The Fruits of Summer

We have been enjoying the fruits of summer and have found some good indoor activities to keep us out of this intense 100+ degree heat. We do get outside but it's just too draining to do it every day as we usually like to do.

This summer has been good to Pops and Nunie's tomato garden. They have plenty to share and we all chowed down on cherry tomatoes before heading out for a swim.

We bought some coconuts for the kids to try. They weren't too keen on the taste of the coconut milk but they loved the activity of breaking them open and drinking strait from the fruit with a straw and later eating little chunks of coconut.

Speaking of fruits, Payson, um, excuse me, I mean Superman (aka "Muscle Man") and I read a Winnie the Pooh apple picking book. Payson has a new love for super heros and continues to have his old love for books. Hey, why not combine the two?

Hayden asked me to give her a big braid and then she proceeded to decorate it herself with stickers so it would look like Rapunzel's.

My big kids are getting even bigger. They help me with laundry...

Get ready with me in the bathroom...

Take care of their own babies...

And get dressed for work! The other day Keith put on an Oxford shirt and Payson said, "Daddy, you're going to work." When Keith said he was going to church Payson laughed and said, "No you're not, you're wearing a work shirt." (In Payson's mind oxford=work clothes and polo=church or other). Ha!

The kids were invited to their first Chuck E. Cheese birthday party and they had a blast. This roller coaster ride was there favorite and it was extra special that they could all ride it together!

I took the kids to the museum to see the dinosaur display including robotic, roaring dinosaurs and the dinosaur skeletons. While Payson was not nearly as terrified as he was in February, he still wanted to stay close by my side when we passed the robotic dinos.

Madison, liking the robotic dinosaurs once again, posed in front of them and roared back at them.

One hot afternoon we made our way to the Bass Pro Shops for some simple excitement. The kids loved looking at all of the real stuffed animals and Madison would point to each one and exclaim, "He used to be real!" We soon came upon a mannequin and she said, "He used to be real!" I had a little explaining to do.

Hayden caught a huge fish...

As did Payson. (Madison's picture is lost in the system for the time being).

My best friend Andrew was in town and the kids had a blast playing with him. Here he is with Hayden bonding over pink pigs and baby dolls.

The kids loved hanging out with him, as usual, and Payson even told Andrew that he wants to be him when he grows up! Awww.

Summer Lovin'

We celebrated both Keith's birthday and Father's Day last weekend. Keith was gifted with a super-duper chocolate tie...

...hand decorated by his favorite little Melkers, of course!

Our bud Andrew was in town so we gathered the troops for an afternoon barbecue. Payson was thrilled to be sitting in Andrew's lap. After all, he did tell Andrew that he wants to be him when he grows up!

Keith and I ready to celebrate at our friend's wedding.

The reception was stunning. The detail put into it was incredible.

The centerpieces were amazing.

The cake was big enough to feed a village! And Shelley looked gorgeous!

Model Erik caught in an unposed shot. He's a natural!

Andrew strikes a pose for the camera - also a natural!

A handful of my high school buddies back together again. Fun times!

Bring On The Water!

Swim lessons have begun! Although the kids are doing great, each child has his or her own key challenge that is being addressed. Payson, being the orderly dude that he is, doesn't like dropping his face in the water to an extended period of time (although he doesn't mind going all the way under when jumping in, etc.) But, we've already seen great improvement in just a few lessons!

Madison is super excited for all of her lessons and is a little bit too free-spirited in her style. So we are working on getting her to take control of her movements a bit more.

Hayden is also thrilled about swim lessons and has been talking about them since March. She is determined to swim but over-emphasizes her kicks so she is working on smoothing out her motions.

Our good friends Tika and Michael and their four boys came over for a barbecue and splash time outside. They all had a blast playing together on their massive water slide.

How long do you think this slide chain lasted before one slip led to the domino effect?

Not long!

Hayden so proudly set the kids' tables when it was time for dessert and waited patiently to be served. That sweet girl loves her sugar!

Keith was playing around with Brady and Madison in his arms. They were giggling hysterically when Madison went in for the kiss.

We also recently celebrated Griffin's birthday at his pool party. It was a close call as to who was more excited about his cake: Hayden or Griffin!

Singing Happy Birthday to Griffin!

Water + Technology = Disaster

Everyone who has kids knows that they break things - expensive things. This is no exception in our family. I recently came home after running a few errands and everything seemed as usual. But then I opened up my laptop only to find water dripping from the screen. When I lifted up the whole thing, there was a puddle of water hiding underneath it. Grrrr.

So I am a bit disconnected but am making do by borrowing my mom's computer (thanks mom!). Here's what the rest of May had in store for us.

We had a great time at the Byron Nelson! Hayden had a very specific place she wanted to stand for this shot and wasn't happy with where the photographer and her parents placed her.
Here are the kids on their last day of school. Thanks to their teachers for a great year!

Hayden, Payson and Madison love hanging with their friends Brady, Hudson, Griffin and Carter (not pictured).

Running errands with a pirate, Cinderella and ballerina.

Payson talking on the phone with Grammy and GP.

All this spring wind made for good kite weather. We helped the kids fly their first kites!

Watching a dinosaur, butterfly and angel grow under water.

And when Payson went camping with Daddy and his buddies, the girls and I had tea with our friends and checked out the baby dolls in the nursery. Hayden and Madison were in a dream world!

Hayden was so excited to have her very own "real" ceramic teapot that she could pour on her own.

Princesses Madison, Hayden and Haley waiting to be served.