Calypso Cove

Summer has begun! We love being at the pool!

Goodbye Pre-K

Lacey graduated from preschool. She attended for two years and is officially ready for Kindergarten. They had a cute little graduation for them. She has been practicing a song for a month that all of us know very well now. She did great. She also received the award of Sugar and Spice. They said she is a great friend who is always there. She is the first to help someone when they are sad. She is so sweet and very GIRLY. Perfect award for her. I am so happy for her to move up to kindergarten. She wants to be like her brother so bad, riding the bus, reading, writing etc. I did get a little choked up during her graduation. She is such a beautiful girl and I love seeing her progress but it is hard to let them grow up. I can't wait to see how she blossoms as a kindergartener. She is so READY!

A Getaway

While Ryan's mom was in town we planned a little getaway. After the fun at Great Wolf Lodge, she took the kids home and we stayed another night at a different hotel. We went to see Iron Man 2 and also to Maggiano's for dinner. We had been there one other time in Seattle and were very excited to find one in our part of the country. We both had awesome food. Totally planning another trip there.

The next morning we headed to King's Island for a day of Roller Coasters. Our first ride was Firehawk. This one they tip you on your back so you are facing the sky. You climb to the top facing the sky and then it flips you over for the rest of the ride so you feel like you are flying. I was so nervous for this one. I think it was because it was my first ride of the day and it was so different.

Vortex.....................

Invertigo.............

Diamondback.............

After the first ride I was good. We stood in lines for awhile but hit all the rides we wanted to. It was a lot of fun to be just me and Ryan.

We drove home to quickly jump back in the car to take Ryan's mom and brother to Church hill Downs to watch a couple of horse races.

Again, Eva took the kids home and we stayed the night at a hotel right on the waterfront. It was fabulous.

It was such a good break for us. We always enjoy our time alone. Thank you Eva and Nick for making that possible for us. We are grateful.

Great Wolf Lodge

As part of Aidan's birthday celebration and really just a part of Granny's visit, we went to Great Wolf Lodge. It is a hotel with an indoor water park. The kids loved it. The room was like a cabin and it had a bunk bed area for them with their OWN tv.

Just down the hall was the indoor waterpark. It was nice and warm inside and no need of sunblock. Love that. The slides varied in scariness. They had little Cassidy slides and then big Ryan slides. I was surprised that Aidan and Lacey went on some of the bigger slides. Most of them had tubes with them. There were some that we could go together and others you rode solo. It was such a great place. We went the night we got there and then as soon as it opened the next morning. We had to take full advantage of the place. It was a BLAST!

Birthday Boot Camp!

Today was Aidan's 7th Birthday! We started the day with Banana Muffins and hot chocoloate per request of the birthday boy. He got a ride to school with his good friend and had lunch with his dad and his Granny.

He was so excited for his party. He helped plan the whole thing. Invitations, games, and cake. Five of his school buddies rode the bus home with him for his Boot Camp Birthday party. In all we had 13 soldiers show up. It was a well energized party. It had rained all day until about 2p.m. and then cleared up just long enough for his party. We were so lucky! Thirteen 7 year olds in my house at once? That would have been insane.

We dressed up everyone in war paint and dog tags and took their picture.

We played several army games. We did an obstacle course.We made the soldiers carry a wounded soldier across the lawn and back.

We had a granade launch and a paper airplane flying contest. The boys loved it.

I made Aidan a Tank birthday cake. It was so hard to make frosting such a gross color but it looked pretty realistic.

He got some great presents. He loved getting gift cards and even money. He also got a new bike. This is the look on his face when he realized it.

We were exhausted after it all. So worth it though to see how happy Aidan was. Happy birthday, Aidan boy!

On this day...

Today Ryan and I are celebrating 9 years of marriage. We honestly feel like it is number 3. It has gone so fast.

Although we have had some wiz-bang anniversaries, Paris, Puerto Rico, and St. Martin, today was still a great day. We went to a matinee movie and for a quick lunch at Qdoba. We love their nachos. Then tonight we went to ward temple night. We decided to do sealings. It was so cool to kneel across the alter from Ryan again and think about that same moment 9 years ago. I tried to remember what I was thinking and what I felt in that moment. Then I thought about all we had been through since then. Wow, what an adventure.

I am so grateful Ryan is my husband. He is a great at it. He balances me. He is strong where I am weak, he is faithful where I am faithless, he is courageous where I am fearful. He is a perfect companion for me.

Happy 9 years!

Derby Bingo

My fab friend holds a traditional Derby Bingo Party. This year she asked us to come in hats. I was thrilled. Had I had more time and more money, we would have been well outfitted. Lacey found a fabulous hat at the flea market. I found a small hat for Cassidy and dolled it up. I had so much fun doing Cassidy's hat. I almost considered it my new passion and occupation. I mean really Derby hats have not restrictions. I shared Lacey's hat this year but next year, my hat will be awesome!

We had a fun time playing Bingo and yes we really did watch the Derby. I think quite a few called the winner. It was a great time with great food and great friends. Thanks Alexis! Can't wait for next year.

If you look close you can see the little red cardinal I put on Cassidy's hat. She can pick out a cardinal from a mile away. True Kentucky girl.