Swim Banquet 2011

Last night we celebrated the end of the summer swim season with a banquet and awards ceremony. What a fun night to see all the kiddos dressed up, hair combed and not in a blue and yellow swim suit! To say it has been a fun summer of swimming would be an understatement. We really lucked out with the weather this year. Sitting at the pool each morning for 2 hours really wasn't so bad. Seeing all the friends from last summer and making new friends has been so much fun for the boys and I. Cheering on all the kids each week is super exciting. I really love the camaraderie everyone has for the kids who are swimming their little hearts out each week. Last night was the perfect way to end the summer swim season. Can't wait for next summer.

Coach Brian did a fantastic job coaching the MCC Swimmers this year. Our club took first place over all the other clubs.

Ledger and Case with the 6 and under kids.

Brody received a participation trophy and the award for "The Most Polite Swimmer." He was thrilled as were Jeremy and I!

Case received a participation trophy and the "High Point" award for all the 6 and under boys.

Although Ledger didn't swim any of the meets, he practiced with the team EVERY day. He was so happy with his participation trophy.

Brody, Ledger, Case and Katlyn with their trophies.

Brody and his 7 and 8 year old friends. Brody loved having his cousin Aiden on the team this year.

Oh Case and Katy. You two swimmers are so competitive with each other. You could have cared less if you won your heat. All you cared about was beating each other each week. Lucky for Kim and I, you two were on an every other week pattern with who's time was fastest. I was so relieved when you both won the High Point trophy for the 6 and unders.

GROSS!!!!!

I bet your wondering what my husband is doing in his beanie and long sleeve shirt when it's 115 degrees outside! I bet your even more curious as to what is under that cup. Chances are you'll never guess!

So Monday night I get a phone call from my cute sitter, Tayler Horn. Her and her cute friend are screaming and giggling as they tell me there is a BAT flying around my house. Jeremy and I are at Moon Valley Country Club for the preliminary swim championships so there is no way we can get home to help them. I call my brother who runs over there to see what's up. He checks the house and calls us with no sighting of the BAT. In all honesty we don't think there is really a BAT in our house but possibly a small bird or even one of those fat black bumble bees. So Tuesday night comes around and once again we are at Moon Valley for the swimming championships. Tayler texts me again saying the BAT is back but she didn't see where it went. Jeremy and I are puzzled as to what is going on. Why would a BAT only come out when Tayler Horn is babysitting? Why haven't we seen this BAT? What is going on? Well, late Tuesday night as I'm sleepily brushing my teeth, I see this black fuzzy thing sitting on my bathroom counter. It is little and looks a lot like a rat, only it has pointy ears, like a BAT. I freak and start yelling for Jeremy. Jeremy throws on all his hunting gear, minus the rifle and shot gun and goes to work. He too is freaking cause this thing is gross and creepy and by now we have discovered, it is a BAT!! He traps the thing by putting a cup over it and transports it outside. I kid you not, when this thing opened it's wings, it was as big as an eagle and gross, gross, gross! Eventually it flew away with it's BAT friends who oddly enough came swooping around when we removed the cup and waited for him to fly away. Jeremy and I were so grossed out by time the whole event was over. We are praying that Mr. BAT is really the one Tayler and her friend saw flying around and that we don't have a BAT cave somewhere in our attic or dark corner.

Oh my gosh!! Is that a BAT in my house?

Another summer golf season has come to an end

Summer golf has been so fun this year. We really lucked out this year with the June weather. It didn't get too hot until the last week. All 3 boys participated in the program and loved it. The coaches were great and my boys learned a lot.

The Mesa Country Club golfers

Ledger won an award for being the most awesome player. The coaches said he came with a good attitude each day and worked hard. Way to go Ledger!

Brody won an award for "The Most Talented Golfer." The coaches said he has a good swing, and a great attitude. Awesome Brody!

Aiden, Brody and Ledger waiting for the golf ceremony to begin.

Miss B. looking adorable at the golf party.

So you may notice that there is no picture of Case with an award. Sadly enough he didn't get one this year. This was a tough one for me as a mom to swallow. Here's the deal, while I don't think that kids always need to win, they don't always need a trophy or medal at the end of their sport/activity, I do think that coaches need to be more aware of who is really getting the awards within the family. It totally broke my heart leaving the awards ceremony with Brody, Ledger and Katlyn who all won trophies. Case literally cried his eyes out for a good solid hour. I didn't blame him. He showed up EVERY day dressed and ready to go. He listened and followed all the rules. He did super. It was a hard lesson, one that really kinda upset me as a mom. It's silly and dumb I know, but it changed his attitude about the sport. He felt deflated, like he wasn't good at golf. The truth is, Ledger didn't deserve that medal. While he did fantastic for the coaches, he doesn't know the game, he can barely hit the ball. He got the award based on the fact that he is charming and adorable and the youngest player out there. He would have been fine without it. It was hard for us all and I'm glad Case rocked it that night at the swim meet. He really needed it!

It's Beach Week!

Miss B. started her final week of summer school today. The theme this week is Beach Fun. She was so excited to play and paint with her new friends. She will be so excited when she realizes that she gets to wear her swim suit Thursday and play in the water.

Miss B. knows just what to do when she comes in the classroom. She always picks the pink Play-Doh.

Summer Garden

Look at these fresh strawberries. They taste as good as they look.

Cherry, Roma, and Beefsteak tomatoes.

Bell Peppers in every color

I grew up eating fresh beets. My dad used to grow beets when I was a child so we would eat them often. I looove beats and was so happy that these did so well this year. This was the first time I grew them but it won't be the last. They are so pretty in the garden with their red leaves.

Green Beans by the hundreds.

Every kind of zucchini and squash you can imagine.

My spring/summer garden has been great this season. Although my corn didn't turn out so well, we had plenty of other vegetables to make up for it. I wish I could make this garden last through the summer, but with temperatures reaching 118, nothing can survive. I am looking forward to October when I can plant again. I'm thinking about starting with pumpkins in August and seeing how those do. Anyone know about growing pumpkins?

Four years ago...

...I gave birth (emergency C-Section) to a gigantic (8 lbs, 13oz) baby boy. He was huge and hairy and so adorable. He was a snuggly little thing and still is to this day. He was so sweet and happy. I fell in love with him instantly. Today is his fourth birthday and I still can't get enough of this kid. Here is a little more about Ledger.

Favorite color: green

Favorite food: chicken with french fries and green beans too

Favorite drink: root beer

Favorite treat: Skittles

Favorite thing to do: Play with my brudders

Best Friend: Jack Stradling and Ethan and Sugar and you Mom!

Why are you excited to turn 4?: Be Be Because I I I like my toyz!

Tonight for Ledger's fourth birthday, we celebrated with dinner at Mattas. We invited his cousins and the grandparents. The food was yummy and Ledger had a blast. I still can't believe my baby boy is 4. When did that happen?

It's tradition in our family that on our birthday our Grandpa Pomeroy gives us a one dollar bill for each year we have been alive. Tonight Ledger recieved four one dollar bills and was beaming!

Aunt Missy made green cupcakes per Ledger's request.

Dad and Ledger sharing a cupcake.

Cars 2 the movie came out this weekend so every gift Ledger recieved was Cars 2.

Brody and Case loved helping Ledger open his gifts.

Miss B. and Presley had fun hanging out together.

Cole and MacKenzie were so nice to come to Ledger's b-day dinner.

Troy, Missy and Cole

Kunkle, Nicole, Jim, Sugar, Presley, Brody and Miss B.

GG, Hunter, Ron and Pam

My kids love their big cousins. They are so sweet to play with them.

Happy Birthday Ledger!

This sweet boy is 4 today. For his breakfast in bed he chose a waffle and Orange Julius. He was thrilled to be turning 4. This kid is adorable and so charismatic. He makes us laugh with his funny voice and words. We love this kid so much. Happy Birthday Ledge-Man!

White Trash

Yesterday I got my 2 top wisdom teeth pulled. I grew them when I got pregnant with Miss B. I had been dreading this surgery for a year and a half now. I don't know why, it was a piece of cake. I haven't taken one pain pill since I came home. I'm super swollen but nothing too bad. Today is my birthday. I'm old. Today I turned 37. Hard to believe since I still feel 20. Tonight Jeremy and I are going to Flemings for a delicious steak and garlic mashed potatoes. I'll probably skip the steak and go for the creamed spinach and soft mashed potatoes. I can't open my mouth so soft foods are what I need to stick with. Today we went swimming, white trash style. I bought this little pool on the last day of school for our water gun fight. Today while Jeremy was washing the "Job Box" the boys asked if they could go swimming in it. They put on their suits and had fun playing in the 4 inches of water. Yep, that's how we roll around here. They were in heaven and asked if we could get a "real pool". Jeremy told them only if we got rid of the trampoline and swing set. They decided that was a bad idea and kept splashing in the plastic pool. Happy Birthday to me!

Nothing cuter then a baby girl in her swim suit on a hot summer day!

Butterfly Swim Meet : A Night Of Winners!

Madden, Case, Hayden and Josh showing off their first place ribbons

for the freestyle relay race.

Case showing off his 3rd place medal for the 6 and under boys 25 yard freestyle. Both he and Katlyn medaled tonight. Katlyn actually received a first place medal for the 6 and under girls, but Case had a faster time. The two of them are so competitive with each other so it was good the way it worked out tonight.

Brody showing off his 5th place medal for the 7 and 8 year old boys, 25 yard freestyle. It was kinda funny when we went to check his time after all the 7 and 8 year old boys had swam. When we saw his time he asked me, "Which kids earn medals?" I replied by telling him, "The top 5 kids medal." He looked back at the paper and noticed he was #5 on the list. His eyes lit up and he said, "All right then." We got his medal and he was one happy 8 year old boy that night!

Madden and Case waiting for their race. Hard to believe these 2 boys are the same age!

Brody and Katy right after Brody took 1st place.

Tonight was a great night for the boys. They each swam the individual butterfly race at Arizona Country Club. Brody placed 1st in his heat (second heat) and received a fifth place medal. Case placed second in his heat (first heat) and received a third place medal. Case also had the opportunity to swim the freestyle relay and a 50 freestyle. His relay consisted of Josh Morin, Madden Parker, Hayden Darst, and Case. They swam their little hearts out and placed first. They were so excited when they realized they won. Case's 50 free was a whole other story. Apparently when he jumped in the water, his goggles filled with water and he started zig zagging across the pool like a drunken sailor! We couldn't figure out what was going on until he finished his first lap and tore his goggles off and swam the last 25 with his face out of the water. We felt so bad because he had a good chance of medaling in the 50 free. It's funny how my kids cannot swim without goggles. It's like they think the water is gonna kill their eyes after 1 minute of not wearing them. Although it was super hot out tonight, we had a blast watching our boys swim butterfly. Way to go boys!

Bubbles and Balloons!

Miss B. started her 3rd week of summer fun with Miss Jody. This week the theme is bubbles and balloons. She loves Miss Jody and her fun school. I'm not sure how I'm gonna drop Ledger off there in the fall and not have her freak out. She thinks she's part of the school at this point. Happy Bubbles and Balloons week!

Summer

June is flying by. We are so busy these days I can hardly see straight. We leave our house each morning at 8:30 and don't get back home till around 2:30. Each morning I drop the boys off at Mesa Country Club for swim team and golf. Then I head down the street to drop Miss B. off at summer school. I head back to the pool and watch the boys swim and play golf. Around 10:45 I leave MCC and pick up Miss B. at Miss Jody's. We then rush off the Miss Carolyn's so Ledger and Miss B. can do their swim lessons (On Monday's Brody goes to piano). We scarf down lunch at Miss Carolyn's and then Libby takes Case to Red Mountain High School for basketball camp while I stay at swim lessons. We then rush to the High School just in time for Brody's basketball camp. By time we get home we are all exhausted! It is super fun but whew, I'm ready for July when it's all over and we can relax and play at the cabin for the month. How is your summer going?

Jumping Into 4!

Tonight we celebrated Ledger's 4th birthday at Jumpstreet in Chandler. Since the party was a last minute thing, we only invited Ledger's 4 best buddies and our immediate family. If you haven't been to Jumpstreet, you totally should go. It is wall to wall trampolines and bounce houses. Ledger had an absolute blast and I am so happy we were able to jump for night to celebrate our baby boy turning 4. Happy Birthday cute Ledger!

Ledger chose Krispy Kreme for his b-day treats.

He was so excited when he opened up a gift card for a six month subscription to Club Penguin.

I have no idea where Brody is for this picture but here are the rest of us with our b-day boy.

Ledger chose to bring his 3 best buddies to Jumpstreet. They had so much fun jumping together.

Jesse, Ledger and Jack sliding down the bouncy slides.

Miss b was on cloud 9 at Jumpstreet.

Nicole and Presley jumping.

Sugar and Cave

Can't believe this boy is 4! He was all smiles at his party.

Jack Stradling is one of Ledger's best friends. They went to Miss Jody's preschool together. He lives a rock throw away from us and he is Ledger's cousin.

Jesse Langford and Ledger have been swimming together at Miss Carolyn's since they were little. They get together for playdates and have tons of fun together.

They are a week apart in age. Jesse has 2 older brothers and a younger brother. His oldest brother's name is Case and his baby brother is Ledger.

Ethan Green and Ledger went to preschool together this past year. Ethan is actually between Case and Ledger in age so both boys are good friends with Ethan.