1st Day of "Preschool"

Avery and Andon started preschool! Ok, so it's not preschool but on Monday's they go to an ABC & 123 class for 1 1/2 hrs for 12 weeks and on Wednesdays they go to a Math Mania class for 1 hr for 6 weeks. We call it preschool because it's time away from mommy and daddy....and time away from Avery and Andon! They are having fun so far :-) Here are some pictures from their first day, which was last week (but I just couldn't get the pictures off the camera until now)!

We are doing well here. Mark is based out of Phoenix now so he does not have to commute....woo hoo!!! He is on reserve (on call) all weekends but this month he was on 3, off 4! Next month that switches up to on 4 off 3 but at least he has the chance to be home if they don't need him!

I started up my MOPS group this month and we have a record 70 moms registered so far!!! It's truly a blessing to lead that many women...yet I still am a mom myself!!! We have had a few bumps in the road, but what ministry doesn't?!?!

Arbonne is also thriving...a huge prayer come true! It is so wonderful to share a passion of mine that will allow me to stay home with Avery and Andon just while teaching people about healthy products, how to save $$$ on them and teaching them how to teach others to do the same. Ok, so I know that sounds like a sales pitch...but seriously, it's that simple! I love, love, love the products so if you are reading this and haven't tried them...I have failed! Just kidding, I'm getting some products in your hands!

No more monkeys...

Ok, so Andon and I have had a nice conversation that he is only allowed to be dangerous and have head injuries when daddy is home from now on!!!

Tonight I was supposed to go to a Pirate Party for a friend of our's b-day, but before that I had to run down to church and help with MOPS registration for a quick 20 minutes. While I am changing into my MOPS shirt, I hear the cry that every mom dreads! I ran back to Avery's room and Andon is laying on the floor and I can't see what in the world is wrong....because he's face down! Once I roll him over I see the obvious!!! Immediately Avery, the little reporter, says, "Andon was jumping on the bed." Of course Avery was too but that was not important at that point. We have also had some experience with them both jumping from Avery's dresser onto the bed...which they both denied doing tonight. He ended up hitting his head on Avery's book basket by her bed...that is now in the garbage can and we replaced it with a soft one!

I was really not sure if we needed to head to Urgent Care or not because there wasn't a laceration requiring stitches, however, the swelling and discoloration was really impressive...and not in a good way!!! We were ready to head down there but since he passed all the tests that I was trained to do on head injuries when I was lifeguarding, and was acting just like Andon, we ended up not going after much deliberation!

So literally, we experienced the song, "No More Monkeys Jumpin on the Bed". What a great night to read that book and teach a lesson....now there is no question why we say that!!! The pictures show the downsized version after about an hour of ice!

Visit to Chicago

2 Weeks ago we went to Chicago to visit Mark's brother and their family for a week. We had a great visit!!! We went swimming in the backyard, to the park, to the zoo and were able to celebrate Aunt Michelle's birthday! We managed to survive the 200% humidity...much different than we are used to!

Here are some pictures from the trip.

Visit with Grandma and Grandpa

Last week, Mark's parents came for a visit and endured the 115 degree heat! We had lots of fun playing inside, in the pool and spent a day at Amazing Jake's, an indoor mini-Disneyland. The kids had their first bowling experience and LOVED it!!!! My favorite part....the cute little bowling shoes...I really wanted to take them home with me!

We are hoping to get to Chicago in early August for at least a few days and are SO excited since we have not seen the Chicago Bibbey's in over a year!

Mark and I have been busy getting back into a cycling routine to train for the Tour de Tucson on the tandem. We are loving it! We can't wait for the weather to cool down so we don't have to get up at 4:30am! Thanks MOM for keeping the kids overnight once a week so we can get up early :-)

My first, I'm Going to THROW UP experience!!!

No Jenni, this is not another trick PG announcement. The other day the kids and I were in the grocery store and Andon says, nice and loud of course, "Mommy, her tummy's big". He was referring to the checker and no, she wasn't pregnant! I was absolutely MORTIFIED and I felt like I was going to vomit right there and then! As her head was down and she was ringing up groceries, I shook my head and changed the subject very quickly and we focused on his water bottle that he was drinking. Then, as we were just about to leave he said it again!!! This time, the bagger looked at me to see how I would respond and again, I changed the subject. The checker already doesn't like me because I get so much for cheap through my Coupon $ense stuff so it made it even worse! I would have probably tipped her a $20 if she was our waitress or something because I felt so bad!

When we got back out to the car, we talked about how God makes us all different and loves us all the same. How do you explain to a 3 year old what you can and can't comment on and what does and doesn't hurt people's feelings!?!? I told him to whisper it in my ear next time just in case it will hurt someone's feelings! We'll see if that works!

Twins hugging...can you believe it???

Here are Avery and Andon's color 3 year pictures :-) They actually had fun at this photo shoot!

Avery and Andon's 3rd Birthday Party!

Avery and Andon had their 3rd birthay party at Bounce U, an indoor bounce place that is a lot of fun!!! There were about 30 people there, most of them under 5! Mark was the resident helper for all the little ones getting up on the climbing wall to go down the smaller slide. That's why there's a picture of his bum and legs! We bounced for a little over an hour and then moved into a party room where we had pizza, juice, cake and opened presents. Avery blew out the candles three times...as soon as they were lit! It was hysterical! Andon had a little anxiety which caused a little tummy ache and believe it or not, didn't really want to open presents! He was fine though:-)