July

 Everyone was very excited to be home.  The kids and I had to go outside and thaw out.  Greg got me flowers and each of the kids a toy.  The boys got remote-controlled helicopters and the first thing they did was get one stuck in a tree.  Getting it out we got a basketball stuck in the tree.  It took us about 30 min, but we got the helicopter and the ball out of the tree. 

For the 4^th we went to a baseball game in 112 degrees.  We came home with 4 baseballs.  One from the outfield, one from a fowl ball and 2 from the roof.  We kept wetting our shirts in the bathroom in order for us not to die, they would go from soaking wet to bone dry in about 10 min.  Then the park had food trucks and bounce houses.   Denali stayed in line for about 30 min, for a tramp jump, and they closed it down when he was 2 people away.  I was proud of him for never giving up in line.  You win some and lose some.   Then Colvin went to get popcorn with Greg and their credit card machine when down, they were about 3 people till the beginning.   Losing is hard but part of life.  They both took it good.   The fireworks were ok but very short.   Greg splurged and bought some fireworks for us.   The boys were so big and brave (Greg let them light fireworks on their own.)   Azalyn just liked to watch.   End fail, the last night we had sparklers and the last sparkler Azalyn touch the end.  Mustered is the answer.

Hurricane Harbor is open till 8.  We met Greg after work and went for a few hours.   It was great, way less people and a little cooler.  However, one night as we were driving the AC went out in the Van, we all hopped in the Bolt hoping we could get AC.  However, the bolt was very very low on power.  On the way home Greg had to shut everything off (neither of us had AC on the way home) we figured the bold had 5-7 kw left by the time he made it home (idling it takes 3 kw)

Denali Finished swim.  We had a great year.  The boys learned a lot, improved their swimming, and had fun. Win Win for all!  There was a family swim party night that was the highlight of the year.

Just Random family stuff.  In our Sunday family meeting we talked about how anger is YOUR choice.  We all have really taken it to heart.  You have to take responsibility for YOU.  We also learned that a family who prays together stays together.  Denali loves long games. We roped Colvin into playing Monopoly with us.  It took us 2 days!  We have been watching the OLD classics with the kids.  They loved Parent trap and Swiss Family Robinson.  We went to the Lake again.  We can see the water falling.  The first time we went we could paddle through the gap, then we had to pull the kayaks, but they were still in the water.  This time we had to carry them dry as a bone.   The cliffs are also getting higher and higher.  That does not stop the boys or me from jumping.  We went to a Saturday library program; it was a balloon guy.  All my kids came home with big balloons creations.   Colvin was a monster, Denali and Azalyn had big hats with animals. 

To do list Cross off:  One: I finally did the Viking hair on Azalyn.  It is really cool but tons of work.  It almost looks like a hair clip when you are done.  Two: I finished Tana’s wreath.  It is so cute; I want to take it down to the fair well.  Three: the kids and I oiled all the wood floors. Took us a few days but we got it done.   4^th I cleaned the purple rug, took me a few days (carpet really is gross) One night the boys were going to help me flip it after I did laundry, they surprised me and flipped it on their own.  

My kids really are my greatest joy.   One day I was playing with Azalyn, and she said mom you hit me in the balls.  I said you don’t have balls. She was fine with that.   I then asked her were her balls were and she pointed to her neck. Follow up questions are key.   Azalyn had one of the worst ear infections.  It stunk so bad and drained all in her hair and pillow.   I hope her tubes do their job.

Yes, almost that time again, school.  We went to a school movie night, as much exposure as possible.  The open house was crazy.   Denali has 10 classes   He has an A/B Schedule.   He has 2 classes he goes to every day.  We had to walk to and talk to every teacher.   I think he will love it since everyday is new.  Colvin’s teacher was really nice.  I hope they all have a great year.

Greg and I finally got a redo for our anniversary.  We are hoping this winter to take a few days for just us but for now…. We went to a Korean BBQ. It was really cool to experience and try but give me a hamburger and fries any day.    Our marriage theme song from Copper Alan “The Tough Ones”

Love ain't supposed to be a walk in the park If it was, we'd all have It's more like a blindfold reach in the dark and you're lucky if you can grab it Now your hands in mine, I'm gonna keep you close No matter what curves or roads gonna throw We won't let go 'Cause we both know.

We're gonna be the strong ones Still standing when the hell comes Still running when the well runs dry Still believing when the sun don't shine Ain't afraid of a hard day's night Won't quit when it doesn’t go right Let the world bring your dance on Girl, we're gonna be the tough onesYeah, the tough ones.

Ain't gonna say there won't be some days That'll give us all we can take but we won't back down or make it through somehow If we lean on love and faith, we’re never gonna break.

We're gonna be the strong ones Still standing when the hell comes Still running when the well runs dry Still believing when the sun don't shine Ain't afraid of a hard day's night Won't quit when it doesn’t go right Let the world bring your dance on Girl, we're gonna be the tough ones Yeah, the tough ones.

We found each other by the grace of God So we better give it all the give we got.

We're gonna be the strong onesStill standing when the hell comes Still running when the well runs dry Still believing when the sun don't shine Ain't afraid of a hard day's night Won't quit when it doesn’t go right Let the world bring your dance on Girl, we're gonna be the tough ones Let the world bring your dance on Girl, we're gonna be the tough ones Yeah, the tough ones.