Last week with the Stewarts

We went to San Bernardino last week for 2 reasons. The first was to pick up Dean. He went home with Grandma and Grandpa a month ago and we missed him! The second was for Matt's misssion farewell, although we're not allowed to call it a farewell anymore.

We had a great time. No big outings or theme parks this time, just hanging out with cousins, Guitar Hero, Carcassonne/Catan and a whole lotta swimming. Swimming, swimming swimming. Many times a day. Edie had crazy pool skillz by the end of the week. She can save herself now, no matter that she looks like she's drowning!

We got a little wild on Saturday. With the uncles in the pool, the games got extra fun. Like a 4 man totem pole:
(That's Ryan's head there at the bottom. I caught them just as they were falling!)

And the toothpick game:
If you haven't played, you should. Throw a toothpick into the pool when everyone is looking the other way, then the one to retrieve it is the winner. No rules. Except don't jump on the kids in floaties, I guess.

Evan likes to get thrown into the pool, the higher, the better. That kid has no fear.


Saturday evening we got all dressed up for a Stewart Family Picture. The last before Matt leaves, but it will already be outdated in September when Little Girl Monson is born. Here are a couple of candid shots in between the professional ones:

Our favorite missionary!

A Little Bit of Heaven on Tuesday

This is all it takes to make me a happy camper. I feel quite successful when I take a tired, cranky baby and get him to sleep. And then of course, I can't put him down. Gotta hold that cute little chubby as long as I can.

Talk about a Lazy Blogger

It doesn't get any lazier than this. Go here to read about the Utah trip we had in June. Elizabeth is just so good at writing, and I was there and did all that (except I didn't start in Bear Lake, that was just the Monsons). So I'll just add a "ditto" to hers, and called it blogged.

PS:
I know you're all dying to know about my 3rd sewing project, so here's an update: it's done. And I'm never going to wear it, or even take a picture of it. I don't want to talk about it. It's headed to DI the first chance I get.

Drew's 10th Birthday, Part 1

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DREW!
Today started out fun for Drew with some long-time buddies over for a couple hours this morning. He was released from his daily manual labor session and played boy stuff instead. Drew and Adam have known each other since they were 2 and the only talkers in Nursery. Today they built a giant fort in the backyard and then cleaned it up when I asked them to! What?? If this is what 10 is like, I'll take it!

After Adam and his brothers went home, Drew and Pie took off to a new golf course, only to find out all the tee times were gone due to a holiday of some sort this weekend. They went bowling instead and Drew came home reporting a strike!

Drew wanted his birthday dinner at Lucille's for some ribs. I love how big the ribs are compared to Drew. He still is a little boy, isn't he?
Edie was a crack-up, as always.
Evan was a stinker most of the meal, but when the hot washcloths came to clean all the sauce away, he calmed right down.It looks like he's in love with the hot washcloth. Kinda silly.

Part 2 of Drew's birthday comes on Sunday, with a special dinner for Drew and Katherine with all the NorCal Cousins, and Part 3 comes in a couple of weeks (after his stitches are removed from some minor oral surgery happening Tues) when we go to Six Flags with a friend.

Three celebrations for one birthday? Not bad!