Las Vegas in June

 We usually find ourselves wandering down to Las Vegas in the summertime.  Since that is where I grew up, I love to go down and visit, reminisce and tell the kids stories about my youth and see family. 

This year we had a very special reason to head down there.  Its like this... McKaleigh is obsessed with all things musical.  She loves movies, music, plays etc...If something has music, she is all about it.  So, this year we thought it would be fun to surprise her with tickets to see Phantom of the Opera in Las Vegas (before it leaves in September).  We decided to make it a special kind of daddy/daughter date  night.  Here are a few shots of them all dressed up and ready to go.

 She had such a magical night (and got hooked up with great tickets, just under the chandelier when it swings down and breaks).  McKaleigh is now 14 and is so excited because Brett has told her that he would start to teach her to drive (in a safe environment of course), she is going to Youth Conference, and can now attend the youth dances.  She is heading into her freshman year and is taking all kinds of honor and AP classes.  She might even be able to graduate HS with her associates already done!  The future is bright for our oldest kiddo, she has her head in the clouds and her feet on the ground!

 Another thing that we love to do is visit with my crazy uncles.  I always tell the kids that they are lucky to have great uncles like I do and will appreciate them when they are older.  We were able to meet them for a tasty dinner and some rowdy conversation while we were there!  They always say something shocking (which the kids love them for)!

 The whole crew...

 The uncles informed our waiter that it was McKaleigh's birthday, so they sang to her, she got a tee shirt, and a Choco Taco with a candle in it.  She was so surprised (and embarrassed) that she forgot to blow out the candle...and had to be reminded.

 It was hot and windy during our visit, but nothing that could not be cured with a smoothie and some water fun!

 Then we visited all of the usual stops that the kids love... M&M World, Coke World and the Fun Dungeon at the Excalibur (which I might add is really fun!). 

We have always made time to stop and visit old Grandma Judy when we go down to Las Vegas, but this year we had to make that stop at the cemetery where my grandmother and grandfather and great grandmother are buried.  It has been almost one year exactly that she has been gone (I like to think she is somewhere much better)!  But she is still missed just the same as it was yesterday.  Sometimes I still think i'll call her just to check on a recipe or get gardening advice.  I still think about her every time I go out into my garden, watch golf or see a bright red lipstick color...She loved bright, vibrant colors and that is why we chose these flowers for her.

Summer Lovin

I know, I know - i'll get some pictures in here soon, but for posterity's sake I wanted to get this posting in before I forget what's going on.

I was feeling really sorry for out little Alex who's summer break began with all of the scooters, bikes, skateboards and such locked up due to his recent head injury.  He was also instructed to stay off the trampoline, any park equipment, no jumping, running or roughhousing...but we have managed quite well, thank you very much! and here is a list of what we have been doing.
Using food coloring to make colored bubbles
Using food coloring to dye shaving cream and "painting" in the driveway with it
Using food coloring to dye water and filling giant water squirters and shooting it all over
Smashing chalk and mixing it with water to make a paste for painting on the sidewalk
Buying small "pop it" fireworks and pounding them with a hammer
Swimming (or rather walking, throwing a water football or playing water Uno) at the pool
Making cookies (and other Pinterest desserts) together
Eating way too many Otter Pops during out door activities
Going to the dollar movies
Playing lots of Playstation and Wii...
So, we've been able to stay pretty busy, in spite of the rough Summer start.

Meanwhile, the big kids have been doing this...
McKaleigh has been away at her first of many camps this Summer and I am sure she is having a great time

Colton has been busy playing with friends at Neighborhood park days, the movies, water fights in our yard, Nerf fights in our back yard, bike riding, taste testing the desserts Alex and I have cooked etc...

I would say that we are all having a great start to the summer!

A Close One - Alex and the Hospital

 Our family recently experienced a scary few days in the Pediatric Intensive Care unit of Primary Children's Hospital (which I might mention took excellent care of our little Alex). 

A few days ago, during the first few days of Summer vacation, I was in the yard doing some gardening/weeding while Alex and a friend were playing nearby.  Somehow, they found themselves tangled in the dogs leadline and their feet pulled out from under them.  Both little boys fell and hit their heads on a stone walkway. I heard the crying and wailing and brought them both in the house and with McKaleigh's help applied ice to their quickly forming "goose egg" size bumps.  Alex's little friend was o.k. after a bit, eating playing etc...Alex on the other hand was going downhill.  I knew he has lost consciousness for a few seconds, but figured he would be fine, with a large bump on his head.  I was wrong, and realized this when his eyes began rolling around and he began vomiting.  I knew I could get him to the hospital quicker than calling 911 (as it is about a mile from our home), so I put him into the car and carried him into the ER.  They admitted him, and quickly ordered a brain scan.  I was hopeful that Brett and I would just be dealing with a "silly mom worrying about nothing kind of bump" and a large bill for the scan, but the doc returned with the news that Alex had suffered a concussion, fractured his skull, and that there was bleeding in his brain.  Scary, huh?! We were told that he was going to be transported up to the children's hospital by ambulance and placed in the Picu.  Brett drove with him and I ran home to make sure the kids would be o.k. while I drove up to the hospital to meet them.  When I got there Alex was a mess, wailing with wires, iv's, a neck brace and machines monitoring his condition.  After a long wait there was a bed available and we made our home up in his Picu room for the next day and a half while he was monitored,cared for, checked and scanned and x-rayed some more.  We were very relieved to find out the next day that the bleeding had stopped, and that his condition had improved.  The staff were great and allowed him to bring his teddy bear along during his tests and such (they even made the bear an ID tag and took "brain scans" of his fluff).  Alex busied himself with t.v., dad's iphone, and Coltons gameboy.  He quite enjoyed the hospital room service ordering slushies, milkshakes, smoothies, froot loops, brownies and chocolate milk, but i'm not sure he is too anxious to go back. I have to say he was really brave! 

We are now at home and it should be an interesting start to the Summer break with no running, jumping, bikes, scooters, skate boards or jostling or jiggling of any kind (this is very hard I have found out - you just don't realize how much jiggling could or does take place in the natural activities of being a 5 year old boy!).  We are taking it one step at a time...here are a few pics of his hospital stay (and let me say in defense of my pic - I was EXHAUSTED mentally, emotionally, and physically:).

T-Ball season is upon us!

 After just sitting through rainstorms and heat waves during Colton's Majors season, more baseball comes our way.  T-ball season is just beginning and I had forgotten how comical it is.  All of these littles piling on top of the ball, running in all directions except towards first base when the ball is hit.  Trying to chase down the runner or any other kid in their path...it is just hilarious!  Here are a few shots of Alex at his first game.

Waiting patiently for the ball to come to him.

 The coach assigned each of them a place.  I am not quite sure why they are all squatting down, but everyone was doing it!

 

The big hit...                                                                           And running toward home!

Random Going's on, or are they?

 Here are some of the pictures that have made it to the camera.  We have been so busy wrapping up the end of the school year, finishing and starting our Summer projects and celebrating the milestones that happen inbetween.  Life just happens, and it just so happens that most of the time I completely forget the camera!

Here is a picture of our "firepit" area that was completed last fall just before the snow started falling.  We have used it a handful of times and really enjoy the space, even if we aren't roasting marshmallows.  We have used it for sitting in the sun and reading, or a quiet area to enjoy the quiet of the back yard...or sunbathing (or rather burning is what is actually happening!)

 The kids and Brett made me dinner for Mother's Day and it was DELISH!  I had been wanting to try a new Pinterest recipe for for baked taquitos, but was hesitant about letting this crew put something new together.  I should be more optimistic (and they should cook more often) because it turned out wonderfully!

 Colton received the "Clove" award for outstanding academics and citizenship.  It is a really cool award because the schools that have students receiving this award receive grant money (and the student gets a gift card).  We are so proud of him!  He is such a well rounded student and we are so proud of him and all of his hard work!

Alex's 5th Birthday

Alex turned 5 this year...it is a big birthday in so many ways!  He finished preschool and is reading and doing all kinds of math problems.  He loves learning!  He is very excited to begin kindergarten this year and there are a few other boys in our neighborhood he is good friends with that will be joining him.  Heaven help the kindergarten teachers this year!  They can be a rowdy bunch.

Some things that Alex loves are:  Playing with friends, playing with his dad (and his dad's iphone), playing in the water, helping in the garden and picking fresh veggies.  Alex is kind of a shy kid in new situations and in groups of people (it always takes him a few minutes to warm up).  He loves fruit and will choose fresh fruit over junk food!  He has a great smile and is excited about planning each day out.  He likes to have a play by play of what is going on each day.  Alex is such a happy kiddo and loves to please others.  He is good at making deals and compromising and loves life and greats each day with enthusiasm. 

He had a great birthday this year celebrating with pizza, cake and icecream and having lots of family over to play and celebrate!