The Zoo

For most of the week the kids could be found all crammed together in the office having a grand time playing rob-lox together or watching some stupid you tube videos. We tried to go swimming on Wednesday at the Meridian pool but we went too late and we were turned away because of their full capacity. There is nothing I hate more than sunscreen applied in vain. We headed back to the house and blew up some inner tubes and went and floated the ditch at DeMeyer park. They had a great time. I love that park. On Thursday we went over to my friend Tiff's mom's pool again. The crowd was much bigger this time around. The kids had a great time swimming as usual.

On Wednesday night Scott and I had a mid-week date to see The Matrix in the theater. Scott loves that movie and they were doing a limited showing to celebrate the 20 year anniversary. On Friday night we met our friends The Millers and ate dinner at The Habit. Afterwards we tortured Kimberly and watched a scary movie. Hopefully she will not need therapy. The movie Hereditary is a trip!

On Saturday Scott's work rented out the Boise Zoo for their employees and families. They fed us dinner and the food was DELISH. I had seconds and Scott had fourths. The zoo was basically empty, it felt a little creepy. I felt like I was waiting to get attacked by zombies. The kids had a blast. I loved it minus the fact that I had a headache and headaches make life miserable.

Today has been all about R&R. I am still not feeling great and I am fully embracing a lazy day.

Ouch!

Our Shed...and Atomic Days!

Our shed got built on Tuesday! It's so cute! I'm feeling good about our design choice and paint color choice. We decided to build a shed in lieu of moving or trying to add on. It is going to be Scott's office/extra TV room/the kids are too loud so they need to go to the shed/the kids are too loud...I'm going to the shed! The inside is unfinished. We need to insulate and put flooring in. I'm not quite sure when that will actually happen. Corbin had a sleep over in the shed the first couple of nights. 

This last week the kids went swimming three times! We went twice to the Meridian pool and once with a friend at her mom's pool. Every Thursday she opens up her house and pool to people. She lets them swim and she feeds them lunch. I love that,  so generous and fun! In an alternate life where I am rich and have my own pool I would totally do that! 

On Friday we headed over to Arco for the Beal family reunion. I had done zero prep ahead of time so Friday morning was a bit of a scramble to get everything ready to go. We got to Arco around dinner time. We just hung out and later that night we had a campfire. On Saturday morning several of us got up and ran the atomic days fun run. Hart, Gabe and I did the 10K and Jory and Kelsey did the 5K. I was happy that I reached my goal of running it under an hour. I wish I would have beaten Gabe who NEVER works out ever. Ha. My knees hurt the rest of the day. I'm signed up to run a half marathon in September but I'm unsure if I will follow through. Running long distances is really bad for my knees. I think I'm going to have to play it by ear. 

After they handed out awards we hurried home and showered and headed back into town for the parade. The kids got tons of candy and had a great time. The rest of the day everyone mostly sat around and chatted while the cousins played non stop all day. That evening we had our shared combined meal and it was delicious. Dutch oven potatoes are always a favorite! We also surprised my dad with a mini belated birthday celebration since he turned 70 in June. Kelsey ordered a cake and I made a candy graham, That night we had another campfire. This morning my family got up, packed up and came home. We had a great time!

Our shed! So cute!

The unfinished inside (including kid sleep over paraphernalia)

Cute kids at Meridian pool. 

Watermelon lovin'! When I think of summer I think of swimming and watermelon. 

Scott could be found off by himself reading his book while at my parents house. Ha.

I won 1st place in my age division (I was probably the only one). I also won the first prize in the raffle, a $250 propane gas gift certificate. I gave it to my dad to make up for all of those Christmas presents I never get him. Ha

Kids waiting for candy! 

My dad had his old Chevelle restored. It was my parents first car. Gabe wanted to drive it in the parade.

Candy, candy, candy!

Gabe brings his pool every year for the reunion. It is a lifesaver! 

All of us gathered around the fire.

Fun run participants. 

Dad's Birthday cake!

My parents and all of my siblings minus Keaton.

Summer Happenings

This last week was a good one. I took the kids to a magic show at the library. It was pretty good. It was an hour long though which was too long in my opinion. The magician is a local VIPKID teacher and his daughter is as well. She runs the local Facebook group so that's how I knew about it. Speaking of VIP I have cut back an hour of work every day this last month and it's been really good. Getting to sleep in an extra hour and teach 1 less hour a day definitely helps with not getting too burned out. It's hard to deal with the trade off of making less money but it's worth it. Summertime is too crazy especially with having my kids home all of the time. I need time and energy to deal with them! Ha. 

We also went swimming at the Meridian Pool. It was on Scott's day off so he joined us as well. I bought passes there so  I need to try to go there at least once a week to make it worth it. 

Piper figured out how to ride her bike finally! I really had to force her to do it. She has zero desire or interest in it. Over the last month I've gotten her out and we've practiced bit by bit. Hopefully this link will work to check out the video. I need to keep working with her. I also want to keep working with Ryan.

On Friday night we had some friends come over for dinner. They brought their kids and we all ate and chatted. It was fun. The rest of the weekend has been pretty chill. 

Well that's all!

We made the mistake of walking to a neighbor's house to see about a play date. Ryan melted and could not handle it! 

Gabby on the high dive.

Corbin on the high dive.

Ryan was afraid of some spider? He went to sleep on our bed. I love it when he covers his head. So funny!

My friend Juli had a birthday last week and we had a birthday lunch. It was fun.

These computer junkies have a great time geeking out together. It's pretty cute.

The 4th of July

I posted earlier this week about our fruit tree saga. Be sure to check out that post...

I had to go to Utah for a follow up appointment with my eye doctor. My eyes are good. I have 20/20 vision but it's a bit of a strain to read that small that far away. My vision is supposed to keep getting more crisp and clear with time. As far as I can tell it's great. The doctor told me he wanted to see me again in 3-5 weeks. I told him we were coming down in October and asked it that could work. He was hesitant but said it would work. Woot! I'm so glad I don't have to make that drive again in a month.

On the 4th we went to the Holladay city breakfast. It was GOOD! They had everything. Yum. Several of Scott's closest high school buddies were in town and they all gathered at the Cannon house for a visit. It was fun to catch up with all of them. Unfortunately the men planned it and it was around lunchtime and all the kids especially were starving. I held them off with some crackers but next time they really need to let the wives plan! Later Janet made a delicious dinner. There was a rainstorm and it was chilly. I had to put on my warm clothes. So strange for the 4th. That night we just went over and watched the fireworks on the elementary school yard across the street.

On Friday night there was a big extended Cannon family BBQ and swim party. After that Scott and I went and hung out with our friends the Asays. We always have a good time when we see them.

We headed back to Boise yesterday. Corbin and Gabby are back home with us! They had a great time. They went to the movies, ate ice cream, went swimming, had a huge yard sale, planted the garden, cleaned the house, took care of the chickens. Gabby got a pedicure. They loved it! It's good to have all the kids back home.

Pedicures

Playing with big bubbles on the 4th. My face! I was terrified of getting all of the bubble juice on me.

Piper was SO excited when she got a big bubble to work.

So excited! 

Gabby's face! 

Sillies 

Playing Just Dance (or something)

They wanted us to do Gangnam Style. It was a little rusty! 

High school buddies and spouses. (The Gang)

Gabby's yardsale. They made $83! 

Crazy Uncle Clark

The Fruit Orchard Saga

The fruit orchard saga! Scott got it in his head a couple of months ago that he really wanted to have some fruit trees but the reality of the mess and lack of sun/space in our yard shut that idea down fairly quickly. So then he got the idea to plant it in the church parking lot behind our house. There is just a section of weeds that have been weeds for 11 years now. He talked it out with his co-workers and friends and most people said it was a bad idea but he decided that it was a good idea! I washed my hands of the whole thing and figured that was money down the drain. I just hoped that he wouldn't get in legal trouble. He did call a lawyer contact that he has and hashed it out with him about possible repercussions. 

So he went out at night and one by one dug a hole. Then on Memorial Day he planted all four trees. About a week went by and Scott noticed a note written on  one of the trees. It said that the trees needed to be removed and it left a phone number. Scott again hashed out what to do with people. In the end he decided that he would write them a letter from the perspective of the trees. Keep in mind I am DYING over all of this but I was also very interested to see what would happen. He wrote them a letter and about a week later there was a response. Scott wasn't ready to find out what the response was but his co-worker couldn't handle the suspense. She followed Scott home from work and went out and snatched the letter.To our pleasant surprise they wrote a letter back to the trees explaining that their congregation had been blessed and that they were going to expand the parking lot and hoped that they (the trees) could find a new home. You could have pushed me over with a feather! Scott took a couple more weeks to act and finally a couple of nights ago transplanted all of the fruit trees in our yard. The very next day the church people were out with a tractor plowing down the weeds. THE VERY NEXT DAY! So now we have 4 fruit trees in our yard, yes 4! We will see if they grow and what kind of mess they will make if they do grow. Regardless it has been an entertaining drama. Scott's co-workers LOVED it and the story was spreading to other Mountain America branches in the valley. So funny! 

The planted fruit trees

THE NOTE

Scott's letter

The response letter

Waiting until night to remove the trees.

They started plowing the field THE NEXT DAY!

The field (I'm actually so excited for this weedy mess to be turned into a parking lot. It is full of goat heads and my kids have gotten so many flat tires because of this stupid field).

Apple tree

Cherry tree

Cherry Tree

Peach tree