San Diego

We had so much fun on our vacation last week! Robert took a half day on Friday (the 10th) and we headed to Yuma to meet up with Cynthia and her family.  We spent the night there and then Saturday morning we caravaned to San Diego! We picked up some lunch and went straight to a park down the street from the San Diego temple.  Robert and I watched all the kids while Cynthia and Chris visited the temple.  Then we  all headed to the condo that we rented just down the street from Imperial Beach.  After settling in a bit we trekked down to the beach.  The kids had a blast and were so glad we found some boogy boards stashed away in a closet at the condo.  The pics from our first day at the beach were taken on Roberts phone so I don't have them on my computer..

Sunday we went to the closest ward and Lucy loved her sunbeam class - she asked if we could go back to that church the next week too.  After church we went to the Mormon Battalion Visitor Center.  I really enjoyed learning about the reasoning behind the Mormon Battalion and how it was a blessing for the saints to be able to earn money and help the rest of the Saints move west.  

Edwin, Lucy, and Kaylee

Benson dressed like a soldier

Checking out the covered wagon

(Edwin had a little too much fun panning for gold - hence the no shirt)

Monday morning we went to the Birch Aquarium where we saw lots of fun fish, sharks, turtles, and an octopus!

Not a great picture but octopus don't like light

 Look it's Crush!

Enjoying the beautiful weather outside while eating our lunch

They had a big area outside filled with activities having to do with different types of power - solar, wind, etc.

 Playing with these boats was Edwin's favorite part of the whole trip - it was hard to drag him away

Monday late afternoon we walked down to the beach again for more boarding, swimming, and burying!

The kids loved burying Robert in the sand

Me and Cynthia

This baby loved the sand!

So did this one! Although I think he liked trying to run into the ocean even more...

Lucy liked to make full body imprints in the sand

Tuesday we packed up and headed to the park again - this time so Robert and I could attend the temple.  I loved seeing the super tall ceilings and the indoor garden; it was beautiful!  After the temple we headed home with a quick stop in Yuma and then all the way back to the blistering heat in Mesa.  I had so much fun on this vacation and was glad the the Tolman's came with us!

5 Years!

We celebrated our 5th anniversary this year! Crazy! Robert and I picked up Chipotle and then headed to the movie theater to eat and watch Jurassic World.  I liked the movie and it was a fun night out - but our real celebration will be happening in August.  Robert and I are taking a quick trip to LA (using his air miles) to go to Six Flags, the beach, and the LA temple.  I'll post about it when it happens - right now all I can do is look forward to it!

Finally did the traditional try on of the wedding dress a couple weeks ago.  

 Love how much my family has grown these past 5 years.  They are all awesome!

5 years!

 Love how Edwin is mid somersault

Father's Day and Scout Camp

This year for Father's Day I put my pinterest skills to work.  I traced this shirt with a template I found online and then Lucy helped me color it.  The kids loved playing with the cars on it while Robert laid down after church.  We also made a #1 Dad scribble mug.  The kids had so much fun coloring on it and were so excited to give Robert his presents.  Lucy kept telling him we made presents for him but wouldn't tell him what until church day when he could open them.

  We also made him breakfast burritos in the morning and sang him Father's Day songs all day long!  We sure love this #1 Dad!

The week following Father's Day Robert was gone the whole week at Scout Camp.  Me and the kids stayed busy by doing lots of fun activities.

We started the week at the AZ Mills Aquarium.  They loved all the fish.  Edwin's favorite were the sharks and Lucy liked the seahorses.

One day we packed a dinner and spent several hours at the Superstition play area complete with carousel rides.

Our first splash pad adventure of the summer!

A shopping trip at Target

And of course some downtime on the iPad.  

We also spent time with cousins a couple different nights and spent a morning at Grandma's. It was a lot of fun - but I think we were all happy when Daddy came back home!

Sometimes I look at this blog and think I should update it - but it never seems to happen. So just shy of a year later here I am updating it.

Here are some highlights:

• Added 900 sq. feet onto the back of our house.  I love love love how much bigger my kitchen is!  With lots of new cabinet space and a giant island! It's also nice having a 'family room' that isn't the first thing seen when walking in the front door, and the kids like having another room to play in. The master bathroom is getting close to being done and it will be nice to be a 2 bathroom house again! (Although it hasn't been as bad as I was dreading only using the 1)  Robert will finish up the new master bedroom as he finishes the bathroom and then all that will be left will be to fix up the current master bedroom into a room for the kids. (Scraping ceiling, putting in a window, adding carpet, etc.)
• Our wards changed boundaries but both Robert and I were recalled into our same callings that we had had.  Me as primary secretary and Robert as Scout Master...
• Lucy took a tumbling class and for the most part loved it!  She is excited to start ballet and preschool in the fall.
• Both Lucy and Edwin did swimming lessons and did so great!  All 3 kids love to go swimming (Alice thinks she can swim by herself too!)
• Lucy turned 4 and had a fun water party in the backyard with a bunch of her friends.
• Robert went to scout camp all of last week.  Me and the kids kept busy by going to the aquarium (which was a big hit) hanging out with cousins, playing at the mall/riding the carousel, having a movie night, playing at the splash pad, and of course a trip to grandma's house.
• Alice became a proficient crawler around 5 1/2 months and is now starting to walk (when she feels like it)

I'm sure lots of other things have happened since I last updated this but that will have to do for now.  Sorry no pictures to go with the highlights - but here are a few of the kids.