I love the pool

I don't know if it is because I went swimming almost everyday (and sometimes more than once a day) as a kid or what, but I sure love going to the pool. I love being outside in the sun, getting tan at the pool. It really is one of the greatest fun things in life. Good thing is, my kids love it too. (Jada is still a bit iffy on the whole going in the water thing, but she'll come around I'm sure!) Our pool opened this weekend with a fun hot dog party which, as you can imagine, the kids loved. We swam at two different pools on Saturday, and then went back to our pool again on Monday. The three day weekend was so great, filled with BBQ's, swimming, and fun times with friends. One of the highlights was probably the huge inflatable water slide my friends had at their BBQ yesterday. The kids really loved that large orange thing- it honestly could entertain for hours.

Another highlight was our Friday night at the drive-in. We had the best time! We put the van to good use, putting down the back seats and bringing blankets, pillows, camping chairs, and treats. The kids loved it! We can't wait to go again!

Nothing to do leads to creativity at times as can be seen below...

We put on a little mini-gymnastics show at our house the other afternoon, with costumes, music, and medals. The girls wrote out their routines so I would know what to announce. They did the spelling all on their own (as I'm sure you can see by trying to read the papers).

And when did my calendar start looking like this? Honestly. That is a lot of stuff.

I had to mention Elle's accomplishment in getting picked by her class to be their "Coyote Champion" for the third grading period. I guess they vote in class on who gets picked based on who really knows what, and she was the winner. I was proud of her and she was really happy.

The baby will seriously be here before we know it, and we have a lot of work to do. I finally settled and bought Jada some bedding for her room. I had a hard time deciding what to get, but finally just bought this from Target. It is cute enough, matches her butter yellow room, and will look good once all set up I hope. I really had a hard time settling on what to do, so this will have to be good enough.

And, because we haven't done this for awhile, a parting shot of the belly. I know you wish you had a potbelly like that to show off at the pool!

"I missed you, too. I missed the belly." Love, Mya

As can be gathered, I am back from my super fun trip, staying up way too late to post, partly because of the time change factor, but also because I know if I don't get it done tonight it will hang over my head, and I have about a million other things to do tomorrow (including, but not limited to the AI finale). So let's get this done so I can get to bed.

Besides leaving a long list (or "book" as Jake called it) to ensure Elle and Mya's lives would run smoothly while I was gone, I also wanted to do something fun. Last time I left Elle had a very traumatic time leading up to the trip, so this time they knew I was leaving them a present to open every night. It went over very well.

Boo and I headed out to California to visit my family, leaving the rest of the fam at home in the care of great family and friends. One of the main reasons for my visit was to spend some time with my Dad who is still on his "vacation" from work, recovering from surgery for prostate cancer. He seems to be doing really well, and hopefully will make a full recovery.

Some artwork his loving family had made for him for his recovery days, with my fave being the one by Jake...

Little Boo enjoyed life as an only child, getting all the attention and no one to steal her toys. She was most definitely thinking (in Jake's words), "So this is how the other half lives!" Easy days for me, easy days for her, life was good.

We got to spend a few minutes with my fun cousin Cheryl who stopped by one night on her way out of town. She's a nurse and has been a good resource for my dad to talk to during this time.

A little sisterly love!

In the works has been a fun surprise for my older sister Kellie. She turns 30 at the end of July and due to some belly constraints on my part, we have to celebrate a little early. I put together this fun package of clues for the big reveal...

I, of course, found our best pics for the package!

Present 1- the pretty pics of us. Present 2- Rice-a-Roni. Present 3- "Wicked" CD. Need more hints?

My mom and sisters and I are off to San Francisco the first weekend of June to stay two nights and see "Wicked"! I couldn't be more excited! Jake pointed out the fact that I am really benefiting from all of these 30th birthdays. Happy to do it!

Friday my sisters and mom turned what was supposed to be a fun little get together lunch into a surprise baby shower for me. It was so fun to see so many family and friends. I felt so special that so many would come out to see me and celebrate Little Blue. I had to post the most comical gift that I received above. "For the sprinkling wee-wee". Excellent.

Jada trying on Little Blue's shoes...

Friday afternoon was spent doing one of my favorite things...

And that night we did one of my other favorite things- shopping! We did try to make it a little educational for Jada, teaching her colors by using shirts at Nordstrom. Still a work in progress, but we'll get there. For now most everything is "blue" (unless it's orange because I think she actually knows that one). After we hit up 21 Choices.

Saturday was another reason for the trip- my cousin Candi's wedding. Jada and I hung out at the temple during the sealing because I didn't have a babysitter. The temple grounds are always so pretty.

Not so comfy shoes...

I love this pic- Jada and Papa had the best time together on this trip. I think they will miss each other.

Above is some sisters and cousins and below is Jada on the same steps Jake and I came out on about 8 years ago when we got married.

Some more Boo and Papa time...

"Say Smile!" as Jada was saying a lot this trip...

The Bride and Groom! She looked so beautiful.

It was so fun to spend time with family at the reception. I have such a loving, great extended family that just keeps growing and getting better!

Love that chocolate fountain!

Jada with her namesake, out to catch the bouquet.

Jada loved the dogs (from afar) at my parents' house and even had a great time walking Prissy one day.

Other highlights from the trip were walks with my dad in the morning to the donut shop (Jada's favorite place!)...

Seeing my father in his grizzly post-surgery state (glad you shaved Father!)...

And the return of my favorite third trimester goodie...

Unfortunate, but true. I experienced a warm welcome into the third trimester with all types of fun pregnancy woes, heartburn just being one of them. Overall, awesome trip. Good to be home, sad to be home. Glad Boo barfed before we got on the plane and hasn't done so since. (Yes, she picked the perfect time to throw up for the very first time in her life- right before we pulled into the airport. My poor dad had some fun clean up to do after dropping us off! Side note- I hate barf.)

While I was away, the girls stayed very busy. Mya's preschool graduation got moved to during my trip, so I unfortunately had to miss it. Jake and Gigi represented me well. They even did the traditional Panera lunch run afterwards. I did miss out on the excitement of the fire alarm going off during the ceremony.

Gigi had fun playing with the girls during her babysitting time...

And even met Elle for lunch...

Saturday they went to the Children's Musuem with Gigi and Daddy...

And on Monday they had a little gymnastics "show" and got medals (again, didn't know about this when I planned my trip, but Jake and Eliza were there, along with the video camera). Elle was a little sad about me not being there, but they were happy afterwards, got medals, and ate dinner at McD's. Not a bad night!

Thanks to everyone who helped make my trip doable and so fun! You are all great!