Grandpa turned 60 and that deserved a celebration! We had all sorts of plans but then decided restaurants were hard for him to hear in, and he always liked playing games with his parents and siblings when they would get together, so we resorted to that. We all brought steaks and sides and Marcie bought a Kathy's Rum Cake for dessert. It was a surprise so when he walked in the kitchen, expecting to find a sick grandchild who needed a blessing, and we all broke out in dance to the Katy Perry song "Birthday", I dare say he was surprised. ;)
Brussel sprouts from our garden turned into a bacon, sprout, cherry, balsamic surprise!
I bought a trivia game off Etsy that asked questions having to do with his birth year, that we played. Like, what was the #1 TV show (Wagon Train) or what were the most popular baby names (Michael and Mary). Then we did another one where we had to answer questions about him personally like, what is his favorite hobby (riding dirt bikes!) or what is his favorite food (I think it was rice). A lot of questions he answered "I don't know" or "I don't have a favorite", haha. We all love and adore this man. We don't take him for granted.
This was Collin's first time attending the Priesthood session of conference! And now at this writing (3 months later) we know that that will be his first and ONLY priesthood session as the church decided to cancel Saturday night conference! I think that's kind of sad!
Christopher likes to partake of Higley Hot Dog every time he's in town and he's been nice enough to take the nephews along too! They love this tradition!
With all the sick kids, we weren't able to spend as much time with Christopher's family which was a bummer. He suggested us siblings meet at Mesa Frozen one night for a dessert sesh and Marcie and I were the only ones who could. I brought Mocha Kit Kats for my coffee flavored loving sibs and we talked long into the night! MF has long been a place us Lindbloms have gathered and I'm so glad it's still in business!
The last day they were here, Lucy had a birthday, so they invited us over to swim and have lunch and cake. We all love Lucy Busee! Her high toned, breathy voice is our favorite.
The PC meetings have blown up this past year. So many new precinct committeemen. This is our Representative, Andy Biggs. We love him!
What the heck, DQ?! Remember when Blizzards used to stick out the top?! Now they don't even make the top of the cup. Boooo! The location on Higley and Baseline is slowly losing our business.
Just another day of Prenda over here! I'm running out of steam, so it was random painting today and the kids ended it with dancing to "Pop See Ko". Cracked. Me. Up.
I run about 8 miles on Tuesdays and Thursdays and around 10 on Saturdays but every once in a while, I push farther. This day I did 15 miles! Longest I've ever ran and I FELT IT. The last mile I thought my legs would fall off. Pure torture. Then, when I collapsed inside, Winnie went on the attack. She likes salty sking. Ugh.
Word has been buzzing about this Italian restaurant in Chandler called The Sicilian Butcher. We don't normally go for Italian but this place was worth it! Yummy homemade meatballs and pastas and the gelato was soooo good. Plus they did samples, hooray! We followed it up with something a little unusual. It's called True Rest Float Spa. Basically you float in this little pod for an hour and it's supposed to be really relaxing and have all these health benefits from the Epsom salt. It was ..... interesting. Travis said he fell asleep. I kept boinking into the side. And it was annoying to get my hair wet. Probably won't be back, but it was fun to try! We got to try their "oxygen bar" afterward. Weird stuff, haha!
The second the closing prayer is said, these two rush the stage like hard core bishopric groupies.
Time for swim lessons! After two summers of ISR, this kid needs to learn some strokes! When I told him about it, he said confidently, "I'm going to be GOOD at this." It's so nice to have EVO less than a mile from our house.
My mom is so good to have Tanner twice a week while I teach. She often sends picture updates. This day, they transformed the garage into toilet paper forts.
A little separation anxiety happening. They hate it when I leave and insist on going into the garage and waving goodbye. Always with sad faces and often with tears. I wouldn't dare leave without telling them. The few times I've forgotten, they are hysterical and come rushing out, screaming. It's July and it's still happening. I'm very tired of this.
Playdates with cousins is our MO. Always playing house. And now, the latest is Olive and Lindi make up dances and perform them.
Marcus has been working in Hawaii since the end of January. I feel so bad for Megan. We tried to have their kids over earlier, but they were sick, so this was the first I got to try and help. They just came over for about 5 hours on a Friday and we got pizza and ended with a movie night and popcorn. I don't know how Megan is surviving.
Kristen started a program with some friends, called Meant to Be Me, where they teach self worth classes to young girls once or twice a month. She needed a teacher one Saturday so I got to "sub". I loved it. It's not usually geared for 7 year olds, but we brought our daughters, because, well, why not?! I think it mostly went over their heads, but Olive LOVED it. They use an office in downtown Gilbert so we treated ourselves to a Topo burrito and ice cream cone afterward. Super yummy. And bonus, Weston's baseball game started right when we were done, just down the street!
Date night at another new restaurant for us... Blanco Tacos + Tequila in Scottsdale! We were seated inside but right by an open wall and it was such nice weather. Yummy chips. Pretty good guac. Didn't love the salsa. Such good tacos! I can't remember what I ordered but I remember enjoying every bite! Even better, was my view. Heart eyes for this guy. I love our date nights together. We got Balboas for dessert and I strayed from my normal couch potato toppings and got a seasonal "cotton candy" topping. Cuz I'm 5. And you know what? It was SO GOOD!!!
We finally get to have Primary again! Hip hip hooray!! I wondered how Tanner would do (it was his first time going to primary since he missed the last few months of nursery to Covid) and was happily surprised that he went right in and sat down and let me leave! But he did not smile for a picture. His teacher said he sat quietly the whole hour! I couldn't believe it!
My dad loves carrot cake so I tried hard to find a good recipe for Sunday dinner. This is a brown butter frosting carrot cake and it took forever to make. Everyone really liked it, but I felt like it was dry. Oh well, back to the drawing board!
On the fly, we decided to do a family bike ride one Monday night instead of a lesson for FHE. The weather was just too nice to pass up. I love family bike rides! We ended at the park playing tag on the grass (I feel like the nicest parent when I agree to play with them at the park, haha) and it was such a nice evening together. These are the moments that make parenting worth it. And I'll never get over how beautiful our neighborhood is. The white fences and green grass feed my soul!
I wasn't necessarily in the market for a new rug, but I've been a little done with our current one and then happened to see the cutest rug at TJMaxx and went for it. So glad I did! Plus, the ottoman was grungy way past its prime so I found a beautiful marble table on Wayfair and I think it all spruces up the room nicely! The rug is thick and good quality wool, which I love, but it sheds! Ack! I had no idea it would do that. So now the kids joke that I paid extra for a dog that doesn't shed but bought a rug that sheds everywhere. Sigh. Can't win.
Water coloring with my cute class!
My tomato plants are out of control! We can't eat them fast enough. I'm really loving my tomato sandwiches though!
I found a new route to run... on the canal that goes alongside Power Rd.... but it feels a bit more isolated. The Chirp alarm, mace and knife are my safety trifecta!
Our security screen door spring broke and that was just the motivation we needed to get rid of the monstrosity. We hate that thing! Just had no idea the effort that would be required to take it down. Yikes! Travis borrowed a saw thing from our neighbor and sparks were flying for a while. Can't blame me for being nervous after the last power tool incident. Thankfully, no injuries occurred and we finally have an uncluttered front door! I love it!
I try to visit Grandma as often as I can, but it's never often enough. This time I grabbed some Andy's for us to enjoy. I love my time with her.
Jesus wants me for a Sun... BEAM!! His second pose is everything.
This is what a face kissed by beaters looks like!
Trevor and Gretchen came into town for Raylyn's birthday. They stayed outside though and we weren't allowed to get close to them since we're not all vaccinated. I struggle with these relationships.
Livy came to school with pictures she had drawn for everyone, me included! I laughed so hard when I saw mine was a picture of DQ ice cream! Hahaha! She knows me!
Nothing to see here...just Shelley and I competing for an M&M by wiggling down the hallway with our arms behind our backs! I was about to win then stopped for a second because I was laughing so hard I couldn't breathe and right then, Shelley pushed off the wall with her foot and snatched the candy and we all DIED laughing.
Then, I couldn't help myself and tried a trick on Trav where I tell him we're going to do a yoga pose and I put my feet up on his shoulders. Then I scrunch my legs so his face hits my bum over and over again. Hahaha. Who says adults have to be mature?!
It was a day. I was done. I can't even remember why I was near tears but I dropped Collin off at football practice and took Tanner with me to Twisted Sugar for a drink and a cookie. And when it was time to go home I found out from my neighbor Janice that Olive and her daughter, Jacquie were missing. And I was totally calm about it until it had been an hour of searching and we still hadn't found them and had no idea what to do next. Then the tears came. And shortly after, they were found. At a random house in the neighborhood with a girl who Christian goes to school with. Obliviously playing. I'm pretty sure I went into my room after that I didn't come out for the night.
Sculpting cars turned out fun! Tanner wanted in on it too.
I was teaching the younger class one morning when a strange car pulled into my driveway. It was Brinn! She and Brooklyn and a friend were in town and she decided to pay me a quick visit! I let the kids take an early recess and had so much fun catching up for a minute! I love Brinn! One of the biggest losses of moving from Gallup was leaving her.
Lets Play Music is coming to a close. Olive has been so lucky to have Kristen as her teacher these past two years!
I have no idea what this soup/stew is but apparently when I made it I felt it was picture worthy. It does look yummy, right?! I've been trying really hard to change my dinner menu. Vegetables used to be a side but I'm trying to make it more of the main course as often as I can.
I got sucked into reading my journals and what a trip it was! I don't think I've looked at them in over ten years. The most fun was reading about Travis. He was alllll over in all my journals. Here's just one example. The boys started reading my 12 year old journal and Collin said it was so cool reading about me when I was his age. Everyone needs to keep a journal!! It is so worth it!
Travis went on a quick trip with Gary to northern Arizona to paddleboard down the Colorado River. They left Thursday night and got a motel near the Grand Canyon, then paid for a ferry to take them up to the dam and then paddleboarded back to their cars. He said it was beautiful and had a great time. I can't wait to join him on another trip!
Another season of flag football for Collin and he's on the Texans team! The coaches are really nice but most of the boys have never played before. They all go to a Christian school together in Agritopia. I think they did end up winning a couple games at least. Collin is non-stop begging me to play tackle football but I'm holding my ground until he plays with ALA next year.
Our neighborhood is finally putting on events again! We had fun watching the new Croods movie in the ampetheater.
