Skating, Monsoons, and Birthday time!

More summer happenings: We went roller skating for Family Home Evening last Monday...

Emma was especially fun with the roller skating - she's much better than the last time we went last year (it's been a while).  At one point, she made her way around the rink and then came over to see me (I was taking turns with Ben sitting on the side with Claire) - I asked Emma how she did, and she says "I did great!  I only fell 3 times!"  I love her positive attitude!

Claire flirted with everyone as they skated by...

Another splash park visit - this was also the last day babysitting Blaine - the splash park was a fun way to celebrate with him on his last day as an only child.  :)  His cute mommy had a baby girl the next day!

My cute pink ladies...

The kids with their buddy Blaine...

We finally started up swim lessons last week.  I've been a little slow this summer to sign them up.  All the travel at the beginning of the summer break threw me off of my routines quite a bit.  The kids were very anxious to start up more swim classes.

Jake surrounded by ladies - he's very used to that :)

Becca's all business in her goggles on her kickboard...

Emma's in swim lessons too, but I haven't been able to snap a decent photo of her in action yet. In addition to swim lessons, we've spent some time lately swimming in our fun neighbor Karen's pool.  She's so nice to let us come swim whenever we want - and it's so great that we can just walk down the street to get there...

Ben got off of work early one day and was able to come to swim lessons with us - it was very hot for those of us not in the pool.  He kept dumping cold water on Claire and then spiking her hair up...

Speaking of water on our heads... it's been raining some lately!  I really really love monsoon season.  The rains just come out of nowhere and sometimes it will really downpoor... then it will just stop.  It's exciting whenever it rains in Arizona, so the kids like to go run and play in it whenever they get the chance...

They definitely didn't need sweaters... but 85 degrees is cold for these little Arizona bodies... :)

That same day, the skies quickly cleared up, so we went ahead with our plans to attend the water safety activity they had going on at the local pool - after the class and games, they got to swim for free...  The lifeguards did a skit on safety rules at the pool and around water...

Then they were prepped for the obstacle course...

Jake's favorite part was saving the drowning lifeguards with the pool noodles...

Time to swim!

And of course, eat snacks...

I had my 30th birthday last week!  Wo!  Ben really spoiled me with some lovely gifts, so I took some pictures :)

I was excited to throw away my old oven mitt and hot pads and replace them with these nice new ones...

You know you are a real adult when you have nice silverware.  I put all of our old flatware (that we got when we were first married) into a ziplock bag and stored it away in case we ever need extras, but I'm hoping that the 12 place settings Ben got will be plenty.  Isn't it so nice?!  I am so excited - you also know you are a real adult when you get excited over flatware...

And I got 2 new endtable lamps for our bedroom.  Our old ones were broken and weren't always turning on and off like they were supposed to.  It's so fun to replace old things with NEW nice things!  

I also got a really cute summery necklace and matching ring from my cutie Ben, as well as these beautiful pink roses...

Ben made his very own chocolate sauce and raspberry sauce to put on top of my decadent chocolate cake - this was in addition to the delicious dinner he made for me and the kids...

I told you he spoils me right?  That weekend we went on an awesome birthday date - to the Yard House for dinner, and then to see Cirque du Soleil!

This is us waiting for the show to start...

Trying on goofy hats and masks...

Kooza was really unbelievable - the video below shows our very favorite act... I was gasping and half-covering my eyes the entire time...

Thanks to my amazing husband for treating me so well all the time... especially on my birthday week!  :)  I felt so loved by my family and friends too this past week.  My parents funded a fun shopping trip and pedicure outing just for me - and I got more great gifts and a delicious angel food cake from Ben's family.  What more could a girl want?!