How Does the Weekend Go So Fast?????

The sun is shining, we found our shorts that mostly fit, and the weekend flew by!! 

Friday night I hosted some yogi friends over for dinner to celebrate Kelsey's baby #2!  There was lots of wine, laughter and I think we ate food?  We had a great time and the boys played nicely in the basement.

Paul was DYING to meet my friends, and then came up when he figured everyone was here.  He turned real shy but then we heard him yelling at Ryan down the basement stairs, "I saw them, I saw them!" Oh sweet boy! 

 Saturday morning I took Charlie to a little gym class where he kicked balls, played with bubbles and made new friends.  He LOVED it and it made me feel bad that I hadn't done this with him before. That guys loves one on one time!  

After naps Paul DEMANDED we make his Star Student Poster. He had been begging to do it since Wednesday so we could "just get it done" which really made me feel like he was my child!  This week he gets to share 8 pictures on a poster with his class.  I really tried to let go of control and let him pick his eight pictures.  So that is why there are no current pictures of Charlie and Peyton Manning made the cut.  Oh 4 year olds.  

 

Sunday was beautiful.  I just love this weather.  We walked to the grocery store, we went to the park, we played in the backyard and even ate dinner outside.  Oh summer, come to me! 

How was your weekend?

Ireland

Well we did something rather exciting.... and booked ourselves a little trip to IRELAND in June!  We are so excited!  We have never been and looking for plenty of suggestions to help fill our trip and allow us to see as much as possible! 

We had been talking about this trip for a long time, and two things were holding us back: 

 #1. Money- why are all the fun things this expensive things?  

#2. Getting people to watch our kids.  We NEVER underestimate how hard it is to watch 2 boys with everlasting energy and this trip was even more of a challenge because it is a little longer than previous ones as we have to travel so far.  Our parents graciously are splitting the time and we know it is a lot to ask. 

But... We lost a co-worker last month, a young one at 28 and it was sad and unfair and all of those feelings.  It was also a HUGE slap in the face that life is short and unpredictable and meant to be lived.  I think we both found the urgency to start working on our bucket lists right now, as much as time and money and the generosity of others would allow!  

So we are going to Ireland! 

Have you been before?  Anything we must do? 

Summer Salad

What do you all make for dinner?  I am feeling so uninspired lately.  I want it to be quick and healthy and taste good.  Is that so much to ask for?  Actually, if we are wishing for things then I wish someone would make it for me too.

We had some friends over a couple of weeks ago and they brought this fantastic salad.  I made it again just a few days later.  It is easy, fresh and tastes amazing!!

Simple ingredients include watermelon, cucumber, red onion, feta cheese, basil, olive oil and salt and pepper.  Make it today. It's amazing.  You should also add tomatoes and toasted almonds, but we didn't have any and I was too lazy to deal with the grocery store.  It was still really good!

Recipe from here! 

Seriously though, what are you making for dinner?

Books I Read This Summer

This summer I read 25 books.  I think that is pretty good.  I love sitting outside and reading when my kids are sleeping.  Or laying on the couch.  Or on vacation.  So pretty much anytime and anyplace. Here are some of my favorites with a link to a synopsis.  I am currently reading Sharp Edges and it is freaking me out.

Read more about this book here! 

This is the same author of A Hundred Summers if you've read that! 

Read more about this book here.  

This was a really fast read and something different.  You are rooting for the main character the whole time even if he isn't always the kindest of characters. 

Read more about this book here. 

I also read this book really fast when we were in California.  I liked it, but at some points felt uncomfortable because the main character (a mother) is addicted to pain medication.  You just can't believe some of the decisions she makes as a mom.  Drugs are bad.  

Read more about this book here. 

This book is about a family who is troubled but go on vacation with one another.  It took a bit for me to get totally involved, but I enjoyed the writing style.  

Read more about this book here. 

This book was long people.  Over 700 pages.  But my two besties Tori and Maureen read it at the same time, so I knew I had to power through.  I really did like it, it was extremely well written but this poor guy.  Nothing ever good happens to this fellow.  But seriously, it is worth it if you can commit to the length! 

Read more about this book here. 

After the Goldfinch, I needed something light and this one was perfect.  Another fast read, you can relate to the characters fast and for some reason the ending really surprised me!  

Read more about this book here. 

This is actually written by J.K. Rowling but she wrote under the pseudonym Robert Galbraith.  It took me a little while to get hooked, but then I couldn't put it down as I was trying to figure out who did it!  I am waiting for the second one on the library hold list! 

What was the best book you read this summer?

Follow me on goodreads! 

Weekend Recap!

As school starts back up, I remember how much we have to cherish the weekends.  And if we want to get anything done then it is in our best interest to do activities that make little boys tired.  Then they will nap.  And we can vacuum, read, do school work, make dinner, fold laundry, wash sheets, and get.a.grip.  There is a lot to do at nap time.

I was off on Friday so I had big plans for the pool since it is only open for a bit longer, but of course it was rainy and cloudy and in no way shape or form appropriate pool weather.  So we packed up in the car and headed out to do the weekly grocery shopping.  Real exciting, I know.

Snapped these cuties checking out the toys at Target.  Paul is pretty good at just looking and knowing that we are not going to purchase.  Charlie on the other hand...

When Ry got home from work, I met my yoga girlfriends out for a little wine walk.  Basically you walk around Main street and hop into different vendors and they give you wine.  And maybe a cracker if you are lucky.  It was really fun and there was A LOT of laughter and it was a perfect way to end the first week of school.  Wine heals.  

We combine yoga and wine.  Don't you?  All of these friends are from me just going to yoga over and over again.  They are all so funny and smart and are the kind of women that only want to support other women.  The world needs more of that.  #girlpower.

I returned home exhausted because it was 9:30.  Super.  Saturday morning I headed off to yoga to detox and twist all the wine out (that was painful) and as I left I captured our Saturday morning routine.  Paul hoarding his planes and cars while Charlie tries to steal them.

After yoga, we packed up and headed out for a Saturday hike.  Charlie rode in the backpack and Paul was a real trooper, walking the entire way! It was beautiful and nice to be outside before the weather shifts.  

And all our dreams came true when I turned around in the car after the hike and saw this.  He fell asleep in about 3.5 seconds.  Poor guy was TIRED.  

While the boys continued to rest at home, I did some work.  On a Saturday afternoon.  I mean, isn't that sad? The hardest part about this job is that there is ALWAYS something to do.  But it felt good to get a few things checked off my todo list!!

Then I don't know if you knew this, but the Broncos played Saturday night.  So Ryan required everyone in the house to put on their Bronco gear.  And he was serious.  We take football season VERY seriously.  The boys happily obliged.

 How cute is Charlie Vaughn?

Sunday we hit up the pool and Charlie giggled, while Paul practiced his swimming!  

Paul is doing such a great job swimming and has come SO far since the beginning of the summer.  He is understanding kicking and moving his arms outside of the water, however we need to continue to work on actually MOVING from place to place.  Ha! 

So excited for next weekend, especially since it is a LONG one!! What did you do this weekend?

Summer 2014

Well one week done with work.  My schedule is the most complicated thing on the face of the Earth (I don't even think I am being that dramatic) but it allows me to only work three days a week.  And although sometimes it is hard as I feel like I am doing nothing well instead of one thing really well, I know I would regret not spending times with these boys of mine if I went full time.  

So in celebration of week one in the books here are some memories from summer.  We had such a fun break: California, Mexico, a crazy amount of pool time, playing outside, catching up friends, and most importantly spending many days and nights together as a family!  How many days until the next summer again??

Boys getting their suntans

Spontaneous chips and salsa and margarita Tuesday. 

We cleaned the garage.  Can I offer you a scooter, bike, something to ride?

Charlie and his buddy Jed looking for planes.  I think they look like twins. 

Paul and Delilah deep in summer love conversation.  

Went to Paul's friend Charlie's house (not to be confused with his brother Charlie) and washed a car.  Entertainment for at least an hour.  A genius idea by Charlie's mom.  

Family pool time.  Paul was real stressed with the sun in his eyes.  

I love taking pictures of Charlie because when you say "cheese" he gives you this grin.  And he thinks Popsicles are pretty awesome too.  

We tried a night swim party, brought beer and ordered pizza, thinking we were real fun.  Of course it started to rain right as the kids jumped in.  They swam for a bit anyway, but were FREEZING when it was time to get out.

A lot of baseball.  The neighbor boy just started playing and has asked Ryan to play catch many, many times.  Luckily, Ryan LOVES this.  Then our boys want to join the fun.  As you can see, I just sit back and take pictures and drink a beer.  I'm really good at summer.  

Just Have to Start!

I feel like my blogging comeback should start with a profound story.  But that is too much pressure, so I am just going to start writing.  About nothing.

We are summer break.  Can I get a Hallelujah?!  Summertime is my season.  I love that it is light outside until 8:30.  I love having all the windows open and hearing the kids playing on the neighborhood block.  I love that it is more socially acceptable to drink during the day.  All my loves in a season.

Ryan went to Ohio to grade papers for EIGHT days and while I am sure that was hard and boring and tedious for him, I WAS ALONE WITH MY CHILDREN FOR EIGHT DAYS.  Obviously I survived, many people helped me and cooked me dinner and did my dishes which leads my to believe that families should live on compounds.  Each family could take a night to cook dinner?  And everyone could help with laundry.  There would always be someone to entertain your child.  I want a sister wife.

Sunbathing

Anyway, We have done lots of pool time, park time, send the kids in the backyard and shut the door time. Whenever anyone sees Charlie they always comment on his very blond hair!  He will probably be platinum by the end of the summer.

At the "beach" 

I also bought the Groupon for Orange Theory Fitness and I am totally obsessed.  The workout is not rocket science, I just love someone telling me what to do.

Auntie MoMo is coming to visit tomorrow with baby Vivi.  We are so excited to see the cute baby and look through all her cute girl clothes.  Actually I am the only one excited about that! :) We are then headed to the mountains for Auntie Diz's birthday!! It will be a great weekend.

I better end now.  Don't want to overwhelm myself!  Hopefully this summer can include more time for blogging!

Happy Wednesday!

Summer Reading!

I have so many books to read- here is currently what is in my pile!  Please share your favorite summer reads.  I love sitting outside, perhaps with a cold beer, and getting lost in the pages of books.  Ryan and I are going on vacation soon (kid free) and one of the things I am looking most forward to is the plane ride where I will partake in uninterrupted reading time.  Heaven.

Read more here, 

 Excited for this one

 The cover of this looks so perfect for summer! 

 I just started this one.  Maureen loved this, so I am sure I will too. 

I hope this one teaches me to help Paul not be a jerk and continue to be awesome.  We'll see. 

What is on your summer reading list?

Diving Time

Things Paul does not like: 
- Anyone singing Happy Birthday
- The Merry Go Round at the zoo
- When you try to only fill his sippy cup 1/2 way with milk.  He demands a "big one."
- The giant on Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 

Things Paul does like: 
- Water
- Swimming
- The diving board





Our friend Lauren is life guarding for the summer and invited us to the pool to check it out.  What a surprise to find not only a diving board, but a high dive.  It wasn't long before Paul requested to go off "the big one."  This video is the second time he went off the board.  The first time he received a round of applause from strangers.  I saw Paul talking to Ryan as he carried him up the stairs.  I asked Ryan if he was scared and Ryan scoffed at the idea.  Apparently, Paul was telling him to "put me down."  Oh.  He now refers to the regular size diving board as "the baby one."  

We did this about 10 more times until we finally had to cut him off.  Do we have an Olympian on our hands? 

Laughter

A few weeks ago Paul took his future girlfriend, Delilah, to the zoo. He picked up his lady friend in mom's car and had the pleasure of placing her car seat forward for the first time in her life. The result? Absolute hilarity. The zoo was fun looking at giraffes, monkeys, and watching the elephants swim. However, the highlight of the trip was the car ride.

Book Club

This book has been on my shelf for years, but have not been brave enough to dive in.  Until now.  My two besties Diz and Maux and I have decided to read this together and have conference calls to discuss.  The movie trailer is making me extra excited!

  Have you read this? Did you love it?

Summer Days!

The absolute best part of summer is the pool.  Everyone gets a little sun, Paul loves swimming, and it completely wipes him out so his naps are long.  I can't think of a better activity!  My dad snapped a few pictures of our little fish!  He loves jumping in, dunking his own head, and telling us to "go away" because he thinks he can swim on his own. 

 

 

We went to the pool on a Friday night recently to discover you can order pizza and drink beer.  A jackpot situation for all.  Paul was obsessed with kids going off the diving board and then started to insist that he give it a try. I thought I would walk him up there and he would change his mind.  I was wrong.  Now jumping off the diving board is all this kid wants to do!