Tuesday, August 29, 2017

Blessings

Sometimes I wonder if I am really progressing. If I am doing what I should. Or any other host of thoughts, but then I have times when I know that even though I am not perfect the Lord loves me and understands me and blesses me with what I need.

Today was such a day. Today I got to go to the temple. It is so nice to go to the temple in the middle of the week because it is so calm. Also, you get a great break right in the middle of everything and that is awesome too. I got off a little late this morning (because I didn't get up and stay up), but I knew it would be okay because I had time and Gaupo could help in a pinch. However, I made great time to the temple and didn't really end up getting there any later than I had planned. I got to do inititories for seven sisters and then got to sit in the Celestial room. All in all I was in the temple for about and hour and it was so great.

Going to the temple is a great break and jump start, but it does take time and I had thing that I really needed to get done. They were simple things, but needed nonetheless. One of those was making bread. I got home and had just enough time to get the bread mixed up and put in pans to rise before I had to go get the girls from school. I got them picked up and home and then got the bread in the oven, Gaupo off to work, and the dishes done. While the bread baked the kids got to play and just enjoy and they did a pretty good job of it, so that was super nice too. Then we had lunch and naps. I took a little nap, but that was all I needed to get going again. I amazing thought of something to add to our leftovers, so that I didn't have to cook an all new dinner. Then we had dinner together.  Then I got that cleaned up and then we cleaned bathrooms. As we were finishing that up, I got a text from my friend Siri telling me the Rec Center was closed. That was amazing because we hadn't left yet and could still go to Sunset instead. So, we went swimming and had a great time. Came home, had baths, and then I cleaned my bathroom and took a shower. Then I sat down to blog and my parents called with some great plans that I can't tell you yet because I haven't talked to Gaupo about them, but I am so excited about the prospects. Then now I am blogging.

Alright,  to you this day may not seem like that big of a blessing, but it was. Everything I needed to do got done. I had to make bread and I had the perfect amount of time to do it, so we could have bread for lunch. I was able to figure out something for dinner. I know big deal, but it is I have a really hard time figuring out what to do on the fly that is small, quick, and that my kids will eat that isn't Mac and Cheese (we already had that this week). Then the text from Siri. It really came at the perfect time. I mean we were almost done cleaning, but not quite. I responded quick enough, so she could still meet up with us at the other pool. The pool didn't kick us out before 7:00 and my girls still got a reward for helping me with the bathrooms. It was perfect timing. Then to be able to clean a bathroom after going swimming is not something I usually have the energy for after a whole day, but this really was kind of my last chance before Kitt and Matthew came to get it done without Gaupo being home. I got it done it looks and feel amazing. I got a shower and the phone call from my parents. I can tell you they are coming for a visit and I am so excited about that.

Like I said, these weren't major blessings but they were blessing that spoke to me of  Heavenly Father's love and awareness of my needs and desires. I am always amazed when He blesses me in my simple mundane everyday things. It amazes me that this all powerful, all knowing God cares about cleaning, cooking, and fun. He cares about me enough to know exactly what blessings I need. I am so grateful for His love and His hand in the details of my life. I am a blessed, loved daughter of God.
Me at the temple today. Pardon the squinty face it was so bright outside.

Tuesday, August 22, 2017

Random Events of Late (Written a Little Random)

Last week I didn't blog, because well I didn't feel like it. I hadn't really done anything different than we had already done all summer and the comings of that week seemed more blog worthy I guess. Either way it didn't happen, but I can tell you a lot has happened this week. This past week school started. That started with Meet the Teacher on Monday. We met both Kylee and Tia's teachers. Kylee was really nervous and almost wouldn't even tell her teacher her name, but she finally did. Tia was a little shy, but for the most part she was all about exploring her classroom. On Tuesday, Tia had preschool orientation which pretty much was a little intro to preschool and then letting kids play in the classroom while parents chatted. It was actually really cool, and Tia had a blast. I am not really that great and making new friends, but you know we will get there probably. Anyway, Kylee had Kindergarten assessments after that. Gaupo took her. He said after the first 5 minutes she did really good. Wednesday, we did nothing with school. Thursday was the first day. The girls were so excited. I had to convince them they needed to eat breakfast. Then I made them take pictures and reassured them we would be in time for school. We were really early, probably about 10 minutes early for Tia which makes it about 20 minutes early for Kylee. Either way we had fun play on the playground before school. Although, I was told this week that they aren't allowed to play on the toys before school start. I am pretty disgusted about that. I mean seriously why would you not let kids play. I had a lot of fun before school started, and let me tell you these kids look pretty bored just standing there waiting for the bell to rings. DUMB!! Anyway, I will end my rant there because well there isn't anything I can really do.

The first day went great for both girls. Kylee seemed a little unsure, and still seems a little bit that way, but she is happy and hasn't cried once. Tia loves school. She marches in and plays. I hardly get a good-bye from her. They both are loving school and I am so glad. It would be so hard to send them if they didn't.
Tia.
Kylee.
Kylee and Tia. Kindergarten and Pre-School.
Two sisters.
We ride our bikes to school. Home is all uphill, so I pick them up. It makes for a better day.

This week (Monday) Tia and I have had our first experience with one-on-one time. Okay it isn't our first but it has been awhile. We took Kylee to school and then rode home from school. Then she really wanted me to take a shower, so that she could watch a show. I obliged. Then when I was done she asked, "Go pick-up Kylee?" I said, "No. She still has a long time in school." So then we played memory and after that she thought it might be time, but it wasn't yet. Then we played a little more and then video chatted with Oma. That kind of saved our bacon because we made it till pick-up time. We went and got Kylee and came home and view the Eclipse. Yes, Aug. 21, 2017 was a solar eclipse. We didn't drive to a totally range, but it was still really cool. It was amazing to watch and feel how dark it got. It cooled down a lot as the moon passed in front of the sun. It looked really cool through the glasses and it was pretty amazing to experience. I imagine totality was pretty cool, but I am okay that we didn't have to drive to see it.
Just a pic of Kylee and her class.

Also with the beginning of school, I have started to watch Trent and Tori again. It has been interesting. Kylee and Tori get along well, but are having a hard time not bossing Tia around and letting her feel included. Trent is kind of doing is own thing, but doesn't like being bossed around by Tia, Tori or Kylee. He still isn't talking real well which kind of makes it difficult to help him get what he wants/needs or at least get it with out throwing a fit. Yesterday it got kind of bad, and I wasn't sure that it was going to work for me to watch these kids. However, I really would like to keep watching them, so I did a lot of praying about it and tried to help people understand what I wasn't liking and it seemed to help. Today was a really good day, so hopefully we are on the up. I know we will still have bad day. I just want the good to out number the bad, preferable by a lot.

This weekend I have deemed (at least for our family) the official end of summer. The girls have started school, Gaupo started school yesterday, Kitt and Matthew spent there last weekend with us (they have one more together before Matthew moves), and we had one last great adventure with them. So, we have officially no more plans, as of right now. However, it was a great weekend. Gaupo was home on Friday, so he took care of Tia while I went to a potluck brunch by myself. That was a little weird, but kind of enjoying. Then we just spent the day doing stuff with the kids together. It wasn't anything grand actually it was a lot of me pawning the kids off on Gaupo one last time. However, he handled it great. He let Tia ride the tag-along bike. He took Kylee, Tia, and I to the store so I could find a baby shower gift. Then he let the girls watch TV and play in the van while I went to a baby shower, but did have them asleep in bed before I got home.

Saturday was a little more exotic. Gaupo had to work, so the girls and I were on our own. We had breakfast, shucked corn, went shopping, and made Gluten-Free chocolate chip bars (they were so good fresh. They were okay not fresh, but really good fresh.) We shucked corn because that night our stake was doing the stake carnival, but we were going to miss it, so we did cooler corn so that all Gaupo had to do was take it over there. After we got all that stuff done, we had lunch with Gaupo and then put on our swimsuits and headed to WaterWorld. We had free half-day entrance because last week when I took the Young Women we got rained out and they issued half-day rain-check passes, so we used those to get in. We were suppose to meet Kitt and Matthew, but they were running late, so we hit up some of the kid play areas. We actually only got to play in one because the times we tried to go to the others they were closed to make sure the water wasn't contaminated. I guess it's a good thing they do that, but it is really annoying at the same time. Anyway, the girls had a blast at the one we played at. When Kitt and Matthew got there the girls wanted to go on a group tube ride, so we took them on one of the river runs. They thought it was so crazy and great, which made it great for everyone. It was awesome to see their face and here there squeals of delight. With that ride, we decided we big kids needed to hit the two rides we missed the last weekend. So, we divided. Kitt and Matthew took the girls and stood in line for Revolution (which I call the toilet bowl) and I went in line for the Boomrang (I call it the half-pipe). Well, I got done with the half-pipe and the plan was for me to just go get the girls and take them on a ride or to another play place until Kitt and Matthew got done, but we decided we would wait together and then I would wait at the top with the girls, they would come pick them up and I would go. Well that plan changed when we reached the top. Kitt and Matthew ended up taking Tia down the toilet bowl and I took Kylee down. It was kind of scary for both girls. Kylee was pretty upset about it. Like when it was all done she cried, and shouted but she did calm down and didn't ruin her whole day (that is AMAZING!). Tia got smacked into by someone because neither one of them was watching were they were going, so she was upset too. So, Kitt and Matthew waited in line for the half-pipe while I walked down to a kiddy play area with two very upset children. We got there and finally decided to play and they made everyone get out. AGHHHHH!! So, we decided to go get our snack. We had a snack and then Kitt and Matthew met up with us and went and rode Pharaoh's Tomb, and Journey to the Center of the Earth. Kylee really like Journey and Tia didn't really like either. We were going to go on one more, but apparently the rides shut down at 5:30, so we had to call it a day. However, the girls had a great time. They both want to go back, so we probably will, but we will let it build up and some of the anti-certain rides wear off (maybe).  It was great. I would only do a couple of things differently, but man it was super fun.

We drove home after and Kitt and Matthew came to our house. Gaupo grilled us up so grill food, which was so good. Then we had the chocolate chip bars for dessert. Then we sent the girls to bed. We played five crowns and visited for a bit and then said good-bye. It was a really fun day. It was busy, a little crazy, and not at all what I planned, but awesome nonetheless.

I have had an awesome summer. I feel like it is a summer filled with moments that were what I always dreamed being mom would be like. We did fun things. I feel so provided for because we go ticket and coupons, or invitations for almost everything, so we were able to do it for not much money and I really hope we built a really good foundation for making memories. I would like to say we made memories, but I don't know if my kids will remember any of it, but I know they will remember or at least build on the emotions, bonds, and experiences of this summer. It was truly a blessed summer. I feel so blessed to have been able to do so much and spend, so much time with my girls, Gaupo, family, and friends. It has been so fun. So here's to making the best of school. We are in it, so I am going to try my best to make it great.

Tuesday, August 8, 2017

A Little Bit of Life

This week we haven't done anything real major, but it has been really nice to just be around. Every once in awhile I think I want to move away from Longmont, but then I have weeks like this last one were I wonder what in the world I would do if I moved away. I mean I am sure I would find stuff to do anywhere I lived, but here it is so easy. This last week we went to the fair, played at our friends house, went rock climbing, shopping, played in the river, swimming, went to the park, and went to the library for lego club. It was awesome. I can do all of those things for relatively cheap and it takes almost no time to get there. The farthest was the river and it took about 25 minutes. I really do have a blast doing things here. So here are some more details on the things we do.

Boulder County Fair-The fair grounds are right here in Longmont and so after video chatting with Oma it wasn't raining, so we decided to sneak out while the getting looked okay. We went to the fair and the girls had a blast. They milked a fake cow, touched a chicken, petted rabbits, fed a goat a carrot, pumped water, and got to ride on the 'shuttle.' It was so great. Tia loves animals and she wanted to touch all of them. She loved it. Kylee says her favorite part was milking the cow and I totally believe it because she kept asking to go back while we were there. We probably spent a good hour and half at the fair. We had a fun time just walking around and enjoying everything it was super fun.
Tia with the goat.
Kylee at the water pump.
Tia pumping water.
Playing with Friends-So I have gotten to be really good friends this summer with Bethany Blaine. Her oldest is the same age as Kylee and it has been so fun to hang out with her this summer. I really love talking to her and my kids love playing at their house, so it totally works. Plus, we both like to do stuff and kind of have the same age/capabilities of children sort of so it works. I feel like it has been a really long time since I have a had a friend that I feel comfortable just dropping in on, or just calling and inviting to do whatever, and probably even longer since I have had a good one outside my family that I can enjoy talking with for a long time. So, I really enjoy the time I get to play with her and it has been super fun. Plus, Jensen has been really good for my girls. He is a little wild which I know can be a bad thing, but I think it some ways it teaches my kids to think out of the box and to try new things. I mean I feel like I am a pretty easy going parent, but there are somethings I don't really want to show my kids but if they learn them through play that is okay too. So, anyway I think it works out and I love having a friend to play with.

We went school shopping on Friday. I have really had a hard time getting ready for summer to end. I mean I hate summer ending, but the fact I actually have children going to school this year is really not cool. I need at least another week. Anyway, my bad attitude has kind of rubbed off a little, so I have been trying to sound a lot more positive about it and get excited for it. So, on Friday we went school shopping because for me there is nothing quite like buying new clothes and shoes to feel like it is time for school. So, I wanted to get Kylee a pair of shoes that would hopefully last the school year (unless she grows, which she might), so we went to Ross, but we actually didn't find anything there but found a great pair of shoes on clearance at Famous Footwear and she loves them. Tia found a pair of shoes she liked too, but I told her she only gets one pair. Then asked if she wanted boots or shoes. She said boots. I said, okay then we have to wait. So, she is actually patiently waiting for us to get her some new boots. However, I did try Wal-Mart for boots, but we didn't find any. However, we did find some clothes on clearance for like a buck. It was so great. I didn't think I was going to be able to get my kids any new clothes for school, but with the screaming deals I was able to do it and they are both so excited to wear new clothes to school. Probably made slightly more exciting by the fact they can't wear them until school starts. I actually feel really blessed to have found these clothes and shoes for my kiddos.

Friday night we gave the girls a choice between watching a movie and going to Lego Club at the library and they actually chose Lego Club. I was pretty impressed. Anyway, it was a StarWars theme and these girls and their dad built some pretty cool space rovers. Gaupo is really actually a very creative guy and can build just about anything, I am pretty impressed. I can help the girls get started, but he does such a great job of helping them finish it up. We had a great time spending time with him at the even especially since he didn't have to work, so we had his undivided attention and it was great. We also left in a rainstorm, so we got to witness crazy rain and hail and it was pretty cool. Not so much the hail, but I actually love being in a car when it rains and this was no exception. It was so pretty and sounded great.
Gaupo, Tia, and Kylee with their creations.
They are just too cute not to have another pic.
Saturday we played at the park in the morning. We spent about and hour and half there. It had rained the night before so the sand was perfect for building things and burying feet. The girls also played on the slides and pretended they had a castle. We even tried out the monkey bars. It was really fun. Later on Saturday we did a lot of sorting and putting away. We moved most of the toys to the basement. We are going to see how that works for us and our space issues. Then we sorted through stuff and organized stuff, so the basement looks really good and probably wont give the children who need to nap down there nightmares. I/we have actually been sorting through our house a little bit over the past few weeks and getting rid of stuff we don't need and organizing and you know what it is so nice. Yeah, it takes work and our kids aren't the biggest fans, but is so freeing to get rid of extra stuff and organize what we have. My house doesn't have a ton of storage space so it is really nice when things have a place and are what we need. It was a much needed project. 
  • I feel like I need to tell part of Saturday that I am not sure about posting, so please don't judge Gaupo or me. I just think this story needs to be told. So, as most of you know Pokemon Go came out about a year ago-ish and has been a pretty big part of our lives since. Anyway, this last Saturday Gaupo really wanted to catch a rare Pokemon that was out. Well, I was okay with him spending sometime doing this, but it ended up being about 3 to 4 hours of time, which I was not okay with. Normally I would get really upset like angry and become confrontational about it. However, oddly I felt hurt and sad. Anyway, Gaupo came back and he felt bad it had taken so long and that he didn't get what he wanted. At first I just blew it off and I wasn't going to say anything, but then the girls went downstairs and it was just us. So, I took the oppertunity to tell him that yeah I didn't really like that he had spent, so much time on this game. Not just Saturday, but that week. I explained, that I know he "needs" video games, but we need him. He missed playing at the park and helping me with a project and being with us on one of the few Saturdays that he has open and he did for something that really doesn't even matter. Anyway, I also told him I don't mind that he plays, I just don't like how much time it has taken. After I told him this he went down and spent sometime with the girls. Holding the emotions and then telling them to him had taken quite a toll on me, so I did what most girls do I cried when he went downstairs. He came back up then felt even worse, which I was also sad about. I didn't want to make him feel bad because he is a great Dad and Husband and we love him, so much. Anyway, we talked a little bit more and we worked through it, but I guess what I really learned is that when I managed to wait until I wasn't angry to talk to him and I didn't start a fight about it. I didn't have any regrets on expressing my feelings and desires to him, and that is a first for me because I usually say things that aren't very nice and the Spirit isn't there, but this I know the spirit can work with you to correct things. It guided me to say things that needed to be said in away that wouldn't provoke and argument. I don't know it was great and like I said I married a great man and he has tried, so hard to make sure that he is having a better balance and being with us and neither of us are perfect, so we both have to work at this and I am so glad that Gaupo is patient with me and didn't take offense because we are growing together and it is so awesome. Remember Gaupo and I are doing great. I really probably shouldn't write this, but I don't have another journal, so NO JUDGING us.
In more fun things, today we went to the LaVern Johnson Park in Lyons, and played in the river and had a great time. We met up with several people from our ward and played in the water and the sand and had a great time. It was good to visit. It was good for the kids to play. It was a little chilly at first, but it warmed up and was a great time. The girls were pretty tired when they got home from all that fun, so they took a nap. 
Tia and Kylee playing with the Anderson girls by the river.
Then they got up and had dinner. Then we went rock climbing and swimming. Tia climbed all the way to the top today. It looks a lot higher when a three-year old climbs that wall. It was more nerve racking then I thought it would be and I had to remind myself that she was on a belay and she wouldn't fall it would be okay. But, also while thinking that telling and encouraging her to go all the way. She loved it and she did awesome. I am really impressed by that little girl. Kylee is still a little gun shy of the whole climbing thing and I didn't make her do it today, but I climbed and I think by watching Tia and I she will be ready for it next time. The girls and I went swimming. My incision has healed enough that it I could go swimming, so that was fun. Plus, we met up with Trent and Tori which the girls think is always just the best. They had a great time swimming and jumping and playing in the tubes. I probably made a mistake making Kylee get in the deep pool, but oh well hopefully it isn't permanently damaging and she wont rock climb or jump in the deep water. One day I will learn how and when and where to push my kids to do things, but until then I just have to keep on going with both the good and bad I do.

I feel very blessed to live here in Longmont. I feel very blessed to have the friends, and family I do here. I have loved being able to go and adventure out and play this summer. My Kylee and Tia have brought me so much joy and adventure. They continually teach me about patience, fun, laughter, friends, and living life with joy. These two girls of mine have a great time playing with each other, me, and their friends. I love that I can do so much here and that Gaupo has a job and supports me in the things that I want to do. I am so grateful that Heavenly Father help Gaupo and I lead and guide our family and gets us where we need to go. I know that Heavenly Father wants us to succeed and is willing to help us even when we fall short. I had the great opportunity to teach in R.S. on Sunday all about the great truths that we are children of God, He loves us, He knows us, He trusts us, and He wants us to succeed, but He also does ask us to obey. I am feeling truly blessed and very grateful.

Tuesday, August 1, 2017

Summer Mode

The past few years I have been the Mom who manages to keep bedtime and naptime pretty well in the summer. I love my routines, and I have been pretty satisfied with what we do in the time the kids are awake. This year, OH BOY! I have not been good at all. I mean I did okay until I went on vacation. I didn't do too bad considering it was vacation, but after that oh man we blow bed time and/or naptime by at least an hour every couple of days. It always seems like something amazing needs to happen, or not so amazing, but nonetheless a moments. Consequently, I have been really bad this summer with our sleeping schedule, but you know we will survive and we have had a great time making memories.

This week has had some great moments. Trust me there are not so great ones too, but I am tired of writing about those, so you get the we are awesome version this week. I think I mentioned it in the last post, but I had a minor procedure done this last week to removed a cyst. Well, one of the things I am suppose to avoid for a couple of weeks in swimming. I was kind of worried about this, but it all turned out well. On Wednesday, we rode our bikes to the library. That was actually really fun. It was kind of an overcast day, so the weather was cool. Also, I didn't go running because I didn't want to get all sweaty because I couldn't take a shower until Thursday afternoon at the earliest. Anyway, we decided to ride to the library. The girls did really good on the way down. We stopped and played at the park and still managed to get to the library in time for storytime. We went to storytime and then hangout at the library for bit and then started the trek home. It was a pretty good. There wasn't too much whining and we stopped for free lunch on the way home. It wasn't that great of food. I really wonder how in the world these meals are considered healthy because we are not the healthiest eaters, and I know that that stuff can not be good for you. Anyway, they had a great time attending storytime there and then playing with some other kids who were there. It was really fun to watch them interact with these kids and figure out how to play with them. But, as you can guess after all that playing and riding, plus by this time it was hot, so the last little bit home was not so great, but we survived even though most of the way Kylee was threatening to never ever ride her bike again.

Another fun thing I decided to do with the girls this week since I was trying to avoid swimming was rock climbing. I have taken the girls before, but it has been awhile. They both did really good. Tia has improved drastically since she first climbed and Kylee has also improved quite a bit. However, Kylee used the Auto Belay and she climbed pretty high, but they didn't want to let go to let herself come down and she climbed high enough I couldn't reach her, so then of course she was all done. Tia climbed and climbed. I pretty much had to make her stop. Her muscles were getting really tired, and you could tell because she was struggling to focus, and climb and so it was a good time to quit. I took them back tonight and Tia did great. Probably a personal best as far as height and she loves swinging much to her belayer's dismay. However, he was a good sport and let her do her thing and is actually the one who helped her get to those new heights. Kylee did okay until she decided she was going to get to the same spot and she was literally one hold away and she started freaking out. She says she got scared I don't know how or why, but she was not having it. So, I guess I am now in the process of getting Kylee loving it again. AGHHHHH!! I don't know why this happens. I mean I guess fear is a good thing, but sometimes it is so frustrating because if she messes up once or one time its a little scary it takes so much to build the confidence back up and get her to fall in love with it again. She really did love rock climbing and she was/is very good at it. I mean when she decided she was going to go to the dolphin rock and she was focused on her goal she did it almost no problem, but when it go hard and she realized where she was then a freakout. Oh well, I guess we will be going more often until this is cleared. Luckily next week I can start climbing too. I could probably do it this week but they said I should lift or pull or push anything for a couple of weeks so it doesn't stress the scar. We will see how good I can be.
Kylee rock climbing the day we went.
Tia rock climbing the first day.
Friday we ventured down to Denver. I decided that I would go to the temple 2x this month. However, I decided really late in the month, so I only had this past weekend to go. So, I drove myself and the girls to Denver and Kitt watched them for me while I went to the temple. It was really nice to go to the temple. I had a lot on my mind and the Celestial Room was so peaceful and it was great to just be there. However, I didn't get to visit with Kitt much which was kind of a downer, so I think I have decided that I will go 2x to the Ft. Collins temple and then just go visit Kitt. That way I am all excited and had a chance to visit and play and then the traffic doesn't seem so bad. Don't get me wrong I would do it for the temple again, but I think it is more relaxing to go to temple when I don't have traffic to worry about driving home in. However, the girls had a great time with their Aunt Kitt. They went swimming, had Mac and Cheese, played games, played defeat the Hun with Aunt Kitt's boyfriend Matthew, and all sorts of fun. Then to cap-off their already awesome day, Gaupo brought home Moana, and so we had to watch that. I guess it is a good thing they didn't take naps till they were in the car.
Me at the Denver Temple
As you probably guessed, if I am going twice this month then I needed to go Saturday too. Gaupo and I took the girls with us to the temple and did initiatories. So Gaupo watched the girls while I went in and then we switched. They pretty much played in the grass and puddles I think while I was in the temple. Then when I took over we walked around some more. There were a couple of brides there and Tia loved watching them. So, it was kind of weird to follow these strangers around and watch while their pictures were being taken, but I could definitely think of worse things to be fascinated by. So, we watch brides, dipped our hands in the fountain, played sit and listen for a minute then tell mom what you hear. Kylee actually really like this game. Tia obviously struggled a bit, but I think it was good for them to just sit for minute and look at the temple. I am really glad we took them. Sometimes, it is kind of long for them, but I think it is good for kids to go to the temple and have that be part of their lives every once in awhile. After the temple, Gaupo treated us to Wendy's and we came home and made Tia a burrito (she doesn't like hamburgers, chicken nuggets, or fries), and ate a picnic on the living room floor and then finally got the girls to bed for a nap. That night for dinner we did one of my favorite things--a weiner roast. It was so great to cook outside. The air was kind of cool the fire was warm, we have a pretty nice looking back yard and we do it together. I don't know I just love it and, so I am glad Gaupo spoiled me with that fun evening dinner. We just chilled outside for awhile and then doused the fire and got baths and bed.
Aren't we just the cutest family ever!?!
Tia sitting being quiet.
Kylee sitting quiet.

Me at the Temple.
Our last great adventure this week was going to the fair and watching the Westinaries show for FHE on Monday. Westinaries is a high school horse group that does all kind of tricks on their horses. The girls loved it especially Tia. Both girls said they wanted a horse after and I still kind of wish for a horse, but Gaupo of course said no. Which right now is fine. I mean seriously I live in the middle of Longmont, where would I put a horse? But some dreams just linger and are made even more fun when your girls want it too. It was a good show. They did a good job and I love that the girls loved it and that it wasn't TV, so you got what you got and they were still entertained with it. Gaupo enjoyed the show too, so I think it was a win for everyone. Plus, the girls got to stay up late, why wouldn't they like that?
Us at the Westinaries show.(Tia, Guapo, Kylee, and Me)
I feel so blessed to have been able to do the things we have done this summer. I really feel like it is the first summer our girls could really appreciate or do any of these things and it has been so fun. I have never wanted summer to end, but I feel like this one is ending all too soon. There is still a few more things I want to do and there is just not enough time, but I am so grateful for what we have been able to do. It really has been a lot of fun to play and be a family this summer.