Night Out with Uncle Justin

This past weekend we decided to head back to the valley to spend a few days with Uncle Justin before he headed back to Texas. So, Friday night we decided to explore all the valley had to offer...for free that is. We had a blast at the Enchanted Island at Encanto Park in Phoenix. Kind of ghetto, but my kids loved all the creepy carnival rides...especially the splash pad. It was so bloody hot that night that I was tempted to get soaked too. Afterwards, we headed to Tempe for a little minor league baseball training game at the Tempe Diablo Stadium. It made for a fun night and the kids and I loved spending time with Justin and Megan. I am seriously loving all the free events we get into with our Pogo passes...so fun!

Off to School They Go

The kids at their first day of school on July 25th and they couldn't have been more excited! Bradock started kindergarten at Payson Elementary School (PES) with Ms. Daley and Raylee is back at the Nazarene Church for preschool. I love that my kids love going to school and learning. I just wish half day kindergarten was longer. Raylee actually goes to preschool longer than Bradock is at school. Oh well, soon enough he will be all day and all grown up. Bradock came home from his first day and told me that school was awesome and that kindergarten is way, way cooler than preschool...love that kid.

We ended our first week of school with a fun day at Big Surf with the Flaherty cousins. I love that both my kids are swimming now because we had a blast that day. Both of them tried all the slides they were tall enough to go down and just swam and swam all day. Of course, we were all exhausted when we left to make our drive back home to Payson. It didn't take the kids but 5 seconds and they were konked out...love swimming:)

Avery's Bday Party and Getting Brave

Last Saturday my niece, Avery, turned 5 so we got to celebrate at Grandma and Grandpa Flaherty's house with a fun Bieber Pool Party. She is such a cutie and we had so much fun hanging out. One of the highlights of the day for me was seeing my tube-obsessed, water fearing little girl ditch both her fear and beloved tube and become a swimming/jumping machine. I have Grandpa Bob to thank for helping her reach this monumental day in her life:) Bob is one of the greatest Grandpa's I know and just loves his grandkids to pieces. He never misses the opportunity to wrestle, play, swim, teach and just have a good time with them...I am truly thankful for that.

Well, the pool fun ended a little early with this massive dust storm that came rolling in at lightening speed. It was the craziest thing I have ever seen, but made for fun entertainment.

Of course, this is what happens after a day of swimming...pure exhaustion. Uncle Justin makes an awesome pillow.

Funness

The other night we finally set a plan to go out with our friends down in the valley. We went to dinner with Meegan (Jake went home sick), the Forts and my brother. After a scrumptious dinner at Charleston's the Forts and Brett and I walked over to AMC and watched the new Batman movie. Not really my kind of movie, but it wasn't bad. Of course, Brett and Dave had to take a pic of Rachel and I since we both showed up wearing our bright pink skinnies:) What can I say...we were obviously seperated at birth because we clearly are always on the same wave length:)

I really hate my nails and I really hate doing them myself because I am horrible at painting them. Well, thanks to Sally Hansen's nail strips I may just be doing my manly nails a little more often...love these things:)

We decided to invite some friends over for dinner the other night and as much as I love to cook I do not like to bake. I am not creative and I'm horrible at decorating (kind of like painting my nails) and hate having any of that sweet, yumminess left at my house because I just my devour it all. So I play it safe in all aspects and try to avoid baking at all costs. Well, I decided with friends coming over I would try out my cake pop pan that I bought ages ago and have never used. The kids decided they wanted red pops, so I dyed the cake batter and well the end result left me laughing til tears came out. As I am pulling these lovely smelling gems from the oven I go to remove the top piece of the pan and low and behold I somehow molded cake "boobies". I thought it was hilarious and knew Brett was going to thoroughly enjoy his dessert that night:)

Of course, what is a post now-a-days without a little nature. With our little watering pool we have families of elk swarming in all the time now. We have seen as many as 10 at a time...still shocks me to see these beauties right out my window.

Raylee Girl's Bday

Well my little diva turned 4 on July 16th. She woke up that morning and said "Am I 4 yet?" She has told me for quite sometime that she doesn't like 3 and wants to be either 4 or 5. Well, she finally got her wish:) She wanted doughnuts for breakfast that morning and then while we were in Mesa that day I took her to Toys R Us and she got to pick out a toy. She chose some wedding dress up clothes (veil, ring, white gloves and purse) and the Tangled and Flynn Rider barbie doll set. She said she wanted the set, so Bradock could be Flynn and could play with her...so sweet. See she does have it in her sometimes:) Her bday dinner choice was, of course, McDonald's...I think they just love getting those silly, little toys. This little girl is one sassy, smart chica. She seems way older than she is...both physically and mentally. She is very tall for her age and is very smart. She loves to color and paint and as of recently I have been finding her artwork glued (yes glued not taped like I thought) to all the doors in the house. The other day I had the fire captain at the house to look at clearing out some of our trees/shrubs and as we were walking the property Raylee came screaming outside yelling that she had a pokie in her foot and needed medicine. After checking her feet and seeing no pokies I told her to go inside and sit on the couch and I would help her when I was done. The fire captain left and as I walk into the kitchen I find my little monkey girl hovered over the sink drinking a bottle of Children's Triaminic cold and flu medicine. How she figured out how to open that bottle is beyond me, but that's just her. She can figure out anything and prefers to do everything on her own...it's just lovely. She is super sweet and caring when it comes to her brother who she says is her best friend (love that). She still loves all things princess and can't get enough lip gloss and pretty nails. I am so grateful for this little miracle of mine and for all the spunk and entertainment she brings to our family.

Our friend, Tawna, made this adorable skirt for Raylee and a few others with different fabric. Raylee loves to wear skirts and dresses and will even put on several different ones throughout the day...can't wait until she can do her own laundry.

All the Flaherty cousins came up on Tuesday to get dental work done and celebrate Raylee's bday. She has been one spoiled, lucky girl. She got more fun gifts including a "Brave" dress, new backpack and lunch box and a Barbie newsreporter microphone and camcorder...so cute!

Pinetop Bday Celebration

After making it home from our fun staycation we unloaded the car and decided to re-load and head up to Pinetop for the rest of the weekend. It was my dad's birthday on Sunday and Raylee's on Monday, so we decided to have a little bday celebration for both of them. Sarah, Chance and the girls were already up there so it was fun to hang with everyone. We drove back home Sunday afternoon with Sarah and Chance in tow and they stayed with us that night. Then Monday, Brett went to work and the kids and I headed to the valley after the Clarksons left. It was such a fun weekend, but man I feel like I have been all over AZ the past few days. I guess we are living up our last few weeks of summer before school starts again.

Mini Staycation

Thanks to livingsocial.com we got to enjoy a little staycation at the AZ Grand Resort this past weekend. It was awesome and we had a blast. The kids loved the fun water park and Brett thoroughly enjoyed his breakfast at the resort's lobby grill. I will definitely be on the hunt for some more resort deals down in the valley...great way to feel like you are getting away without all the expense. I was so glad we didn't experience any of the rain and thunderstorm warnings that were predicted for the weekend while we were at the resort. However, just as we were heading back home we were hit with the craziest, windiest rainstorm ever. Brett was having a hard time seeing out the windshield, but we made it home safe and sound.

Summer Fun

We have had such a fun summer especially with all the wildlife roaming in our yard. Brett got the genius idea of digging a hole a few yards from our front porch and putting in one of those cheapy Walmart pools for a nice little watering "pool" for all our new "pets". It is amazing to see all the elk/deer up close. In fact, the other morning we had a brave, little elk come right up to the porch and was eating the pineapple that Brett and the kids were feeding it...so cool.

Mr. B and I had a major Candyland sesh a few nights ago. Raylee was exhausted from swimming all day and had already fallen asleep, so Bradock got me all to himself. I love spending time one-on-one. It was getting pretty late and we were all tied up, so I told him he only needed to beat me one more time to be the Candyland champ, but he said "No, mom. I want to stop with us both winning." Such a sweet boy:)

I don't know what the deal is, but the older I get the worse it is for me to chop onions. I even wear these awesome goggles to help and yet the tears still flow like crazy. I got some great tips from some friends that I am dying to try, so we shall see if we can stop the onion madness around here. Otherwise, I am going to leave all the chopping to Brett.

The other day Bradock had just finished up with gymnastics, so I decided to take the kids to the park nearby. We picked up their friend's Josie and Carson Young and had a fun time enjoying the beautiful, cool evening weather. I was helping my friend, Cami's little boy, Hazen, on the jungle when all of a sudden I turn to see Bradock do a flip down the slide and land face fist in to the sand. Oh my word tears and blood were a flowing. I picked him up and headed to the park bathroom with blood squirting all over me and him panicking from seeing all the blood. I wasn't sure if he knocked out any teeth or how deep any cuts were from all the blood and then all the sand stuck to that blood. We got him somewhat cleaned up and poor thing his face looked like raw hamburger meat. Who knew sand could be so deadly.

Of course, what would summer be without lots of pool time. I put Mr. B and Ray in swim lesson here at the public pool in Payson and Bradock has improved soooo much. He is quite the swimmer and more importantly jumper! He has conquered his fear of swimming and is having a blast at Grandma and Grandpa's pool jumping with the cousins and then going off the diving board here in Payson. Raylee, on the other hand is still mortified of being anywhere near water without her tube. She has gotten more comfortable with actually putting her head under the water, but she still needs a lot of work. Swim lessons for her were kind of disasterous as I sat on the side with a huge anxious pit in my stomach as she would claw and scream at her instructor. Needless to say I didn't extend her 2 week swim session like I did Bradock. I am hoping that maybe next year will be the year...it would be a miracle!

Heber's 4th of July Fireworks Show

This year's 4th of July celebration has been never ending. After staying in the valley until the Clarkson crew made it home from the hospital I came back up to Payson only to turn around and head to Heber, AZ on Saturday. We had heard that Heber has one of the best firework shows ever, so we decided to make a day of it and go check it out. We had such a blast hanging as a fam and just goofing around. We set up a little "picnic" area down at the school in Heber and seriously all the rumors were true...it was the BEST fireworks show I have ever seen. They literally set them off so close and just above us in the sky that even Raylee kept reaching out her hands as if she could touch them...so amazing!!! We will definitely be going back every year.

Vada Rin Clarkson

So, Tuesday night I got a call from my sister right after her appt with Deanna (her OBGYN and our good family friend...we are SOOO lucky) and she basically said that Deanna said she was dilated to a full 3 and ephased 100% and she would be having her baby that night or the next day. I frantically got the family packed up and off to the valley we went. I wanted to make sure I was at least close by if anything did happen that night, so to be on the safe side we drove down. My sister went ahead and went into work that night in hopes that all the standing and walking she does would progress her labor. Well, Sarah didn't end up going to the hospital until Wednesday morning. Her contractions were every 2 minutes. The hospital discharged her after awhile, since there was no progression, but 30 minutes later they were back in the hospital after her water had broke...great timing:) I headed to the hospital and got to hang with her and Chance and my parents as we awaited the arrival of this new baby girl. Sarah was debating whether or not to get an epidural, but after going awhile with some pretty heavy and intense contractions Deanna convinced her to just get one. Wow, what a difference a little shot can do. Sarah was so calm and relaxed after that. We were all just hanging out in her room watching "The Help" on tv when the nurse came in to check on her and have her move from her side to a sitting up position. All of a sudden the nurse had us all kind of nervous because she wasn't detecting a heartbeat anymore so she had Sarah get on all fours and then she checked her to see how dilated she was. She quickly told us that Sarah was complete and it was time to have this baby...holy moly to go from watching a movie to time for delivery...what a rollercoaster! Anyways, after Deanna arrived and 3 contractions later our little 4th of July baby was born. It was one of the most amazing and miraculous things I have ever witnessed. My sister did such a great job and to see this little girl that looks just like her (definitely "Tindall" features) was such a joyful experience. Vada Rin Clarkson has the cutest, roundest cheeks with a big mouth and lips (no wondering where those came from:) She is beautiful and perfect in every way. It is so fun to hold a tiny newborn again, but really nice to be able to give her back to mom:) Brett asked me if this makes me want to have another baby...my response "I'm okay loving other people's babies". And love is what this little girl is going to get. Since I have never experienced pregnancy or delivery it has been so neat to ask my sister such honest, personal questions but also knowing we are so comfortable as sisters that she can tell me. There is really nothing like having a sister to share that stuff with and I'm so thankful for mine. She is an amazing mother and friend and I feel so lucky to have her in my life. I think motherhood has brought us closer and I'm thankful we get to share our motherhood journey together:) My super excited/happy face driving down the mountain and so ready to meet this new little niece of mine.

I missed most of the fun Flaherty 4th of July Festivities in the pool, but got a funny picture of these two divas...love all their sass!!!

Wanna Be Spiderman and Park Day

Bradock has been watching all the "Amazing Spiderman" previews and is dying to see the movie. To say this kid loves super heroes is a huge understatement. The other day I was looking for Mr. B and low and behold I find him scaling the rocks on the front of the house...he told me he was not Bradock, but Peter Parker. I had to be sure to remember to call him Peter that whole day because he would get so mad if I called him by his name. He even had put on an outfit similar to what Peter Parker wears...hilarious! I love that kids' imagination.

The weather here in Payson has been awesome and it's so nice to know that it's the middle of the summer and we still get to enjoy a nice day at the park without dying of heat. The sprinklers turned on the day we were there and Bradock begged to play in them, so off came his shirt and shoes. He was having a blast while Raylee and I lazily chilled on the blanket watching our crazy boy run around. These kids sure keep me pretty entertained.

Weekend in Pinetop

The weekend prior to the 4th of July we headed up to my parent's house in Pinetop. We hadn't been to visit them there in about a year...now that I live in cool weather and mountains we just haven't gone to visit as much. Sarah, Chance and McKai were going to come up too, but my sister was close to having her baby and was told that the high altitude would surely put her into labor, so her and McKai stayed home and my mom drove down to hang out with them. So, Brett and Chance did a little golfing Friday morning and then Brett and I took the kids to see "Brave" that afternoon. It was such a cute movie and I just loved how perfectly they portrayed a mother-daughter relationship...it felt so familiar:) That night we headed down to the Show Low rodeo grounds to say hi to our friend, Homer, who was calf roping. Raylee absolutely fell in love with his horse, Gator. I have extreme anxiety around horses...they are so big and they can so easily step on you or kick you, but they certainly don't seem to phase the kids at all. Brett, Chance and my dad were in an archery tournament all day Saturday and then that night we went to the Taylor 4th of July Rodeo. We had a fun time watching Homer calf rope again and watching the fun fireworks. My Mom came back up to Pinetop that evening too and she brought my cousins Kaitlin and Jordan, so they could hang out with their dad who is living at my parents house right now. Raylee just fell in love with Uncle Kelly and it was hard trying to pry her off his lap. It was a fun, relaxing weekend and probably one of our last in Pinetop before my parents sell their house and move.