles. ;)

One last story.  About 3 years ago I started an exercise program.  It's a lot more strength training and no running which is good because I super hate running.  As part of the program, the lady that runs it also tries to do a lot of education on health and building muscle and things like that.  I really like the program because she stresses so much that you shouldn't exercise to lose weight and try to be super skinny, but you should exercise to be healthy and strong.  So over the past 3 years I've gained so much more muscle and gotten healthier and tried to stress to my kids that it doesn't matter if you're skinny or fat, you should just focus on being healthy.  

When I would workout and my kids were around, they would always be in my way and throwing toys around and asking me if I can get them a drink or a snack or I'd have to break up fights, so it was really frustrating trying to workout with them around.  But I kept telling myself that I was just trying to teach them by example that we should try to be healthy.  And when we would eat dinner and they'd complain about the food, I'd try to tell them that chicken has protein in it and that helps you build strong muscles or that vegetables have lots of good things in them to help you grow up strong and then they'd make me google which vitamins are good for which parts of your body.  I'd still let them have treats and ice cream and popsicles, but I'd have them eat an apple first.  

And up until a month ago I really thought all that was going in one ear and out the other and they could not care less about any of it.  But one day, out of the blue, Asher and Mia came up with their own exercise routine and it wasn't long before Ava joined in as well.  So 4-5 times a week, we all go downstairs and workout together!  I do mine and they do theirs.  They do squats and pushups and use dumbbells and exercise bands and by the end Asher is sweating (he does 2 rounds and the girls only do 1) and he has to go take a shower.  And they started talking about how they want to have more protein with their meals and googled what meals have protein.  I still get toys thrown at me and have to break up fights and I still usually get someone trying to sit on my while I'm stretching, but it makes me so happy to see that at least one thing I have said has sunk in!  I really hope this lasts, but even if it doesn't I'll just enjoy while it does!

Catching Up

Time has just flown by these past couple of months and I have not been keeping up.  So here's some pictures of the events of the past little while!

David took his orchestra to Disneyland and bought the kids some souvenirs! The last time he went he got Asher the Captain America pillow and this time he got him a lightsaber!   It's pretty good quality and Asher was so excited when he got it.

My nephew Henry had to do a project in his 1st grade class where he sent us Flat Stanley so we could show him our city.  My kids had fun with this.  Here he is with us at the Orthodontist.

Here he is at ballet class.

Here he is riding Millie while the kids get ready to head out for the bus.

In front of the Idaho Falls fountain.

In front of this cool fountain in the middle of a roundabout.

In front of the falls in Idaho Falls!

And last, here he is helping Asher practice cello!

I end up with a lot of pictures of Millie on my phone.
And she is often dressed up and/or being smothered. 

My kids liked to leave their mark on my car while heading for the bus.

When it was finally warm enough we could go on a bike ride and the kids got to swing!

"Mom, take my picture!"

First time seeing a Cybertruck in the wild.  My personal opinion is it's super ugly,
but it definitely stands out.

Birthday pics!  We went to church, opened presents, had lots of goodies, and played games!

7 Years old

They grow up so fast!

I am so glad Wal-Mart sells small cakes so they can each pick out their own.

Don't ask me why Ava is making that face...

Asher downloaded a new keyboard on my phone and put this as the background for it. 
Some days this is true...

Last orchestra concert!  It was a little bit of a rough start for Asher, but he has done so well!

He did not enjoy it at first, but by the end of the year he was saying that orchestra was one of his favorite classes.

Supporting big bro!

This is Asher's 5th grade teacher.  I see her at so many extra-curricular things supporting her students!  Asher had a rough year and I had many conversations with her trying to figure out the best way to help him.  She was always so supportive and encouraging.  I think Asher's going to miss Mrs. Mushala!

Ice cream after the concert.  Their favorite tradition.

I helped chaperone one of Asher's field trips!  It was hot and we walked around all day, but I had fun hanging out with this goober.

Big wall of animal heads!

It was extra hot in here, but also smelled amazing.

Asher was worried Millie was cold.  And then had to take a picture so he could show his sisters.

Ava picks out the best outfits.  This was her choice for school one day.  I can't decided if the fur-lined boots (in May) or the St. Patrick's Day giant bow headband is my favorite. 
But it totally fits her personality!

We were out running errands as a family one day.  David went inside a store while we waited. 
It was chaotic.  And very typical.

Cemetery on Memorial Day visiting my grandparents.  We also got there just in time to watch a short bagpiper performance.  

My kids have had a bunch of different bus drivers this year, but the guy that ended the year on the morning route was their favorite. He's probably in his 30's, has long hair and a beard, and is always joking around with the kids. We're the last stop before they go to the school and on the last morning after our stop got on, he pulled the bus over and let all the kids have a 2 minute paper snowball fight. Also, for some reason throughout the year the kids would start chanting "sacrifice" (I have no idea why), but they got in trouble for doing that so instead they would chant "sack of rice". That same bus driver handed all the kids a sack of rice as they got on the bus.

Millie got pigtails.

And bracelets.

Dance recital!  The girls have really loved doing ballet this year.  I really wanted them to have something fun to learn and also help with their balance and coordination a little bit.  They had a great teacher, loved going to class, and overall had a really positive experience!

Grandma bought them flowers, which they totally loved.

My little ballerinas!

On my nightly walks with Millie I have made a new friend.  About half the time I pass her house, Sally is outside waiting for me and comes over for a quick scratch.  She is not intimidated by Millie and swats at her if she gets too close.  ;)

Gave all the kids a haircut!  It was about a month overdue, but I finally got it done.  I cut about 6 inches off the girls hair (which they did ask for).  It will be much nicer to have the short hair for summer!

Ava especially loves her haircut and shows it off to everyone.  I'm getting better and better at doing haircuts and can even put a few layers in!

Cress Creek Trail!  One of our favorite hikes.  Mia forgot her hat so she took Asher's and Asher took David's.  And yes, my girls do hike in dresses.  Of course.

It was such a good day!

Asher said climbing this hill was his favorite part of the hike.  It's right next to a small stream and has lots of things to climb on.

Such cuties!

Well hopefully it won't take me another 3 months to update again, but we have a busy summer ahead of us so you never know!