Family Summer Olympics 2015

Before the kids left for Pennsylvania this summer, we wanted to get together with Brandy and her family.  Rather than sit around, we decided to have the First Annual Family Olympics.  Elli helped me come up with all the events and the rules.  The events were: pogo, hurdles, sprints, free throws, jump rope, hula hoop, javelin, golf, and long jump.  One point for each event participated in and additional 3 points for 1st place, 2 points for 2nd, and 1 point for 3rd.  Most points at the end wins a medal.

 Elli ruled at the pogo stick.  We had to make her stop.

 Most jumps in a minute, keep track of your own.

Putting, best out of 3.

Broom Stick Javelin Throw

 Everyone tried this event.  Simple really...throw as far as you can without stepping in the grass.

 We all had different approaches,

and various grips,

 but equal determination.

I believe the boys took the lead in this one, but I predicted they would.

Hula Hoop Hustle

 Everyone competed in this event.  

 Amy had a good rhythm going.

 Gregory and Adam did OK, but it wasn't their best event.

 Grandma sneakily patiently waited to go last while she watched the technique.  Since it's all about smooth, relaxed rhythm, and not speed or strength, she ended up medaling in this event.

Gold! Silver! Bronze?

 Elli and Amy were neck and neck throughout the games.  They both ended up with 17 points at the end, so for the tie breaker, we decided to have a shoot out.  Even the shoot out was close and took several rounds until we finally had our bronze medalist....

 Adam took SILVER!!  Gregory won the GOLD!! and Amy stole the BRONZE!!

Congratulations to all our competitors!  Everyone did a great job!

Elli Does Not Show Her Age

 Even though she doesn't like it yet, that will be a good thing when she's older!  She turned 13 this year and had a movie party at our house.  No sleepover this time.  They watched Bye Bye Birdie and had snacks for dinner.  The burgers are really cupcakes, so along with the chips and popcorn,  I tried to throw in some fruits and vegetables.  I'm glad she has a bunch of good friends.  Happy Birthday!

My Sister Will Be Famous Someday!

MY sister,  Brandalyn Athons, is a true artist.  Her clever creativity and unique style are among my favorites.  I am lucky to have one of her pieces in Amy's room.  She created my raw website, has made the cutest newsletters for Elise's salon, and even makes her own games along with her husband, Gregory.  Here she is next to her art work that was chosen above many many students to be displayed at the Boise State Art Show earlier this year.  I'm so proud!  You are awesome, Brandy!

Tea Parties are Fun!

Amy opted for a party this year instead of getting spending money for her birthday.  I was so happy that she wanted a tea party!  I love going to a beautiful tea service with friends!

 I got so caught up serving and preparing the food that I forgot to take pictures, but they started with  cucumber sandwiches and prosciutto rolls.  Second course was scones with cream and jam and custard tarts.  For dessert there were chocolate strawberries, lemon cookies, strawberry cupcakes and cupcake chocolates with berry herbal tea.  Amy said the food was her favorite part!  Yay! 

 After tea we took pictures with some props...

 played musical chairs...

 and the telephone game.  What is a tea party without some gossip?  They also tried to throw tea bags into the top of the tea pot and played a game like Pictionary by making pictures in tea leaves for their team to guess.

 Happy 11th Birthday, Amy!  

One Christmas Photo is Better Than None!

We did have a nice Christmas this year and I did decorate the house.  We even had a normal sized tree that I found at the second hand store for $15.  I just didn't take a lot of pictures.  Oops.  And I didn't build a gingerbread house from scratch, but the girls put together one from target!  

Thanksgiving Rocks!

There's no pressure to give the perfect present or the stress of Christmas shopping.  You just get to relax, eat, and be grateful for what you have.

Grandma and Amy

 Khanya and Elli

 Adam 

We had a marble game tournament, so Brandy, Elise, and I brought our marble boards.  We split into teams.  Your place at the table had a figure that matched someone else's.  

 Nell and Brandy were the turkeys.  Brandy just had surgery the day before and wasn't feeling 100%.

 Gregory and Khanya were the corn.  (It took a million tries to get a photo of Gregory with his eyes open!  He looks asleep in ALL the others!)

 Chelsea and Elli were pies.

Amy and Elise were pumpkins.  

Grandma and Adam were pilgrim hats I think and 

Joel and Steve were a team but I can't remember what they were.

I think Brandy and Nell won.  People kind of pooped out towards the end.  Lots of slow movers (kids) make the games take a long time.

Next year will be here before you know it!

There Are No Small Renovations

It wasn't until after we moved in that I noticed a pee smell in the carpet by the piano.  I was the only one who could smell it, but it was surely there!  This awful smell eventually led to new flooring.  We decided the best time to do it was over Christmas break when the kids would be with their dad.  We tore up the carpet and old laminate one day and then had new laminate and dura-ceramic tile put down over the next few days.  I thought it would be quite simple; move some furniture, floors out, floors in, and move it back.  Not so!  There were layers under layers and hundreds of staples to remove, baseboards to paint, dust everywhere!  It was almost like moving again.  But the results were worth it!  Almost like moving into a new home!  I love it!

Here are some photos to compare from before we even bought the house, to now.  

Joel put up bead board to cover that burgundy paint.  

Notice that crazy crooked line of carpet and laminate; GONE!

Little changes here and there add up to one great big difference!

BEFORE

AFTER

                                     

BEFORE

AFTER

My favorite is the kitchen.  I love the butcher block, the pot rack, and the floor!
We also replaced the black dishwasher with white a while ago after it was leaking.

AFTER