HOT, HOT, HOT!!!!

Extreme heat advisory in Phx today and tomorrow.  This is what my temp gauge reported just a bit ago.  119!!!   Yikes!  Yes, it was 86 in my kitchen......I was cooking dinner!  Phew!  The best part is the sad face between the indoor temp and the humidity!!    My feelings exactly.  Summer is here!!!!!!! 

Happy Bday, Aunties!!!

Today is my Aunt Bonita's bday!  Happy day to you!!  I have fond memories of spending summer vacations at her house in MN.  Trips to the lake, A&W root beer at the drive-in, garage sales, crazy days, raspberries fresh from the garden!!  Fun times!



You look marvelous, Bon!! What I want to know is how long did it take to do that hair!??!

 

Last week was my Aunt Deb's bday!  Couldn't leave her fab photo out!!! What at terrific lady.....mother of 3 girls, granny to 4 and a SURVIVOR!!!  You rock, Deb!!



It was my aunt's anniversary last week, too!  Here they are newly married in 1978 with my bro and I standing at their sides.  Check out my brother's suit!  Whoa!! 



Sedona

A couple days ago, we met some friends in Sedona to play in Oak Creek.  It was a blast!  We haven't adventured at all in Sedona......it seemed too touristy to me.  I saw a different side of Sedona than my previous image.  We swam & played in the water against the backdrop of Cathedral Rock!  Wow!!  What a view!  The water was refreshing given the 100 degree day.....it was 114 in Phoenix that day! Phew!  Thanks for a memorable day, Team G!!!

Dance Party

The long awaited birthday celebration with friends finally came last Saturday!   She wanted a dance party but it was a few hours of all her favorite things......dancing, crafting, eating, cake and games!!  What else could a girl want!!  We had fun! 



Dancing



Crafting.....decorating aprons!

 

Ta-da! 

 



Her favortie game......HedBanz!!

 



And more dancing!!



National Anthem

Last week, Lois went to a choir camp......Chandler Children's Choir.  It was extremely well run and she had a fabulous time singing, dancing and acting......AND it was only 1.5 miles from my house!  Bonus!  The finale on Friday afternoon after their musical play was to sing the National Anthem at the Diamondbacks baseball game!  Wow!  They were so excited.  We had to arrive at 3:40pm for a 4:00pm sound check and wait until 6:27pm to sing!  Phew!  I was ready for bed by the first pitch at 6:45pm!! 



Walking off field after sound check.



Pregame activities.....making signs.

 



Eating snacks while we waited for our performance.



Seconds before show time!



SEVEN!

Today our daughter turns 7.  Can hardly believe she's 7 and will begin 2nd grade soon. She's all girl!!  Frilly, sparkly, high heals, bling, girly girl!!!  I think that stuff skips a generation because I am sooooooo not all those things.  However, she can be tough, too.  She loves softball and is set to compete in her 2nd triathlon next month.  She loves Anne of Green Gables, Little House on the Praire and Barbies. She brings balance to our family with two older brothers.  Someday they will be thankful they have a sister.......not so much these days.   Happy Bday, Lois Rae!! 



SURPRISE!!!  A new bike!!



Looking good!!!



Water Boy

Classic Peter doing it his way.  Not sure exactly why the hose has to be between his legs.....somethings I will never understand.  It's been his job to do the daily watering of our newly planted ash trees.  You can probably barely see him.....he blends in so well with those camo boxers!!  Ha!

Summer Garden

My summer garden is at its peak.....yummy ripe cherry/grape/pear tomatoes, sunflowers are big and happy, squash leaves are looking tired.......the heat is here and beginning to take its toll on the veggies.  A few more weeks and it will pretty much be done.  Then I look forward to the winter garden....yummy lettuce and greens!!  My favorite!  We are so lucky to have 2 growing seasons.



I just LOVE sunflowers!!!



Our Anna apple tree.  Yes, even in the desert we can grow apples.  They are starting to ripen.  We will eat them soon.



Lois picked some veggies the other day and arranged them for their photo op!!



First Swim Meet

On Saturday, we had our first summer swim team meet.    Everyone did well.  Peter especially rocked it and brought home 4 blue ribbons. 

School is Out!

Last Friday, June 10 was the last day of school!!!  Yippeeee!   A few days before, the kids had their final summative of the year.  This quarter, Lois learned about the body and did a team project on the digestive system.   Peter studied the Civil War and worked with other classmates on the timeline poster. 

Watercraft Expo

Last Friday, the kids participated in a free Youth Watercraft Expo that gave them a taste of four water sports on Tempe Town Lake.  First they tried the Hawaiian outrigger boats.  I was able to paddle, too!  So fun! Then they tried the stand up paddle boards.  It was the boys favorite event.  Then they moved on to kayaks.  The last watercraft was the dragon boat.  What a fun morning!!