Bull Riders Only

Chris grew up in Texas and loved going to rodeos as a boy. So a few weeks ago he took Marlee and i to our first rodeo. It was actually very fun and entertaining. I will sometimes see it on tv where the guys get stepped on by the bull or hit by the horns. It was harder to watch in person. Two guys went unconscious, one broke his jaw and the other had to get stitches on his head. We had seats very close to the riders and a few times I had to look away when they got hurt. Marlee let me know "Rara, bull riding is not a place for scarredty cats". She doesn't want the riders to get hurt, but she definitely wants some action in each ride. It was a great time though, the rodeo clown was very funny and entertaining. I actually told Chris I thought he could do that job, he is always keeping Marlee and I entertained.

We use to have a pool company come once a week to clean our pool until Chris said " I can clean it myself, every Friday." So on Fridays, Chris sweeps and he likes Marlee and I to help skimmer the pool with a net. Well, when Father's Day came up I asked Marlee what she wanted to get for Daddy. She was so thoughtful, she got him a remote control boat with a skimmer to make cleaning the pool more fun and easy. The funny thing was, the day before Father's Day, Marlee was at her mom's house and Chris thought of the idea of getting Marlee a gift on Father's Day.... and guess what we drove around from pool store to pool store looking for. The remote control boat. Luckily, no stores had them. I had actually bought the last one a few days earlier. When Marlee called us Saturday night, Chris told her how he wanted to get that boat for her, but every one was out so he ordered one, which he actually did. I was shocked that Marlee didn't say on the other end of the phone"that is what I got you for Father's Day". Well, on Father's Day, Chris opened his boat and we all laughed at how they both had the same gift idea in mind for eachother. I am still not sure who wanted the boat more....i think Marlee. Either way they were going to make sure we had a remote control boat to clean that pool.

Dad grilling his famous tri-tip for us in Az. Chris makes sure he gets his tri-tip fix when we go to Ca. or Dad comes to visit....thanks dad

Marlee with her Uncles

Marlee loves to come to Ca. with me and see all the family. On Saturday morning we were going to Ian's soccer game and as we drove there Marlee asked "Who will be at the game" After I named off everyone that would be there she looked at me and said "This is so cool, I am going to watch three cousins play (Ian, Matthew and Chris) one of my uncles is the coach (Johnny) my aunts will be there (Lisa, Gina and Laura) Char and Mingo will be there and plus other Uncles (Steven and Stan)" She was so excited and it was so cute for me to see how much she thinks of everyone as her family.

Marlee loves hanging out with Uncle Steven.
Flat Stanley with Uncle Steven and Girl Lou at Marlee's school. It was a school project to send Flat Stanley to stay with someone you know far away to spend a few weeks with. Marlee sent him to London and he flew back to the states with Steven and Laura. Steven pushing Marlee on the swing in Ca. next to Lou. I can't wait till we live closer....

Aunt Girl Lou and Uncle Steven in the states...cont.

I never finished posting all the pictures from Steven and Laura's trip home. We all loved having them here and are counting down the days till they are here again. Marlee and I also went to Ca. to spend some time with them and I got some cute pictures of our trip. The day Marlee and I flew back to Az. there were of course tears. Tears from Marlee, Lou and myself as we had to say good-byes. As we were walking to the plane Marlee asked me, "Why was Uncle Steven not crying like all of us. We will see Girl Lou in a few months for Lisa's wedding but we won't see Steven for years. I was crying cause I will miss Uncle Steven so much." It was really cute and I tried to explain to Marlee that boys don't cry as easy as us girls, but I assured her that Uncle Steven I know will miss her very much.

Dinner at Claim Jumper

After a day at the pool and looking at model homes (we're working on getting all my family to move out to Az) we headed out to dinner and a little bit of dessert.

Future triathelete

Marlee was inspired by Rara finishing a triathlon and she really wants to do one soon. She is a great swimmer. One day Chris, Marlee and I were swimming in the pool and she did a flip kick to turn around we were suprised at how well she did it and we asked her how she learned. She smiled and said "Adam tought me". I think he needs to teach Rara too.

Lisa and Adam come to visit us in Az

Aunt Lisa promised Marlee she would come see her before the "big day" in Ca. So Lisa and Adam made a weekend trip to Az. to have some fun in the sun.