Hey June!

With summer beginning I knew we needed a plan to keep a regular schedule and fun activities executed.  I am not usually the fun creative mommy so this took some stretching of my abilities.  We decided to make a daily schedule that included chores and our fun stuff, but we also made a weekly schedule.  Here is how it is laid out.

Magic Mondays

(this is really not magic, but science.  However, science sometimes looks like magic 

so I used the term loosely).

Tasty Tuesdays

Water Wednesdays

Thoughtful Thursdays

(service and what not)

Fun/Friend Fridays

Our first Magic Monday was these "Fizzy Balloons"

 We got everything ready and David of course couldn't/wouldn't wait for us to do it with him. He loved it though.

I love Jessica's reaction.  Too cute!

 So far I haven't gotten a picture of our Tasty Tuesdays.  Apparently we have enjoyed them so much they are gone before we document.  We have just done some simple treats.

This year the kids gave Jason a picture of them for Father's Day.  I am not a photographer, but I am very happy with how this one turned out.  They sure love their Daddy!

 Our lively and expressive Jessica turned 5 in June.  It is sometimes hard to believe that she is already 5.  She is always so fun, independent and passionate about everything.  We had a friend party this year.  She invited 3 friend from her class.  Jason couldn't be there so I was completely relieved when one of the moms stayed to help.  We had 8 kids total and there was never a dull moment.  We started with popping marshmallows in the front yard.

 Coralee loved this part.

  Trampoline + Water + Friends = FUN!!!!!

 Then we made some cornstarch goo(because this was a Magic Monday).  This was sooooo easy and sooooo fun.  I could play with this stuff for a LONG time.  The kids liked it too!  What kid doesn't like to make a big mess? (although it was easy to clean up as well)

What are they all waiting for you say?

 The soda geyser of course.  Jason was home by then and he did the honors of putting the mentos into the diet soda.  He was grinning from ear to ear.  Do men ever really grow up?

We let the kids make their own pizzas and then we had a picnic in the living room to watch a movie.  Then of course. . . Cake and ice cream!

 Our beautiful Jessica in the light of the flames.

 We love you Jess!  Happy 5th Birthday!

 Later that week Cailyn had her first piano recital.  She had been practicing and practicing and she performed wonderfully!

 Here she is with her piano teacher in the front and all the other students who performed that night.

 David is apparently so excited about our trip he decided to sleep with the suitcase.  Silly boy!

 We left right after Cailyn's recital for the Gropp Family Reunion.  Jason couldn't go with us because of work and we were sad he couldn't join in the fun.  And we did have fun!
This is a view from the cabin in western Colorado.

 This is the cabin. It was a bit small for all of us, but we made it work and had a great time together.

 Here is Da taking some of the little ones for a little adventure walk to the creek/river.

 We got to see some wildlife, both animal and plant.

 Later David, Coralee and I went on a hike with Andrea, Emma, Collin, Kyle, Da, Jessica, and Maycie.

 Coralee and Collin got tired, so Andrea and I had to take them back to the cabin before we actually got to see the geyser springs.  However, Emma and David were troopers and walked all the way up.  Apparently David was a little chatter box, telling on me all the way up the mountain.  Uncle Kyle and Da found it to be hilarious.

 But, our little camping trip in the mountains wore them out.  Aren't they precious.

 Coralee enjoying some snacks on the way home.  She was LOVING it!

 Julie took some amazing family pictures while we were there and I will posts those separately.  Thank you Julie!
Other things we did for the reunion was go to the pool(which had an awesome water slide and lazy river), have a picnic, some went to the movies, watched a movie projected on the side of the cabin while eating popcorn and chocolate, and made plans for future years.  I have truly learned to love each of my siblings for their unique personalities and friendships we share.  I wish we all lived closer to spend more time together.  Thank you for such a wonderful time!

Our next Magic Monday was "Tie Dye Milk"  This was fun too, and so simple.  We did many plates of designs.