baptism dress

Emmy is getting baptized in July in Idaho so a baptism dress was in order. I was proud of Emily, she designed her dress herself and I think she looks beautiful.

We are excited for her baptism and feeling a little old as our kids grow up!

this, that, and a new ice cream flavor

Summer is swingin' here. We are in Mommy summer school, swimming lessons, and doing some FANTASTIC art. I finally emptied the camera and here are some tidbits.

 I missed posting Nelson at 7 months, so here you go (it's an 18 month outfit - ouch to my mommy heart).

 Lest you think AZ is a total loss, these delectable peaches were from Uncle Cam's tree - Nora probably ate 8 in the first day.

 

Diana is 100% goof!

 The last 2 weeks of school the kindergarten practiced being 1st graders by having spelling tests. Nora was excited to make the 100% door display before I ripped it down.

 After a million years the paint guy finished our house. It looks nice and clean and fresh. Now the evil HOA people won't have to send us a letter telling us to paint.

The girls and I like to watch cooking shows while I nurse Nelson (yes, I'm still nursing - amazing!). Anyhow, Jaques Pepin cooked leek potato soup with croutons and we decided to try it and were so sad when it wasn't yummy! Oh well, live and learn.

We are totally counting down to the northern migration, but so far so good here in AZ

I almost forgot about the ice cream - new favorite flavor here: Blue Bell (go TX) Southern Blackberry Cobbler - it is scrumptious!

LAST DAY OF

SCHOOOOOOOOOOOL! Everyone's rashes are clearing up. So far only one friend has what we had. The mommy summer school supplies are stacking up as are the fun art project ideas. Ryan has secured all his flights and trips for the Summer and I'm thinking northern thoughts. It's strange, I always think of Utah and Idaho as wintery until I get there - as if I personally bring summer (not so, I know, but strange anyway).

The most exciting new though, is it is only going to be in the 80's on Saturday - HOOOORAY!

rashes

Hey all, fun at the Chase house today - we think we have fifth disease, that lovely little virus that is contagious only when you aren't having symptoms yet - eek - and as it leaves only a lovely rash remains. I'm sorry if you get it too (it's not bad, but it is annoying and if you are in the first months of pregnancy it can be dangerous to your baby if you are one of the few adults in the world who did not have it as a kid, most people have it and don't even know it).

The goal today is to not watch too much TV (it's almost 9 and we are up to 1.5 hours already - arg!)

camping with kids - 2 tips

I have 2 tips for camping with kids (so far)

#1 - Have a practice night in the tent in the backyard - invaluable - thanks Ryan. Our kids were totally un-phased by the tent when the "real" camp out happened.

#2 - On your day hikes hook each kid up with their own daypack. I went to the thrift store and found one hip pack, one cross pack, and one small backpack. Adding that to my old hip pack, each of the older kids had their own bag with snacks and Gatorade.In the past they have asked for a snack/drink every 2 minutes, but having their own was SO much better and they are getting used to carrying a small load in anticipation of a full pack.

bonus tip: If you think you want to be a camping family, just do it - there is no perfect time/stage/place to camp and one night will not kill anyone! I'm so grateful Ryan has started to push us out the door - HOORAY for memories!

Isaac had to try on ALL the day packs - at the same time - NUT!

that canyon - again

Ryan has been gone the last two weekends with the young men and we were feeling Daddy deprivation, so on Friday we loaded up both cars and drove to the Grand Canyon. Everyone slept well in the tent but Nelson and Mom and after a breakfast of donuts (a raven stole our bag of bagels - oops) we hiked down to the first pump house on the Bright Angel trail - 1.5 down. This was my first time wearing a pack since right after my mission and I tell you, 25 lbs makes a difference. It's time for Sarah to learn how to hike so Ryan can carry Nelson:).

Here we are the the beginning of our trek. (I love my new hat - thrift store!).

 

The green spot down there is Indian Garden, 4.5 miles into the canyon. Diana wants to work up to an overnighter down there. We'll keep practicing.

Almost back to the top.

This is our new friend Amy. We met her about half way up and she stuck with us (OK, we stuck with her) the rest of the hike. Diana and Nora talked her ear off and she helped Isaac stay happy when he ran out of gas. I was truly grateful for her help and cheerfulness. Actually, one of my favorite things about National Parks is the wonderful people we always meet. As a general rule people are pleasant, happy and polite at the parks and I really like that.

marching along

2 MORE WEEKS OF SCHOOOOOOOOOL! I'm ready (OK, I"m not ready, but I'm excited for the change).

Here's what we've been up to lately.

Isaac continues to be exhausted. The last 3 weeks he has been in two preschools; his normal speech preschool and Toro Tots the 3 week preschool at Mt. View High. It was too much, so we will know in the future not to double up. We did get some great news from Miss Lindsey his speech preschool teacher; she called last week to tell me Isaac is ready to be "kicked out" of special ed preschool! We are proud of him, learning to talk has been hard, and we are super grateful to Miss Lindsey, Miss Sue, Miss Denise and Miss Norma - they have been FANTASTIC.

Nelson is almost crawling - eek! It has been so fun to watch him grow.

We had a sad accident the other morning. Sarah was awake when I left on my walk so I decided to let Ryan have some quiet and loaded Sarah into the stroller. About 5 minutes into our walk a wheel snapped off and our stroller we have had for all six kids was officially DEAD. We threw away the stroller and the car seat we bought for Diana too (Nelson is way too long for it). I was a little sad; these pieces of equipment have been through it all with me, but it was time let them go. HOORAY for de-junking!

Sarah started swimming lessons. I wish I could say she is a rock star and never cries and will be doing the freestyle in 2 weeks, but she is as whiny as the other kids in her class and cries and fusses - oh well. We have played swimming lessons with her dolls all weekend and I'm hoping the roll playing will help this weeks lessons go smoother. I wish we could practice but they drained our pool 2 weeks ago to re-surface it and very little progress has been made. I really hope they finish it and re-fill it soon.

I'm a grown-up!

Ryan and I have been married for almost 10 years and I've not had a dresser the whole time (not Ryan's fault, just reality). I finally decided to grow up and buy one - craigslist hooray!

what we've been up to

Busy, Busy, Busy - but I am antsy, so busy is good.

Ryan took the YM (and the van) to the Grand Canyon Friday and Saturday so we were home all day. Isaac was sick (no fever, no throw up,  but slept almost all day). He moved from couch to bed to couch between cups of Gatorade. I was REALLY ready to be out of the house by Saturday night so Ryan took me to dinner (nice boy).

We all made it to church on Sunday (Sarah just about did me in - arg  - thank heavens for nursery).

Monday morning Nora was sick - same as Isaac, just add throw up. So she moved from couch to bathtub to couch all day. She was better Tuesday and so back top school she went.

Over the weekend a  house we have been watching in Chandler lowered it's price and so I asked Ryan to check out the neighborhood before I made an appointment to see the inside. It's 2 minutes from work in a super nice neighborhood (think private planes - literally) and I had high hopes. I knew it was built in 1973 so I was prepared for some dated construction, but it was HIDEOUS and like walking through a maze - disappointing to say the least. It needs a good gutting in half the house and I'm afraid that is not in the budget - oh well. My mom suggested low-balling them by $75,000 but I really don't think that would work - HA!

Now, lest you think I am only seeing the bad in life, here are the good things, our house painting starts tomorrow - fun, we are making ginger cookies today - YUM, and Nelson is getting mobile - eek! Sarah starts swimming lessons on Tuesday and school is out on 3.5 weeks - hooray!

Life is looking up, even if I can't find a house!