So....

I know people look forward to blog updates, but our lives are kinda boring around here. I don't mean to say that I don't have two little boys that constantly keep me on my toes getting into things and running me ragged, but we don't have a whole lot of variety in our daily routine lately. Wake up, eat breakfast, go for a walk, play inside a bit, eat snack, take a nap, play some more (perhaps outside if it's not too hot), eat dinner, swim when daddy comes home, go to bed. We do this EVERY day. I have found that the boys seem to behave better with a strict routine. I'm a bit nervous about the next couple of weeks as TK will be leaving for a scout camping trip for a week and the day her returns we hit the road for Washington where not only the time difference, but visiting with family and the like will completely obliterate the aforementioned routine. I can't exactly say I'm looking forward to 12 hours in a car with two two year olds either, especially since we're taking the Montana route this time so we won't be entirely sure where we're going. We may be shooting ourselves in the foot by trying to drive through the night so the boys will be sleeping most of the trip. This means they'll be rested, but we won't. TK will get the worst of it as he will have literally just returned from a week long hiking and camping trip. Really. He will come home, take a shower and then get back in the car. However seeing family for a few days (five days) will be a nice light at the end of the tunnel. Do you folks have any tips for making car trips like this tolerable??? I'll be making some small neck pillows for the boys to make car seat sleeping a little more cozy, but not sure how to keep the hubsters and I awake during our driving shifts. Anything you have found helpful would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

Summer Time

The summer has officially showed up here in Rexburg and there have been some fun adventures now that it's here. I don't think I have captured any of them on camera, so I'll have to start remembering to do so. We make weekly trips to the Farmer's Market (every Friday) where we almost always have to get a "flavor ice." This is the boys' term for the Snoasis shaved ice/sno cone. We always get a "glacier," which means they put ice cream in the bottom (vanilla). It is so yummy and helps cool us down when the sun is getting a little strong. There have been many a trip to the splash park and carousel at Porter Park and we ended up putting up our above ground pool. Even though I really wasn't thrilled about the idea (I had MANY reservations), the hubby set it up and filled it anyway. And though it is hard to juggle two little ones in the water, the cool water does feel rather nice on a hot day and it doesn't cost anything to go to the backyard so it's saving a little money. Very little. The cost to fill it and run the filter is not small. There is a new water park two blocks down the street--Rexburg Rapids--but you have to pay to play so we haven't tried that one yet. It looks fun though, with water slides for "big kids" and adults and wading areas for little ones.
The boys and I have a regular morning walk while it's still cool outside and though I wasn't sure the exercise was doing any good, I'm happy to report that I'm not totally mortified to be seen in my swimsuit. Granted I'm not thrilled either and will stick to the backyard until things fit a little better, but just a few months ago (October) that spandex was stretch to the brink and still wasn't keeping things where they should be. Not. Cute. I have been telling myself that my real body is in there somewhere and I'm excited to see the "extra" start to diminish.
There was a wonderful 4th of July celebration at our house yesterday and we went to the parade in the morning which was fun for the boys because they were old enough to care this year. I will hopefully be posting pictures soon! See you later!