I've finally begun to blog!

Okay, all my experienced blogging friends out there... Please be patient with me as I've begun to blog.  I've really been wanting to get started for about a year now.  Thanks to my awesome sister-in-law, Marnee, I'm now set up.  Now, if I could just learn a few more tricks... 

I'm going to try to keep my blog upbeat, share some family news with others, and hopefully keep a journal of my life.  I'm not good at picking up a pen and paper, but I can surely type some thoughts to share.

We've had about a month of summer vacation so far.  The kids keep me super busy.  We kicked off the summer with a nice family BBQ with Grandma Larson and Robert & Stephanie's family.  The kids had fun together watching Tangled while I sat and visited with Stephanie.  After Grandma Larson left, my Uncle Dallas & Aunt Mernie from Silver City, NM came for a visit.  Marlyse was able to ride to Duncan with them on their way home.  In Duncan, Marlyse had some nice one-on-one time with Grandpa and Grandma Donaldson.  Back in Mesa, Kade had band camp, learning to play the trumpet (just like his daddy!). 

          


Kade's next adventure was a 3-day scout camp.  At the same time, Rachelle and Kristen have been taking private swim lessons from Dayna Behning (awesome teacher!).  We had a little bit of sickness interupt some of our activities, but managed to work around that.  Don took Kade with him to Pima for Grandma Larson's birthday and to also pick up Marlyse and bring her back home.  Now the oldest 3 are in Xtreme Summer activities at Webster Rec Center.  That has really helped me have some resting and relaxing time with Kristen.

Last week was a busy, but good one.  Don and I are taking a Love & Logic 3-week class.  It's been good to learn these parenting skills together.  Thanks to Kymra for babysitting our rowdy kids so that we can do this.  She was also good to watch the kids so we could go out to lunch and attend the temple in celebration of our 17th anniversary.  What would we do without Aunt Kymra?  She's awesome!
 

Father's Day was a great day for Don.  Our kids, along with the Gonzalez kids, sang "My Dad" for the special number in Sacrament Meeting.  They did a great job and got lots of compliments.  We surprised Don with some nice gifts:  new scriptures, ties, and a "Master Griller" apron.  Oh, and Marlyse gave him a nice painted rock (one of her fun activities in Duncan).  We had a nice, but simple dinner--baked salmon, rice, salad, and strawberry shortcake.  Yum! 


That about sums up our summer so far!  I hope you'll check back often and enjoy my blog.  I know that I will!