Ken has been a Cub Scout Bear leader for the past few months, but was recently released and called as the Young Mens secretary. He's also been quite busy with work.
Alan went to a weeklong computer programming camp with his cousin Zach at the Microsoft store in Scottsdale. He said that it was a little boring, but he was glad he went.
We attending Phoenix Comicon as a family. It was a blast, as usual. Click here for pics: http://wearitworkit.blogspot.com/2014/06/phoneix-comicon-2014.html
Jessie came to live with us this summer. Now there are eight of us living here (Josh and Abby too). It's a full, but loving house.
Ellie was involved in the two week long Copperstar Rep. Company's "Annie" summer camp. She was a darling orphan and gave it her all while singing and dancing to, "You're Never Fully Dressed," "It's a Hard Knock Life, " and "Tomorrow." I spent most of the days with her at camp helping out with a variety of things in exchange for her tuition. She said it was a great experience! Dray went for the first couple of days of camp, but was a little young to enjoy the experience.
A couple of weeks ago, Ken, I and the kids took the kids to Makutu's Island in Chandler. We hadn't been there in years and the kids enjoyed climbing, sliding, and crawling through Makutu's jungle.
Yesterday we went to Sun Splash. Alan and Ellie swam with cousins and Abby, Jessie, and Josh, while I took Dray to the Tempe Town Lake splash pad. He was so excited that he spent a majority of his time there flapping his arms wildly and smiling, which is Dray's number one indicator of extreme excitement. He did get a little burned though (even after two applications of sunscreen.) Poor little dude.
Alan will be starting middle school Monday and Ellie will be in 5th grade. I'm in awe at how fast they are growing up. Alan is excited to start junior high and move on to something new, but Ellie is constantly reminding us how much she hates school, which is funny since she was on the honor roll last year. She also received the class integrity award and met her AR goal. I guess though school is torture for her, she manages to push through pretty well. Speaking of awards, Alan made the honor roll, Principal's List, the accountability award, and the Million Word Reader award. He was also nominated for the 2014 Gilbert’s Community of Character Award. I'm so proud of them both.
Dray has started reading small words, knows all of his numbers (up to 100), his shapes, and his colors, yet he has another year before he starts kindergarten. I'm looking for an affordable preschool for him. He loves to play Minecraft, the color red, watching Courage the Cowardly Dog, playing zombie and cooking games, wrestling roughly, swimming, jumping on the couch, and painting and crafts. He recently told me he wants to take a cooking class. He's also very interested in learning Spanish. His favorite food is macaroni and cheese and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. He definitely is an opinionated little dude, and we all love him so much.
Alan receiving his Community of Character award certificate.
Singing "who will buy my sweet red roses?" in Oliver!
Ellie as a super cute schoolgirl in Oliver! She also played an orphan.
Alan and his cousin Zach doing baptisms for the dead.
Modeling for "Love Out Lavendar."
Playing a psychiatric patient in Head Over Heart's "No Sleep."
Dray showing off his handmade sock puppet.
Looking a little sunburnt at Sunsplash.
Abby, Alan, and Josh singing karaoke (complete with disco lights) in the family room.
Ellie playing theater games at "Annie" camp.
Waiting for 4th of July fireworks. We only watched them for 10 minutes before leaving to eat and visit Abby at Tailgaters (they were too far away to enjoy.)
The kiddles swimming in our backyard pool.
Enjoying lunch at the Rainforest Café.
Visiting at Banner Gateway hospital with Scott, Bethany, and Celeste.
Alan and Zach sharpening up their programming skills.
Crazy summer selfie in the van.
