June Summer Fun

We are still here. The summer has started out packed full of fun. The kids spent a week with their grandparents while Kevin and I worked and then enjoyed a "kid free" mini-vacation. The week flew by. We picked the kids up from my parents house and were able to watch one of Dylan's baseball games. He is such a little super star. He made the all-star team this year and has been spending a lot of time at practice. As usual, it was very hard to leave my parents and come home. We love our home and love Boise, but spending time with our families is always so much fun. I am happy to report that the goatie has left the building. As sexy as it looked (close your ears mom), I am glad to see that "spikey" thing go (as Kendall so eloquently put it).

While we were visiting my parents we took a trip to see Kevin's sister and her family. They just bought a new house, so we were excited to check it out. Kami had saved a few of her special toys to pass down to the girls. Sidney especially like the little ponies.

Kevin is off for the summer (can you hear the jealousy in my words)? He is having so much fun with the girls. They have been attending the library programs and spending endless hours at the park and in the backyard pool (wading pool that is).

We have gotten pretty involved in the summer reading program with the girls. They just reached their first level and redeemed their slips for prizes. They got candy, tickets to the Snake River Stampede Rodeo and goldfish. Yes, real live goldfish. Kevin and I were laughing, because they got free goldfish and we spent $10 buying the supplies. It has been fun watching the girls get so excited over feeding their fish every night. Kendall has changed their names at least five times. Kevin finally put his foot down and said they would be "Goldy" and "Fish". Why ruin a good thing, after all Kendall's giraffe is "giraffe", monkey is "monkey, and we have "cat" and "cat in the hat".

Sid is really starting to jabber away. The other day she actually spoke her first complete sentence "More banana please mommy". I could not believe my ears and actually asked her to repeat herself. Sure enough that is what she had said. She is our little athlete. If there is a ball within 10 yards of her, she will find it, throw it and kick it. She continues to amaze us with her accuracy. She has also been showing off her profound running skills. Unfortunately this also includes running away from mom and dad in parking lots. No good I say!

Camping season has officially begun in the Strong household. Last weekend we went to my absolute favorite spot. I am not sure I can mention the name for fear that it will be overcrowded by all of the people who see the gorgeous pictures below...

The girls are such good campers. It has gotten so much easier now that they are getting a little older (if one can call an "almost" 2 and 3 year old "older"). The only gear that we have to pack are clothes, diapers and wipes. No more Pack and Play, formula, booster seats or special gadgets. It is sweet! We stocked up on glow sticks from the dollar store and gave the girls one each night while we were camping. They were in heaven. It was their own personal night light. Kevin took Sidney out on her first solo fishing trip while Kendall got her beauty sleep. They were gone for nearly 3 hours. Kevin said she is a great little fisherman. I asked how many fish they caught and he said "None, but she is still a great fishermen". Hmm??? Apparently she had a good time as she returned with only half the bag of marshmallows!

Off to Grandma and Poppies House

Kendall counted down the days. Now they are off on their first vacation away from Mom and Dad...

All the way up to Grangeville, Kevin and I pondered what the silence would be like as Kendall told us joke after joke and Sid repeated them after her. The ride home from Grangeville was deafeningly quiet (except for Kevin snoring while I drove). Yes he will deny it, but I know the truth. When we got back into town - what did we do on our first night alone? Absolutely Nothing! We did go out to dinner. Then we rented a movie. We are such a wild pair!

From what I can tell, the girls are having a blast. Though the only way I can make this determination is by the fact that they do not have time to stop and talk on the phone. I have called twice now. Kendall will come to the phone with some persuading. The first time she said "Hi Mom. Bye Mom". This morning she say "Hi Mom. You and Daddy are home, right? Bye Mom". I should feel really sad about this, but I am so happy they are having so much fun.

My mom made the mistake of telling me several stories that a mother should probably not hear. Dylan dumped the bike trailer "softly" she said. Hallie buckled Sid in the trailer in a highly unusual way. Today they have had hot fudge sundaes, chips and salsa, and it isn't even dinnertime yet. The truth is that I love every crazy detail. They are making meomories. They get to do things a different way for awhile. It is awesome. It is crazy. It is THEIR time! Yet I do miss them with every fiber of my being...

Tu-Tu Much Fun

So I did it. I bought the girls each a tutu. Some might say...a waste of money. I say "A Good Time". Here they are in the middle of their dance moves to prove it.


This weekend we had the honor of joining Miss Emily for her 2nd Birthday party. All of the girls had such a good time playing together. It did take them a little bit to warm up and then they were off and running. I am really hoping that Kristin will send us the pictures so I can post a few (hint hint).

The girls only have three more days at Rebecca's before the summer break. I cannot believe how quickly the year has flown by. They will really miss seeing the kids every day. I know that I will certainly miss my chats with Rebecca every morning. Though I am sure that the summer will fly by as well.

Kendall keeps asking "Is it Saturday yet?" Saturday is the day they leave for Grandma and Poppy's house! They will have so much fun. Mom and Dad will need a VERY long nap by the end of the week.