updates are coming

Complete with picture overload. As soon as I can collect them all, you'll get to see all the fun things we did and why we drive more than 3000 miles to visit these places. And it's not the places that make it fun and worthwhile, it's the friends and family. Can't wait for next year! :)

4th of July!

 Lucky Jeff got to work from home on Monday the 4th. Thank goodness we had swim lessons, then headed to McD's playland for 2 hours. We had plans to go to Sorensens, but they canceled and it was shaping up to be a lame holiday for us. I love the 4th and normally we celebrate in Idaho Falls, but the last couple years have been here. Last year was a blast, but for whatever reason, firework shows were held up to 2 days before the 4th......so we missed them. But I tried my best to make it a fun day even if Jeff had to work.

 so, we stuffed our little faces

 crammed in the play place for a photo op

 posed for more photos

 After playing there - I'd reached my limit on the noise and the food - it was time to go. Headed home for naps. Thankfully Angie called and said they were ready to party - yeah!!! Still Jeff had to work, so out on our own and very late in the evening, but we still swam, then ate outside until we were attacked by a bat and the kids were FREAKED OUT! me too, but I braved the outside to collect all our swim stuff. Jeff finally arrived around 10 and we made our way outside to play with fireworks.

 Abbey wanted nothing to do with this - notice she's not in the picture, she ran in the house before we even started.

 I finally convinced her to watch and watch she did. just like that - the whole time. haha! you'd think with how loud they(my kids, not the fireworks) are, that noise wouldn't bother them.

 SPARKLERS!

 

 Ammo not so sure

 

 What's a party without jumping over flames?!

 slightly smaller flames

 Jeff needed to get in on the 'blowing things up' party

 sweet girl

'are we almost done?!'

one of my favorite pictures of the evening - ammo just chillin' with his dad.

Happy 4th of July!

slide - yeah!!!

 Last year at El Prado pool, there was a really cool slide - the kids loved it and it was shallow enough they didn't need too much help getting to the side (except for the current that pushed them towards the middle of the pool)

This year: slide=deep end and much needed help

Abbey's class went - the first session, the teacher asked who wanted to go, only 2 went. This time, he just took them all and up the stairs they went - looks like fun huh!? Only one said he wasn't going - Abbey's friend Soren. He may have been the only smart one.....how bad could it be??

 Mason Farris - the slide is SUPER fast! (Abbey's class was waiting for the bigger kids to go down)

 Already in the water.....don't worry Oscar helped her to the side.

 Wanna go again!? noooooooooo.

Lucas' turn!

 Lucas and his friend Shane - they've been in the the same class for 4 weeks, going on week 5. 

Good buddies

Lea was gone to the Science Center with Natasha so I took a picture of another friend Amy - seriously this slide is crazy fast. The kids just shoot out the end. 

Abbey will not be going down again - Lucas won't even go unless it's for class.

that was close

We almost didn't make it through 'Popsicle Day'.....she freaked out trying to swim across the pool. Threw a fit when Miss Erin tried to put her goggles back on and help her swim again. I had to sit with her in the pool while the others got popsicles. But she got back in and did it. Did I get the good one on video? no. Did I get the really horrible one on video? Yes. Will I post it? No - it's breaks my heart. 

I'm very proud of you Abbey for getting back in and earning your popsicle and of course the coupon for free ice cream at Scooptacular!

Haboob

Really? Really, that's the name we're going to stick with?? Couldn't come up with something that actually resembles 'dust storm' or 'SUPER HUGE, GINORMOUS dust storm'. I guess Haboob works.....my guess: the weather guy was trying not to swear and this came out in the process.

Whatever you call it, it was crazy and it came fast and powerful.
Heard today on the radio that 'Haboob' is what they call a major dust storm in Sudan. Here we call them Monsoons. I think I might like Haboob better - takes the 'fear' out the name.

Like a scene from a movie - 'the Mummy' I think has a dust storm like this.

The Lord's power is truly amazing.

 A video Jeff took from the top of the swing set in the back yard. We could see the wall moving towards us. Lost a little power, lost sight of anything 10 feet from the back door, kids are all sleeping in the same room/bed and with flashlights in hand. Jeff hunkered down by the window to watch it all go down.

Just dance 2

 Redbox started renting video games - we picked up Just Dance 2. Awesome!

And who doesn't enjoy a little video entertainment.......love it!

favorite songs: 'Viva Las Vegas', 'Monster Mash'

All around good times. An excellent work out. Normally I FREEZE at the Sorensens, but I was working up a sweat.