CARD Party at Peterson Park

We are so lucky!  CARD throws a party in our neighborhood park each summer.  This time we were ready!  We arrived and headed straight for the bouncy house.  After waiting in line for a LONG time, we had the chance to jump.  John wasn't so sure at first, but he ended up really enjoying himself.  Then we got some pizza and soda for dinner.  I was just beginning to dread waiting  in line some more, when they turned on the sprinklers.  BEST IDEA EVER!  The kids had a blast running through the sprinklers. 

After they were completely soaked, they decided to try the slip and slide. 

John chickened out at the last moment.  Too scary.

The last thing we did was the crafts.  Maddie and Ryan made pinwheels, John put stickers on a piece of paper.  Then he played in the bubbles.  I think that was his favorite. 

We got some Ben & Jerry's ice cream at the end and then walked home.  A very nice summer night.

Uncle Steve's Last Visit

 Uncle Steve is moving to Dallas.  We are so excited for him, but sad to see him leave California.  He came and spent the day with the kids for one last fun time before the big move.

 The kids had a great time.  Steve flung them all over the pool, talked with them, and played with them.  We are sure going to miss Uncle Steve.

A Little Bit of This and That

 The kids wanted to make some water balloons.  After they flooded the bathroom, I sent them outside.  I found them here, in their "secret" hide out.  They had gotten into my canning supplies and were putting them to good use. 

 For family home evening last week, I promised brownies only to discover that I didn't have the stuff to make them.  I only had pudding.  I was worried how the kids would take pudding.  It turns out they were ecstatic!  Why don't I make pudding more often??  Ryan loved it especially.

 My good friend Mary came for a visit with her kiddies.  We were so busy I only managed one picture.  These are her twin girls and John being pulled in our red wagon by Maddie.  It was HOT!!

 Cousins in a bath.  Great summer moment.

 Zane will sleep anywhere.  He doesn't sleep for long - but when he does it cracks me up.  We went to the church to clean and here he is asleep on the Relief Society room floor. 

 Ryan went to his first skating party last weekend.  He had never gone skating before and was very brave.  He fell on him bum really hard one time, but kept going.  I was really proud of his effort.  I wish I had worn sneakers instead of sandals.  I'll have to remember that for next time.

Kayla helped out with my kids alot this last weekend.  I bet she read 50 books.  Scratch that, she read one book 50f times.  Here she is in the back yard with John. 

Out On a Walk

I wanted to take my boys on a nice walk.  We found a pathway behind Kohl's that leads around this pond.  It was great fun until John fell and scraped his knee.  It was a really beautiful spot that I've always wanted to explore, but couldn't quite figure out how to get to.  Thanks to the awesome new purple lights on the path, I found my way.  Okay, really, I hate the new purple lights... 

Tie Dye

 The Carrs and Stapfs came over to make camp shirts.  We tie-dyed them together.  It was awesome.  Spencer went above and beyond with his.  My favorites are probably the ones that did the swirls, the polka dots didn't turn out nearly as well as the pictures.  I should have used much more dye than I did...

Oldies But Goodies

 I found these rocking awesome pictures of my little brother, Stephen.  Isn't he adorable?

 This is me with my mom and Stephen in my Grandma's backyard.

This is me and Stephen.

Bike Riding

Ryan learned to ride his bike while I was away at Women's Conference in Utah. He is now a super rider and we have lots of fun riding around the park. So glad!!

Backlog

 This year has really been something, to say the least.  I was going through my email and realized that there were all sorts of photos that I haven't posted to my blog yet.  I wasn't going to post any of the sad things that have happened, but decided that years from now, I'll want to remember - so here are some happy and sad photos.  The above is my step-dad Gary, who had a stroke on April 4, 2011.  He had a second one before his stint in the hospital was over.  I spent my birthday in the hospital this year.  He had to be flown from Chico to SF for special tests.  One was some kind of test that measured his brain waves - hence the awesome headdress you see above. 

 These are the Ellingson ladies.  From left to right, Kieu, Kayla, Me, Anna, Aimee, and Marsha. We were all together for my Nana's funeral in April. 

 This is a great shot of Ryan with his buddy Joshua - who got perfect attendance!!

 Mac did a special Colonies project for school.  He learned about the 13 original colonies and even got to dress up like a colonist!

 This is Mrs. Henry.  She is my favorite.  This is Maddie with her 3rd grade teacher on the last day of school.

 On the last day of school, Spencer went and ate lunch with Maddie and her friends.  Maddie was so happy!!

Mac is working hard as a Boy Scout.  He is hoping to earn his Tenderfoot this month!  He had to go camping and make breakfast for everyone as part of his recognition.  Yum!

This is the Ellingson side of my family.  I got to meet my dad's cousin Marsha at this time.  She is awesome!  It was like having a piece of my Nana with me for a bit.  She came all the way from Massachusetts.  I'm so glad that she did.  I hope to be able to go and visit her one day.

I had to miss Ryan's kindergarten play.  He was a big bad wolf in the Three Piggy Opera.  I heard that he did a fantastic job.  He loved the songs and all of the practicing!  These pictures are from Sheila - thanks a bunch!!