My Neighborhood ROCKS!

It has taken a while, but I FINALLY feel so at home in the neighborhood. We have been having such a fun summer together w/ softball, girls night out at Park City, and now.. one of our neighbors bought a COOL water slide from Costco and they put it up once a week or so and invite all the kids in the hood to play. Here are some pictures of it. Judson and Carma LOVE it and I enjoy chatting w/ all the moms (and Shane- the stay at home dad) It wears the kids out too which produces better naps. Win win for all.

Another neighbor set up a projector screen on the outside of the house and we all watched "Nacho". The weather was awesome, the kids behaved, and it was so nice! We might make it a weekly thing. It is funny b/c at church we had combined meeting and there was a huge projector screen set up in the cultural hall. Carma was so excited and said "I watch Nacho! Nacho funny! I Like Nacho!" She must have said "Nacho" at least a dozen times. It was funny and people were laughing b/c she wasn't quiet about it. She was suppose to be in Nursery, but a kid threw up in Nursery and scared her.. I am glad they brought her to me b/c HELLO I don't want her to be sick again!

We went to a garage sale and got her 2 princess dresses for .50c. She LOVES them and we have to bribe them off of her w/ other "Princess" clothes. She cracks me up and I can't wait to see her at Disney Land w/ all the princess stuff. Our neighbors have 3 girls and TONS of princess stuff and I couldn't get her to come home the other night b/c she was having so much fun, then I realized that we don't have any princess stuff over here. I need to get some things.

Judson had his first soccer game of the season Saturday. On Thursday he asked when it was going to be Saturday and I said "In two days, are you excited about Mario's birthday. And he said "no, my Soccer game" which is a big deal b/c he was really excited about Mario's party too. Michael said he has improved so much since last year and his coach said he kicks it further than any of the kids on the team. I missed the game b/c it was my long run and I didn't get home till almost 8:30. I will take pictures next week. Maw-maw will get to see it!! Hurray!

Carma scared of fireworks.

I love that she was convincing herself that she liked them.
I wish I would have gotten the shot of her RUNNING away from them.. that was PRICELESS.
YEP, Kiki jr. here. Scared everything, including her own shadow!!

Happy Pioneer day!!

I hope everyone had a happy pioneer day!

Girls Night Out Karaoke!

We had SO MUCH FUN! It was so fun to see some of the girls in a different light too.. and Amiee ROCKS!!
I forgot how good she was.
It was so fun to see Jamie again too!
Amiee, Thanks for hauling that huge machine to my party!! Don't worry, you didn't hog the mic THAT much! And everyone LOVE to hear you sing!!

Flu bug bites hard!

The flu has been going around in our subdivision.. and ward. Well, I was surprised when a week passed and we had no signs... but I shouldn't have counted my chickens before they hatched. Carma was up from 2:00am- 8:30am puking every hour on Saturday night. FUN!! She was done after getting 4 sheets, 5 towels, 4 change of clothes and my hair covered in puke. But she is feeling better now, but I am not. I actually spent all last week thinking I was pregnant~ I am not and was surprised to find myself so disappointed that I wasn't. I hope to feel better soon so I can start training for the half again b/c it is getting REALLY close.

But other than that I had a great week other than the sick days.
Thursday was my Girls night out. I hosted a Karaoke party and it was SOOO FUN!!
Friday Michael had his Nerd night out and Judson spent the night at Mario's. So I had another girls night at my house. Nikki, Pinky and Carolina were here. Nikki was so nice and gave Pinky an hour massage and I waxed Carolina's eyebrows and did her and Pinky's make-up. It was so fun just being girls. Then Pinky and I watched the North and the South (and English film) until 3:30am. Michael came home around 1:00 and went back out to buy Harry Potter.
Saturday we went to Michaels company picnic. It was pretty fun, then we came back home and I was lazy all day b/c I didn't feel well. Michael ready Harry Potter ALL DAY, that is OK b/c I know that Eclipse comes out Aug 7 and I will need the same treatment. :)
Sunday was our anniversary and we didn't do a dang thing b/c we didn't get more than 3 hours of sleep due to the puking episode. We didn't even go to church. I cleaned ALL day b/c I was freaked out about the germs and of course I had LOADS of laundry to do. I guess it takes a puke fest to motivate me to clean like that.
Monday Michael and I went to see HAIRSPRAY. It was SOOO HILARIOUS!! Every time John Travolta was on the screen I couldn't help but bust out laughing. I totally recommend seeing it. Michael even enjoyed it. Carolina passed her drivers learning permit test.. hurray. Carolina helped Judson make a giant fort in the living room. It is cute but it has caused more fights between Judson and Carma than any toy in the house ever did. He is constantly yelling at her b/c she is ruining it and she is yelling back at him. ARGHHH
Tuesday I finished cleaning and then we went to a July 24th celebration at Michael's co-workers house, but had to leave early due to wanting to puke. But I got some cute pictures before I left.. I also made a YUMMY desert... here are some pictures of the week.

Carrot Family

The Tolman's grew these in their garden a couple of years ago and I just came across them in my files and HAD to share them. I think they are so funny b/c Darlynn picked them at the same time and second of all b/c if THEY thought it was funny then maybe I am not so bad either.. know what I mean?
I have to share them in sequence for you to get the full effect... 1 one is baby carrot, 2 one is mama carrot, 3 one is daddy carrot, 4 one is carrot family.

Arts and Crafts day

We had Arts and craft day at our house yesterday, I had Mario, Hunter and Diego at first, then Allyssa, Oliva and McKaylla came over. I was surprised at how long the kids painted, at least 2 hours~ needless to say I have paint all over my kitchen. But it was all worth it.

I have to write the FUNNIEST thing. Well a couple.
Judson was begging for Pizza last night and I told him NO! He said "AWWW MOM! and pouted". Alyssa (neighbor girl who is crushin' on Judson) hopped up immediately, ran home and came back with one slice of pizza just for him. (Mind y'all that there were 5 other children there- who were sorely disappointed, but she only had eyes for him) I wish y'all could have seen this child's face as she handed him the pizza. She just stood back and enjoyed, watching him with such gratification that she could please her man. It was THE CUTEST thing! I am LOL just thinking about it!!!
OH this same girls mom came over and said "I hear that Judson and Alyssa were talking about boobs and Judson told him that they aren't boobs until they get bigger". I was like "WHAT!" So I talked to Judson last night and I asked "WHAT were you telling Alyssa and WHY were you talking about boobs ~trying to remain Calm as a Cucumber while doing so and reassuring him that he wasn't in trouble and I wasn't mad, I just had to know what was said and why. He said they were just talking about it and that he told her they weren't called boobs they were called "Breast". HAHAHA I was trying not to laugh, but I did. I told him, yes, that name is much more respectable and that is exactly the right term. We were laughing by the time it was over.

Cute story about my smarty pants (but no motor skills) Carma. Carolina was writing her name and said "K-A-R-M-A" and Carma said "C". Isn't she so smart!!! She is only 2 and knows how to spell her name. I have to admit that Michael sings her this song "Her name is Carma, Carma, that is her little name, her name is Carma, Carma. C-A-R-M-A". And I write it for her quite a bit. But still.....AND she can count to 20 all by herself; most of the time. AND knows her ABC song. But she still has a hard time sitting on a chair w/out falling off..hahahaha or running w/out falling. Her poor little knees are always scratched up.

Insects are amazing!

We finally caught our praying mantis! We have been searching for one for a couple of weeks. Our neighbor was nice enough to call us when he noticed one on his driveway. Judson was ecstatic! We have been feeding it several different bugs: flies, ladybugs, moths, grasshoppers. It is a pretty amazing insect. In this picture it is eating a fly. One of our neighbors, a biology teacher, told us that it will stink if we put it on our bug collection b/c it is carnivorous. Gross huh! OK, enough about bugs, I promise!

We went swimming at Aunt Aprils house on Friday. Carma is a little fish! She begs to get in the water as soon as we arrive and doesn't want to get out. I have some pictures but they are on Carolina's camera. I will post them soon.

Saturday I was gone most of the day running errands and helping at a friends wedding, but dad took Judson to Lowe's make another craft. They made a truck together but I didn't get a picture.

We are eating at Rachelle and Jons for dinner. I made beans, went through the enitre process of rinsing, soaking over night, started cooking them this morning, (even fried bacon to make refried beans with them later) only TO BURN THEM! I hate when I do that!!! And now my entire house smells like burnt beans!

Hallelujah!!

It's raining!

Y'all should send all the rain from Louisiana up to us. We need it desperately! It is sprinkling (and they call it thunderstorms) but I will take rain in any form these days.

Summer Time fun!

Dancing Carma

Busy Summer

I thought once school was out we would settle down, but I was WRONG. We are so busy, sometimes I feel like a chicken w/ my head cut off. But I would take busy over bored ANY DAY!

This week we have had fun. Carolina moved in with us on Sunday. I fixed up the basement so she can live there more comfortably. I will have to take a picture and post it, it looks better than I thought it would and she really appreciates it. Judson and Carma LOVE having her here and she says she doesn't get homesick when she is with us b/c she feels part of the family. That was so sweet and I am glad I can help her so much.

We had fun with paper mache at the neighbors house. We made hot air balloon pinata. We still have to paint them, we may do that today. I will post a picture of the finished product. But here are some pictures of the mess. We were covered with flour/water mixture, but it was all worth it.

Yesterday we went to the Library, here is a picture of Judson near the honeysuckles. Every time we go that is the first place he wants to run to. 3 weeks ago we saw a hummingbird and hope to see one there again soon. I taught Judson how we used to suck the honeysuckle when we were little, he thinks it is pretty cool. I want to plant a honeysuckle bush outside. I LOVE IT!

Judson has completed his baseball season, he is sad about it. We will have to find other activities while we wait for soccer to start. Bug collecting takes up quite a bit of his time these days.

As far as the rest of the family, Carma is definitely TWO! She loves to demand everything, bosses everyone around and is starting to hit. We have to nip that habit, (but it is always so funny when she does it, but I know it wont stay funny for long). She is dancing more and adding new moves to her routine and it is WAY TOO CUTE! This kids gets more dirty than anyone (except myself). He came home the other day and she did have a homeless look to her (Judson said she looked like she didn't have a mom-hahaha). Michael called her Dumpster Dolly. I even washed her hair that afternoon. But my theory is this: you can only have crazy hair with stuff on your face for a few years of your life and have it be cute and not be labeled as NUT CASE. I tell her,and let her, take advantage of this time in her life and she does.

Last week

We were so busy last week that I didn't have a chance to write much.. and I forgot to take the camera most places.
July 4
We went to the Stadium of fire. It was fantastic! Our friends gave us free tickets and I still didn't really want to go. (I don't like crowds, traffic or Brooks and Dunn)but with encouragement from Michael I went anyway. I am so glad I did b/c it was a fantastic show, there were so many other performances. There were HUNDREDS of little girls dancing, it was cute. Over live broadcast there were soldiers that were in Afghanistan and they hadn't seen their families in 14 months. Then their family members sang and got to talk to them. It was so sweet ~ and of course I cried. Then the rocket guy went around... I thought it was lame... but Judson loved it. The guy from high school musical performed.. cheesy, but it was so funny to see all the little girls that danced FREAKING out over him. Brooks and Dunn put on a better show than I anticipated, but they are still too twangy for me. Pinky said it was close to 40 minutes of fireworks. It was amazing. There were almost too many, but it was so beautiful. The last part of the show there was a choir singing patriotic songs and it was SO BEAUTIFUL!!! I am so grateful to be an American! I love this country!!
July 5
Michael took the day off and we went to the Tolmans ALL day. There was a breakfast at 6:30 am.. but we didn't get there until 8:30. His aunt is in town from out east and we only see them every other year or so. We also went to see RATATOUILLE. It was really cute. Some parts they could have left out b/c kids will watch it OVER and OVER and repeat it, but for the most part I really liked it. We left Carma with the Rachelle b/c Carma wont watch movies. I think Judson really enjoyed having us to himself both at the movies and at the Stadium of fire. He held our hands the entire time. It was cute. Then we went back to the Tolman's and had a big family dinner. I wish I would have taken may camera b/c there was so cute photo ops.
July 6
We were going to have all the cousins over while their parents went on dates, but everyone ended up staying and we played Settlers of Catan. That game just doesn't get old! I love it. Michael won.. AGAIN. Then Garrett and Renton spent the night.
July 7
Every first Sat of the month Home Depot has a free project for kids to do. Michael took Judson, Garrett and Renton and here are the picture of them painting them at home. Cute huh! I had to spend the day catching up on neglected housework.. YUK!

Happy Birthday Nonnie

Happy birthday!!
here are the kiddies singing for you. Carma would sing for you all day if you were here.
(Judson just watched this video and was cracking up at Carma hitting him. He made me rewind it at least 20 times. Sassy girl!! )
Sorry I was so late getting this too you today but we just got back from the Tolmans and movies. We were gone all day and have to leave in a few minutes to go there again. (Aunt Elise is in town).

It is HOTTER THAN HECK HERE!! Sweating just typing and the air conditioners are struggling.

I want to share about Stadium of fire but I really have to go cook something for the dinner.

Baseball

Silly Carma

Judson's baseball game

Catching up

I was so busy last week that I didn't have time to post.
Lets see. The Calmes spent a night Tues and Wed. We had so much fun! We went to the Library on Wed.. Judson like it much better with kids his own age. Chad Calmes was nice enough to go with him. They made fun sticky colored syrup. We also checked out 5 books about bugs. I have learned so many things about insects. Judson also had a baseball game. Some of the pics are posted. It was nice to have Carolina, Allison and Chad there b/c I actually got to watch the game. Michael usually pitches so I can't enjoy it b/c I am chasing Nutsy around.

We spent another day catching bugs at Grandma's house on Friday. Michael and I also had our last baseball game.. so sad. I think we will play in the fall league too. Here are our shirts, cute huh? I should have had Michael stand on the other side.. our numbers make our anniversary date. AWWWW We worked on the yard on Saturday and Michael took the kids swimming at Jaren's. We went to Grandma's on Sunday. I know we did so much more, but that is all I can remember. I also read a book "These is my words". That kept me busy.. GOOD book though. Highly recommend it!! I am sad when the book ends, but I am also relieved to get back to my life b/c it takes over.

Today we went swimming at Jaren's and Aprils. The kids LOVE it. Judson learned how to go under and is getting braver and better in the water. Carma LOVES the water.. she instinctively knows how to doggy paddle and LOVES it. I couldn't get her out of the pool; but when I did you should have seen her diaper (we were out of swimmy diapers). It was HUGE!! I will have to take my camera next time. I think I will take them at least once a week. The pool is SO nice too b/c it isn't in the sun and the temperature is just right!! April also colored my hair.. I can't wait to style it now. It was getting pretty bad. It is so nice to be able to trade babysitting; I am so lucky!!