Swimming with the DeGraff's

On the same day as our Ward picnic my friend Hollie had texted me & asked if we wanted to go to their house to go swimming.  We had just eaten dinner & I convinced Brad that it would be fun for the boys.  We got the boys ready to swim & then we were off.  They live not too far & if it wasn't so hot out already we could've walked...but I'm into walking...not Brad...hahaha.  Their pool is above ground & they have a play structure with a slide & they made it so you can go down the slide into the pool.  Well, Blake just wanted to swim but Sonny definitely wanted to go down the slide.  So he did....quite a few times actually.  The only thing I was worried about was him falling off the side of the slide because it was a little high but he did fine & he would only let Emily (a yw from the ward) catch him & he would wait for her even though the other kids wanted to catch him too.  Sooooo.....here's a little video of one of his slides....

Just some shots of the kids playing in the pool.

I think Blake is on the other side somewhere in his innertube.  Sonny's in his too. 

 Those innertubes were the BEST thing I bought this summer!!!

Anyway we had a fun night & Hollie & I ditched our husbands & made them "BOND" while we went to get pizza.  I hope that we can have more friendly adventures like this because it was fun & I think Brad had a good time too & we all know how picky Brad can be :)

Thanks for inviting us over!!!

Ward Picnic

Since the 4th of July was on a Sunday this year many wards celebrated by having picnics on Saturday...the day before.  Unfortunately I was not able to participate in the "Run 4 Independence" with my friend Sarah this year (no $ for registration) so I decided that me & the boys should walk up to the Church.  It's really not that far & even though it was hot, we had fun.  Blake rode his bike & Sonny rode in the wagon.  It was good & I even did it in flip flops.  Stupid choice but I just couldn't wear my running shoes with the cute skirt I was wearing.  I know, I know...but although my feet hurt at the end of the day I survived.  Anyway it's about 3 miles round trip so I did get my 5k in.  We got there a little early so the boys were running around with some of their friends in the ward.  I'm so glad that I can let them run around & have fun without worrying about them every second.  Don't get me wrong...I do check on them but they are old enough that I don't have to hold their hands for everything.  Well...I think the turnout was pretty good & the food was great.  Thank goodness for Chloe who kept Sonny busy during the presentation!!  It was a fun day visiting with friends & family members who live in the ward.  Sonny went home a little early with Grammy Sisa & then Blake & I headed home.  Next time I won't wear a skirt so I can wear my running shoes :)

(click on images to see larger)

Here's me & my good friend Hollie @ the picnic.

Here's me & my fabulous Aunt Jeanne. 

Doesn't she look fabulous?!! 

She has lost a ton of weight & is now skinnier than me!!

Way to go Aunt Jeanne!!!

Red, White & Blue Parade

For the past few years the little city that I grew up in (& live in currently) has a fun Red, White & Blue parade.  It's ususally the weekend before the 4th of July.  The last time I was able to take the boys was probably 2 years ago.  It always seems to be the Saturday that I'd be coming home from camp.  But not this year!!  Soooo...bright & early on the Saturday morning we got up & got dressed & headed out to meet the other family members that would be joining us.  We got there 1st...of course...:)
Grammy got some balloons for the kids to hold on to & Sonny just loved his.
Here he is with his precious balloon.

Here are my decked out Red, white & blue boys with their balloons.

Here are a few pictures from our fun time at the parade.  I was only able to get a few as the stinking batteries in my camera finally died & I didn't have any spares....dang!!  At least I got these :)  (thinking positive).

Sonny & his fish face

Me & my Blake

(of course being silly....this boy is so lucky to have such great coloring!!)

Me & Sonny

(he's not sleeping...just closing his eyes for the picture)

I'm so glad we got to go & celebrate our country. 

I really want my boys to be grateful for the land in which we live. 

We truly are lucky to live here & to have the FREEDOM that we do. 

we will be able to do this again next year too.

After the parade we ran into SEARS & I got a new bathing suit top because after we went to Wal-Mart we were off to our cousin Gabreal's 2nd Birthday Party.  He shares his birthday with Uncle Shane.  No pictures from the Birthday party because I was in the pool most of the time.  We had lots of fun & got lots of sun too :)  What a great day!!

A Domino Sick Day

Don't you love it when you start to notice that your child is acting a little "funny"?
 Not the funny haha kind---the funny, what's wrong kind. 
I hate it. 
Well....this this very thing happened about 2 weeks ago.
At 1st I didn't think much of it but started thinking something was wrong when Sonny said he was freezing & wanted to be wrapped up in a snugly blanket on a really hot day.  And he didn't really want to do much...but he did want to play with the dominoes.  I thought that was a great idea & he had lots of fun playing by himself.



Setting up the dominoes in the right order.

All set up & ready for the....

 

KNOCKDOWN!!!

Aren't dominoes fun?!!

And the process begins again.  He had fun doing this for a little bit...and I'm glad.

Later in the day he kept saying his tummy hurt &  he had a fever & then yes...you guessed it...he
"tossed his cookies".
Oh how I hate puke (probably more than poopy messes...I know...weird...they're both gross).
 Anyway...at least it happened on the hardwood floor & not the carpet. (Little miracles).
Unfortunately this little bug of his did get passed to the kids I babysit but not as bad & then Blake threw up the following week but I'm not really sure if the 2 were related.  It was to be expected but I still feel bad when any of the kids get sick...it's so hard to make them feel better.  But...they are all well now.  Yay!!

Ugly T-shirts & Father's Day

The night before Father's Day my ward had an EQ activity.  It was an ice cream social & an Ugly T-shirt contest.  Brad being the great dad that he is got out some white t-shirts for the boys & asked where the glitter glue was & made shirts for Blake & Sonny.  Thank goodness he was on top of it cuz I don't think I would've thought about it til it was too late.  Here's Blake's as Sonny was opposed to taking another picture.

Genious...I know!!!

Here's a picture of my 3 boys with their ugly t-shirts.

Now....I know that Brad's Twilight is far from ugly but it was funny because it's my

shirt & just a little too tight for him....hahaha.

(2 more days!!!

oh my gosh are you so excited!!!)

Well, we had fun socializing & eating ice cream....although it was unusually breezy on this particular evening.  It's nice to have opportunities to get to know members of the ward a little bit better & maybe make a new friend or two.

Now....on to Father's Day!!!

This is a sign that I had the boys help me decorate & the card I made by Shutterfly.

Now....I always have a difficult time shopping for my dear Brad.  He's tough to shop for & I never feel like my gifts measure up.  This year I was paying attention.  He's been playing a game called "Fallout 3" & mentioned that he really liked the music that played throughout the game & he'd like to have a cd.  Well I started searching the web & it was difficult & it took many days but I was finally led to the playlist.  I wrote everything down & finally ( I know...procrastination is my middle name) started putting it together after the ice cream social.  I wasn't able to get all of the songs on the cd only because the free songs I downloaded wouldn't transfer over...but they are on a playlist that can be synced to the itouch & ipod & I did get 13 songs out of the 20 onto the cd.  So there you have it...he knew what I was doing only because I did it while he was in the other room but I still think he liked it nonetheless.  We had a nice day at church & then after we went to Grandmother & Grandad's for a BBQ & some swimming.

We had a fun time visiting with family. 
And I just want to say that I myself am grateful that I have a great dad!!  I'm grateful for all he's done for me while growing up & all he continues to do now & being a great grandpa!!  I'm grateful to my husband Brad for being a good Dad & I'm happy for the fun stuff he does with our boys.
I know it's a week late but
HaPpY fAtHeR's DaY!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We ♥ U!!

Sonny's Talk

About 2 weeks ago Sonny was assigned to give a talk in Primary.
Since this was his 2nd time giving a talk I knew what to do.
Do not whisper to him because he will just whisper into the mic & then
everyone will think it's cute & laugh & then he will get mad & think they are making fun of him.
This happened the last time.
And make it short & sweet. Not hard to do. I had his talk memorized.
I also gave a talk in Sacrament meeting on the same day. Mine however, was not memorized.
Soooo...Sonny & I gave talks on the same day.
Well...Sonny was so excited when it was his turn to speak.
We went up to the little podium in the Children's Primary room & he said very clearly into the mic..."Heavenly Father"
(this is how we begin our prayers at home). It was so cute & then I proceeded to tell him what to say & he did it.
He did so well & I was beaming from ear to ear.
We have a small primary so it seems that Blake & Sonny are giving talks or prayers almost every month.
I don't mind...I think it gives them good practice at public speaking & they will be ahead of the game when they have to speak in front of their classes at school.
Anyway...I took these when we got home from Church.
He's 3 years & 8 months old...he's growing so fast.

120 Miles *Update*

This week was an ok week for my CHALLENGE.  But at least I still got myself out there & moving.  Which was hard because now I don't have to get up quite so early since school's out.  But I did it & that's what counts.  I also finished day 3 of week 5 on the Couch to 5k program!!  That means I walked for 5 minutes (for warmup) & then jogged for a full 20 minutes (out on the street...not the treadmill) & then finished up with a 5 minute cooldown.  I am proud of myself :)  It's also nice to go in the morning right after I wake up.  It's nice & cool.  I did also go for a walk in the evening & had Blake ride his bike while I pulled Sonny in the wagon.   I think I also really dropped 1 more pound so that puts me @ 6 pounds lost. 

Slow & steady wins the race.

My update:  I walked or jogged 8.81 miles this week.

I am at 31.49 miles toward 120 miles.