Doing lately

Next week, we will be starting "Summer School" for about a month and a week to help get the boys ready for school in August.  Until then, this week is all about getting use to the time change, routine, and prepping for the "busy" days to come.  Here's to a great start to our summer:)

We missed our Trampoline!

Jenga with Daddy

 Signed the kids up for the Summer Library Reading Program "Read for the Win!"

 We are going to start "Mommy" swim lesson at the pool T-F... got our pass and tried it out

Summer Do

When we go back to Cherry Point, oh the humidity got to us super bad.  First order of business for Jason was a new haircut.... or rather hair buzz.  Still regardless of hair, no hair, he is to me the most handsome man ever!  Hoping the new do will help with the summer heat baby:)

What worked for us... traveling (Flying with kids)

(Pic courtesy of Google images/pinterest/nick mom)   

A friend of mine asked me to post something regarding tips for traveling with smaller kids.  Personally I think our first experience with traveling with kids was a huge success and I DON'T credit my mad skill of keeping them entertained. I cough it up to luck and frankly we have good kids.  Some of these "tips" may not work for you, just know that you are doing your best regardless of what curve ball is thrown while traveling.  People will judge and stare, and trust me it may be hard, but try your best to just blow them off  So with that,  here are some things that worked/didn't work.

Worked (in no order)
1.)  I had four back packs that we carried on.  Each one had certain items in each; tech bag (laptop, camera, headphones, tablet, etc.), toy,book, and coloring bag, "diaper" bag (clean clothes for each kid wipes, hand santizer, etc.), and a snack bag (ours included; raisins, pretzels, fruit snacks, fishies, fig bars, and saltines).  Having all these readily available made things so much easier.

2.)  You aren't technically allowed to have electronic devices (big ones like computer or DVD player) on until you get to cruising altitude.  A huge distraction for the kids was suckers.  I bought one bag of dum dum's at the dollar store (and I will mention later that this store comes in SO handy for trips!), we still have some left over!  The kids looked out the window and sucked on their suckers until we could get things out.  Plus the sucking motion could help with popping ears!   Two birds with one right?

3.)  I made nae necklaces with our phone numbers on them, just in case if the kids got lost.  Cheaper than making dog tags.  We also dressed the kids in bright colors, it did come in handy at the Raleigh airport; while the boys were walking on the moving walkway, Josh fell a bit behind but because of his bright yellow jacket I could see him the whole time.


4.)  DOLLAR STORE is fabulous.  When it comes to arts and crafts for the plane, we didn't spend much and the kids totally loved it!

5.)  USE THE USO.  If you are a military family flying, I strongly encourage stopping by the USO before going to your gate.  Both times we were fed a meal and relaxed a bit.  I felt more safe and the kids had more of an opportunity to play and get energy out.

6.)  In the diaper bag, I had kept extra trash bags and baggies just in case.  They came in handy when Jax wasn't feeling well before our first flight.  Better safe than sorry I guess.

Now those are just a few.  Hope that they help:)

Home Sweet Humidity (VIDEO)

We came back home to a wonderful 82 degrees....real feel of 98! Oh the joys of living in southern weather;)

Life of Magic...while on vacation (VIDEOS)

Magic was well taken care of by our good friends Jerry and Chelsea.  Here are some pics and videos they sent us:)

Best buds

Look who got a booboo....darn gate

I just need a snooze

Going on for a car ride:)

Heading to the airport to pick up my humans:)

Family Trip June 23rd... BYE CA

Today, we went out to breakfast with Joe and Nina, visited at Jannell's house, met back at the house, visited, and later enjoyed dinner before we headed to the airport.  We had a great visit in CA.  Thanks for everything!

Jessica, Jorri, Nina, and I

Just chillin

They made a puzzle

SJ loves her Uncle Joe

It has been a LONG vacation, and despite how wonderful it was to see family and visit, we are glad to be home!

Family Trip June 22nd

Today we relaxed most of the day and visited.  Later in the evening, we drove to Citrus Heights and visited with Jason's friend from high school/church Kyle and his family.  We had dinner and then went out to Leatherby's for dessert.

Check out this beauty that Jason and I shared

Family Trip June 21st

Today, Grandma and Grandpa took the kids to Fairy tale Land.  The kids had a BLAST.  It was a small outdoor play area for kids that was themed around nursery rhymes and stories.  It had live animals too to match the story.  Super neat and lots of fun!  Afterward, we took Aunt Sheila out for lunch before she caught her flight back to UT, then made a stop at Willie's shop to say hi, and ended the night with a bit of swim time with Butch.  Good day!

Three Little Pigs

The engine that could

Jack and the Beanstalk

Crooked Mile

There was an old woman who lived in a shoe...

Lunchtime with Aunt Sheila

Checking out Uncle Willie Shop

Swim Time