Diamondbacks Game

On Friday night we used the kids reward tickets for their summer reading to go to the Diamondbacks game. I, of course, forgot the camera, but luckily Phil had his cell phone. I just wish I knew how to take better pictures with it =(

We had a great time--definitely better than the last couple of years when Ty was still a baby. I don't really have fond memories of taking him at just a couple of months old. Anyway... he did much better this year, but got tired of it all by the last couple of innings. It was a little past his bedtime.

Apparently it was past Jonathan's bedtime too! While I was out walking around with Tyler, Jonathan decided to take a nap. We tried to wake him up when the game was over to see the fireworks, but no luck. He was out. The rest of us enjoyed the fireworks and then we all walked back to the car--with amazingly no complaints about the distance! We had a great time and finished the evening out with Slurpee's on the way home. Brendon and Suzanna were shocked about how many other people were out at 10:30 at night. I guess the gas station was the place to be that night! =)

Tuck Everlasting

When I was student teaching, I came across the book Tuck Everlasting. This was before they made it into a movie, and I had never heard of it before. I absolutely loved it. I saw the movie a few years later and liked it ok, but I didn't think it captured the magic of the book. Few movies ever do.

So after loving reading Bridge to Teribithia to my kids last spring, I chose Tuck Everlasting to read next. It took us all summer. And that's no way to read a book. By the time we finally finished, I don't think my kids cared at all. They did get excited about it when we were in the middle and reading every day or so, but after letting it sit for a couple of weeks before finishing, they just weren't very interested.

I just borrowed Because of Winn Dixie from a friend. Hopefully we'll get the hang of the school schedule soon and start reading together again. And hopefully we won't get sidetracked and lose interest again!

**And please forgive my lack of italics or underlining the titles of the books--I'm having issues with Blogger letting me edit, and it's totally bugging the English teacher in me =)

First Day

So does it still count as a first day picture if you don't take it until AFTER school? I forgot to snap a picture in the morning because we were too busy getting out the door in time to walk to school (why my kids are excited to WALK, I don't know, but I'm grateful they are). So they thought I was silly when I made them pose later, but I say it's better than nothing--which is what I have for Suzanna's first day of kindergarten and Brendon's first day of second grade. And these are separate years. I'm really not good at these first day pictures....

They had a great day, and are both excited for a new year!

The last of summer fun...

We've had a great end of the summer--but for most of it I forgot my camera. Maybe that's a good thing so that you will all be spared endless posts of my kids having fun. However, I did remember to bring it along last week to a splash park with my friend Erika, her kids, and a couple of Suzanna's friends. So much fun! We decided that the shaded park over on Thunderbird is well worth the drive, since it makes it so much nicer for the moms.

Brendon was more than happy to torment the girls in any way he could. Spraying them with water was a favorite.

Poor Jonathan didn't get into the fun. He was the first to want to go home, which is unusual for him. Luckily he toughed it out, though not as silently or happily as I would have liked =)

Birthday Buffet anyone?

For her birthday, Suzanna chose to take a couple of friends out to eat instead of having a big party. I was all for that (much less work for me!). And ever since her Aunt Cheryl's wedding luncheon last year, she has been in LOVE with buffets--so that's where we had to go. I'm pretty sure it's just the soft serve ice cream and toppings that excite her so much, because it can't be the food =)

We had a great time (if a little chaotic) at the restaurant, and we certainly drew some stares with six kids in tow. Then we headed back to our house for presents and cake. Only nobody was really in the mood for cake after all the food consumed at dinner. Surprise, surprise.... We sang and blew out candles anyway--what kind of party would it be without that?

Suzanna had a great time celebrating turning seven!

Suzanna's Seven!

Suzanna turned seven on Saturday, but life has bearly slowed down enough for me to learn how to use our new scanner so that I can share some pictures of her life. There were WAY too many pictures to choose from, since we've had a digital camera for more than half her life. It's been fun to look back on her life and remember all the fun we've had with our daughter =)

Suzanna's Blessing day

Playing with Brendon just after her 1st Birthday


First pigtails!

Fourth birthday


Flying kites in Thatcher


First sleepover with friends Morgan and Meagan

We love you Suzanna!

FINALLY!

We were finally in town for a rainstorm on Sunday. We've been bummed that we've been out of town and missed some great summer monsoons lately. Brendon and Suzanna had fun getting their swimsuits on and playing on the trampoline while it drizzled after most of the storm had passed. Ty had his suit on, but watched from the porch most of the time.