Monkey Highlights Two

Second week of summer behind us. This summer has so much fun in it that I am already excited about my goal to not fall off the wagon. I'm going to keep up and I'll try to fit three other posts in between summer shenanigans. (Good luck Maleen.)

This post is special because it is a double whammy. Let's start with our cousin exchange program. If you are a follower, you may know our Kelly clan in CA. We love them. Search from Tim, Jeannie, Erin, or Ethan and you should find plenty to browse on here. We had such a good time visiting them last summer that we offered to take Ethan for a week this summer. In return, they said we should send June. We finally agreed on them taking 2 kids since we have more children to offer and it was settled that June and Ivory would go.

However, we couldn't find two consecutive weeks for the kids to visit, so we split the time. Our kids went this last week and Ethan will come visit in July. It works. So first thing Monday morning, we put two kids on a plane. I love that they allow parents to go to the gate with kids traveling alone.

I'm sure going to miss these two. Airport selfie.

Naturally our paths diverge here, so let's follow the CA crew. Jeannie and Erin were there to pick them up at the gate. I guess they stopped for some lunch first thing.

I am so grateful for the pictures they took. The kids looked like they had a fantastic week, including pottery painting, singing, mini golf, bumper boats, kayaking (not pictured), game playing, Nazcart racing, and hanging out with family. So much fun. Here's a peek.

The kids earned nicknames during their time there. Ivory was 'Five Chips' because she thought she had a chance with her 5 chips when June was crushing her in Fan Tan. June became 'Crash Test Dummy' after an unfortunate run-in with an attendant on the race course. (She ran off the course and hit the guy. Oops.) Tim was 'Gasser' a name left over on his Naz Cart card, although he claims he would never have chosen it. And Jeannie was 'The Sloth' because she plays cards so slowly.

They had such a great time. Suddenly, the weekend arrived and they were back in the airport ready to come home. One more treat though.

We were waiting on the other side. We sure missed these smiley faces.

Our week here in UT wasn't quite as exciting, but we still had fun. We hit the park with friends on Monday. (Pearl kills it on the Monkey bars. Putting her natural monkey skills to good use.)

Zuzu brought us a pie, probably for June, but since she wasn't around, we were forced to eat it. (Mango and pomegranate. It was amazing!!)

Always time for a little reading. Or a lot of reading. Take your pick.

Tyler was busy all week at Directions. But that means I got to see one of my favorite people. This is Virginia's last directions. But I'm not even sad, because we are going to go see her in Texas later this summer. (I'm sure I'll be sad next summer though.)

That same evening, I stopped in at Caitlynn and Kody's reception. Caitlynn is Tricia's sister. Tricia is like family to me, so I love all her lovely sisters. It was great to see them all. And we had to take some amazing pictures of the two of us.

Friday I took the leftover kids swimming since we weren't in CA. Curtis came along too.

We had a great time although Robyn and I both got a sunburn. Darn it. Sunscreen just doesn't cut it for me anymore. I lathered up like a pig wallowing in mud and still got a pink souvenir from the trip. Sunshirts...you and I need to be friends.

Saturday morning had an early temple trip for Robyn. I woke her up around five and saw her out the door, then back to bed for me. Not surprising that when I finally woke up again, I found her like this. (She was tuckered out once she got back. The dog sleeps near her for support.)

Then off to the airport to pick up those missing hoodlums. We were so excited to get them back!!

I had mostly ignored Summerfest this week because we were missing kids and I didn't want to spend money, but we celebrated the last day by going to a parking garage and watching the fireworks from up there. It was super fun. We brought scooters and everyone took a turn riding down the garage and then taking the elevator back up. 

We brought snacks and games. And some bottles to saber. I told Tyler to only purchase Martinelli's and now we know why. Watch Maycee try to work her way into a Welch's brand bottle and then Curtis try on a Martinelli's. (World of difference for these first time saberers.)

It was a great end to a great week. Life is good.

p.s. Worth mentioning is that a swarm of bees moved into our birdhouse in back. I noticed it one evening and couldn't believe how many bees were flying in and out. Luckily, they were honey bees and Tricia informed me that people will come get them for free. Well, we have a friend who has bees and he was more than happy to collect our birdhouse, extract the bees, and bring it back. It was super impressive. We filled two boxes of bees for him, almost a $200 value. I think it was a win for both of us.

Robyn's 13 Year Gallery

Phew. Got this on here before Daisy's birthday. I will call that a success. I actually took these a while ago, before Pearl's pictures even. (Life gets busy, what can I say?) I was saving them for a special day. Today!

See, I'm having one of those forgetful days. I was supposed to pick up Robyn from swim practice. Well...Tricia dropped off her girls, and then there is this hive of bees in the backyard and I'm trying to find someone to take them. (They are honey bees we think, so no killing them.) With all the added distraction, I totally forgot to pick up Robyn. Forty-five minutes later, I jumped in the car, but she was already almost home since she walked. Ug.

Then I sat down to type this and forgot I was boiling eggs on the stove. Sometimes I think I should not be allowed to turn on the stove. Sheesh, just one of those days. So, it makes it a perfect day to share a photo gallery. They make me happy. Just remind me to go get the eggs in ten minutes, okay?

Robyn is thirteen. She is a bit sassy, but oh so beautiful and smart. She is musically gifted and I love listening to her play the piano or her new Marimba. (Hmm, I should get a picture of that.) She is good at art and funny. She can be a bit bossy and a total pain to her sisters, but I think that is normal. Most of the time, I love being around her. Those other times...well, I will just lock her in her room with Moxy until therapy dog does the trick.

We decided to get some pictures out by the amphitheater in PG. It is close to Robyn's percussion lessons, so we went bright and early. It was a great trip. Check out this lovely.

Haha. I love the mismatch socks.

After, we grabbed a treat. Donuts seemed like a great idea in the morning. This picture makes me laugh so much. Robyn said she looks like the Inconvenient Stenographer. (I hadn't even seen that sketch. Check it out.)

It was a wonderful morning and then we headed over for lessons. Selfie in the car. 

Love you Robyn. You are growing into a wonderful young lady. I'm glad you are mine. (Even if I forget to pick you up sometimes.)

Teenagers Can Share

Tyler decided to have surgery on his ankle this year. We decided it would be best to do it after the cruise. The doctor only did surgeries on Thursday and it just so happened that the first available Thursday after the cruise also happened to be Robyn's birthday.

So she shared her big day with her dad, who did his best not to steal her thunder. And in honor of Robyn, the rest of this post is not about surgery boy. (I promise we'll get to him later.)

Robyn got up a year older and teenager looked good on her. She opened a gift from Grandma Dargan first thing. (Her only gift since she opted for a party.)

She did lunch with Dad the day before since he was going to be busy on the actual day, but I think they forgot to take pictures.

I was a little worried about being there after school with balloons. I actually left while Tyler was in surgery, bought balloons and left them at the school, so that either Granny V or I could pick up Robyn and balloons would already be present. As luck would have it, we were coming home at the perfect moment and both of us were there to see Robyn.

I had to laugh though. When I was picking out balloons, I was trying to get a rainbow assortment to go with Rainbow Dash. I had a green balloon that was okay, but on the way out, I saw another stand of balloons and one said, "You're the best!" That seemed like a better choice. It wasn't until after it was blown up did I realize they were all Mother's Day balloons, so it actually said, "You're the best...Mom!" Hahahaha. (I just don't want her to forget it.)

The evening was very relaxed. We had a couple bottles on hand so we let Robyn saber one. I tried to record it, but she was so darn fast, I didn't push the button in time. (June...you weirdo.)

Marinn was over and we let her saber a bottle as well.

I can't even remember what Robyn requested for dinner, but I thought it was funny that from where I was sitting, it looked like Pearl had a mustache.

Robyn hit the official teenage years. I think she is mostly excited to watch PG-13 movies, although there are plenty that she still can't watch. June is funny because although she hasn't seen that many, she is always making suggestions of what we should watch. (Really, in 19 months, I think we've only shown her Lord of the Rings, Hobbit, Stardust, Pirates of the Carribean, and Back to the Future. We are slow movie watchers.)

Robyn enjoys the limelight. Everyone sing Happy Birthday!

And candles out.

Let's not forget the important step of measuring self worth height. Robyn has hit five feet. I hope she gets a little taller. Momma hope all her girls beat her in the height race.

It may not have been the most exciting day, but we sure love that Robyn is in our family. And there are pictures from her photo shoot and her party coming up.