A Touch Of Tyrell

I've read more books in the last 12 months than I can remember. These are some from the last few weeks: Everett is a reading machine too. He's read the entire Harry Potter series and Hunger game series, is starting the Maze Runner series and read several other books in the last 12 months as well. 

It seems like every other week Jake is out dirt biking and lately some of those trip have been with his guys.  Arizona. They went to the dunes in Utah.  And the mountains in Colorado. 

    Life as we knew it is slowly coming back. The gym opened back up, Roxy's dance class, and Roxy's little gym.  But there is still plenty of time spent at home.  Roxy did my makeup one afternoon :) We've been able to get out to some stores but most of them are wiped out. Everything is gone because we're all out shopping now! We got the flower girl dresses in the mail and Roxy was a HUGE fan. She wore hers for the rest of the day.  She felt like a princess! I photographed a wedding last week and although I get anxiety leading up to it, it was so nice to be there and improve my wedding skills. The pictures turned out amazing and I'm so grateful they did! Also, I got an email from the school district and (as of now) school is going to start on time and be "normal"! We only have about 6 weeks of Summer vacation left!!!!!

Everito-burrito turned 10. We had a "camping" theme for him this year. He loves to came so Jake bought him a hatchet and he's been carrying his pocketknives in his pockets lately. I think it's adorable.  We had the Smith's over again to help celebrate.  He blew out his candles and then we had to light them again for Roxy to blow out :) She was pretty hysterical that Everett blew them out and not her.  Everett got legos from us, money from grandparents, a hat, and more legos. The night ended with a nerf gun war and shooting the balloons. I hope he had a good birthday!!

We had a little Memorial Day party. We aren't normally party throwers but we gave it a shot.  The girls and I made patriotic treats and decorated. Jake smoked some ribs and chicken and corn on the cob. It was SUPER tasty. Maghen brought her amazing cowboy caviar that I love so much.  I love how each kid has a friend.  We ate and then let the kids swim. We hung out for a while and then hung up the outdoor screen and the kids watched a movie.  I ate leftover ribs for a week. They were the best ribs EVER!

Thursday was the kids' last day of school. I use the term "school" loosely. They were, for sure, learning stuff when they were doing their school work... but it only took about an hour each day so it's basically been summer vacation for months.  Plus the last week was all optional/fun/creative stuff and our kids didn't participate.  They did what they've been doing for months.  Playing Taking selfies with my phone.  I can only assume they learned "duck lips" from the neighbor girls.  Speaking of neighbor girls, THREE of them spent the night (after a night of swimming and a watching a movie in the pool).  The next morning, Carter helped me on our newest project. It's like I have 6+ kids most of the time. 

For Roxy's birthday she's been telling me she wanted a Elsa cake for ages. So we went to Joann's on her birthday to see what we could find.  I was hoping to find one of those doll tops and then make a cake as the skirt/dress, but they didn't have any. But Roxy found something else she wanted anyways so it worked out.  Then we went to Target to pick up the cake mix.  (she loves playing with the mannequins) We made her cake and Jake brought home some balloons.  She had been swimming so she has wet hair, but she didn't care. The Smith's came over and we sang to her, opened her presents, and ate cake.   They ended up staying for hours and I'm pretty sure Roxy was happy with her cake, presents, and two parties :)