Week 30

Awww summer!  I'm so glad things have slowed a bit, but here we are looking at the last day in July already.  It's hard to believe.  Today is Brandon's birthday, and I'm taking the day off from work to get some things done around the house and spend some time with my kids.  It feels good to be able to do that, and Brandon is thrilled.  He really didn't want to go to camp on his birthday.  Here's hoping today is a fun day for all.

Enjoy last week's pictures:

Day 204- Sunday, 7/22/12

It's the last day of swim champs and the last day of swimming for the season.  Justin is super excited.  He's had an interesting year.  He enjoyed it more than last year, but was plagued by DQ's which is frustrating.  We'll have to work on his form for next year.

Day 205- Monday, 7/23/12
One of the best parts of getting an early start to the day is being able to see the sunrise.  We had a thunder storm roll through very early this morning so when the sun finally came up it didn't disappoint.  It also helps to work on the 5th floor of a building that over looks campus.  Good morning UC Davis!

Day 206- Tuesday, 7/24/12
The boys had karate testing last week which mean promotions this week.  Brandon just earned the last strip on his white belt and next time will be testing for a green belt.  Justin moves on to review for his black belt!

Day 207- Wednesday, 7/25/12
We're at the California State Fair enjoying some of the yummy fried food.  These things are bigger than Justin and I think his eyes are bigger than his stomach.  Good thing we're all sharing.

Day 208- Thursday, 7/26/12
I'm hanging out here after work in Davis for drinks with the lab to celebrate a major accomplishment that has been 9 months in the making and will mean more funding for years to come.  It so nice when after many failed attempts things finally work out.  Totally worth celebrating.

Day 209- Friday, 7/27/12
Tyler's been home alone all week taking a break.  His job and sports have ended for now so he's enjoying some time alone in a quiet house to chill before water polo "hell week" starts August 6th.  Bella is happy she's not the only one home all day and loves the extra attention.

Day 210- Saturday, 7/28/12

Brandon is helping me bake a cake for his small family party tomorrow.  His birthday is on a Tuesday so we'll do most our celebrating Sunday since we have limited time during the week.  He loves to help in the kitchen and I love to have him.

That's it for now. Thanks for stopping by and see you next week.

   

Week 29

Yes!  My relaxing summer can begin.  Last week was the last of swim, the last of Tyler's job, the last of water polo (for a couple weeks anyway), and today is the last of Karate until Sept.  I feel so free.  Now if work would just slow down for a bit.  At least we have ground breaking, important stuff happening that makes all the craziness worth it there.  What to do with all this extra time?  I think some family fun is in order ;0)

But before that, last week's pictures:

Day 197- Sunday, 7/15/12

Ouch! Unfortunately Brandon backed into an old style lantern sitting on the ground while camping and it burned his poor little leg.  We have the new battery ones that can go in your tent so I had forgotten how hot those old gas ones can get until this happened. My poor baby :0(  It's so painful.

Day 198- Monday, 7/16/12

After reading with Jingle Brandon set the pup up to watch him practice his Kata for karate testing tomorrow.  He loves this little dog, and I think Jingle was impressed with Brandon's moves.

Day 199- Tuesday, 7/17/12

We have a friend nesting in our patio cover out back.  She comes here every year and sets up a nest, but has yet to be successful.  The high afternoon winds usually blow her nest down at some point before the eggs hatch.  Maybe this will be her year?

Day 200- Wednesday, 7/18/12

Time to put on the tennis shoes and hit the gym while the boys are at swim.  It will be the last I see of the rec center once swim is over.  Then I can just workout at home again.

Day 201- Thursday, 7/19/12

I'm waiting with Bella in the vet's office. She's due for a checkup and a shot. All she can think about is getting that cookie after she's been good ;0)

Day 202- Friday, 7/20/12
Setting up for the swim meet tomorrow. I have the food bag packed, the coffee maker set, the cocoa-motion machine ready to go, the sun screen packed, and the towels, chairs, tent and what not in the car. I think we are ready for our early start--we have to be there by 6:45am both Saturday and Sunday this week because it's Champs, but then we're done for the season!

Day 203- Saturday, 7/21/12

We're at Swim Championships and there is a lot of down time because there are sooooo many swimmers to get through.  At least the kids know how to enjoy this time.  Here is Tyler and the other teenagers all squished in one tent playing a game.  Later there will be about 10 more in there.  Wouldn't be so bad if it wasn't so hot and humid today.  Where's that delta breeze?

Wait!  One more . . .

July's Family Photo

This was taken by our good friend Lily just before we left our camp at Rollins Lake Sunday.



Now that's it!
Check back next week to see how we're doing
at enjoying our free time.

   

Week 28

It feels like summer is slipping through my fingers, and I'm so not ready. Target has school supplies out, Tyler needs his sports physical done, and swim team is almost over. I hope the next few weeks are a little more relaxing and feel more like a true summer break. It's too soon for school to start again.  At least the temps make it feel like summer might last. Last week was a hot one which is more like we expect out of our summers here in the valley. The past two years have been very mild, and I'm actually happy to see the heat come back--it's good for enjoying our pool.  

Now for last week's photos:

Day 190- Sunday,7/8/12

John's brother is coming to pick up his bike this week so John decided he better get some good riding time in.  He went out for a nice Sunday morning drive.

Day 191- Monday, 7/9/12
Poor Brandon--someone at camp told him about a scary movie, and he hasn't been sleeping well.  We've helped him through many nightmares and can usually get him back to sleep in his own bed, but every now and then it's just too much, and he needs to sleep in our room to feel safe.

Day 192- Tuesday, 7/10/12
Tyler's off to swim practice.  He's become one with is bike this summer and will ride himself to water polo in the mornings and swim in the afternoons.  I think he likes the freedom, and I like not having to drive him.  It's also a Tuesday which means the bug guy is here to take care of our yard as you can tell from the truck parked out front.

Day 193- Wednesday, 7/11/12
I told you it was a hot one.  We've had 100 degree temps pretty much all week, but this is normal for us in July and August.

Day 194- Thursday, 7/12/12
A teaching moment.  Justin is showing Brandon how to beat a game on the 3DS.  He's lucky to have 2 older brothers to help guide him through a lot of things.

Day 195- Friday, 7/13/12
We're starting the weekend early up at Rollins Lake near Colfax.  Time for some camping.  I was hoping to escape the heat here but it's still pretty hot.

Day 196- Saturday, 7/14/12

We're camping with 5 other families and having a great time around the fire late at night.

That's it for this week.  Thanks for stopping by and see you next Tuesday.

 

Week 27

What?--July!  How did that happen?  This summer is flying by.  Here we are at the week I am supposed to post today.  Feels good to be back on track not just with this project but with most everything in my life--eating, exercise, bills, kids, work, etc.  Going on vacation is fun, but the aftermath from being gone so long and getting back to reality once you return is really no fun at all especially when you're jet lagged.  Thankfully the fog has lifted and all is right with the world again.

Check out last week's pictures to prove it:

Day 183- Sunday, 7/1/12

Here's my July baby holding the monthly marker.  Even though July has just started he can't wait until the month is over since his b-day is on the very last day.  That's a long time to wait at his age and it's a long month too.

I have to share another picture.  This is John's belated Father's Day present.  We were in Europe during Father's Day so today the boys took their dad to a motorcycle shop to pick out a helmet as his gift.  This way he is protected and surrounded by something his family gave him while we rides.  It was a fun outing they all enjoyed together.

Day 184- Monday, 7/2/12

Time to get back into the gym and my workout routine.  I didn't really workout all of June which seems weird, but we did a TON of walking on our trip so that made up for it.  The boys have swim practice at the rec. center multiple times a week which is the perfect time to use their exercise equipment.

Day 185- Tuesday, 7/3/12

Really?  John doesn't want our dog swimming in the big pool so he bought her this tiny thing.  She can't swim in here!  We'll fill it up and see if she wants to play in it tomorrow when we're home, but I think she'll be less than impressed.

Day 186- Wednesday, 7/4/12

Happy 4th of July!  It was nice having the day off to spend with the kids.  We were in the pool most of the day and then lit some fireworks out front.  The downside to a mid-week holiday is going back to work the next day especially after a late night.

Day 187- Thursday, 7/5/12

We've got some tomatoes on the vines out back. Now if I can keep the horn worms away it won't be long in this heat before they start to turn red and ripen up.

Day 188- Friday, 7/6/12

Tyler chillin on a Friday after work.  This is his video-game time between helping out at camp and swim practice later in the day.  He has a really busy summer so I'm glad there is at least some down time for him to enjoy the break.

Day 189- Saturday, 7/7/12

There's a swim meet today.  Brandon is pencil dropping into the pool getting ready for his backstroke swim.  This is his best event and today he was on fire taking 8 seconds off his time and coming in first for his heat.  Only 2 more weeks of swim team.  It will be nice to have August off before school starts.

Well that's all I have for this week. 
Thanks for stopping by and see you next Tuesday with only one post--Yes!

 

Week 26

I'm still playing catch up but should be able to bang this week and the following week out today to be where I need to be. That first week back from our trip was an adjustment getting used to being in a routine again but now it's business as usual. I just wish work wasn't so busy. No chance of easing back into the swing of things. I had to hit the ground running and it hurt! I guess I could look at it as job security though.  Happy Tuesday!

Now for week 26 in pictures:

Day 176- Sunday, 6/24/12

Today we traveled home flying 13hrs from Rome to LA and then another hr home to Sacramento.  It was a really long day, but it sure felt good to be home and see my boys and parents.

Day 177- Monday, 6/25/12

Time to unpack and get the laundry started.  I've never been so happy to use my washer and dryer.  We pretty much hand washed the whole time we were away.

Day 178- Tuesday, 6/26/12

Here are the boys dressed in shirts we brought back from Europe. They loved all the little trinkets and goodies we had to share.

Day 179- Wednesday, 6/27/12

The party is over.  Time to head back to work.  I had over 400 e-mails to sort through first thing this morning and then a bunch of cell culture and bench work to catch up on.

Day 180- Thursday, 6/28/12

We have a new resident in our garage.  John's brother, David, dropped off his motorcycle for John to borrow while he's away.  It won't be long before John buys his own bike.

Day 181- Friday, 6/29/12

We love Friday swim practice because hardly anyone shows up so there is a lot more space in the pool, more one on one instruction, and the coaches let the kids have more fun.  Today was a hot one too so the pool felt really good.  The boys had a great practice.

Day 182- Saturday, 6/30/12

Party time!  We're at Sharon and Richie's for some summer fun--good food and good friends.  John as usual is Mr. DJ.  His music and those headphones go everywhere with him. He even brought them on our trip to Europe and busted out some tunes for the group on the party train from Paris to Nice.  That's how he roles!

Wait!  One more--

June's Family Photo

This month we were able to get my parents in there just before they headed back to Utah.  It sure was great having them here to care for the kids and watch the house and dog.  We wouldn't have been able to take our trip without them.  I just wish they didn't live so far away.

Ok, that's it for this week.  Look for Week 27's post shortly.

 

Week 25

. . . and the journey continues.  Here is our last week in Europe.  It's hard to believe we've been there and back and saw so many things is such a short amount of time.  The history, art, and architecture there is something you will never find the likes of here in the states.  What a wonderful experience this was for us, and someday we'll have to go back with the kids.

Enjoy week 25:

Day 169- Sunday, 6/17/12

Enough of France--we're now in Italy cruising the canals of Venice.  What an interesting place this is with over 100 islands and more than 400 bridges connecting them all.  No cars allowed--just boat and foot traffic.

Meanwhile, back at home, my parents took the boys to see a movie.

Day 170- Monday, 6/18/12

As you can see our rainy days are behind us and now it's just down right hot--close to 100 degrees out.  For dinner we took a water taxi to the island of Burano which is a very peaceful and colorful place to get away from the crowds and fast pace of Venice.

The two younger boys start day camp today and Tyler starts his job at a similar camp in a different location.  I think they are all glad he is at a different camp ;0)

Day 171- Tuesday, 6/19/12

This morning we joined a walking tour through the many hidden streets of Venice and ended up at a local fish market where we then set off on our own to explore even more--actually I think we ended up doing laundry while eating gelato. Yum!

Justin is making his lunch to take to camp.  I'll have to remember he can do this and make sure he continues when I get back.

Day 172- Wednesday, 6/20/12

We've moved on To the beautiful city of Florence.  Here's one of it's many bridges in at sunset.  We timed our evening walk just right arriving at the river from our hotel just as the sun was going down--not planned but worked out perfectly.

 Brandon and Bella playing after camp.  Justin enjoyed taking more pictures of the dog than anything else while we were gone.  At least this one had his brother in it too and my dad's shoes in the background.

  

Day 173- Thursday, 6/21/12

 The Tower of Pisa in all it's glory.  I didn't realize before this trip that it's actually the bell tower of the church it stands next to. 

 The boys received the postcard we sent from Paris.  It was sent from the Louvre and for some reason they stuck it in an envelope to mail?  I thought post cards were self-contained.  The next postcard coming should be from the Vatican.

Day 174- Friday, 6/22/12

Rome is our last stop before we head home in 2 days.  The Colosseum is amazing and we were supposed to tour the inside as well but because of some demonstration march that was ending here it was closed to the public today.  Guess we'll have to come back some other day.

 Tyler and my dad were so proud that they were able to get the pool cover rolled up perfectly.  So my mom had to take a picture to show John how it's done right.  That is impressive.  Now will we be able to do repeat the impossible?

Day 175- Saturday, 6/23/12

On our last evening I got to throw my coin into the Trevi Fountain.  Can you guess what I wished for?  Tomorrow we head home.

 Speaking of home, my mom put our travel itinerary up on the pantry door and they checked off each of the places went to as the days went by.  Only one check mark left and that's us coming home!  Can't wait to see my boys.

What a trip!  a picture a day doesn't even cover a fraction of what we saw but you get the idea.  I'll have to put together a travel album or maybe even blow up some of the pictures for our home.  Now back to reality.