Tennis, Turtle Bay, Doctor and Family visits

Monday Dawson started back up with Tennis. He LOVES it. Natalie decided she would go too (she didn't want to at first but when she found out she could swim afterwards she decided it was worth it.) She ended up loving it and will continue playing as well.
Yesterday (Tuesday) Brad and I went to my Doctor for our prenatal monthly check up. We waited for about an hour before the Doctor saw us--always a bit annoying, especially when my appointment lasted maybe two minutes. I don't usually have any questions or concerns and the ones I have I usually google online or just know it's normal. We got to hear the babies heartbeat. It was a strong and steady 145bpm. I wanted to just lay there and listen to it all day! I have felt a few other really faint movements but nothing really strong. We go in next month, July 23rd, for the ultrasound and we are DEFINITELY finding out what we are having. I am so anxious to know and wish I already did know.
After my appointment Brad and I went to Mary's. We were sitting around and talking and all the sudden Asher rolled over. It was his first roll over and he acted like it was no big deal. He wasn't angry or crying at all. He rolled over 2 more times and then Mary got the camera out and he decided he was done. It was an exciting moment.
Brad and I took Dawson and Natalie out to Round Table Pizza for lunch, then to Turtle Bay museum, and ice cream. It was a busy afternoon. The kids had a blast at Turtle Bay. They have a bunch of displays that deal with Shasta County history, science, animals, etc. It is super kid friendly and there are a lot of hands on activities. The display we were most looking forward to was the LEGO display. This artist makes sculputres and pictures out of only legos. It was really awesome. They even had a classroom set up where you can make your own lego creation and put it up on display for the week. Dawson and Natalie both LOVED that. I got there and realized I forgot my camera so I didn't get any pictures. That bummed me out a bit.
When we got home my cousin Sarah from Long Beach, her mom, and another cousin, Amy who lives here in town came by to visit. We had a nice visit with them. It's always good to see them and catch up.
My brother will be here tomorrow for a couple of days with his kids. I'm so EXCITED to see them. They will be going to the coast to my parents house after this so we are planning on going over there for a few days to spend more time with them. I wish they lived closer. It's tough to be favorite auntie when I only get to see them once a year.

Aahhhh....Summertime!

I am LOVING summer vacation so far. Dawson gets to stay up late and sleeps in. We have had fun playing many games (go fish, war, i spy, yahtzee, etc.) Dawson is at a fun age to be playing games with. My oldest niece, Kayla, graduated high school last week. Dawson and I went down to Vacaville to celebrate with her. I am so proud of her. It was great visiting with all the family, especially my brother who came out from Utah as a surprise. Lori's daughter, Iris, giggled at me and we had fun playing together. I was pretty tired after those couple of days. My parents stayed at my house that weekend and we had a really great visit as usual.
Last night I was at a church BBQ party. It is always fun to get to visit with people that I never get to see at church because everyone is always teaching or something. Mary went with me and that was a lot of fun. While we were there I am pretty sure I felt the baby fluttering around for a few seconds. It didn't last long but it was defiently something. I got home and was telling Brad about it and wrote it down in my pregnancy book and then it happened again. It was awesome. I hope that it continues to happen more frequently. I can't wait to feel it kicking a lot and to have Brad be able to feel it kick as well. I go to the Dr. next week for a check up.
On Tuesday Mary and I were so lucky to be able to visit with 3 girls who we consider sisters. They lived with us as foster sisters for about 3 years when we lived in Weaverville. We had such a great visit with them and their families. We had a yummy BBQ. The kids all got along great. We don't all get to see each other often--the last time we got to see them all together was at my wedding 2 years ago.
Brad is finishing his last day of his music/art camp today so then he will officially be on vacation too. We are looking forward to a relaxing vacation and going on a couple trips.

The last week of 1st Grade for Dawson and Grandparents 60th Anniversary Party

Dawson finished 1st grade this past Thursday. He has a busy and fun filled week at school. On Tuesday 3 of the 1st grade classes went to the YMCA for a swim/play day. They got to swim and do outdoor play activities as well as have a picnic lunch. Dawson had a great time and I loved being there and getting to talk to other moms before the school year ends. I also had a great talk with Dawson's teacher (who we are going to miss!) She had the nicest things to say about him and was very complimentary on how well we are raising him. On his report card she wrote that he is a memorable child. On the last day of school the 1st graders from Dawson's class and another class rotated classrooms and did fun acitivites at different centers. I was in charge of teaching them how to hopscotch--they all had a great time. They then got a pizza party and ice cream sundaes. Right before leaving the 2 classes did awards. Dawson got 4 awards--the most out of both classes (I was so proud of him!) He got perfect attendnace for 3rd trimester, perfect attendance for the whole school year (the only kid in both classes to get that), collaborative kid award, and outstanding citizenship award (only 6 kids in each class get that a year so it's a big deal.) For earning the citizenship award he got to have lunch with the principal. After school was out Mary and her family and Dawson and I (Brad was still at work) took the kids out to eat at Olive Garden and somehow Dawson manged to eat his 3rd lunch of the day (he did not have dinner that night.) I just can't believe how quickly he is growing up. I am amazed still each day by how much he grows and learns each year. I am blessed to have him and am so proud of him.
Last night we had the opprotunity to travel to Fairfield to celebrate in my grandparents (dad's side) 60th wedding anniversary party. My mom's parents will celebrate their 60th anniversary next summer. We had a great time visiting with all of my dad's family. Instead of just having dancing/music all night they asked that each person in attendance share a talent--anything musical, something that had written, dance, etc. It was great fun seeing all the family share in what their talents were. I was very entertained and the night flew by! We didn't get to bed until 1:30 in the morning. I hope that Brad and I are as fun loving and full of energy like they are when we have been married for 60 years! They are truely a great example to all of us.