We've been a tad bit busy...

-playing at the pool
-playing at the Science Center
-playing at the zoo
-playing at the library
-playing at the park
-playing at the mall
-and working at Olive Garden

Can you find the one that doesn't fit?

Question: What was I thinking when I thought it would be a good idea to get a job in the summer?
Answer: I wasn't thinking at all.

While I have been slaving away under 20 lb. trays of Italian food, walking/running/standing for 7 hours at a time, being treated like I'm a complete idiot, and single-handedly screwing up an entire restaurant, I'm happy to report that Luke and the girls are having the summer of their lives. And as bad as it sounds, the extra money doesn't hurt and I'm kind of, slightly, maybe starting to enjoy it. A little. In fact, in some ways my job has been perfect because it forces us to take advantage of the free time that I do have and so far this summer has been one of the best on record.

This week we discovered "Jumping Jacks". Or should I say, we discovered heaven on earth.

5,000 sq. ft. of blow-up bouncy houses with no lines, no people, and no where else we had to be.
Running, jumping, pushing, rolling, screaming, squealing, crawling, and falling for as long as you little heart desires in an air-conditioned building while mommy and daddy sit on a bench and talk? I think yes.
Oh, and did I mention that Tuesdays are 2 for 1? Does it get any better than this?
Brooklyn climbed this entire wall by herself and almost died several times in the process. But she made it! I was thoroughly impressed.
Aubrey spent a large portion of the time just opening and shutting this window. Fun, I know.

Along with all the fun things we've been doing this summer, we've also been working on a goal of reading about a million books each. Aubrey has even caught on and starting reading books to herself every morning. We're still working on Brooklyn.
Luke's stack of books

My stack of books


ALSO...
we leave this week for our vacation!!!
Things I'm looking forward to:
-Dinner at Cafe Rio
-Seeing everyone with the last name Webb, Campbell, and Smith
-Swimming at the big house
-The Brooklyn, Aubrey and McKyla reunion
-Ms. Powell's cinnamon rolls
-BBQing with long-lost friends, the Lovelaces
-Idaho Fall's 4th of July Happenings
-Playing Sequence, Pounce, and Scum until all hours of the night
-Not seeing Olive Garden for a whole 2 weeks!!

Introducing our new family member...

Mr. Bear.
He's sweet and cuddly.
He's covered in a least 3 different beverages, dirt, crumbs, and markers, and he smells. really. bad.

He gets more hugs and kisses than the Bachelorette (and he's twice as cute).

And if you think for one second that there is a teddy bear on this planet that is more loved than he is,
you are wrong.
(Is it just me, or does it look like he's kind of smiling in this picture?)

In other news, Ashley has learned to be careful what you wish for.
(post on this will be forthcoming...)
Luke has learned that playing Mr. Mom is more work than actual play,
and Brooklyn has learned that if you try to steal Mr. Bear (if Aubrey ever releases him from her death-grip)....

well, just don't steal Mr. Bear.
(It happened; and it wasn't pretty.)