Lovin Summer

Yesterday was so nice. Phil was home, the kids were home, and things just went slow. The kids spend some time with their aunt Jera and went swimming. Phil and I worked around the house a little. In the evening we had a BBQ. We bought a small above ground pool, and totally surprised the kids when they came home from Jera's. I can tell, this will be a great summer. Meagan is off with her friends today, she has more of a social life than anyone else in the family. Heidi is doing great at swimming, we bought her a ducky life jacket that has arm floaties. When she's not swimming she's flapping her arms and saying "quack, quack". She wears her swimsuit all day. Porter, who normally wakes up before I do, at 5:00am, slept in till about 7:00am. The kids have been "camping out" in the family room ever since Friday (their last day of school). And today, the boys, who are always reading something, are on the couch watching a bit of TV. Yeap, it's summer. And our major goal is to stay cool and not go crazy.
And by the way, when it comes to taking pictures, I know I have been a bit of a looser. Photographically challenged, some would say. Well, I do have a camera, and now, I even have batteries. So, you should be "seeing" much more of my family this summer. This whole blog thing, it really makes me feel like a real Mom! :)

Summer's Almost Here

This school year has gone by so fast! Last week the kids participated in a school talent show; Porter played the drums, Bryant the Guitar, and Meagan was part of a couple musical performances with other kids in her class. Meagan's whole class sang "A Hard-Knock Life" from Annie. Hilarious! Jera got some of it on video, so I will try and figure out how to upload that. It was fun to see them in action. Meagan also went to a swim party with her school class. This week there is a school celebration on Thursday for all the kids and their families. They have an annual baseball game; kids against teachers. Porter and Bryant are really looking forward to this. (The kids always win.) Porter's going on a scout camp out on Friday night, and the others have a primary party on Saturday. The kids have also been busy with the end-of-school projects that seem to be due all at once. whhh. For many of you, I know this is nothing; but for me, this is crazy. Summer will be nice. I do love the kids being around more. And we have friends with pools: so we should survive the heat!

Still in Arizona

It is May, and by this time, our family wanted to be making plans to move. We have lived here in Arizona now for about 3 years. Time has gone by fast, and we really have loved it here. We were just wanting to live a little closer to other family. But things don't always seem to work out just they way you plan. We are still in Arizona and plan to be here at least for a little while longer. We are happy, and feel like there is still something here for us.
The school year is coming to a close and it is getting hot. Just over a week left, and I am ready. The kids are a little sad, they all love school. They each have plans of all the "school" work they will do this summer. I am not sure Heidi is ready for them to be home all day with us. She misses them when they are at school, but by bedtime, I think she had her fill. Meagan is finishing up the 3rd grade. She loves her teacher. He has been one of those teachers that she will remember the rest of her life. It has been a great year for her. Bryant is finishing up 6th grade and Porter the 7th grade. They have been in a combined class at school this year. Both boys are really into chess and play online whenever they get a chance. Heidi is great, she is 3. I love this age, it is so much fun. Many days I feel she's more than I can handle. Then she'll say something so sweet, and I see for a moment who she really is.