Skate Night

 

If Zoe had her way we would go to the skate park every day. She often talks about waking up early so daddy can take her before he goes to work. Dean & I giggle at the cuteness of it all. With that being said she really would if she could. She's fearless too. I've never seen a 5 year old fall & get back up so effortlessly. All of our kids have strengths. This is Zoe'. Determined, unafraid, adventurous. 

Aris & her sweet ride. 

Oblio watching all the "Cool, cool, tricks!" as Zoe called them. 

It looks like she's falling but she crawls down on her tummy...... 

all the way to the bottom. My little goofball. 

Dean watching for a few minutes. He's so awesome about helping the girls when needed. I'm more than willing but the girls want Dean to help. Maybe I should just stick to taking the pictures, lol :)

Sloan giving her scooter a spin around the park.

Even my mom got in on the action. Go mom!

Looking forward to more of these skate park evenings. This particular evening we had it to ourselves for most of the time we were there. We couldn't have asked for a nicer evening. The sun was setting. Casting it's golden glow. Everything felt magical & nostalgic all at once. If there had been music playing you would have heard some Crosby Stills & Nash with a little Joni thrown in for good measure. I love evenings like these. The sun seems to set a little later every evening. Making it hard for the girls to go to bed when they actually need to. I'm soaking up these summer days. I know that in just a few short weeks not one but two of my little ones are going back to school. Zoe will start kindergarten & she can hardly wait. Sloan will be in 6th grade. How did that even happen? It will just be me, Aris, & Oblio at home. Times are a changing. Sometimes I get that twinge in my heart, like, is this really it? Is this how it's going to be? Omri is the last? In 4 years I will have all my kids in school? What will I do with myself!?!?!?!? Then a calmness comes over me & I know that it is what it is. Life has been so good. The Lord has blessed us with so much. I am sure when the time comes I will fill my days just as much as I do now, just different. I know there will be new challenges & exciting stages to experience as my children grow. As Dean & I grow. It is an odd feeling when you realize that you are getting older. It puts so many things into perspective. I only hope I fill my days with many more like this one. Because life is so short & I really probably could never get enough.

Who????

 The Bumma

pronounced like Boo-ma

aka my mom

otherwise known as the hardest worker ever

& the Nennan

pronounced like Nin-nin

aka my little sister

as in 17 years younger than me

That's who!

So happy to have them here.

Thank goodness for Famdamily!

First Salad

We are just starting to harvest some of the fruits of our labor. It was such a long cold spring but this week has hit us with upper 90* weather. We are soaking it up. Nevada weather can change so quickly. One day you could be wearing shorts & the next day it could snow. No joke.

I'm crossing my fingers that we will be blessed with an Indian Summer. It's only fair considering. 

  All our different lettuce & spinach are coming in so perfectly. It is such a treat to walk out into your backyard & pick what is needed to make a salad. The other night Dean made an amazing quiche with spinach from our garden. I think it tasted just a little yummier than if we had run to the store & bought it ;)

 We've had to move everything out of the greenhouse because of the heat, but we plan on continuing to grow our salads all through the fall & winter in the greenhouse. 

Summer's Salad

-Spring mix (any lettuce mix will do)

-fresh dill finely chopped

-fresh cilantro chopped

-cucumber cut up

-tomato diced

-dried cranberries (Craisins)

Mix all together & top with your favorite goat cheese or blue cheese. I added a light olive oil & vinaigrette  dressing but my mom used poppy seed dressing & thought it tasted delicious. I almost always add fresh cilantro to my salads but never thought to add fresh dill. It adds such a lovely hint of flavor & I will be adding it on a regular basis. Let me know if you try this salad. I'd love to know what your thoughts are on the fresh dill in the salad.

Eleven

Birthday Swim

Eleven years young Sloan. Although you are already talking about growing up faster than I want you to. Hammy burgers for dinner with Bumma, Nennan, & the rest of the famdamily. The waiters sang a cheesy happy birthday song to you while you blushed & the rest of us whooped & hollered. You got a karaoke game for your wii, a set of tiny furniture for your little Barbie babies & some tiny little LalaLoopsy sets (you like tiny things :). I am almost positive this will be the last year to buy you toys. I know this due to the embarrassed cry of "Mom!!!!!!!" when I mention toys in front of your friends. I guess it just isn't "cool" to play with toys anymore at your age. I am glad  you still do when no one else is around. I hope this eleventh year of your life proves to be a happy one. I hope that it's filled with less pain & wonderful friendship & learning experiences. Most of all I just want you to know how pleased I am with what a strong beautiful young woman you are turning into. I adore you sweet bologna. Happy Happy Birthday sweet girl!

Our Lives Have Been Filled..............

Life is so full. Sometimes it's hard to put into words all that I want to say. So I will let the pictures do the talking. Happy weekend to you all.

11 Months

11 Months

Well little man Oblio 11 months have been good to you. Now that you have teeth you have moved from baby food to the same meals we have. You can eat everything we do & this is the best thing ever! It's so nice to just feed you a small portion of whatever we have on our plates. Your tummy aches & yucky diapers have stopped also. Even when I feed you a little bit of dairy in your meals you do fine. Thank goodness. I thought for sure you were going to have a sensitive tummy like Aris. 

You are into everything. Everything! If you can't get into a certain cupboard or we take something away you sometimes throw the craziest temper tantrums. Full on throw yourself on the ground, flailing legs smacking arms throw your head side to side tantrums. They are a little hilarious to watch. If I don't pick you up these tantrums can go on for a good 15 minutes. You are very headstrong. You are also the best little snuggler. If you had your own way you would nurse all night long nuzzled up in the crook of my arm. If it didn't hurt my arm so much I'd let you.

The other day you started to dance when a song came on. When I sing to you your face lights up & you sing back. Now that you can reach the piano you love to "play" the keys. Then you pound away on your piano. I can't wait for you to be able to play the small drum set we have for you kids. I can just see you & daddy having a jam session out in the garage. 

Oh & those meaty little hands of yours! I could nibble them all day! Yes I have been known to steel all that sugar on those kissable cheeks of yours. I have to get it while I can for I know sooner than later you won't allow it. Until that time prepare for tons of sugar steeling. I love you my sweet little boy!