Happy Father's Day

We sure love this guy!!!  Happy Father's Day to an incredible husband and fabulous daddy!

The Slow Motion Song

When Aaron started learning the song "Chariots of Fire", Marissa came running (slow motion style) into the piano room and said with much excitement, "THIS IS THE SLOW MOTION SONG!!!!!!" hahaha. She then showed us some of the video games that play this song whenever a victory takes place ... and the video people move in slow motion. So funny. I had no idea ... (I am working Aaron through songs with octaves and chords right now) - but, I love this song so much now!

Growing Like a Weed

Aaron was asked to take care of the neighbor's yard while they were away on vacation for a week.  He mowed their lawn twice ... and weeded their park strip.

SO. MANY. WEEDS!!

It was a little overwhelming for him:

But, the finished result is SO pretty ... what an accomplishment!!  Look how long that strip is ... both sides of the driveway.  Way-ta-go, bud!!

 

And, he made 20 dollars too.  What a stud.  Why is it, ya think, that my flowers struggle to bloom and grow, and yet weeds grow like crazy all over?  Drives me in sane!!

A Face Without Freckles is Like a Night Without Stars

Just some random pictures I haven't posted of this krazy kook of ours:

Krystal told us that this is what she'll look like when she's kissing her boyfriend and thinking "Whatever!" all at the same time:   ?????  hahahahaha

Hair-dos as per Krystal's requests:

 

Here is Krystal dancing her way to us in the car after school ... singing at the top of her lungs .... "I'm a leprachaun!"  She keeps us laughing!

The first two strawberries from Krystal's garden!!  She was so excited and gobbled them up for breakfast the very morning she picked them:

Krystal's a kook and we are so happy that she is OURS!!  We are in love with her cute freckled nose and cheeks, her crazy personality and sense of humor, and even her stubborn and demanding attitude!

Camp Jeremiah Johnson 2011

This place is pretty much heaven on earth for Mr. Aaron!

Here he is in front of the jail, and freezing cold while he listens to some instructions:

His hands were so cold for the first station - sword making - he could hardly put the thing together.  But, 7 or 8:00 in the morning up in the mountains can get pretty chilly!

Let the sword fights begin!

Rain Gutter Regata:

Aaron won ... so, basically he's full of hot air:

The archery station was Aaron's favorite:

This picture totally cracks me up:  :D

Shooting bb guns.  Good thing I wasn't there, because Tyler even got hit with a bb in his leg.  I would be so stressed out in that zone.  Good grief!!

Boatin':

I'm so glad Ty got to go with him another year.  They both have a blast.

Entertainment Tonight

Featuring: Marissa's Weird Elbows :)



I guess ya know it's Summertime when we're this easily entertained.  :)

Just When We Think We're Out of the Woods ...

... Krystal goes and gets sick.  :(  Bless her heart.  We haven't even hardly STEPPED inside the hospital for well over a year, but - I'm sure glad it's there to get my baby better.

Here she is on the way to the pediatrician (that pale face makes for some extra blue eyes and stand-out freckles!):

Our pediatrician (Dr. Neilsen) is fabulous.  I called in the morning to make her an appointment (and got one for 1:45 that afternoon) ... about 10 minutes after I hung up, the nurse called and said that Dr. Neilsen asked her to call and tell us to just bring Krystal in right away (because of her history), so that they could get the ball rolling sooner rather than later.  I'm so grateful for that.  Because it has been a year and a half since we have been through this,  I really was just unsure.  Krystal was so back and forth - I thought she MIGHT be fine making it until 1:45.  Anyway -- blahdeblahblah go my thought processes ...

Dr. Neilsen told us that Krystal would be better off to go to the hospital for a quick fix than trying to wait it out and just (possibly - and most likely) watch her get worse as the day went by.  So, we took her in .... and she was brave during three tries to get an IV inserted.

Just a few hours later, she was starting to perk up:

They then discovered that she had strep throat and were able to get her going on an antibiotic.  Krystal felt a lot better already, and, between resting and movies - we had a pretty boring day while the IV worked it's magic.  We entertained ourselves with this mirror in the hospital table:

Krystal was discharged that evening around 7 or 7:30, and Tyler told her - "you just needed a little tune-up, that's all!"  Her BFF came by just as she was getting her IV out, and that totally made her day!

Krystal still took two more days to recover completely, but this "little tune-up" sure helped her out.  Glad you're feeling better, sis!  Thanks AWESOME Petersons for dinner and help with our other kiddos.  You guys rock!

Bike Rodeo

Well, the Cub Scouts had yet another fabulous pack meeting -- the bike rodeo!!

The kids got their bikes checked thoroughly to make sure they were safe to ride:

 

They reviewed all the safety rules and hand signals of biking:

 

And then they practiced their skills!  (and, are those mountains in the background beautiful, or what?!)

 

The kids had a blast.  And our WHOLE family enjoyed biking to the church together!

Do the Math

Can I just say that this boy brought home a jaw-dropping report card.  Not just straight A's, but straight 100% A's!!  What a kid!

He also received the "Friendliest Boy" Award, which fits.  :)

Yep - after adding it all up, I'm one lucky momma!!

ONE-FOUR!!

My Marissa is growing up faster and faster, it seems!  She had a rockin' birthday party on the day of her birthday - here are some pictures of her with some of her amazing friends:

Playing "Just Dance"  (Seeing all those guys dance was SO funny to me for some reason!  I couldn't stop laughing and had to hide upstairs for awhile.  :))

Pizza and snack zone:

Singing Happy Birthday!

Good buds:

Mario Kart Racing:

 

Hula Hooping.  I tell ya what - lots of hula hoops is a wise investment.  My kids and their friends ALWAYS pull them out to play ... Marissa, Aaron, AND Krystal.  Hula Hoops offer so much entertainment.  :)

They all did some piano playin' too.  (I loved that!)

TEN SQUARE!!!

They ended up in here playing all sorts of things ... mind games type stuff.  They are all hilarious.  Having them over was a blast!  Dee's got good friends, and I know that makes a huge difference in Junior High, so I'm very grateful.

Happy Birthday to my amazing daughter, Marissa!  I can't believe how the years fly by, and I am honored and grateful to claim her as mine.  She is bubbly and kind, funny and hard working, fabulous with kids and good at school, and just an all around terrific person.  I love you so much, Dee!