May

Casey took his boys camping, so Shelley invited Olive over for a sleepover! That's why she wasn't with us for this Saturday morning bike ride to Jamba Juice. You still can't eat inside places and there were no benches outside so we parked it in some shade on the sidewalk. 

Daddy turned 37! 

 He chose steak for dinner. The kids worked feverishly all day on his surprise. Collin had the idea to make a fort with all his favorite things. In my head I sighed, knowing the mess that was about to be created, but I let them anyway. They needed a project and distraction for the repetitiveness of our lives. They loved doing this for him and it turned out pretty cute. He had to crawl from their room, to their bathroom and end up in Tanner's room with all of us waiting there to yell Happy Birthday, with his present.  

On this side they had a pretend burger to represent his favorite food. And his favorite dessert... which was a snickerdoodle we had bought from American Way Market. 

Then the bathroom was his favorite color.

And his favorite movie playing on the DVD player... The Burbs.

 We were all stationed here to give him his present.. a custom hat I had made with his new business logo. Very exciting stuff. 

He also got a new paddle board.

 He requested French vanilla chocolate chip cookies, but I made them with food storage flour and they tasted awful. It's amazing that flour can taste dusty. What a waste! I guess when it says it's expired, it's really not worth saving. 

 I cashed in a Christmas gift to get my car detailed and I was BLOWN away at what a good job he did! It looked like a new car. The seats, the floor... everything! I could not get over it. And it might actually stay clean since we never go anywhere anymore!

 Clearly, I'm not really sleeping, but I wanted to capture how much I love snuggling him at night when he's falling asleep. We used to just leave him in his crib to fall asleep, but since he's transitioned to a big bed, we lay down next to him til he's conked out. I usually sing him a couple songs, then it doesn't take long for him to drift off, since he doesn't take naps anymore. 

The boys really like playing with McGuire and Graham Law, down the street. They are staples around here! They also love to play 007 and capture the flag or kick the can at night with them and the Monahans.

Mother's Day was really, really nice. The night before, we got Cheesecake Factory take out and ate at my mom's apartment, played games and visited. So fun! We need to make this a tradition. Shelley was on a staycation with Casey for their anniversary. 

Travis outdid himself. He got all the kids help making my favorite breakfast. 

Collin came up with the idea for his heart craft gift and did it all by himself with a little supervision from Dad. They all had such nice gifts and showered me with love all day! I specifically asked for the mom surveys and got a kick out of all their answers!

Olive was cracking me up! She said meat loaf was my favorite food then laughed her head off and admitted she had no idea. Then she explained she was happy when she first "met " me, but well, sad, because I had just gone through the pain of labor, so she was sad for me!

His buck, front teeth are very bunny rabbit, like. For some reason his canines don't want to come in!

FHE at the silos! The weather was picturesque. 

Sleepover at Grandma's house! I may have had a little meltdown and pleaded for help from Grandma. She was so good to start inviting grandkids over to her house to give me a break. The kids gobbled up every second.

I hate these things! My first time putting one on to go to Seagull Bookstore. Ugh.

Olive finished up her 2nd year of Let's Play Music! Mom was her teacher and I was very proud of myself for persevering through the lessons and keeping her on track!

What would we do without our weekly swim dates with cousins at Grandma's pool?! It will be so nice when the house is done and the kids won't have to pee in the bushes anymore!

Austin responded to a call where a dad had committed suicide at home. His wife and kids watched it. Marcie felt strongly about offering some extra help for this family so she reached out to all of us. Of course, it was an easy thing to want to help with. I went with them to deliver the toys, clothes and household items. Such a heartbreaking situation. 

Mom has been taking foot zoning classes this year and needed some volunteers to practice on. Me! Me!

Someone is finally getting braces! He has been asking for years. After the consultation at Garns and Mason's office, we celebrated with lunch at Neds. 

The Porters had us over for a Saturday of swimming! Little did we know they would sell their house shortly afterward. Our last hurrah at the beloved Joseph St. house!

I'm sorry, but how adorable is this?! 

Neely did an end of the year, drive thru parade at the school so the kids could wave good-bye to their teachers. We decorated the car and blasted fun, loud music as we drove through the parking lot, waving. My stomach was caught in my throat. This whole situation kills me. I feel so sad that they were robbed of their school year. Olive had THE BEST teacher in the world and they had such a sweet relationship. Everything about this stupid virus makes me sick.

If you know FRIENDS, you'll get it. Seriously one of the funniest ones I've seen! Maybe it's just my wishful thinking that makes it so funny.

Leading the music for church!

I heard James Taylor refer to someone's voice like taking a bite of Baked Alaska. I'd never heard of Baked Alaska before. So I decided to make it! Basically an ice cream cake coated with egg whites that you toast right before you eat it.

The house is coming along!!

Invited the Monahans to swim! Love this family so much!

The boys were begging to do an egg drop. Ohhhh-kayyyyy.  Poor Olive's broke on the first drop. The boys' eggs wouldn't break no matter what height they fell from! They finally removed the parachute just to get them to crack. 

Busy day in the kitchen. Homemade pretzels and homemade, vegan cheese sauce! Yum! Collin LOVES to help me cook. 

I think this was the face she made when Fern said Wilbur was the most beautiful name she had ever heard.

Had to keep with tradition and get shaved ice for our last day of school treat! $30 for everyone to get a small shaved ice with no ice cream!! How in the name of all that is holy is that OK?!

I got a "before" picture but not an "after". I took the boys over one evening to clear out the overgrown bushes and weeds. We worked for almost 3 hours and filled all 4 green garbage cans and still didn't get to half the pool! Made a good dent though.

Be.still.my.heart.

Leah keeps me on the river! If only we got pictures of Travis! He goes at least once a week, sometimes 2 or 3 times! 

Yassss. I needed this. 

Plastic hanging from the ceiling to separate the customers from the workers. Everyone has lost their minds!!

Posey had a swim party. So fun for Olive to play with all her old friends!

"Mom, take a picture."

Collin was sick so Travis stayed home with him, but the rest of the Lindblom crew met up the Saturday before Memorial Day to swim and dine on expensive, homemade popsicles courtesy of Grandma!

Travis went to the river with Olive, but I took the boys with me to the Phoenix cemetery. This was tradition growing up and I knew it was important to my mom for us to be there. She did a really nice job talking about King Udall.

Then, what else?! Swimming at Grandma's!

We have an official brace face!! :)

Coupled with his new Vans, I feel like a teenager is brewing.

 Posey had a sleepover while her parents were packing and moving, last second. 

Family morning at the river! Got to get there early before all the crazies show up!

Of course it was Weston who caught a fish with his bare hands.

Mmmmm, homemade donuts! This is what happens when you follow food bloggers!

Remember that meme about parenting during the coronavirus? 

"I'll allow it." 

Yeah. 

That's me.

Weston's mohawk dreams came true.