June Decor

Well, it's been almost a year since my sis stopped helping me with the decor in our house. I may be getting the hang of it (with Steve's help, of course). I looked at the  decor we had for June last year and it wasn't my favorite. So, I decided to change.

I had hot pink flowers that I put with clear beads into vases on the dining room table along with some white and hot pink fabric under the vases. I saw something like it in the Joseph Smith building and decided to copy it. I've used that before - during the summer - but only in the dining room. I didn't have enough to decorate the whole house in hot pink. So, I went shopping! I began to think that maybe hot pink was "out" because everything I was seeing was turquoise, coral (another favorite of mine) and lime green. Well, I was determined to find something. I decided to use hot pink as the "pop" of color and to ground it with black and white. Plus, if I decided to go with coral or turquoise or some other color in the future, the black and white would work with that as well.

I found some vases, some votive holders, a big, pink picture of a flower, some black and white trunks and some pom balls that were pink! Then, I found hot pink, satin runners and some decorative balls in different sizes and colors. Of course, we had to have hot pink, black and white gumballs :)

Frankly, I love it!!!! I think the hot pink is so happy and summer-y. It just makes me smile as I walk around the house and see the colors. I didn't do much in the living room - maybe next year, I'll add to it. Plus, I had a great time putting this all together.

A Hair Cut

Our brother in law, Mark, continues to receive treatment for his plasma cell leukemia. This particular regimen of chemotherapy is making his hair fall out. So, he decided to have a ceremony and shave it!

We all got together and the shaving began. Two of Mark and Robin's children live out of state, so, we had two phones going with FaceTime so that they could be part of this ceremony as well....virtually.

Robin began shaving. First, she gave Mark a mullet. Next, she gave him a mohawk. Then, she gave him just a poof at the front of his hairline. Finally, it was all gone.

We're so grateful for them and the wonderful example they set for us. Mark continues to be so positive in the face of such frightening odds. They are in our prayers multiple times a day and we are glad to have been included in the opportunity to be with them and to support them as much as we can.  Here's to no hair, but better health. Love you Mark and Robin!!!!!!

Belt Test Time!!!!!

Yep - it's that time again .... time for a belt test. Reagan and Cole have really improved in their skills since their last belt test. Their forms are really good and very precise. 

Their self defense techniques get more and more complicated, but they perform them well.

Their sparring is getting better and better.

Their kicks are crazy high. Reagan's have always been that way, but Cole's have skyrocketed recently.

Their power karate is coming along nicely. They are really learning the different numbers for the different punches and kicks.

Since the last belt test, our Black Belt Leadership has focussed on nunchucks. They are learning their chuck forms well.

I love that there is always some drill or skill or relay that they are working on. Every class period is different.

They have also continued to work on their back handsprings, handstands and cartwheels.

So, after they learn and practice and obtain their three tips, they are ready to test for their next belt. At the belt test, Reagan and Cole showed off their kicks and punches and blocks. I always love when they meditate at the beginning and end of a karate session.

They showed off their self-defense techniques.

They showed off their forms.

Those students in Black Belt Training showed off their nunchuck forms.

They showed off their power karate moves.

Their last "qualification" was to show off their kicks.

Once they are awarded their new belts, they have a little ceremony where they honor learning and their new level and they bow to their parents and instructors.

We are so proud of Reagan and Cole for continuing to progress in their karate skills. They work really hard and we can see how much they are learning. I think (THINK!) we are on track to test for our black belts next year. That is, if everything stays on schedule. Wow - something that has seemed so far away is quickly coming near .... Cool!!!

As usual, I have to include a video of snippets from their belt test. Way to go Reagan and Cole!!!!

First Day of Summer School

It's that time...... for summer school to begin. I've posted before about how important I think summer school is. I have read studies about how much children lose during the three months off. They forget much of what they learned during the school year. I wish our area was on a year-round schedule so we could have those nice breaks throughout the school year and travel when everyone else is in school. We don't, so, we go to summer school. The school is open for full day school and even extended hours for those parents who work. We go half-day - just three hours. There is no homework, no tests and the students don't have to wear uniforms.  I keep saying that Reagan and Cole would be at the gym daycare if they weren't at school since that is where I go when I drop them off. They might as well be learning something, right? It's a win-win for all of us.

We got up and got ready for school on our first day. We went in and met many of our friends and met our teachers. Cole has Mrs. Forbes fka Miss Baacker. Reagan has had her twice for summer school. Reagan has Mr. Haberman. He is a middle-school teacher. We haven't met him before.

After school, we went to a movie with some friends and went to play at the park. Their family has almost 1 year old twins. Reagan and Cole love to play with them. I had to snap a pic when each of our kids was holding one of theirs while the other two were on the playground. So cute.

So, bring it on summer school. We're ready!!

Father's Day Weekend

Father's Day weekend was a whirlwind of activity. Saturday, Reagan and I picked up Steve's mom and we headed to a baby shower for Rachel. It was the same weekend as Rachel's high school reunion, so, she had lots of friends there to catch up with. Reagan was such a sweet helper. She brought each gift to Rachel, waited for her to open it and then handed it off to me for consolidation while she brought another to Rachel. We had fun chatting and "oohing" and "ahhhing" at all the tiny clothes and accessories.

After the shower, we drove Nancy home and met up with Steve, Cole and Steve's Dad to celebrate Father's Day with Jay. We chatted and had some snacks and Reagan and Cole played outside.

After leaving Steve's parents' house, we headed home, changed our clothes and ran out the door to meet our friends the Shapiros for a picnic and hike at Silver Lake in Brighton. Yes - I know that we were just here 2 days ago, but it is beautiful, the weather is cooler and we can never have enough of being in the beautiful mountains here.

Cole was in one crazy mood that day. He kept acting weird, making crazy faces, saying off the wall things. Ugh - yet, you know I had to document it :)

We had our lunch, walked around the lake and enjoyed being together. After leaving the canyon, we picked up fro yo and came back to our house for fun and games.

Sunday brought the actual Father's Day holiday. Reagan, Cole and I had cards and gifts for Steve. We made him breakfast and hung out all morning since we don't have church until 1. In Primary, we helped the children write notes to their fathers and decorate sugar cookies in the shape of ties.

After church, Rachel and Shannon and their families came over for dinner. The kiddos loved to play with each other and we got to hang out and chat and enjoy being together.

Happy Father's Day Steve!!!! You are the most amazing father and husband. We love you SO much and hope we were able to make it a great weekend celebrating you!!!!

Happy Birthday Steve!!!!

It's Steve's birthday!!!!!! We tried to party all day long with him, but he wanted to work most of the day and then take off around 3. Oh well, we'll wait ... he's worth it :)

We had some cards and some presents for him and we let him choose what he wanted to do. He wanted to be in the mountains. So, we picked up some dinner and headed up to Silver Lake by Brighton to have a picnic and enjoy being together outside.

Silver Lake is beautiful. We LOVE coming up here and being in the beautiful mountains. We were talking about the different times we have been up there - the day we found out we were pregnant with Reagan, Labor Day one year with Shanny, hauling Cole in a backpack carrier when he was just a baby, the time we saw a moose in the swampy area ... and many more. It is only a 30 minute drive, but it feels like we are far from the city. 

We couldn't love this man more. He is everything to us. He keeps us on our toes, keeps us laughing and takes such good care of us. He is the smartest man I know and so handsome - not to mention an amazing father and husband. What a great example he is of faith, dedication, street smarts and love. Hope you had a great birthday Steve - WE LOVE YOU!!!!!!

Swimming with Friends

The day after we returned from San Francisco, we met up with friends to go swimming. We hit Draper Pool - we've never been there before and Reagan and Cole had a great time. They have a sort of kiddie area, a bigger pool and a low and high dive.

Both kiddos went off the low dive .... no problemo. The high dive? Gulp!

Cole was the first to brave the high dive.

Reagan followed soon thereafter.

They have a snack bar, bathrooms and lifeguards. Maybe most important to this mama was the gorgeous view. This pool is up on South Mountain and has a beautiful view of the valley.

Yep - we had a great time and we'll be back for sure.