Summer Birthdays

 Brad and Jorja have their birthdays at the beginning of summer.  This year we didn't have much time to celebrate Brad's birthday since were so busy trying to get things ready for our trip to Colorado the following morning.  Fortunately, Jillian, Logan, and Jorja put a little fun into the evening with all their joke gifts.  I absolutely love that they love gag gifts!!!  Happy 39th birthday to My Brad!!

 Look at that excitement!  Now he can have his daily coke.  Thank you Jillian!

Daddy dog was a gift from Logan.

 

 Big Mao was a gift from Jorja.

 

Clearly the best picture of the bunch.

 

Jorja turned 7 while were were on vacation in Colorado.  So she had the whole Beames family with her to celebrate!  Instead of a cake, we had a cake tower, assembled by Jillian and her cousin, Becca Rossiter.

It was super windy and we weren't even able to light the candles so we just had her pretend to do it.  he he!

Mmmm, money....

Jump ropes from Grandma and Grandpa...

... and goggles...

 ... and a loom!!  But wait, I need to eat at. the. same. time.

 

Since we didn't have enough room in our car to haul presents back and forth, we celebrated Jorja's birthday again at home.  She got a swimming snorkel/fin kit that she loved!

See all that love?

Jorja's favorite ice cream is Banana Split.  Fortunately for her, she's the only one in the family who likes it.  Unfortunately for her we don't ever get it but since it was her special day she got her special treat!

 Her favorite cold cereal.

 Fully assembled swimming kit.

 

Happy birthday to our Jorja-girl!!!

Facebook Posts

Just a few things I've posted on Facebook that I want here as well:

20 August 2012
As I was taking my kids to school this morning, my son says, "Do you know what I don't like about the car lane this year? Some of the kids last year opened up their door and got out on the black top before the car stopped so now the teachers have to open the doors for us before we can get out. Ugh! I HATE the government!!!" ha ha ha!! I love my little libertarian!! :)

14 April 2012
The temple was so beautiful! I loved the dark wood and marble moulding (the latter got bigger the closer you got to the Celestial room until it was waist high! Yes, I am a contractor's wife!), sun coming through the stained glass windows,

and the murals, which were FANTASTIC!! Loved it! I'm excited to be in there after it has been dedicated. This isn't the best picture; I'd like to go back when there aren't so many people there. :)

 
15 April 2012
All my kids tried out for the summer play, "Aladdin" yesterday. Today they got their parts. This was Logan's and Jillian's conversation tonight:
Logan: "I really wanted to be Jehovah."
Jillian: (laughing) "What? Jehovah isn't in that play."
Logan: "you know, the bad guy!"
Jillian: "Oh, you mean Jafar!"

He he! Love that boy!

11 February 2012
While I was subbing at the Jr. High yesterday a 9th grader told me she passed her science test last week because of my help. Another told me how fun it was to learn Ecology and still another that asked me if I was a student teacher (those young-looking genes are finally working to my benefit!!). It was a great day. :)

28 January 2012
Ah, it's a good day when a simple wave to your daughter talking with a group of boys completely mortifies her. It's moments like these that make me proud to be a mom!

6 December 2011
Yesterday I was subbing at the middle school and a boy came up and asked me, "Are you on Edward's team or Jacob's team?" I replied, "Neither. I think they're both lame." To that he says, "You are the BEST substitute EVER!" Ha!

10 October 2011
Brad: Why did Ali call?
Me: She wanted to borrow some stuff.
Brad: What, feminine hygene products?
Me: No, you don't borrow that stuff.

16 May 2011
Today I felt like I have made a difference in this world!! What a great feeling!

Field Trip at the Aquarium

 I went with Jorja and her class to the aquarium in Kansas City.  It was fun, but after growing up in California where I've been to lots of exhibits, etc. on sea life, not to mention the awesome Monterrey Bay Aquarium, this didn't really compare.  But, as in most things, it certainly is better than nothing.
Since it had opened up just weeks before we went, it was crazy busy!!  Before we toured the aquarium, we went to the Crown Center where they had a jungle gym set up for kids to play in.

 

Clair and Jorja.  These two were buddies for the day.

Then we ate lunch waited for our turn to go inside.  This is Jorja with her friends, Aeva and Ruby.

The touching pool!

I tried, and mostly failed, at getting some cool pictures.  There were all sorts of cool sea life.

Fun bubble windows!

This picture stinks, but I do so love manta rays.  They are so cool.

 She's cool too!

I tried to get a good picture of this but it turned out fuzzy every time!!!  Dang camera!  Puffer fish are just rad.  I wished it had actually puffed up!!

Jorja, Claire, Aeva, and Ruby

The Fearsome Foursome once again.

And who doesn't like a good sea horse?  They had several.  Don't the males have the babies?  That sounds familiar to me.  Must have to do with all the nature shows my dad used to make me watch.

I think I need a camera that will let me focus on what I want....

This little guy was like a foot long!!  On of the biggest sea horses I've ever seen.

What a fun day with my Jorja-girl!!!

Last Day of School! April 2012

 So, I'm finally getting this up, even though the new year has already started.  First day of school pics will be up soon!  Anyway, just some snapshots from the last day.  I spent the whole morning there and had so much fun!  There was a talent show, in which Jillian and her friend performed and then autograph signings, etc.  So fun!

 Logan and his speech teacher, Vicki Vittek.  She is so awesome that Logan doesn't care to graduate from speech!!

 This is a bad picture but it is Logan with his 2nd grade teacher, Lori Jacobsen.

Jorja and her 1st grade teacher, Sarah Watts

 Jorja and her reading teacher, Libby Chichester (Mrs. Chi)

Jillian, and her 5th grade teacher, Carol Anders

Jorja and Jillian's friend, Foster

Our neighbor, Amy Mulkey with Jillian.  Amy worked in the lunchroom all year.  You can see Jillian's 4th grade teacher, Erin Dray, in the center background.

Jorja and her friend Hannah

Jorja and her friend, Ruby Freestone

 Jillian and our neighbor, Mandy Davis, who is a para professional at the school.

Jillian and Quentin

Jillian and Sarah

Foster and Natalie

One of Logan's best friends, Hayden

Mae and Jillian.  They've been friends since day 1 of Kindergarten.

Jillian and some of her friends.

 Hayden and Logan

Neighbors!  Kaylee Mulkey, Jillian, Jorja and Malea

Elek Haney and Logan

Kaitlyn and Kaylin, more neighborhood friends.  Yes, I love my neighborhood!!  :)

This is Gabe.  I love his hair.  And his personality matches it -- just a bit crazy and hard to control but still really fun.

Neighbor Nathan, Logan and Jillian

Jillian and the most wonderful mom in the world...me!  ha ha

Jorja and her school friends (?, Ruby, Hannah, Jorja, ?)

Jorja, ?, Hannah

Jorja, Ben -- who loves to hug me, almost inappropriately, Gabe and ?