Sommer & Sydney's 11th Birthday

Wow - it's hard to believe these girls are 11 already! Sommer & Sydney wanted to have a "Glamour Shots" birthday party. We had 12 girls over and curled their hair, put on a little make up and had grandpa Neus photograph each one. It was really cute! We ran up to develop the pictures in the middle of the party and sent each girl home with her head-shot. It was definitely a crazy night but so much fun! Thanks to Aunt Kristen, grandma O, grandma Neus and of course, grandpa Neus (I still owe you a Diet Coke!) for all of the patience and help!

Happy Birthday, Grandma Jean!

Brian's grandma turned 90 this month. The girls and I went out to Phoenix to take her to lunch this week. We had such a nice time. She is such a great lady and I always enjoy visiting with her. The kids love her, too. The twins are taller than her now and think that's pretty cool! When we were walking into the restaurant Chloe looked up at her and said, "Wow, you are SO old"! Grandma just laughed and said, "Yes, I am". Then Chloe told her, "But not as old as President Hinkley. But he's dead, anyway". I don't think grandma heard that last part. If she did, she didn't acknowledge it. Great kids, huh?

Eagar Fun!

Brian's parents own a home in Eagar and we spent the last week up there relaxing and enjoying the cool weather. We have decided that that's how vacations are supposed to be spent! Don't get me wrong - I love Disneyland and Sea World - but a "vacation" needs to be spent sleeping in, reading books, playing games with the kids and just plain relaxing! What a great week! Sommer and Sydney got to spend alot of time riding horses, which they love! The Neus' house is across the street from a park so Chloe and Lauryn spent time there (monkey bars for Chloe) and they have a skate park there also, and Hunter was there quite a bit! Brian and I had fun playing Monopoly, watching videos, reading and relaxing! Thanks, Tom and Sue! We're not sure what we'll do when you guys actually move up there!

Intense Dance Camp

The week of the 7th was our dance studio's Intense Dance Camp. Wow, what a crazy week! The girls and I had to be at the studio ALL day long! The first two days were spent here in the Mesa studio and on Wednesday and Thursday we got to go to the Globe studio. What fun! Who knew Globe was such a fun place? The girls spent the week learning production numbers they will perform for our recital next June. I got to teach tap again, which I love. I'm not used to having my tap shoes on 8 hours a day, though! We all had a great time and can't wait for next year! (I actually can - but the girls are excited about next year, anyway!)

4th of July

Our family had such a fun time celebrating the 4th of July this year! Of course, I didn't take my camera along so I have no pictures. (I was going to copy them off of Julia's blog but can't find them on there now!) We went to the drive-in movies and met up with some friends. I think there were around 20 or so kids - at least it seemed that way! They had such a blast! Before the movie started they got to run around the dirt parking lot and goof around with their friends. During the movie the twins got to sit on the roof of the Wheeler's 15 passenger van. (See, the Wheelers are cooler parents than us and let their kids do super fun things like that!) Anyway, we had such a great time - Kung Fu Panda was really cute! We were able to see fireworks in every direction. The kids made new friends and had a blast. Isn't that what it's all about?!

Date Night!

Brian and I went to American Idol Live and had such a fun time! This is just about the only show we can watch at night as a family, so every year our family gets pretty into it! Danny's owns a box at the arena where this concert was at so we were able to watch the concert in great style - and not pay a penny for it! We had a great time - but of course, wished we could have brought all 5 of the kids with us, especially Chole, who is the biggest David Cook fan I know! Maybe next year, kids!!

Hunter's Lucky 13

Hunter celebrated his 13th birthday with cousins, aunts, uncles and grandparents from both sides of the family. It was a fun night! He decided that he'd rather have spending money for clothes than have a big birthday party with friends. So I got to take him shopping on his birthday and enjoyed a fun day with just the two of us. It was great to see him having to make decisions on whether or not he wanted to spend his money on the more expensive items. He did pretty well, and actually bought a few shirts that were on sale. He ended up buying himself a $27 t-shirt also, which I NEVER would have bought him. I think it was a great experience for him! (I bet that shirt doesn't end up on the floor!) He also got to go to lunch with grandma and grandpa Olsen on his birthday, and grandma Neus took him to the movies and lunch earlier in the week. Fun times!

Happy 13th Hunter!

Wow! It's hard to believe that I'm a mom of teenager! I thought that since it was Hunter's 13th birthday I would list 13 of my favorite things about him!

Here they are, in no particular order:

1. Hunter is very outgoing. He has never been shy and can find a friend anywhere.

2. Hunter has a great sense of humor. This kid can make you laugh! He always has a good joke just waiting to be shared.

3. Hunter is very curious. He wants to know where things come from and how they work. He has a great mind.

4. Hunter is very creative. He can make a toy from a stick or a rusty bolt that he's found on the ground. He is always able to entertain himself and has been that way since he was a young boy.

5. Hunter has a great smile. I love to see him happy and smiling!

6. Hunter is very loving. He makes it a point to tell us every night that he loves us before going to bed. And if we've fallen asleep without hearing him or answering him back he will wake us up so he can tell us that he loves us.

7. Hunter is fun. He's fun to talk to, to play with, to hang out with. He likes to have fun!

8. Hunter likes to tease (which is good and bad). He likes to laugh and yes, sometimes it is at the expense of his sisters, but he means well most of the time.

9. Hunter has a great memory. He can remember just about anything - which most of the time is great! He loves history - especially world history. His favorite TV channel is the History Channel.

10. Hunter is smart. I think this has a lot to do with his great memory - but he can recite lines from movies, lyrics to songs and word for word what you told him yesterday. My mind doesn't work like that!

11. Hunter has an ear for music. He can sit at the piano and sound out a song or a hymn without looking at any notes. He also has great pitch and can sing pretty well.

12. Hunter is very sensitive. He likes people to think that he's not. But I know that he is!

13. Hunter knows who he is. He knows that he is a child of a Heavenly Father who loves him. He knows what is expected of him and tries every day to be the best kid he can be!

Hunter - we love you!