Dental work

Griffin had one really bad cavity.  Our dentist referred him to a pediatric dentist because she feared he might need a mini root canal, or have the tooth pulled.  Griffin refused the laughing gas because he said he didn't like the way it made him feel.  I was so proud of him.  He did so good.  The dentist was able to get the whole cavity (no mini root canal needed).  He put a small silver cap on the tooth.  It's a baby tooth, and will fall out in the next 1 1/2 yrs.

 

 

Trevor needed to have three teeth pulled.  These were baby teeth that just wouldn't come out.  When the adult teeth came in, these teeth moved to the side of his gums. His mouth looked a little creepy like Frankenstein.  He wouldn't let me take a pic.  :(

He did great, and although he's a little sore he'll be fine in a few days.  The tissue will heal itself in no time as well.

11

It's Griffin's 11th birthday today.

I made buttermilk chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast. I always use THIS recipe when I make pancakes, they are so yummy.  After breakfast he opened his cards and gifts.

We got him strawberry rhubarb jam from Honeyville in Durango, he was sad we didn't stop there on our way thru this summer.  He loves this jam!  He also got a rocket, and a inexpensive microscope set he really wanted.  He ended up with quite a bit of cash from Grandparents as well.

Later in the afternoon we went to the aquatic center for swimming (his choice).  He brought his friend Brandon (who is moving out of state in a few days) along.  Everyone enjoyed the pool.

After swimming we went home for dinner.  We had French dip sandwiches ( Griffin's favorite).  Then it was time for some cake.  I had seen a recipe for a confetti cake in a magazine, Cook's Country while visiting my mom.  I decided I really wanted to give it a try.  It was good, but I wasn't overly impressed. I don't think I'll make it again.  I'm also no cake decorator, but Griffin didn't seem to mind.

                                               It was a fun day celebrating our boy.

                                                           Happy Birthday     
                                                                Griffin
                                                                Maximus
                                                                Griff
                                                                Griffinator

A flood

While we were at Church today it started raining. A lot.  The thunder was scary loud!

By the time we came out of the Church the parking lot was flooded.

In these pictures you can see our feet under water as we walked to our car.

 

Driving down the road to our house.  The water was deep!

 

Fun, crazy afternoon.  We haven't seen a good monsoon storm like that in awhile.

Latley...

I've been seeing blog posts, and Facebook post with everyone enjoying their summer.  I get a little sad, then remember we already did an awesome trip.  I guess our daily routine since we've been back has been little boring.

We are keeping it very low-key around here.

We signed the kids up for Khan Academy. We didn't want them to loose any math skills, so they have to do at least 30 minutes daily before any other electronics.  I didn't know it would be such a hit.  They each do much, much more than 30 minutes a day.  It's not like math games or anything, it's straight up math problems.  I love that they enjoy math (I never have).

We've done a lot of baking. 
That's something we all enjoy.

Griffin made Brookies.  Half brownie half chocolate chip cookie.  He decided to make us brookie sundaes.  He did great, they tasted so good!

 

Savannah helped me make waffle cones.  A surprise for Daddy.  As soon as I read the blog post from Our Best Bites, I knew we had to look for some Huckleberry pie ice cream, and make some waffle cones.  This is one ice cream Patrick loves getting in Idaho, and we didn't this time.

 

 

I think he enjoyed his surprise.

 

One night I made Zucchini bread.  I left it out for a surprise breakfast for the kiddos.

 

 

We've been doing some small & big projects around the house.  Patrick finally finished our staircase.  It looks beautiful!  We all helped him out whenever we could (even Cody).

We still need baseboards for the house, it might be awhile before we get those.  We have picked out new lighting for the front room and dining room.  Hopefully we'll get those soon.

The boys picked up their school schedules today.  Griffin is now officially ready for middle school!

Our days are spent relaxing at home mostly. Most afternoons Trevor is hanging out with friends from Church.  We make lots of trips to the Library.  Family game nights.  Evening walks (where the kids usually run thru the sprinklers). Patrick & I have been trying to make it to the gym everyday too. Pretty mellow.

Just two more weeks before I head back to work.

White Mesa

Last night we went hiking at the White Mesa bike trail  It's a favorite hike of ours.

We planned on leaving earlier to avoid hiking back part of the way in the dark, but it just didn't happen.  We left the trailhead at 6:45
We do think it's kinda fun to hike the last 30-40 minutes in the dark.  We did have lights, so it wasn't completely dark.

 

We even crossed paths with this tarantula.

 

After we went to IHOP as per tradition for a very late meal.  We didn't get home until almost midnight.  It was a great night.

 

 

 

Summer Reading

Our kids all love to read.  I mean LOVE.  We never have to fight with them about reading, they do it all on their own.  It's very nice. 

Even though we were gone a big part of the summer they still read.

Last week while Trevor was gone Griffin & Savannah went around collecting their prizes for all of the summer reading programs they participated in.

This morning Trevor wanted me to take him to the library.  He got a bunch of books on psychology & dreams.  He's fascinated with these subjects right now.

Today

When I woke up I realized it was 7-7-14 which I thought was pretty cool.

Trevor left for scout camp this morning.  He'll be back Friday evening. * I've been waiting for my boy to come home It's Fri. around 7:30pm now I decided to check my email, and realized he's not due back until tomorrow!  Dang I'm a crappy parent.  Only had him pack enough for 5 days.  We've been waiting, and waiting.  Oops....

 

This cute girl of mine has finally decided to start reading the Harry Potter series.