Swim Lessons

Swim Lessons

May 28 - July 18

I signed the Talmage and Emma up for swim lessons at Williamsfield High School, through Gilbert Aquatics. Swim was 4 days a week and we did it for 8 weeks straight. I wanted to make sure the kids had a chance to really learn and become comfortable in the water. It was lots of fun and they thoroughly enjoyed it!

When Talmage started, he was afraid to put his head under the water and could not do a back or front float. When he finished, he had mastered two levels and could swim about 12 feet. He's amazing!

 

 

Here's a video of Talmage during his last week of swim lessons:

 

6 Month Checkup

June 20, 2013

6 month Dr Appt

Ellie received 4 vaccinations, one as an oral liquid and the other 3 as shots to the thighs. She had a mild fever the next day but other than that, she did great! While the doctor was checking her ears, I mentioned that, a few days earlier, I noticed some drainage in her left ear. He then discovered a small amount of puss inside. As a result, opted to prescribe her only half a dose of antibiotic, since it wasn't a full-blown ear infection. But other than that, she's happy and healthy! She's sitting up very well. 

The doctor was surprised at her strength for a 6 month old.

Here's how she's grown!

Weight: 17 lbs 11 oz - 75 %tile

Length: 26 in - 49 %tile

Head Circumference: 17.25 in - 87 %tile

Happy Half Birthday Ellie!

Ellie Marie

June 12, 2013

Today Ellie is 6 months old, which makes it her half birthday. It's also Emma's half birthday as well. And it top it off, it is their grandma Maren's birthday. She would be 70 years old, but instead she's celebrating in heaven. This is her first birthday not with us. In honor and celebration of mom and the kids' grandma, we made German Chocolate cupcakes. She loved nuts and chocolate so I thought it was a good choice. 

6 months old

Memorial Day

May 27, 2013

Memorial Day

Visiting Gravesides

 

We celebrated Memorial Day by meeting with the Lewis family to see family members' gravesides at Mesa Cemetery. We ended our visit with Mom's grave. It was a special and tender moment, being the first Memorial without her.

 

Then we proceeded to my side of the family at Mariposa Garden cemetery where my grandparents and great aunt/uncle are buried. Afterwards, we enjoyed a tasty breakfast at IHOP.

 

Our celebrations continued as we headed over to the Boyds' for a family lunch, swimming, and games. Our day was wonderful, as we remembered the those we loved and those who served our country.

 

Happy Memorial Day!

 

 

The following pictures are at Mom/Grandma Maren's graveside.

 

Banana Pancakes

 June 2, 2013

Sunday Morning Pancakes

Emma decided she wanted to help mommy make banana pancakes!

Vacation: Friday Downtown Disney and Home

California Vacation

Disneyland

Friday

May 24, 2013

We started our day off right, with an IHOP breakfast and a coupon for a free meal there. 

Lucky for us, there was a balloon maker, who could make any Disney character. Talmage chose Mickey Mouse, while Emma chose Minnie Mouse. For some reason, I can only find the picture of Talmage and his Mickey balloon. Emma's was pretty much the same, except pink and he even made a pink bow on top!

After breakfast, we headed off to Downtown Disney. We were done with our vacation but hadn't had a chance to shop around. It was so fun to end our vacation, just casually shopping around without rushing to rides. The Lego Store was the biggest hit of all! They had several large, impressive statues, completely made out of small Lego bricks. As you can tell, that's pretty much all the pictures in this post.

After our morning of browsing, we headed home, back to Arizona! This trip surpassed all our expectations, created wonderful, fond memories, and became our most cherished family vacation so far.

This stain glass art piece was behind the register at World of Disney, one of the Downtown Disney stores. 

It was magnificent!