Flower Garden Party

For Lou's 6th birthday party, she wanted to have a "Flower Garden Party."  Phoenix in June is not exactly conducive to a garden party.  So we got creative and had an indoor flower garden.  Lou helped plan the activities and games.  We designed and delivered invitations, we prepared decorations, treats, and crafts, and then we waited... To her, the days until her birthday party dragged on and there wasn't a day that went by in the week leading up to the party that she didn't calculate how many days it was until her party.  Eventually the grand day arrived and we thought the party was a hit.  Here is a glimpse of what we did.

Birthday Girl Lou

Lou's "Flower Garden"

Making flower bead bracelets

Playing "water the flower"

The ice cream sundae bar was a hit!

We forgot to get out the spray whip cream, but we improvised...

Happy Friends

Lou's friends - Arianna, Kendra, Hailey, Bella, Rachel, Cecelia

The Lakes at the Lake

I don't think that summer is complete without a camping trip, even with all the hassle and dirt, camping is a favorite family activity.  We managed to squeeze a weekend trip in between parties, birthdays, baptisms and family vacation.  It's only taken me two months to post about it, but it is worth posting about :)

We headed to the Blue Ridge Reservoir about an hour and a half northeast.  Our friend who recommended the spot also kindly lent us a canoe.  We hiked, explored, played cards, read books, and ate "camping food."  There is a fire restriction, but that did not put a damper on camping.  We roasted smores and made kettle corn on our butane stove.   We even slept pretty well - which is not usually the case with camping.  It was fun to have T-man and the girls join us for the second night.

We canoed around the reservoir, had a picnic, and braved the cool water to go for a swim.  When we returned home to 119 degrees (the hottest day of the summer and maybe even in history), we wished were back in the lake!

Cooling off after a hike

Cruisin' around

Yummy S'mores

Cousins and Kettle corn

Dirt!  And mom doesn't even care!

Headed out for a picnic

A loaded canoe!

Brrr!

Picnic on the rocks

Headed home

Spud loved the canoe ride!

Pajama Party!

Turning eight is a big deal around here. Momentous in many ways, but one is the big birthday party that Curly got to have. She wanted to have a pajama party "late-over."  The girls arrived, the games began.  First the girls made their own personal pizzas and then while the pizzas were cooking, the girls made "slippers" with flip flops and ribbons.  After pizza the girls did "friendship fingernails."   Each girl had a different color and rotated around painting one finger of a friend.  Finally we finished with ice cream sundaes. It was a fun evening for all (even the parents running the show).

Flip Flop Slippers

Pizza Party

Friendship Fingernails

Teegan, Claire, Colette, and Emily

Birthday Girl

Showing off their "manicures"

Dear Friends and Pinetop

 Our very first Sunday in Arizona almost four years ago, we met the Sheppard family.  We moved into the same neighborhood, the same week and immediately became friends.  Jenny and I have been walking buddies, cooking buddies, and carpool buddies.  Our kids played often at playdates and babysitting group.  I will miss my friend and the girls will miss their friends!  We knew they would not be here forever and with Luke finishing Dental school, they are moving on to bigger and better things (a job).   We were able to have one last hurrah with them in June at a family cabin in lovely Pinetop, AZ.  It was a beautiful place with pinetrees, a lake, mountains, and cool weather.

We arrived late and the excited friends were up early and out exploring.

Ava, Brynn, Lou, Curly and Berry

Cute girls

 The early morning light was also great for some photography practice on my very cute subjects.

Later in the day, we enjoyed a picnic and some exploring at a nearby stream. 

Berry and Vi

Luke and Jenny

Brave dads and kids

Tickle torture!

In the evening we ate dutch oven dinner on the back porch.  After putting some very tired kids to bed, we stayed up late playing a new game and talking.  Sunday we attended church, ate lunch and then had to say goodbye.  It was a wonderful weekend that I wish we could repeat.  I am sure that we will see our friends in the coming years.  Until then...  Goodbye dear friends!

Retro

Trying out this blogger app.  It has mixed reviews.  

Yesterday we took a trip back to the 90's. I took the girls skating with some friends. I felt like I was back in the Burg at R skating. There was flashing lights and beating music and games like four corners. It was great! I think we need to bring skating back. Berry even put on some tiny skates with wheels bigger than her foot but she was not a big fan. Spud and Berry had a great time watching their sisters.
Afterward we stopped at Winco (the time vacuum store) and got a donut among other things. The girls didn't last long after that. An exhausting day for all.