July

 In Utah we had a list of favorites. Top was Maverick we stopped a few times. 

We went to the Rec Center for 2+ hours. Azalyn was so tired, but she had to go down the slide just one more time again and again. We met up with Greg's family at the Spanish Fork Park (best park ever).  We figured that Azalyn has been swimming more in her life than Greg has in his. It was nice to see Greg's dad. 

Another Top favorite believe it or not was Costco. Utah's Costco has way better candy. We let each kid pick candy (we might have a 6 month supply of candy.) Nickle arcade was also on the list (we just cannot find one in Arizona). We even let Azalyn have her own card. 

The reason for our trip was being with family for fireworks. Utah always has their fireworks on the weekend. (Worked out so we could watch more than one firework show). Bowling is the family tradition, and it did not disappoint. Then BYU is just so much fun, no distractions you really have to talk with family. The kids were delighted that; Sonya and kids were there, and they were big enough that I let them explore on their own, with a phone of course. The kids were kind of sad to leave at 11 (cousins are the best.) It was such a good time being at Tana's, she fed us real food (fast food for 3 days is not ok) Spencer blessed the sacrament Sunday, Azalyn tried to wave HI! We played a new game Tenzzi. We were going to leave early for Idaho but my whole family slept in till 9. Tana took us to a park to say farewell. 

Idaho, we started at the Hatfield’s. We went to their in-laws. They had a pool so the kids could swim. Then to see fireworks again. Mom, Dad and Grandma came down too. Snow cones were the highlight. McCarty showed my kids how to make corn husk dolls. They were really creative. Denali love that he was the biggest, he was strong enough to push everyone on the tire swing.  My family slept in till 9 again (run run run till you drop). Mom cornered me about a baby. It was harder to talk to her than I expected. The lord has blessed me with 3 amazing kids. I would Love another baby, but I am 100% ok with my 3 blessings. Mom said she has been in my shoes. 

Then to Sierra’s. We went to the skate park and the kids loved it. See a blessing everyday: We went for lunch in the park. The only thing we have every received was a sandwich. Denali really wanted a hamburger, guess what they served us at the park. Yep, Hamburgers. One of the kids favorite things was, sitting side by side playing road blocks together.  Sierra wanted to take us on a fast hike. We went to a water fall and the water was COLD we need to mix Idaho and Arizona water. Azalyn was so tired that I stayed with her at the bottom, but Greg and Sierra hiked the water falls with the rest of the kids. We left Idaho bright and early. We left Idaho at 65 degrees and we came home to 110 degrees.  Being home was nice

Mom BRAG: As a mom I am so hard on myself. I never think that I am doing anything right. Here are a few things I have done right. I have taught my kids how to clean, they might not like it, but they can do it. When it is 10 min time, we can get a lot picked up and done. As a family we read the scriptures 90% of the time. It has taken us YEARS(5+),4 moves, but we read the whole book of Mormon as a family. We have started reading the D&C. We bought each kid their own to color, so far, they have love it. I hope this takes us less than 5 years but not stopping is key. 

In July we have to start talking about school BOO! I did online shopping that rocked but word to the wise, buy the school supply package. 

The kids begged hard enough (for the last 2 years) that we let them install fortnight. They call it the "F" Game. 

Azalyn's new thing: push her to the bottom of the pool so she can touch the bottom or get toys.  Denali passed his eye test. Not so happy, but the doctor did say he might need glasses someday. 

I took the kids to the lake, we have to try and do it all before school. I was not the nicest mom (the kids call me dragon mom) I need to just breathe. It was fun just floating in the water. There is no cold water in Arizona.  I need to remember not to under estimate the power of the other side. I have been indexing again, helps my attitude. With the boys being older, they are getting to be great helpers. They can blow up the board about 80% of the way.   Monsoon season has been so fun to watch. It will rain buckets for 10 min than nothing. It is fun hot rain, we have even been in and stayed in the pool during one rain storm. 

BIG NEWS: Greg got food stuck in his chest and ended up spending 3 days in the hospital. He had a 12 inch cut in his esophagus. It was from a piece of pork, ribs, I did try to make it look like an accidence, HAHA. All joking a side there were a lot of blessings, the first being him going to the hospital, and me not talking him out of it. He could breathe it just really hurt, he would of went to bed and never woke up. In the ER they had him stay so the next day he could get a scope. I was blessed with the energy to do it all for three days. I had to keep me and the kids busy. The first day I got woken up on the run, with tree people and bathroom people here. Azalyn did not want to leave the hospital when we went and seen daddy. Colvin could not get out of the hospital fast enough. Denali just wanted him to come home now. I could not sleep. I was able to use our new bathtub. One hard thing was cooking. I introduced my kids to KFC they loved it. We also discovered were I want to take my family when they come, White Tank.

During all this I would listen to conference talks to relax me. There was one from 2009 "You are doing Good Work" it was a hug from heaven for me. 

We were all over joyed when Greg got to come home! 

I try to stay "trendy" I got me new shoes that Greg hates, but Azalyn said, "mom your shoes are so cool" I will take the compliment from my 3 year old. I made yogurt; McCarty introduced everyone now we are all on the band wagon. My family ate my first batch in one morning. I had made it for Greg, he can only eat soft food. I have to put in a service story; at the church bathroom there was no toilet paper in a stall. I put a big line of toilet paper on the top of the holder. The moment I snapped the picture, to send to McCarty, someone walked in. Never underestimate a small act.

Big News for Azalyn: no more bottles. Mom needs to sleep, and she was waking up 2 and 3 times asking for juice at night. Then we had put her back in diapers for night because she was drinking 2 or 3 bottles. Water only in bottles, and she did not want that, so DONE. Harder to get her to go to sleep at night but not waking up at night, WIN!

Some fun Things my kids have been doing: Melty Beads, we spend a whole day just doing melty beads. We had to take it easy when Greg got home. I made a 2 square princess for Azalyn. Denali made the whole Mario world. Colvin just liked huge random things. Talent. Azalyn got a tea set from the dollar store. Best buy ever, we have all sipped a gallon of water.  Bike ride, I got smaller bikes for the boys and got Azalyn a bike with Training wheels. She rides her bike ALL the time ALL over the house. I told the kids that if it was under 100, I would go on a ride. It was like 99 one day so we went. We went on about a 2 mile round trip ride and Azalyn peddled the whole time. We went the back way to the dollar store. We went to the end of year library summer reading party. Culture shock: there was maybe 100 kids and my kids got multiple of everything. In Utah there would of been 500 kids and if each family got one thing you would of been lucky. 

SCHOOL Sad face: I took Azalyn to her pre-school open house. She was not so sure at first but then did not want to leave. She was REALLY not happy that she did not get to bring her backpack. Then we went to the kids open house. It was long, boring but the kids did great. I think this year will be good.