Our final goodbye to Jessica-off to college!   Emily insists she will keep taking piano forever. 

We went shopping to Toys R Us to buy  a birthday present for Jacob's friend Michael.  We ended up getting a gift card because it was "just too hard to choose from all the good stuff".  We did find some awesome things that we didn't even know existed! 

We rented a dumpster of our own to put in our driveway because there was so much stuff we needed desperately to get rid of....and I couldn't imagine taking care of a garage sale up our narrow drive.  It seemed the best way.  There was an old camper top to a truck that has been up in the back of the property since we moved here, the orange couch (sorry), old tvs, cabinets, old electronics, etc.  The sledge hammer was busy all morning (to make sure it all fit-we had to smash it with hammer).  See we still have room.....it will be filled once the kids go to sleep and don't see us throw away their things too! The funniest thing was watching Tara throw a mirror in.....I know she knew it was going to shatter.....but, she was thrilled with the sound!  She wanted to do it again.  I see definate therapy qualities in throwing away and clearing out the old things of our lives. 

The Zoo

We haven't done as much lately.  The summer is fantastically empty.

Gene had a bit of a disappointment this week.  He has spent so much time planning, with a committee, Youth Conference for this past week.  Even had to find a venue change at the last minute.  And then, the day of the event was so sick.  He couldn't attend.  Spent most of the weekend in bed and then headed off to Chicago Sunday night. 

The kids have all completed their summer reading for the library rewards book.  Included are lots of prizes.  For example, a free icecream at Brusters, a free day at the zoo, a free game of bowling, etc.

So, guess what we did this week?  Yep....icecream, zoo and bowling.  There are lots more in the rewards book.  I'm sure we can do most before school is back in session.

These are all pictures from our Zoo trip.  Emily loved the butterfly garden and was sad they wouldn't land on her like last time.  But, there were new things too.  Like this large puzzle and a splash pad.

There were displays out and we learned that baby zebras are brown and white and their stripes turn black when they get older.  Male giraffes "but heads" when they fight and have a large build up of cartilage on their foreheads that help with that fighting.  Elephants only have 4 teeth....but, they are big teeth, molars in fact!

We always get a photo on the lion!

Eventhough we are getting older, we can still pretend play that we are on Safari.  Grandma and grandpa will have to tell us what that is like when they get home from Africa.

Just monkeying around.  The monkeys were actually our favorite this time.  The baby marmosets were adorable!  The Chimpanzees were fist bumping through the glass.  It was hilarious.

Emily replayed/rehearsed/sang Disney's Tarzan "You'll be in my heart" when she compared her hand to the gorilla's hand mold.

Ok, see,....here it is!  Emily's flat hand, Jacob makes a fist and the chimp makes a fist and bumps the glass over and over. 

A row of rhinocerouses all sleeping in the shade.  That was US all trying to find shade! Oh, it was a super hot/humid day.  I know all you westerners remember what southern humidity does to us.  It was not pretty by the time we got back to the car.  I had to remind Jacob that it was his idea we went to the zoo in the first place and that a couple of hours ago he was really happy to be there.  How easily we forget ourselves in this humidity.

Tara trying her best to "spread her wings"

 A wall of animal carvings.  We loved the river otters, the colorful birds , the kamodo dragon and the lions.  Tara was actually trembling through the reptiles.....she asked over and over.  "Mom, can we go? Mom, can we please go?" I tried to keep it light hearted until I made the reference to Harry Potter magically "removing the glass" for the snake.  That was it, she made a "b-line" away from all the displays as  fast as she could. 

Trying to hide in the bird nest.....just couldn't make himself small enough to be hidden. 

This week was a good one.  We had lots of rainy days....the kids kept asking me "what day is it again?"  and I'd begin with my preschool tune of 10 little indians.. "What is today? Today is Tuesday. What is today?  Today is Tuesday. What is today? Today is Tuesday all day long."

All the long days of summer are running together.  We went bowling, had a few playdates, to the library twice (because someone finished reading  all their books) and went to the pool only once (because of the rain)....although some friends went to the pool in the rain!

Emily's piano teacher, Jessica, is going to leave soon for college.  This is so sad for us.  We have loved every minute of piano with Jessica!  I know Emily loves listening to and telling stories, laughing and learning with Jessica. Emily and I really admire her talents, her organization, her sweetness and persistence.  So, we found this idea on.....you guessed it!  Pinterest....and as a thank you made a kit kat piano for Jessica!  We will miss you!

Speaking of growing up, the girls have a "night of knitting" once a month.  But, as far as I'm able to tell, there is no knitting going on there.  This month they made homemade icecream and had mini makeovers.  Tara got some tips for wearing makeup....since my tip of "don't wear any til your 14" wasn't enough.   A sister in our ward who does makeup wonderfully put on a modest amount and added, which I loved "glitter gel"........She straightened her hair too. She had a great time and felt really good about herself, a little more confident and mature.  It was fun for the night, but I'd really rather her not grow up so fast.  I know it's coming....and I'm happy for her.....I remember 12, almost 13.  Ahhhh!

Gene killed a dozen black widow spiders out at our trash can last night with a rock.  My job this week is to find out more about them so we can be rid of them permanently.

We are trying to get the upstairs cleaned out so that Emily can move out of their room each girl can have their own.  Yesterday we moved 40 some boxes and 20 cases of water downstairs.  I can barely move my legs today.  We are going to have to move the internet connection downstairs and get a ventless a/c unit for the extra room to move the study.  It's gonna take some effort...but, it's great incentive to get rid of some of this stuff we've had for 15 years....we are getting a whole dumpster parked in the driveway.  I have the feeling this this the beginning of a bigger project.  We'll let you know how it goes. 

Gene has committed to run the RAGNAR with a group in our ward.  It's a team of 12 runners that run from Chattanooga to Nashville in 2 days.  You basically tag team with a slap bracelet....the rest of the team are in vans.  He has 3 legs of the race.  I'm amazed at his desire to set lofty goals and achieve them.  The race is in November. 

Happy 4th

Christopher's 25th birthday was on the 6th.  We called him up and took him out to lunch at Red Robin.  It's been over a year since we've seen him.  He's doing great and living here in Knoxville again. 

Gene decided to run the Fireball Midnight Run 5K .....just for fun.  He improved his time tremendously since the last 5K (run with Emily).  It was cooler at night-still too hot for some of us...considering the temperatures have been 105 twice this week! and breaking lots of records.

We tried an appropriate dessert for the 4th....the star jello jigglers wouldn't cut out.....so, we threw them in a cup with white chocolate pudding for a red, white and blue dessert.

Jake was sad it wasn't icecream!  We ran to a late showing of the Avengers and caught the tail end of the fireworks when we finished the movie.  Not the same as our awesome Texas 4th of July....but, it was fun. 

End of June

We tried a fun idea this year for Father's Day.....a home made "card" where the kids spelled out DAD.

Emily made a clay stone that says "Dad Rocks" made out of rocks.  Holidays will never be the same now that there is Pinterest!

Gene and I celebrated our 15th Anniversary on the 20th.  We both cannot believe how time has flown.  Last year we went back to the Dallas Temple where we were married.  What a great day that was.  We really couldn't have asked for a better wedding and reception.  Except for those people who wore navy blue with black-you know who you are! 

My 40th birthday snuck up on me.  I was minding my business so innocently when WHAM!  There it was a huge hill that was a Burden to get over.  Isn't this hilarious.  The kids ordered a white chocolate oreo icecream cake with caramel between the layers and chocolate cake on the bottom but the box was labeled "Burden" instead of Borden....so, it's become a joke-how rude is that to call someone a burden on their birthday? 

Someone was really happy we had cake and icecream all together!

Thank you everyone for my birthday gifts.  Mom  & Dad got me a fondue dish.....with velata chocolate....These scented candles are wonderful..ocean breeze and flower shop....and the trunk was filled with .......treasure!

We've been spending most afternoons at the pool, reading for our library challenge, having "just dance" wii competitions, and watching Dance Academy on Netflix.  That series takes place in Sydney Austraila and we finished it on my birthday and went to Outback Steakhouse to eat!  We had Shrimp on the Barbee!  We had someone come out and measure our kitchen for a new design.  Don't know if we will actually do any work on the house but, it's been fun to dream. 
On the 19th the kids went with Gene to work for "Take your kids to work day".  They had a tour of the place (which was way exciting since no one is ever allowed in-we've never seen his office).  They saw the guys working -actually making an MRI scanner, made liquid nitrogen icecream, shot off rockets, and had pizza. Emily volunteered to fill out a job application when leaving.  She very matter-of-factly looked at me and said..."I think I might get the job later when I'm a little older.  I haven't been in prison.....they asked for my address so many times I just started drawing arrows back up to the top where I had written it already!"

And I think I broke Emily's toe this morning while we were at the grocery store.  I dropped a jar of mayonaise on her toe........ahhh!