Bike Park

Riley got his new bike and we all went to the bike park to watch him ride...he was so excited and did great, looking at the hills and the drop ins I was scared for him but as usual no fear and he dropped right in. There was a park with a water feature so the girls and I played over there for a bit. I wish we had a park like this in our neighborhood instead of having to drive all the way to Chandler but it was worth it....all the kids had a great time especially Sadie. She was going from the sand to the water and water to sand, which is a mothers favorite combination :-).

HARD WORK!

Over the last year Riley has had two bikes stolen. He has been riding his sisters pink mountain bike every where he goes and having to ask her each time. Since the bikes were stollen because they were left out and we really wanted to teach him to be responsible for his own stuff. We made a deal with him, we would pay for half of another bike but he had to earn half the money himself. So all summer long he has been working...babysitting, doing extra chores, mowing the pasture at Papa Bobs, waters peoples plants while they are out of town, etc. With school approaching and summer winding down he decided this week that he wanted to get the bike. He went to a few stores and he found one he really wanted. He counted out his money and was $36 short. He was supposed to go to papas and work but the monsoon storms put a damper on that. So he was bugging me and bugging me for something to do to earn money....so I told him he could wash out our big black garbage can for $5 and since it was trash day he could go down the street and ask if any of our neighbors wanted theres done too. This little job turned into quite the money maker...people were driving by asking if he could do theres. I think it was a bit harder than he thought it would be but he worked his little butt off for hours. He learned some great lessons today and I am so proud of him and what a hard worker he is! It always amazing me how motivated this kid is...he never gives up when he wants something. We love you Ribug!

Pleasant Valley Days in Young, AZ

rope swing...go riley

ready and waiting for candy

just a little snack...it only looks like I was eating mud

What a good looking family...wonder who they belong to?

Casie in the parade...you go girl!

We went to Young this weekend to Papa Bob's cabin for Pleasant Valley Days. Every year they have a big (relative for a small town) throw down for Pleasant Valley Days. They have a craft fair, rodeo, parade. The kids love to go to the cabin so this is just another excuse that gets us up there every year. On Saturday afternoon after the parade we took a ride in the rangers and on quads back to a swimming hole.....someone had made a rope swim that was so fun. The water was freezing but none of the kids seemed to care. We kicked up to the swing and they swam there little hearts out. Sadie loved the ranger....it was hysterical. We borrowed it from a friend but it has been in our garage for a few days and everytime we go out there she points to it and makes an uhhh noise, funny how they remember.

70's, 80's and 90's Suprise Party

Molly and Jimmy..leg warmers and pee wee herman, NICE!

Ohh...lala...look that these studs!

Hey Jane

Our friend Jimmy threw a surprise party for his wife's 30th birthday. The theme was 70's, 80's and 90's. They had trivia, games, name that tune and food, food and more food. It was so fun and the costumes were so hysterical. Ryan and I went to Goodwill and got great outfits for under $20. Ryan went for casual 90's (tight jean shorts and an class of 96 ringer tee. He also got some low top white reebok with the thick soles and wrote I love Tricia, it was so high school I love ite!) and I went for totally 80's spandex and a side pony. The costumes ranged from punk 80's to Jane Fonda, mullets, etc....it was so fun! Jimmy did a great job organizing and we all had a lot of fun.

Swim Team

Look of determination...

Riley's backstroke

nice jump

So cute!

This summer the three older kids signed up for swim team and it was great (for all of us). Paige and Riley along with a group of other kids rode there bikes the 2 miles each way to and from swim team every morning. They were in back to back classes so they just waited for each other. It was great for me...they were up and out of the house by 6:45 and home by 9. They loved the independence of riding by themselves and I loved the fact that I didn't have to drop off and pick up 5 times each morning. I dropped Hayley off a bit later for her group. Riley and Paige also decided this year to do some of the meets....they did great and we have a whole new appreciation for the world of competitive swimming (it is SERIOUS). They did preliminaries which is where they try to qualify in 3 strokes that they choose for championships. They choose the top 16 kids from all of the schools in Gilbert to compete. Riley qualified in backstroke, freestyle and IM. Paige qualified in freestyle, backstroke and was DQ from breast stroke (Ryan admits that he might have told her to do the wrong kick...hopefully she won't hate him forever). They both did great at championships.