D's Birthday

 
We weren't sure D would be home for his birthday - so went out to a German restraruant the night before to celebrate!!!  I forgot to take a picture of the rolladen, snitzel, or spaetzle - but it was all good.  Then we went home and had cupcakes!!!!   I think the night before celebrating was actually perfect for him . . . put him in the right mood for the next day!  (:  I might do it next year too!!! 
I like to list things about the birthday person that = the # of years they are  . . .  but I think I'll keep that tradition for the kids.  (:  But I will say D's a hard worker, he's helpful, easygoing, funny, and quick to forgive and forget.   We love you D Lowe!!!!

TV comment

Well - it happened - my oldest has realized we aren't like other families when it comes to TV shows.  (we have a TV for movies/DVDs but we are not able to pick up any channels on it.  Perphaps we have no antenee???    I don't complain.)   After leaving my brother's house when a show was on that B was interested in  - she asked "why don't we have that kind of TV?"   (:  Made me smile.  I feel lucky that it took  years to notice (or ask).   (:

But we do have a Wii and this summer I got "Just Dance 2" and the kids love it!  Keeps them moving!  (:

pear pickin'

My friend said her mom had pears that needed to be picked and since I'm always up for free produce we went out to her property and picked from two trees!  I"m so glad we did!  The kids had a good time!

Then I went up the ladder while D held it . . . no support from something else - he just held it - strong guy!  (:  We got 2 full boxes and it was good family activity!!!  The pears turned out to be AWESOME!!!  I've picked from other's trees and they don't ripen - they can still taste good - but more of a crunchy pear.   These ripened at different times and were delicious!!!  I shared a few (people were impressed with the juicyness!   I dehyrated some, made about 9 pear crips (froze 1/2) and ate the rest fresh!  I hope they call me next year!!!!  Thank you for sharing!!!!

Activities

Back to school means back to other activities - like dance class!  Yea!!!!    B has moved up to the black leotard!  (:  She is in Level 1 ballet and a tap classes.  Ak is in the JR. ballet and tap class.

 Music Makers is also back on the schedule!   The month's theme is Transportation and Occupations. 

Here Ak is a "doctor" - I had a friend use her phone to take a picture since Ak has said she wanted to be a doctor when she grew up . . .   Did I tell you this story?  That she said she didn't know how to be one (a dr.) though and I told her she could go to college to learn how to be one.  She then asked me if I would take her to college when she's bigger so she could learn that.   (:  I said yes.  

Back to School

Z requested this hairstyle again . . so his Dad cut it for him.  (:   After the first day of school he still had a smile - YEA!!!  His sister on the other hand - left her smile at school and wasn't in the mood for any pictures!  Luckily she got to go back the next day and pick it up!!!! 

P.S.  He got a few new pairs of clothes - but he didn't want to wear them the first day???  Something about how he wanted the first piece of new clothing he wore to be a STARS WARS shirt and the shorts he wanted to wear them with were dirty - so he was happy to wait for them.    B also had some unique thoughts about wearing new clothes.  She wouldn't wear two items on the same day . . . she wanted to spread them out I guess:  new shirt and a old skirt or new shorts with an old shirt.  That's fine - I wasn't about to insist they wear something new the first day - what if the day comes they have nothing new to wear.  ???  (:

Mr. T

Well . . . it happened.  Mr. T died.  Went to go be with his wife in heaven!  My parents helped care for him in his home for 4 years before their mission.  He was a supporter of the police and a super heros fan.

 Especially SPIDERMAN!!! 

 Cute couple huh?!

This is how I remember them!  They lived on my parent's street as long as I can remember!

 His children, spouses, and grandchildren.  They are very supportive of each other.

 This is me, my brothers, and Lynda T.  - she was one of my older sister's good friends growing up.  I can't remember life without her.   She lives in Utah now and we don't see her as much - but when we do it's always fun!   She has a great sense of humor! 

Mr. T was a John Wayne fan . . . they had this poster displayed.   Good point Mr. T!!!  Thank you!

Friends Birthday Party!

I am doing this post to have evidence that I did take my neices and nephew outside to a park during their visit.  It was SUPER hot, but it was for a birthday  party for a boy we really like - so it was worth it.

 My neice above has good upper arm strength!  And below is the birthday boy with Z and my nephew! 

 Below is MY daughter.  She was so hot and miserable!  She just wanted to go home!  I didn't blame her . . . . summer is not my season!   I might have influenced her opinion a little in her 7 years . . . sorry.