Skateboard Paul in his Sunday Clothes

Paul just can't leave his new skateboard at home. It came with us on our weekend trip to Pocatello and Burley. This is a love from his youth! For Father's Day he purchased his own gift - a new skateboard. This board has double trucks - so it can really carve. Now all the boys love skateboarding!

Swimming Lessons Again

All four of my children have taken one round of swimming lessons this summer. Tomorrow we begin the second round of lessons! None of them passed there class - so they need to work a little harder to move forward. Corbin is doing well - his class swims laps in the deep end (which was a little nerve racking at first - no touching the bottom!) Vivian barely got her hair wet - she doesn't like water on her ears or face. This was her very first time in lessons. She needs to get a little braver and more comfortable in the water. Olivia enjoys the water - she is still learning, too. Lastly Porter needs a lot more practice! He somehow passes the swim test allowing him to jump off the diving boards - but it scares me to death to watch him doggy paddle back to the edge of the pool. I'm hoping this second set of lessons will give them that extra boost!

Menu Monday

Here is my menu for the week:

Monday- Hamburger gravy, brown rice, corn on the cob, jello, brownie trifle for FHE

Tuesday - Chicken in Basil Cream, mashed potatoes, carrots

Wednesday - Pasta with pesto, salad

Thursday - Leftovers

Friday - Ginger glazed chicken, edamame rice balls

Saturday - Fish Tacos, Santa Fe Rice Salad

Sunday -World's Best Lasagna, corn, bread, Best ever chocolate cake

I sure like having a menu - this past week we tried a few new things including: Chipolte Salmon Burgers, Greek Chicken Pasta, and Waikiki Meatballs. I thought they were each very good - I will add them to my recipe book. What have you made lately that was delicious?

I am HERE!

I know I am driving you all crazy - because it seems that I have just disappeared from life! I was so busy getting ready for our trip - then it took me a week after we were home to get things back in order. Then I was totally overwhelmed the quantity of photos so I just quit! Actually I took a LONG break from even reading all of your blogs. I thought it just wasn't right for me to read your blogs if I didn't update mine. So that's why you haven't seen or heard from me in a long while. I finally have the pictures upload to my computer - they will be coming soon!

I have also been very busy with HOA stuff. At the moment, I am a little upset with the whole thing. I asked someone to take minutes at our big HOA meeting on June 24th - she just finally gave me the notes - handwritten. I was expected them to be emailed to me - thus they would be typed and made into some sort of sense. Gosh, what do these people expect? I work my buns off for all of them and there is very little support in return. Everyone else is just too busy to put forth any or very much effort - yet they gripe and complain and expect grand results from me (no, I am not paid for this). I'm a little bitter about the whole thing - and wondering why I did this to myself and family. It does take a chunk of my time! I wish I could just scream right now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I don't need to hear - "it was your choice - you volunteered, etc." I just need to vent a bit! OK, breath now Tiffani - if all else fails I can just move to get out of this, right?

I had to add - that today I'm much calmer. Yesterday I was a little worked up about the whole HOA thing. I know that my efforts will help the neighborhood so for that I am happy.