I've learned a lot about myself in the last year. I'm so thankful for summer, and I can blow very big bubbles. (okay, so I may have already known that, but it was a cool picture anyway!) After a very long busy school year, there is nothing like the liberating change of pace that summer brings. Summer is a wonderful meld of playtime and chores of survival. There is never any getting ahead in the mix, but still a welcome relief.I really did enjoy having my kids around this summer. I felt like I spent some much needed time with them. This last school year I did what my mom calls, "spreading myself too thin." Although the stress of it all made me gain 10 pounds instead of getting "thin!" Between PTO president, school newspaper advisor and Relief Society Counselor, I let a lot of other things go. I felt a lot of guilt and decided to change my priorities and not commit myself to so much before Clint had me committed to the looney bin.
Clint promised some updated photos to family in hopes that maybe I'd finally update our blog. So here are some favorite photos of our memories of our summer surrender to schedule freedom 2011!
Brooke enjoying the wonderful early summer weather that we had. Complete with slippers because it was only 89 degrees. After the first of June though, it was brutal. No rain and no reprieve from the 90s or 100s. But that didn't stop the playing in the backyard. Brooke played outside almost every day even if it only lasted a couple minutes before she came in for a drink.
The last week of school Kayla participated in a talent show with her friends. THey did a dance routine they made up to the song "Firework." Kayla did great and had tons of fun.
Swim team consumed most of our June. The kids did great this year swimming. We really enjoy watching them get better every year. With 3 kids participating in a lot of events, the meets seemed to go a lot quicker this year.
This is Kayla showing off her beautiful form on butterfly. That girl can wiggle!
We enjoyed a day at the Galveston Beach in June. The kids couldn't get enough of the water this time. Usually they play in the sand the majority of the time, but most of their time was spent out jumping into the waves.
Josh got glasses this summer to prepare himself for the marvelous transition to Jr. High! Ahh! He loves his glasses and is enjoying being able to see. OOps for not taking him in sooner. And he looks so studious.
Happy Father's Day to Clint! What a great Dad.
Lindsay and Brooke were able to take a little ballet class taught by a couple of 11 year old girls. It was adorable and affordable!
We had a wonderful visit from Clint's bro Jeromy and his cute kiddos Aylin and Brayden. This is us at an Astros game. We also had a great time at SeaWorld and the beach and just relaxing at the neighborhood pool.
Linds at the splashpad at SeaWorld. It was a must to get wet after walking around in the heat!
Everyone put your hands up! We had the perfect amount of kids for this one. Brooke loved this ride, (and so did Josh, but he won't admit it :)
Happy 4th of July! The kids rode their decorated bikes and scooters in the church parade around the church parking lot.
Brooke thinks any holiday including the 4th of July should involve her green Minnie Mouse Christmas socks. She loves these socks and she loves celebrating her independence to wear whatever she wants along with our Country's independence.
Josh kicked a board and broke it and advanced another belt in Tae Kwan Do. Woo Woo!
Clint and I participated in a Summer of Seals Competition in which we worked all summer toward the final Navy Seals challenge in August. We had to swim 500 meters, do pushups, situps and pullups and run a mile and a half. The faster we swam and ran and the more pushups, situps and pullups we did, the more points we gained. It was a good challenge, and it was good to have something to motivate us to work out all summer.This is us after the competition, and we are even smiling!
And after all of that, no wonder the summer flew by. But it was great, and now the kids are back at school. Josh is in Jr. High and is doing great. He loves having the chance to switch to a lot of different classes and learn new things. He is learning how to play the french horn, and he loves it. Kayla and Lindsay are going to a new Elementary School that was built at the back of our neighborhood. We get to ride bikes to school now! We all love the chance to get out and ride bikes together. Brooke is my fun companion at home, and keeps me laughing all the time. She changes her clothes about 5 times a day and plays baby dolls a lot. So there is our much needed update. Thanks to Grandpa and Grandma Humpherys for motivating me! Love you all.
