PMS Crew: July 2012

Summer Activities

Although we have a short summer break due to the modified year round schedule we still try to do fun things. We have enjoyed free programs at the public libraries. The first 3 pictures are of a monarch butterfly show.

We also went to a puppet show of the Tortoise and the Hare/ Bald eagle presentation. A couple that we did that I didn't have my camera for were, Diamondback organist and Baxter / and Lego club.

The kids also worked hard to earn marbles by helping out with chores, doing some deep cleaning, being kind to each other etc. At the end of a few weeks they had earned enough marbles to have a family fun day. We went to see the movie Brave.

Then we went to skateland. This is how Amanda usually spends her time at Skateland.

Natalie prefers to sit at the arcades and "play"

Nathan and Taylor like to skate.

Later Natalie decided to skate and Nathan was taking her around the rink. It is a blurry picture but I love the moment it captured of Nathan checking on Natalie while she looks up to her big brother.

Ready for the cha cha slide.

Nana's Funeral Weekend

On April 30th our Dear Sweet Nana passed away. She lived an amazing 96 years and will truly be missed. My first encounter with Preston was at Nana's dinner table. In the year that Preston and I dated Preston lived with Nana and we were over there with her a lot. She helped both of us make it through college spanish classes by helping us with our homework. We loved to visit her and our kids loved her very much too and we be excited whenever we would mention we were going to visit Nana Great. It is still hard 2 1/2 months later to really believe she has passed away. When we told the kids the next morning that Nana Great had died they were quite sad. Taylor (who was named from Nana's maiden name) took it the hardest. I overheard Nathan's attempt to help Taylor to feel better by saying "Just think of all the things she can do today in heaven that she couldn't do yesterday, like run and jump." I am so grateful that we believe in life after death and we know that Nana is in a better place. The kids wrote some tributes to Nana that I will post on here later. Red was Nana's favorite color so we all tried to wear some red for the funeral.

The kids also made little cards to put in Nana's casket. Nathan's said "Nana you were always so loving to others and always caring. You were never cruel to anybody. You always brought your loving spirit wherever you went.

Taylor and Natalie drew pictures.

Here the kids are putting the cards in.

Each of the grandkids were given a red carnation to put on the top of the casket before burial. Here are pictures of our kids placing there's.

Our family picture after.

That night one of Preston's Aunt and Uncles had a family get together at their house. Here are just 2 pictures of the kids playing that night. There backyard is full of fun things.

Memorial Day Weekend 2012

We went to Eagar for Memorial Day weekend. Of course there was quad riding that took place.

Cousin friendship. :-)

Amanda loved the swing.

Trampoline jumping.

Future cousin buddies with Nana.

We went to a new ice cream place in town.

And of course some rides on the tire swing. I even took a ride this trip but fortunately for all of you no pictures of that event. I am sure it looked like "Big girl in a little tire" So I will just post a cute picture of Natalie riding instead.

End of School Year

Nathan received an award for being on the honor roll every quarter of 4th Grade. Way to go Nathan. FYI It was a spirit day at school that day and they were supposed to dress up like hippies.

Taylor did a program at the end of Kindergarten. They sang some really cute songs mostly about the sea.

Afterwards we gave her some flowers.

Taylor and her AMAZING Kindergarten teacher. We will miss her next year.

Taylor the graduate. :-)

A random picture that Taylor wanted taken of her holding Amanda.

After the program we went to Chick-fil-a for lunch.

I captured a picture of Nathan playing soccer at recess. It was the championship game against the 5th graders and I believe the 4th grade team won.

Mother's Day 2012

I will be honest Mother's Day this year was nowhere near the typical. I will explan later.

Taylor's class did a Mother's Day Tea the Friday before. They sang a couple of really cute songs.

She shared a booklet she had made for me with some pictures.

We decorated ladybug cookies and drank princess tea. (Which were both really good)

I did get some pretty flowers. Part of why this Mother's day was not ideal is Preston got the stomach flu around 4 am on Mother's day Sunday. He tried to make me breakfast but could not finish. His sister and her family were staying at our house for Nana's funeral (another unideal situation) so our Brother in Law finished breakast for me and his wife. Preston did get breakfast in bed that day. (toast and gatorade). I was feeling a little under the weather that day too and it had been a crazy few days before so I got the kids ready for church we went to the first hour so they could sing with the primary. Then we went home got our pajamas on and vegged the rest of the day. (that part wasn't too bad) I did not get the usual picture taken with my kids on Mother's day oh well.

Disney On Ice

In April I was watching the news (actually quite a rarity) and they were talking about Disney on Ice being in town. I thought that would be a fun thing to take Taylor and Natalie to. Since Nathan gets to go to Father and Sons campouts and Snowboarding trips just with Preston I am always looking for fun activities to take the girls to. So I decided to go and called up my friend Hollie to see if she would like to join us with her daughter. She did and it was nice to have some girl time.

Our view of the skaters

The girls really wanted cotton candy. I gave in and bought (aka losing an arm and a leg) one for us to share. It did come with a mickey mouse ears hat so that was kind of a bonus.