Adventures (for lack of a more creative title!)

Pictures will follow, I promise. My computer is being very odd right now and isn't allowing me to add them.

What a week! It all started off with our Memorial Day party which consisted of my fabulous family of 5 and my sister-in-law, Stephanie, and her husband, Brad, and their two sons, Parker and Bryce. They came over in the evening and I made homemade individual pizzas with a variety of toppings everyone could choose to put on their pizza. YUMMY! After dinner the kids played outside because the weather was BEAUTIFUL while some of the adults played Guitar Hero 3. While I am always in awe at the amazing abilities of my very talented husband, I was quite impressed with Brad and Steph! (You guys rocked!) I had so much fun outside with my kids and Parker, as they are so full of energy and kept me laughing with their odd comments. (Don't you just love the outlook on life from a child's point of view?) To top off our wonderful Memorial Day, we had a very delicious dessert that the Greer's brought over of cookies and ice cream.



Tuesday wasn't quite as adventurous. I did make it to a friend's bridal shower and was able to see a friend from high school, Kira (Rushdi) Adams, who happened to be down from Idaho. (Who was also throwing the shower for Amber.) Tuesday also marked the kick-off to football season for Cauley. OK, not really, but he's coaching the summer weights/conditioning program for the Freshmen. This started today and I think it pretty much goes until football school (camp) which is right before school starts. To top my day off, I got a late phone call from a good friend of mine saying she had had her baby that morning. WELCOME, Kameha Lily Noel Spence! CONGRATS Marie and Justin! We love you guys!



When asked what they wanted to do for fun on Wednesday, our boys said they wanted to go hiking. We didn't think they were actually ready to go hiking in the AZ mountains, so we took them to the Riparian Reserve Park in Gilbert Wednesday morning. What fun! (seriously, if you want to get away but don't want to drive a lot, here is your perfect destination!) We walked around, following trails and watching different birds, geese, rabbits, and turtles for over an hour! The kids had a great time looking for different animals, and we all enjoyed our time together. Of course, being in Arizona the end of May, we got hot so we walked next door to the Gilbert Library and cooled off by reading books. (My kids love the library!) We all decided we were hungry, since it was lunch time, so we headed to eat at Applebee's. (We don't know why, but it is Dallin's favorite restraunt ever. I think it has something to do with going there with Seth once upon a time.) We ate and then stopped by Best Buy to check out new TV's - ours is about to really die here pretty soon, which will be a sad day. We looked for a while and then headed home to give Tyli a MUCH needed nap. I, too, slept, which was an added bonus.

Today was also fun. It is my father-in-law's birthday. After calling and reminding a few family members about this special day, we decided to throw him a family surprise birthday dinner party. Stephanie met us with her two boys and we knocked on the door and yelled SURPRISE! and then sang "Happy Birthday." After that we all ate a delicious dinner of tostadas and burritos and then had cake and ice cream. Cauley's parents have just returned from a week long trip to DC, and the grand kids REALLY enjoyed marching around Grandma's house with their little souvenir flags (which they are so very proud to hold!). It was funny watching Tyli try and keep up with the pace which wasn't a real march, more like a jog. Tyli then screamed through her first (but very much needed!) haircut from aunt Stephanie before we said good night and brought home our very exhausted children.