Summer 2009

I love the lazy days of summer! Not too much planned, but that's the way I like it. I love just going with whatever the day brings us! Highlights of the summer so far

So technically, this was before summer started, but Hannah and I and our Bff's went to LA to American Girl Place for her 10th birthday. It was so much fun hanging out at our hotel, going to American Girl Place and walking Venice Beach




The kids were both in the Virtuosity Dance Recital! It was all Disney Themed and the kids were both in the same Pirates of the Caribbean number! Zakk fenced and Hannah did an acrobatic dance



We celebrated 4th of July with friends!




Zakk has hung out and played with friends!



The dogs have been hanging out...a lot:)



On a few of sad notes, We have hit the 6yr anniversary of my Mom's death and the 1yr anniversary of my Dad's death. I miss them more than I ever thought possible and honestly not a day goes by when I don't think of them:(

Our cat Maisy has been missing for a couple of months now so we are sad about that. And Hannah's gymnastics coach of 3 yrs moved back to California. For Hannah and all the girls it was a very sad time, even though we know it was best for her and her family. Competition season will not be the same without her this year:(


Up for the rest of summer? Zakk has another camp to go to with his youth group, waiting for Hannah to get home from Gymnastics Camp(YIKES) and then maybe a camping trip and for sure our annual beach trip at the end of August! so much for the lazy days of summer!

Bigger or Better

Zakk had his friend Nick over today. They were a little bored and I didn't want them to watch tv/play video games, etc... Nick had the idea to play bigger or better. The object is to start out with something random around your house and go door to door and try to upgrade it to something bigger or better. Zakk was not feeling it and Hannah wanted to tag along. Oh my goodness!!! They decided to start with a bottle of bubbles(unopened). They were gone awhile and came back with the same bottle...no luck!! They didn't give up though. Off they went again. The next thing I know they are back with a big bag of potato chips(unopened) and their bubbles too???? Next they came home with a foam hand,(which they decided to keep) and took another bottle of bubbles which they traded that for some kites, then traded that for a stuffed dog bigger than they were! They wanted to keep it...yeah....no way kiddos!! Off they went and came back with a stuffed bear even bigger!! By this time, Zakk was totally into it! They traded the big bear for a smaller one. They went off again....during the middle of writing this post, I get a phone call that they traded the bear for a TV and they needed me to come and get them! Zakk was laughing so hard. Nick is the lucky owner of a TV(that apparently works) and we are the proud owners of a foam hand an unopened bag of chips and a stuffed bear!!(which the TV people let them keep!) All in all a fun way to spend 4 1/2 hours! YES! 4 1/2 hours!!! Pictures coming soon!

Happy Mother's Day

Happy to be a Mom to 2 AWESOME kids!
I think my life began when they were born.
I learn from them everyday and strive to be a better
person because of them!!! I love you Zakk and Hannah

Zakk's first fencing tournament!!

Zakk has taken up fencing and he loves it!! When he first brought it up to me, I was like huh??????????????? fencing? do people really fence? How did you even come up with that. I'm still not sure. I couldn't find anywhere for him to take fencing, but yet he kept asking and asking. Oddly enough while at VEGA one day a fencing instructor came in. So bizarre! So Zakk has been taking fencing lessons since October and has done fabulous!!! It makes my heart burst that he has found something he LOVES!! Zakk thinks his instructor is really cool! He set up a tournament for the kids in his class. Zakk placed 4th! He did so awesome. It was fun to watch something other than gymnastics for once(do not tell Hannah I said that). Gymnastics meets are pretty long, and apparently so are fencing tournaments. Hannah was not thrilled to sit through the whole thing, but I figure she owed Zakk!

My sweet little gym diva!

This years theme??? The Future's So Bright! You Gotta Wear Shades!




This weekend wrapped up Hannah's 2009 meet season! She had some highs and lows this year, but made it to the Washington State Championship!! According to her it was her worst meet ever! Me, well I am just so so pround of her for making it this far!! She had such high hopes for this meet as she has worked so hard and improved so much on skills she hadn't quite mastered! In gymnastics, it just sometimes isn't your day! Knowing my little gym bug, she will be right back out there next week working hard and setting new goals!!

Before the meet hanging with her friend Charlotte





Every year about half way through meet season, Hannah wants to cut her hair. She just gets sick of having to pull it back, etc... for those months. Every year after her last meet we get her a new do. We did that today in hopes it would cheer up a bit! It certainly did and I even got a little note...Dear Mom, You Rock!! What else could I ask for. She looks adorable with her new cut!!!

Seriously??

UGH! Rain? Again? Really???

Catching up on us!

It was so nice hanging out with the kids during Spring Break! I had the whole week off. The weather cooperated a teeny tiny bit, but mostly the last day! The kids and I cleaned out a bunch of clothes and toys while Rick was playing golf in Palm Springs! He had a blast!! He forgot the camera though :( Waiting for copies of pics from friends.

Zakk is wrapping up his first year of middle school! After a little bit of a rough start the first semester, he has done FABULOUSLY!! Seems to to love it and has made some new friends!

Zakk has also had a ton of fun with his new hobby/passion...Fencing! He is actually really good at it. Kind of not one of those sports you think about too much, and where he got the idea to try it is beyond me. We were beyond thrilled that VEGA started offering it, and hired a fabulous instructor who Zakk thinks is AWESOME!! So I am thankful for that. He is learning a lot and having fun and I swear his leg and arm muscles are growing too!!

Hannah is almost at the end of her first season as a level 5 gymnast! Due to a huge growth spurt, she had some knee issues, but they are feeling better now and we will probably do some physical therapy during the summer to streghten them. She has had some stumbles this year, but set some goals and has achieved all of them. With one more meet(the Washington State Championship) she is hopeful to reach the rest...and if not, she always has next year!!


She is loving 4th grade and her teacher! I feel so blessed that thru the years we have never had a teacher problem! They have all been wonderful and special!!

I am counting down the days until summer vacation. I am so looking forward to a trip to American Girl Place in May, and our annual beach trip in August with our dear friends! Other than that, a whole lot of being outside, exploring and relaxing!!