4th of July Week

Our "Holiday" started at the beginning of the week, with Chris off of work for the entire week. On Monday afternoon we headed to Alamogordo, to swim and stay at a hotel for the night, so we could get started right away on Tuesday. We woke up to rain and thunderstorms (put a damper on our original plans), so headed to the Space Museum for the morning.
The weather cleared up for us, so we grabbed some lunch and headed out to White Sands. The hotel had some discs to ride down the dunes, so we borrowed a few of those. The boys had a blast! And the weather was just perfect.
After that we headed to the Missle Range (a military base, but you can go in to visit the museum), and we saw some retired missles and the museum.
That night we met Chris's grandpa and his wife for dinner.
The next morning we got up and drove to Carlsbad to visit the Caverns. Caleb was pretty scared of the (somewhat) dark, so I carried him pretty much the whole way. Caden thought they were very cool, for about the first 15 minutes, then just got tired of walking. So, that may be a visit we wait a few more years to do again. But Chris and I enjoyed it, since it had been 11 years since we had been there (and, yes, together!). We went back to the hotel to swim (can you see what the boys enjoyed the most about the trip!), eat dinner, then head back to the Caverns for the bat flight at dusk. It was very cool, and even the boys enjoyed it.
Thursday we got up and drove to Anthony, TX/NM (it is in both states!-just outside of El Paso) to go to Wet N Wild. Something we won't do again. It wasn't very well kept up, and VERY expensive. The boys had a good time, but we would have had just as much fun at one of the local pools with a slide. We learned our lesson.
On the 4th, we went to a BBQ at a friends' house. The boys swam for a little while in their pool, until we saw lightning, then there was a huge rain/thunderstorm. A few people, just a few miles away, got struck by the lightning. It poured for about an hour, then cleared up just in time to do a few fireworks in the street, then we headed to the nearby soccer fields to park and watch the city fireworks.
Sunday we missed church (we all slept until almost 9-unheard of at our house) because we were out so late the night before. But, luckily our church had an afternoon of soft jumping toys, food, an outdoor evening service, then some amazing fireworks.
Oh, and that morning Chris set up our new little pool in the backyard, which the boys are absolutely loving.
So, needless to say, we were all exhausted by Monday (unfortunately for Chris, he had to be back at work).

Trip to Arizona

After school and soccer were over, the boys and I went to Phoenix (Chandler, actually) with my mom and dad to visit my sister, her boyfriend, and my brother. My dad drove, and I sat in the back between the car seats (not smart, as my back has not been doing great since). The boys did well in the car, with a little nap, and the portable DVD players.
We got there on a Wednesday night, just in time to unpack the (packed) car and get ready for bed.
We got lucky, and my sister was able to take the entire time we were there off from work. Her boyfriend was very busy, so we didn't get to see him as much as he would have liked. And my brother works mostly nights, so we only saw him some evenings. We were also lucky that we had mostly overcast and cool (at least for the Phoenix area) weather.

On Thursday we went to In and Out Burger for lunch, then stopped at a park on the way home. While the boys rested, me, my mom and my sister went to IKEA for a few hours. Then to Chuck E. Cheese for dinner, and just hung out at the house the rest of the day. My sister gathered some fun toys for the boys, including a Game Boy for Caden, which he LOVES, and a pirate foam art kit.The boys and Aunt Mer


"Chuck E. Cheese" boys


Grandpa Jerry (my dad), Aunt Mer (my sister), Uncle Sam (my brother)

Game Boy time

Pirate Caleb

On Friday we went to a splash park in downtown Tempe in the morning and packed a lunch to eat near some water (a dam, I think), then to Rainforest Cafe for dinner.The fam at Rainforest

On Saturday we went Ice Skating. The boys did well with help and loved it. And, it was my mom's first time ever to go ice skating. She was very cute! Then we went out for a celebration dinner (many of us have birthdays between March and June, and for Mother's/Father's Day) at Elephant Bar. Later that night, my parents stayed with the boys while they all went to bed, and my brother, sister and her boyfriend took me to a piano bar. We had a great time, and it was nice to spend some time with them (without children, who loved the attention of Aunt Mer, Uncle Sam and Rob).Grandma Darlene and her boys, getting ready for the rink

Brave Grandma!

Caden with Aunt Mer and Rob

Aunt Mer helping Caleb

Grandpa and Caleb taking a break

Caleb being silly with Grandma at Elephant Bar

Caden's new "pose" with Aunt Mer

Siblings-Mer, Me, Sam at the piano bar

Rob and Mer at the piano bar

On Sunday we went to a Science museum (similar to Explora in Albuquerque, but bigger), where they had a special lego exhibit. Later that evening we barbecued at the house.The boys, as the rail car took off, to take us to the museum

Playing legoes at the museum

Dressed as dragons at the lego castle at the museum

Uncle Sam being silly with Caleb

The boys playing with one of their three dogs

Then on Monday we went for bagels for breakfast, then headed home.
We had a great time, but we were all exhausted by the end (especially my dad!).
We hope they can come see us in Albuquerque soon (hint, hint!).

A few of Caden's Graduation Pictures

It's been a month (I know!) since Caden's graduation. They actually do a ceremony with caps, gowns, and diplomas (a little much I think, but very cute). They brought each child up individually (there are 2 Pre-K classes on Monday/Wednesday at his school) and shared a little about each child, from the child's previously recorded responses. Our favorite was that he wants to be a monster truck driver when he grows up.
It was so amazing to see several of his friends who have been there with him for the 3 years (he went to the 2, 3 and 4 year old programs), and to really remember them as 2 year olds, and now see them as 4 and 5 year olds.

Caden walking in to the music

Caden's class

Both Pre-K classes

Me and my monkey!

A long time...I know

Last month was so busy, that's why I haven't posted in a while. I promise I will update in more detail, with pictures, soon. But, in the meantime, just a quick update.
One on the main reasons I haven't posted is that I was very busy with my Mary Kay business last month. I was working with 2 of my new team members. One of them was finishing up the school year as a teacher, and packing and moving her family to the San Diego area, so I made sure she got all of her training in before she left so she could really jump start her business when she gets settled. The other one just started, so I was working with her on doing classes, and all of her training so she could get going too. Then, I was working hard to get one more team member to go on target to earn my car. That didn't happen last month, but with one more this month, I could go on target to start earning this month. So, if you or anyone you know are interested in starting a Mary Kay business, let me know. I would love to have more team members. It is so wonderful helping other women do what I do, and seeing them succeed.
Caden had his preschool graduation, all after recovering from being very sick (see my last post). More to come, including pictures.
Caden finished out his 3rd season of soccer.
And at the end of the month, after school and soccer were over, the boys and I went to Arizona with my parents to visit my sister and brother. We had a blast, and I will be posting tons of pictures and what we did soon.
Then, over the last week Chris and I have been talking and praying about school options for Caden for the fall. He will be starting Kindergarten, and it has been heavy on our hearts to homeschool, as it has for a long time. So, I will keep you all up to date on what we decide. You can all be praying for us on this.
I'll be back soon!

Happy Mother's Day?

What is being a Mother? The way we celebrated this weekend says a lot about being a mom. Friday at 6am Caleb woke up and threw up. Followed by a fever that afternoon and evening, followed by more vomiting and diarrhea Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Caden had it Saturday and Sunday, and a little Monday. So, I spent my Mother's Day weekend cleaning children, sheets and clothes, and carpets. Thank God they seem to be doing better today-it seemed like it was never going to end! But, like I said, I guess that is just as much a part of being a mom as all of the rest! I hope all you moms had a great Mother's Day.

My baby is 3!

Last weekend Caleb turned 3. It is so hard to believe! It goes so fast, and I am holding dear to every moment I have with him (and my big boy, Caden) because I realize how soon it will all be gone. In so many ways he is still my "baby", but he is just growing up so fast.
On Friday we had a few of his friends to the park for a play date and cupcakes. Besides the fact that he had a double ear infection, he had fun with his friends.
On Saturday he woke up to Batman balloons.
After Caden's soccer game, we went to lunch with some friends, where they sang him Happy Birthday and brought a dessert.
That night we had family over for pizza (his favorite) and cupcakes. He was so excited, that we let him open his presents first. He was thrilled to get a Batman house, which he has been asking for at bedtime every night since Christmas, and some "Cars" legoes from his grandparents.
Then on Monday he was Special Person at school, where he brought a special snack, and they all sang Happy Birthday to him.
He had a great birthday, and is enjoying all of his great gifts.