BIG CHANGES

Our family has gone through some big changes this summer; new house, new ward, new schools.  But one of us has had quite a few changes all of her own.

Summer.

1.  She gave up her SuSu

Anyone who has been around Summer, knows that susu and blanky are really just part of her.  She can't go anywhere without them.  That's why it was heartbreaking trying to break her from her susu.  We tried many times just explaining to her that big girls didn't need a susu or hiding it or bribing her to give it up.  But nothing worked.  Eventually, after reading a ton of stuff online, I decided to try to cut the end off.  We started just cutting a little and it didn't make much difference, then a bit more and a bit more...eventually she had such a little bit to keep in her mouth that I think it made it more work to keep it in than enjoyment from having it.  She then started carrying it instead of putting it in her mouth and eventually lost interest--thank goodness.  A month or so later, she found a whole one in the car and screamed like nothing else when we "lost" it at the park.  Poor girl.  It's so hard to grow up.

2.  She quit using diapers (and pull ups)

I tried potty training a couple times before we moved and Summer just wasn't too interested (she really didn't want to wear underwear) so I didn't push it.  Almost as soon as we moved though, it just clicked.  I just asked everyday if she wanted to wear underwear and eventually she said YES.  That very day, she was potty trained...for going pee.  Poop took a bit longer.  But a couple weeks later she had that too.  Then a week or two later she didn't even need pull ups at night (of course that was right after Mike bought a jumbo pack of pull ups).  Overall, I'd say she was pretty easy.

Nothing cuter than that little bum after it's been in diapers all these years, finally in tiny little underwear:)

3.  She said good bye to her crib.

This one was hard for me.  Summer loved her crib (and so did I) and slept great in it, so I felt no urgency to move her into a bed even after she turned 3.  It wasn't until she started waking up in the night and screaming for me to take her to the potty that I thought maybe she shouldn't be in a crib anymore.  Her crib converts to a toddler bed, so I did that and she was fine.  Slept great the first week or two.  Now she has been getting up and coming in my bed at night, so we need to work on that.

As happy as I've been to watch her progress (and become less work for me;)), these last two tugged at my mommy heart strings just a little.  My baby is headed towards being a big kid.  I saw her the other day just running over to her bed and couldn't believe how much she has grown.

Here she is at the doctor for her 3-year-old check up.  She was such a big girl, answering all the questions and letting the doctor check her.  Luckily she didn't need shots or it might not have gone so well;)  What an amazing, loving,fun, sweet little person she is--we just love her so much!

School Starts 2017

Grade 11, 9, and 7!

Jordan and Kya started at the brand new high school (North Creek)...Jordan drove herself and Kya--can't believe it.  And Kya made the volleyball team!

Tyson started middle school!  After our move, he had to switch to a different middle school than all his friends but so far so good.  He even made the tennis team!!

Celebrating 70

I was so excited to be able to throw a 70th birthday party for my Mom.  She has done so much for all of us...always putting us first--STILL.  I love you Mom!

I made a video of all us saying things we love about Mom and we watched it at her party.

https://youtu.be/ZpSpo_i2At8

Then we played Jeopardy, with questions all about Mom that Lisa had put together that was absolutely perfect.

Sheri hosted and ordered Chinese food and a bonbon cake from a special bakery in Vancouver.

Tina made sure to capture the day in pictures!

It was so nice to have everyone there (except Mike :( ) to celebrate Mom's special day.

And don't even ask about the mustache...sigh.

Evergreen State Fair 2017

One of my absolute favorite summer traditions is going to the Evergreen State Fair in Monroe.  It's strange because I don't like rides, greasy food, or overprices EVERYTHING...yet I still LOVE the fair.  This year the kids all brought friends, so Summer and I just kind of hung out together...mostly staying with the boys since they're not quite old enough to be on their own (hence all the pics of just Summer).  We didn't get a chance to do the rodeo this year (because it was on my mom's bday) and we didn't buy tickets to any concerts (nobody we really loved was going to be there)...and we didn't go until 6:30pm!!  But it was still awesome...and I still LOVED it:)  

I love the animals.

(The piglets are my absolute favorite)

I love the atmosphere.

I love watching my kids go on rides.

I love the lumberjack show.

I love the rodeo.

I love the smells.

                                                                   I love the little shops.

I love the outdoor concerts.

I love walking til my legs ache.

I love staying until dark and everyone is tired.

More Family Visits = More Playing Tourists

All within one week we had #1 The Lambs visit, #2 Grandma and Grandpa visit, and #3 The Leavitts visit!  It was a little crazy trying to keep the house clean and stocked for the next set of visitors, but it was a lot of fun having them here and I'm so glad they were able to come down.

#1--The Lambs:

Swimming and pizza at Waverly Beach Park

American Girl, Lego Store, Build a Bear, and ice cream at ColdStones

 Miner's Corner Park

Canoeing at Bothell Landing

Hilcrest Bakery in downtown Bothell

#2--Grandma and Grandpa:

We only have one picture to prove they were there...and it's only Grandpa with the kids--oops.  

Grandpa fixed my kitchen cabinet and gave Mike lots of advice about the yard.

Grandma finished my pillows for my living room couch.

We had a bon fire (and Grandpa lost his glasse--which we eventually found behind the table in the backyard)

 

Grandma and Grandpa even got to babysit while Mike and I went to the Terricotta Warriors exhibit and the science center.

#3--The Leavitts:

Seattle Temple

  

Cheesecake Factory

Don't ask how much it cost...seriously--yikes.

Pike Place

Poor Tina threw her back out the morning we had planned to go downtown Seattle.  She was a good sport and hobbled along, but we'll need to go back when she is feeling better...when it's not a million degrees outside...and when we don't have a gaggle of kids with us;)

Gum Wall--Yuck

Dick's Drive In

It looks like we are eating in a dumpster...haha...but it was delicious and super cheap (which was fantastic after Cheesecake factory the day before).  Can't believe I haven't been there before.