A rare cool summer night

Andrew had a church responsibility tonight and the kids wanted to go outside so we ended up going on a ride around the neighborhood. The weather was surprisingly pleasant. Zara and Rupert love the bike trailer, and Avery grabbed on to the back since she's still new to rollerblading, so I kept a slow speed while Elliot followed along on a scooter.

I hope the weather stays cool so we can do it again soon. My niece who just turned one over the weekend just got a sidewalk burn. The pavement was hot enough to burn the palm of her hand and give her second degree burn! She's seems to be taking it like a champ, but that's the crazy hot weather we live in most of the summer! Today we went to Skyline pool for the first time and Monday it was Stapley. So far no regrets getting the summer swim pass, I just need to find friends that have it too! The kids would have so much more fun!

Memory Lane: NAU dormitories

Here are some more family photos!  With us celebrating our 10 year wedding anniversary/10 year birth of our family we really wanted to have the pictures somewhere special and meaningful.  NAU north campus in Flagstaff was the perfect location.  We have a lot of memories there from when Andrew and I met, dated, and made a lot of really good friends.  Flagstaff is also the place Andrew learned about and joined the LDS church.  Here are some pictures of our dormitories.

 ^^ Andrew's room is one the window's on the top left.^^

Taylor Hall was Andrew's dorm at NAU.  He had several roommate and room changes but this is where he made home during those months far from family.  When Andrew applied for the exchange program from Hull University in England he was able to choose 5 schools he could put in priority that he would be interested in studying at for a year.  NAU was his fourth preference, and even though there were openings at his other top choices they sent him to NAU.  It was meant to be. :)

^^ North Morton was my second dorm on campus. ^^

We met the Saturday after the first day of school on campus in the Student Union.  That's a story on it's own. :)  At the time I was new to college and living in a freshmen co-ed dorm in south campus.  It was a rough experience and after a couple months I moved to North Morton dorm in north campus, right across from Taylor Hall.  I was the exception living there because North Morton doesn't typically house Freshmen.  North Campus is the oldest part of the school and has so much character and history, as you can see!

Sarah Waggoner did a great job capturing my family in all our craziness!  It's funny how the silly pictures like these last two end up being favorites, instead of the ones where everyone is looking at the camera and smiling. :)  The silly ones really show everyone's personalities.

Saturday is a special day

This morning we went swimming in Nora's community pool. Last year we spent time at Garrett's cousin's house in Snowflake. His cousin, Natalie, visited them today so we swam together. Avery especially loves Natalie.

Our Saturday's are usually really busy so it was nice having fun as a family at the pool. Nora's always a great host too. Tonight we went to Julie's house because her Rosalie turned one today! That first year always goes by so fast!

Sunday treats

We have early church at 8:30 so the afternoon can be kind of long sometimes. Andrew is often gone all day with his calling (ward executive secretary) and it's nice to have something to look forward to. For me that's usually a nap, baking a treat, or playing games with the older two during naps. Today I had all three! A one hour nap, homemade brownies, and dominoes

These brownies are for the other primary counselor who's birthday is today! In other news, I think I'm going to go off sugar for a month. I'm not so good at portion control. ;) 

treats

Today during Elliot's band practice we went to Liberty Market. They have a wonderful selection of delicious baked goods they make in house. By far the salt river bar is mine and Avery's fave. It's made out of club crackers, butter, sugar, chocolate, peanut butter, salt flakes - just that perfect balance of sweet and salty! We tried the blueberry scone with homemade whipped cream for the first time and I was impressed! Not bad for a second breakfast. :)

The Gilbert Water Tower splash pad has long been my favorite splash pad. I always meet cool people there and the kids make new friends, plus I find it's good for all my kid's ages. We didn't spend a lot of time in Glibert today because we needed to pick Elliot up from band, but the girls were sad to leave so we need to go again soon! 

these 4 have my heart

 I almost forgot to blog, so technically it's Friday, but i haven't gone to bed yet.  Some of my favorite pictures from the photo shoot are these ones of the kids.  I feel it really shows their personalities.  There aren't as many of Rupert.  The weather was a lot colder than expected and he was frozen and unhappy much of the time, but he put a brave face some of the time. :)  There were so many good pictures it was hard to pair it down.

 I can't help but smile when I look through all of these photos.  I feel like I have the most amazing children.  They're beautiful, amazing, caring, talented ... the list could go on!

Zara has recently learned to swing by herself.  It's a new favorite of hers.

^^ We were really trying to get a genuine smile out of Elliot and this is after Andrew told a joke, and then Elliot told a couple jokes.  He's actually quite good at telling jokes and riddles.  He doesn't get that from me!

 ^^ Avery was probably the most herself during this shoot, or at least best captured on camera.  So spunky and silly and just trying to have fun.

 ^^ Always my little sunshine! ^^

 I have more to share but that's all for today.  All pictures by the talented Sarah Waggoner.

family photo sneak peak!

 We had our family pictures a month or so ago and got them back this week!  I'm loving how they turned out!  It's getting late so I'll share more tomorrow, but for now here is a teaser. :)