Where has the summer gone?

Has it really been 2 months since my last post? June and July have flown by. Madi and Julia went on a trip with Grandma Sue & Grandpa Bob to NYC, DC, and Philly & Hershey, PA. They had fun and learned a lot of U.S. history. I'm proud of the girls for once again committing to the Lakes Swim Team and rising early every morning of their summer break to attend practice and time trials. We joined our neighbors in Prescott for 4th of July. Julia celebrated her 9th birthday with a baking-themed party. She was lucky enough to have my parents, her Oma and Opa, in attendance, as well. They were excited to finally meet Rachel and arrived bearing amazing BBQ brisket from Texas. Celebrated my mom's bday and my mom-in-law, Diane's bday, too. We spent a week sleeping at a hotel when our upstairs AC leaked and faltered. At the end of it all we enjoyed a day at the Oasis water park at the AZ Grand Resort. Then the girls reported to Prescott for Girl Scout Camp. Vacation in Montecito, CA. is next; cooler temps await us :)

Just some fun Spring Pics

A new sport, Lacrosse

Julia just finished her first season of Lacrosse. We learned about a developmental league from a friend and jumped in not knowing a single thing about this sport. Julia really enjoyed learning a totally new sport and wants to continue with it. So, she will work out with an older player over the summer and then join the AZ Girls Lacrosse program again in the Fall. It's tough sport requiring lots of agility; contains a good deal of contact. It has some similarities to basketball, but requires a mouth & eye guard. This will toughen her up!

Last Day of School, Again

Friday was the last day of school for the 2009-2010 year. Both Madi and Julia had a great year at a new school. Both finished with excellent report cards & are already off on a trip with their grandparents, Sue & Bob. As usual, we hosted both of their classes & the neighborhood kids to a pool party. At one point I counted 52 kids in my backyard. I can't believe how much energy these kids have; swimming, jumping on the trampoline, playing football, basketball, dunking each other, etc. for 4 hours solid. They also consumed massive amounts of food; I need to remember that they are getting older/bigger and have twice as much food next year. Mr. Keating, Madi's 5th grade teacher, came and his students got a thrill out of throwing him in the pool.

Madison's 11th Birthday

For her 11th birthday Madi wanted to take a few friends SKY DIVING, indoor sky diving, that is. Actually, it was all her dad's idea, but she really wanted to try it. Two of her classmates, Jordan and Megan, and Julia and Mark suited up for some free-falling.

New Aquarium in Tempe

My friend Susan Roxburgh from ASU got the girls passes to this new Sea Life AZ aquarium. It just opened a few weeks ago & I'm glad Susan invited us because it was very cool. Lots of great exhibits & many ways to view them. Some you can walk through to get a 360 degree view, others have bubbles where you can stick your head in & view from the inside of the tank.