V-A-C-A-T-I-O-N what does that spell?

Matt gets vacation time July 31- Aug 10th. We are very excited and welcoming his break from work. Since being transfered to the Tucson store it has really taken a toll on Matt. Im thinking a break is just what he needs. We have a few things planned for this time with the kids... Skateland, Bowling, Sunsplash, Zoo (the night time activites with water). Im not sure if we will get too all of them but a couple would be nice!

In other news... everyone is doing great!

Take me out to the ball game...

* Dont mind the bad pick... my dad is no way shape or form a photograhper*

Matt and I had our first date in awhile... I mean a long while... Id say since before Tate was born. It was by chance that we even got the day off together. With my dads special hook ups and got tickets and my Mother in laws loving heart to watch the kids, Matt and I went to a Diamond backs game. Ive gone to one, one other time at it was cool to see the ball park but this time it was nice to watch the game. I had a blast with Matt. We dropped the kids off at about 5:40 and we had a great time being young and flirty... then at about 9pm... I started missing the kids so we skipped out on the game early and picked them up at about 10pm. But we had a blast!

Strike a POSE!

Click on them to ENLARGE them :)

And the Thunder rolls.....

Weve had a busy week. Doing what? Not much out of the norm really. At work my unit (oncology) is closed down right now for remodeling, It has the whole summer and will continue until about September. They have us "FLOAT" until then. This means I see all areas of the hospital. Which is fun because you see and learn so much but stressful because of the different expectations and diferent details of the patients in general. FUN FUN!

Matts workng hard at Circuit City. You know he turns 22 next month. Now while I joke with him and poke fun calling him "OLD MAN" Lets be real. HES YOUNG! Hes accompolished and done so much in his first quarter of life :)

Matt and I get every other Tuesday and Wednesday off together. This is allowed because my mother in law Nancy helps us out that week so I can work on Friday on Matts work day. SO this past Tuesday and Wednesday the family GOT OUT. Now dont forget we are in AZ so... getting OUT is hard to do. We went to Ikea, got pictures, painted a kitchen, and enjoyed each others company. OH AND WAIT till I show you some pictures!

The kids are great. Alexis is in dance and we try constantly to figure out what to put Hunter in. Everything at age 2 really consists of MOMMY and ME sports and while I would love to have that one on one time with Hunter.... I cant. Matts and my schedule dont allow me to leave the other two kids at home with him so I can take Hunter somewhere. So we will wait until he's three. We have looked into Soccer, gymnastics, hockey, tee ball, ect. All of these are mommy and me until 3. But you bet once hes three we will introduce him to all :) Hes so good with sports aspect and has strength and a body like a gymnast really... We arent sure WHICH he'll choose.

Well until next time!

OH BTW the title of the post comes from the week full of storms we have had :)

The 5 of us.

We are in knee deep to our AZ summer. AND BOY IS IT HOT! We have been keeping busy by doing lots of indoor activites. Now with toddlers that CAN be hard, but they manage. Since this is a new blog let me give an update on the family.

Matt- His company (Circuit City) recently did some lay offs and he was transfered to Tucson. Now while we are glad he wasnt laid off.... a 120 round trip drive isnt what we wanted either. However he is making the best of it because he is getting training to be a Store Director. Now He is only 21 years old so thats a big accomplishment! Besides work he keeps busy with the family. We love him!

Me- Earlier this year I went to school to become a CNA (Certified Nurses Assistant) I got a job at Scottsdale Osborn (You may know it as Scottsdale memorial). Now it is a 55 mile drive one way but I did this for a number of reasons. ONE because what motivated me to start school at the time I did was the death of my Grandmother, who was a nurse at Scottsdale memorial. And TWO I got a job in the oncology unit. I love it there. I work nights, which isnt bad at all. I feel I dont miss out on a lot of the kids life while working when they are sleeping :) I was going to attend Nursing school in September but am putting that on hold until Sept 2008 and the kids are a little older. I am however going back to school to become a PCT (Patient Care Tech) which is the same thing just has more certifications to do things in the hospital. My GOAL is do eventually be a labor and delivery nurse! Besides work I keep busy with the kids. I love being a mom and couldnt ask for a better gift! I am truely blessed.

Alexis- What can I say about her. She is my Spunky 3 year old. She is very smart and has a great memory. You cant tell her something without following threw. She goes to dance class on Wednesday nights and had her first dance recital this past June. She has a blast doing it. She took swim classes this summer with AMMA and PAPA (My parents) and enjoyed that as well. She loves being a big sister to Hunter and Tate and helps mommy out when needed.

Hunter- He is my sweet 2 year old boy. He is a very cautious kids. He is very slow to start things but once he gets the hang of it he does great. This summer he WOULD NOT get in the pool he would hang out on the cool deck for hours while we swam. And he was fine with that. Once he decided to get in he hangs out at the steps. He still wont get IN IN the pool without hanging onto someones hand but hes getting better. He is a VERY energetic two year old and is "ALL BOY"

Tate- Oh my baby Tate. He is 9 months old and a chunker. He pulls himself up on the couch to standing and will let go for moments at a time. He is currently taking two or three steps then falling on his butt. I want this process of learning to walk take as long as needed because he is my last baby and I want to enjoy EVERY minute of it. He loves giving mama kisses and his smiles lights up a room.

With this update getting so long Ill wrap it up! Thanks for reading!

A New pair of running shoes...

Have you ever been so far behind its hard to catch up? Its like running beside a bus and your only caught up for so long until you are running as fast and as hard as you can only to have to stop to catch your breath long enough to see the driver in the mirror. Yeah its kinda like that.

I have never been the best on my organization skills. However, since I started at my job I have been further and further behind. I finally had today to catch up on housework, and BOY do I feel accomplished. My mother in law came by today to play with the kids for a couple of hours so I could do whatever. I chose to clean. Am I finished? No. Am I happy with my progress? YES! It motivated me to keep going.