Welcome to the beach!

The Penning tribe:

This is Adam and I in 20 years:

The Girlie Cousins:

My siblings:

And more of us:

And more HERE…

June 26th saw Dad and the kids heading to Mount Charleston for the Cathedral Rock Hike. This hike is located in the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest to the northwest of Las Vegas. Even though we climbed to over 8,500 feet, it was still in the 90’s here in lovely Southern Nevada. After the hike, we visited the Nature Center near the campground. Everyone survived the day, even Juan, who told me in the first 300 feet of walking that he wanted to be at home with mom. Too bad, kiddo! :)

most improved, reading… ezzy, nikki
most improved, math… danny
citizenship award… juan p.

They worked really hard all year. And I dare say it is starting to pay off.

We went to Claim Jumper for your birthday dinner this year. You got a new bike from mom and dad. From your siblings you received a kick board and dive sticks for the pool. And of course, you were showered with lots of cards and money love from grandmas and aunties.

I think the best present is the amazing amount of growth we have seen in you the past six month–learning to read, taking responsibility for your actions, responding to directions, relaxing your frustrations, and melting down A LOT less. You chatter on non-stop, asking questions about anything and everything.

Your favorite thing to talk about right now is how things are made.Yesterday, you wanted to know how the ‘machine’ takes the poison out of the river and lake water so that we can drink it. You also used the phrase “welcome to my world” yesterday when your sisters were telling you how hard they had it sitting in the back seat of the car. I wonder from which parent you picked that up?

Love you, little man! It’s almost our two year Famiversary. But to us, it seems like we have known you since you were born. We are grateful for your smile in our home.

Highlights:

1st annual talent show

complete with video crew, spotlight guy, and MC

Hiking

Yummy Food

 Lots of Cool Messes

And good all around fun

We love our tradition we have created for our family. We look forward to many more Zion trips in our future. Here are more pics!

Here is what we are planning:

MAY
–Zion Nat’l Park, of course. Year six. We leave tomorrow.

JUNE
–Spring Mountain Ranch, Willy Wonka. Planning this outing for months now with friends. So excited to take the kids to their first official play.
–Camp Invent. Danny is going to his first invention camp with a buddy. He is totally stoked.
–Bear Lake. The kids and I are planning a week at the lake with my mom and sister. (Adam will be in China on business–boo, boo!)
–Swim lessons. Hopefully we can squeeze a couple of these in. :)

JULY
–Grandma Penning Visits. YAY!
–Relay for Life. We are going to Oregon to participate in Team Georgie this summer. So Excited!
–Washington. Oh how I love escaping the desert heat, trading it in for two weeks in Yakima. I can’t wait to hang with my family, scrap with Jes, camp at Rainier with cousins, and see old friends and their children.

AUGUST
–The Beach. Yes! Who love the Oregon Coast? We do. We do. We have been planning this vacation since Thanksgiving with my parents and siblings. One whole week in Seaside with my family. The kids are going to learn to body surf this time around. Can’t wait for vacation with my hubby and kiddos.

Whenever I get a little homesick for my nephews, all I have to do is steal little Zackary! I am so glad his mother doesn’t mind how dirty he gets when he comes over. He had a blast this last time playing in Uncle Adam’s truck, running after the jump rope in the back yard, and chasing after the big boys.

This tia loves me some Nephew Zackary time!

daily workouts

filing bills

putting the laundry away

posting on our family blog

clipping coupons

calling mom and dad just for fun

keeping up on the kids’ adoption life books

removing dishes out of my bedroom

having more faith during the current political climate

making a firm decision about becoming a foster parent

 Things I rock at lately:

going to bed earlier

making Adam smile

meal planning

daily calorie counting

posting on the adoption blog

paying closer attention to friendship

capturing more quiet moments

daily scripture study and meditation

loving my children more, on purpose

finding killer deals at Target, three weeks running

We fed the missionaries dinner so we did a lesson on serving others. Valerie had her baby on the 18th so we took her a yummy Sonic Drink at the hospital. There was no ooooing and ahhhing over the baby by the ninos either. Nope, none! We had tons of fun. Thanks for letting us intrude, Val!

Song:
I am a Child of God

Treat:
Sonic chillers

Nightly Funny: 
Just a lot of talk of where babies come out. You can imagine the ewwws I get every time I explain it. Hilarious!