Where Did June Go?

I can't believe it is the end of June already.  Where has the month flown?  Here are a few things I've been loving this month....

1.  The Grill.  I have finally learned how to operate the BBQ and guess what?  It is not that hard.  This nice weather calls for grilling.... I just didn't want to make any more dinners indoors. Steve's schedule has been very busy this entire month.  He is usually the griller in our family and I make all the side dishes.  Well... that has changed....I can grill and make the side dishes.  Timing becomes more of an issue when I'm grilling and running inside and out... but so far I think I'm doing pretty well.

2.  3m tabs.  I have been doing a little bit of decorating around the house lately.  One of these days I'll get to showing some pictures.  In the mean time, these little Velcro tabs are great for hanging pictures without damaging the walls.  I give them a thumbs up since they don't require putting holes in your wall.

3.  Chocolate chip muffins.  They are so delicious.  I'm going to try this recipe tonight  http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Chocolate-Chip-Muffins/Detail.aspx  I really like the boxed version by Betty Crocker too.  They only require oil, water, and eggs and they seem to be a hit with the kids and all their friends. (and me too)

4.  Spray on sunscreen.  One of the best inventions ever!  The kids have been playing outdoors alot and this is so convenient and easy to apply.

5.  The Middle.  Have you ever seen this television show?  I recently caught an episode a few weeks ago and now I'm hooked.  I think I can relate because it is about a middle class family with 3 kids.  It shows their day to day mishaps, the crazy turmoil that kids create, parenting dilemmas, and it is all too familiar.  I find the show very funny!

And now for some fun photos....



Summer has officially started.... Gabby loves running through the sprinkler!

Amanda and Nicholas think it is pretty great too!

I must have tied 40 water balloons this afternoon.... all in the name of summertime fun.  This was Nicholas looking very threatening at my camera.  Amanda was so excited that the next day she learned how to tie them herself.  I couldn't have been happier!

Could be one of my favorite.. caught-you-at-the-right-second-before-you-ran-right-back-into-the-sprinkler photos.  I shot this with some manual settings and I didn't do too bad.  I can't wait to try and take a photography class in the fall so I can really practice.

I just found this photo cute.  All my favorite Herdoizas watching Alice in Wonderland! 

Here are some photos from the BBQ on Father's Day at Mo's house.

A great shot of a couple Dads and the one smart guy..... who is waiting to have kids....because he sees how crazy they can be....and how they take over your life... and squash any relaxing moments.... so you will never again be sitting in a lawn chair enjoying a cold beer!

I'm referring to this guy.....

Tyler is ADORABLE!  And Brad is not so bad himself.....

Dad and I playing charades..... one word.... it is the size of an apple...  just kidding.  We were trying to explain to Mo how to use my SLR camera.  She is accustomed to her point-and-shoot camera.  Dad and I were demonstrating how you have to zoom using the lens.  We were being VERY  CLEAR!  Can't you tell by the intense yet precise gesturing?  There is no button for zooming on my camera you must move your hand in these awkward positions to ZOOM in close! 

Finally, the photo!

I just really like this picture.  Cameron's smile is so natural and cute!  Nicholas looks a little devilish.... These 2 could be trouble!

It was great to spend some time with Mohamed.  He made some excellent  chicken and burgers.

Another great photo.  I can't believe how photogenic this family is!

It is useless Tyler.... you can not escape Amanda... once she has you... there is no getting away...just ask Gabriella... The good news is that she will be the perfect babysitter for you one day!

Wow.... You two really look alike... so fresh and vibrant and happy!

Chillin'.....after a full day of playing in the backyard....

I took this photo a few weeks ago... Aren't the girls cute?  Gabby looks older with those French braids.

I hope to be back soon.  Michele came to visit last week and I took a few photos to share.  Unfortunately, Gabby was sick most of the week so we did a lot of talking and being lazy.  We didn't do a whole lot. Until later....

A Month Later

So I have been meaning to post for about a month.  It has been a hectic month and I have been eagerly waiting the end of the school year... no schedules.... no soccer.... no tennis.... no homework...  Well I finally got my wish.  Tuesday marked the end of the school year and summer vacation is under way... now I'm asking myself... what are we going to do this summer?  How am I going to keep these kids busy... how am I going to get rid of the "I'm boredssssss?".... how am I going to get these kids back on a schedule???  Okay..... a fun schedule.... with some structure... and some free time....  Any suggestions??  I have a lot to share from the last month and I will try to show some of the photos.  Let's get started.....

The last day of school.... Need I say more.... look how happy these kids are!

I saw this cute idea somewhere in the blogsphere....it was the perfect thing to go with a gift card for Nick's teacher.  There are so many clever people out there and you can learn so much from different blogs.  I think I could do a whole post on things I've learned from reading other people's blogs.  I might have to do that in a future post! 

This is a picture from Nick's ice cream social.  Gabriella enjoyed all the toppings too.  I think this is where she might have caught a virus....from Nick's sundae.

Or maybe she caught the virus from Amanda's sundae.  They both had ice cream parties and Gabby was not going to miss any of it.  Today is the 3rd day of her fever, cough, and running nose.  I thought viruses only hung around in Feb. and March.  What is going on with this June BUG?

There have been plenty of other activities, but these are photo I uploaded 2 weeks ago... so I'll explain these today.  Nicholas diligently reading to Gabriella.

 

I'll let you in on a secret.... I'm not really listening!

Over Memorial Day weekend the kids had an extra day off from school.  Amanda and her friend were staying very busy in the basement.  They couldn't wait for me to come join their dance party.  Of course they were charging admission..... anything to make a buck these days.... even to come into my OWN basement.

Here is the big picture.... this was the actual dance floor.... each floor tile was inscribed with some fancy dancy writing and then partitioned off with crepe paper streamers.  The dance floor was great until Gabby got a little crazy and left half of it crinkled up!

Memorial Day... Steve and I and the kids went to Mo's to hang out.  We had a great time just relaxing and watching the kids play.  Mo took this shot and here Steve and I are.....doctored up in black and white....with the basketball net photoshopped out of the side of my head.  I thought this was a cute picture and it is now hanging in our living room.  I'll have to show you the new gallery wall I just framed out.

Here are more photos of the kids playing in the backyard... Nicholas was trying to show Cameron how to do the slip and slide...  In actuality... this is exactly what you look like before you get the wind knocked out of you on a slip n' slide.  He needs to work more on the slip and less on the fly. 

It took a few tries... but here is Cameron's unique technique!

A cute photo of Emmersyn...

Honestly..... I don't thing Nicholas should have been demonstrating anything..... this looks more like stunt work than having fun!!!!

Gabby loved catching a ride on Emmersyn's bike... and Emmersyn was just thrilled.... (NOT!)

The kiddie pool... filled with all the kiddies.....

The car ride home after an exhausting afternoon of FUN!

Well.... that is it for now.  I am happy that my router is working again and I am up and on-line.  I have lots of other random news and photos that will just have to wait for now.  Until later....