Summer on the Back Deck

We've spent a lot of time out here this summer. The kids have had so much fun playing in the sprinklers, shooting water toys, slip and slide, wading pool, bubbles, and of course lots of back deck picnics. The girls love the kind where I fill up muffin tins with lots of little treats such as mandarine oranges, sunflower nuts, cheese cubes, apple slices, raisins, and granola. There always seems to be a little breeze blowing out there so except for those REALLY hot days we've had, it's been pretty comfortable for Don and I to sit on the swing together while they play. We've watch storms come in, played in the rain when it's not thundering, and . It's one of those favorite family spots. :)

Come Here.......Pwease!

Ashley is quite the little charmer.  She knows just how to cock her head to one side, smile ever so sweetly and get her sisters to play anything she wants.  She loves to run up to one of them and take their hand in hers and say, "Come here.  Pwease!!!"  Then they smile adoringly at her and she happily takes them to play whatever little game she has in mind.  Here are pictures of Ashley and Alexis pretending to fly kits, all three girls playing animals at the watering hole, and Emily and Ashley playing magnetiles.

Great Grandma Flo

We are blessed to be able to visit with Don's step grandmother about once a month.  She is the sweetest, dearest lady and we love seeing her every time we go.  She lives about an hour and a half away and we go there and don mows her grass and I help her with little household chores like dishes and emptying trash cans and sweeping.  The girls always love helping as well, and they are always asking her what they can do.  They especially love sweeping off the sidewalks after Daddy mows.  Ashley for some reason loves her bed and always wants to run in there and pretend she is sleeping.  The best part is just being able to sit and visit with her when we are finished.  She is such an amazing lady (94 years old now) with so many neat stories to tell.  We look forward to our trips up there each time.

4th of July 2011

This year's fireworks were spectacular as usual. However, our favorite part was the conversation going on between our two little girls. Alexis and Emily had their arms wrapped around each other and just "Oooohed and Awwwed" over each firework. They would say things like, "Oh! That one is fairies flying! Oh, there's a bouquet of spring blossoms! Oh, there's another shooting stars one!" Kind of like cloud gazing on a more spectacular level. ;) We also had a nice patriotic themed Family Home Evening Monday night. We sang some patriotic songs, had a puppet show, talked about freedom and the history of Declaration of Independence, played a game where we matched up scripture verses to the prediction of events in American history, read a couple of neat quotes from past general authorities on freedom and the constitution, talked about the Boston Tea party, and played a Boston Tea Party game. In the game we set up "tea" cups and a bowl of water. Each team was to race to fill their tea cup with water using a tablespoon. I think we decided it ended up being a tie since Daddy may or may not have cheated slightly a couple of times. ;) Alexis was in charge of our treat that night and she chose a patriotic treat of popcorn and vanilla ice cream with blueberries, strawberries, and whipped cream on top. Everyone agreed she did a yummy job preparing our treat. Earlier that day the girls and I also made American Uncle Sam type hats to hold our popcorn in. Of course everyone had to try them on their heads first.

Hlusko Family Visit part 6: Christmas in July and Saying Goodbye

Our last day together we decided to celebrate Christmas in July. We played a few Christmas games with the kids. We did reindeer races and had paper snowball fights. Then we opened gifts. We hadn't exchanged gifts this past Christmas so the kids were excited to have presents to open. After that we served a picnic lunch on the living room floor and watched "How the Grinch Stole Christmas". It was hard to say goodbye and we missed them the moment they left. We can't wait until the next time we can get together.

Hlusko Family Visit part 5: Games and Movie Parties

We played a few games while the Hlusko family was here.  We played Rummy Cube quite a bit and played Apples to Apples Junior one night, as well.  A couple of different nights we played one of our favorite family games - Family Hide and Go Seek.  All the kids really liked it and everyone found really good hiding spots.  There is a desk in our room with doors that enclose it and Don tried to get a couple of the kids to hide there but they ended up being too scared.  So he ended up squeezing in there once.  One game I hid so well that not only did Uncle Jason not find me, but he completely forgot I was still hidden and they started the next round without me.  :)  Grandma hid very well under our piano once and was the last one found.  Aunt Becca hid Carson inside a suitcase once and Emily and A.J. fit behind a little hole in the wall next to our Jacuzzi tub perfectly and it took Grandma a while to find them.  One evening after we played, we got to chat with Aunt Rachel on the webcam as well.  We really missed her and her sweet family being here and we're hoping next summer we can all get together.  Another thing that went on everyday while they were here was Don and Aaron playing on their guitars.  Aaron has always loved guitars and Don has recently gotten into learning how to play so they had a blast together while he was here.  Another way we liked to wind down the day was with family movie parties.  We would have different treats like ice cream, popcorn, and chocolate covered strawberries and watch movies such as "Tangled".  The kids would all cuddle up with pillows and blankets and it so sweet and cozy.  :)