The Dyal Dish: June 2010

Sunday, June 27, 2010

Turtle Cove Waterpark

June 25, 2010
Turtle Cove Waterpark was fun this year. We like to go every summer, and this year it was our first Friday Fun Day of the summer. Spencer wasn't with us though... he was at Youth Conference. Some friends of ours were gonna go with us, but they were sick and couldn't come. We went anyway and had a great time. Jessica got sunburned though... hopefully it'll fade soon.... I had a nice time relaxing in a lounge chair and reading. It's so nice that all my kids can swim now -- no worries!

Liberty Fest 2010 - Carnival Rides

Liberty Fest always starts with a parade on Ford Road. This year, we got there especially early to find a good spot. We got hordes of candy, coupons, and free stuff that was thrown from the floats, cars and people marching in the parade. The forecast was for storms all day, but it ended up being a nice morning. We were grateful. It actually ended up being nice and sunny all day.

After the parade, we headed to Heritage Park where the party continued throughout the rest of the day. There were tons of rides, shows and booths. We bought all-day arm bands for the kids, and they rode the rides for several hours before we stopped for lunch. I brought a picnic lunch and we found a quiet spot in the shade to eat.

In the evening, we enjoyed a concert and then evening fireworks. It was a fun day, one we look forward to every year!

Saturday, June 26, 2010

Last Day of School 2010

Alex and Logan had their last day of school on June 17. It was Alex's last day in 3rd grade, and Logan's last day in 1st grade. They had a great year, and really great teachers.

Alex had Mrs. Cloke, who is a patient and kind teacher. She was also Spencer's teacher in 3rd grade, and was always so happy to see him when he came with us to the school. She was a key advocate for Alex last year... Whenever she had a concern about him, whether it was academic, emotional, or social, she would stop me in the hallway to talk to me about him. Alex and I both loved her and I know Alex will miss her next year.

Logan's teacher retires after this year, which is particularly sad because she was also Jessica and Alex's first grade teacher too. We will miss her at the school, but are glad she stayed on long enough to teach Logan. She is especially terrific at teaching her classes to read. All of my children excelled at reading after being in her class only a few months. Mrs. VanHeest will be missed!

Alex and Mrs. Cloke

Logan and Mrs. VanHeest

Birthday Party at the Movies

Jessica had a birthday party at the movie theater with her friends a week after her official birthday. We rented the party room at the theater, and watched Shrek Forever After (in 3D), ate pizza & cake & junk food, and played games. The girls had a really great time! She has a bunch of really good, fun friends from school and church.

Jessica's 12th Birthday

On June 2, 2010, Jessica turned 12 years old! Can you believe it? My baby is twelve!! She wanted Hawaiian Haystacks for dinner, and a chocolate cake. She got a bike, clothes, jewelery, make-up, and a Justin Bieber CD. After dinner, the Beehives (from church) surprised her by coming over with B-day presents and kidnapped her (they took her on some sort of scavenger hunt and then to get ice-cream). While they were gone, the Laurels decorated her room. Jessica was surprised by that too when she got home. She LOVED it! What a nice way to welcome her into Young Women's. Now it's onto YW camp in a few weeks!

Dinner with the family

Making a Hawaiian Haystack

Jessica's presents

MAKE-UP!

Jessica likes Justin Bieber

Happy Birthday cake

The Beehives (and advisers) came over to surprise Jessica

Blindfolding Jessica

Jessica's decorated room

Streamers and balloons EVERYWHERE!

I CAN'T BELIEVE IT'S BEEN TWELVE YEARS -- Here is Jessica's first birthday party....

My one-year-old Jessica. What a CUTIE!
She had the biggest eyes and biggest smile in the world.

Caribbean Cruise

At the end of May 2010, I went on a 7-day Western Caribbean cruise with my parents, grandpa, brother and three sisters to celebrate my dad's 60th birthday. We had 4 ports of call on our Royal Caribbean cruise -- Haiti, Jamaica, Grand Cayman, and Cozumel. We had so much fun! Here are some pics of our trip - In chronological order. (See more pics on my facebook page) (Also, more pics and more details of the cruise on my mom's blog @ http://garyandrhondaforever.blogspot.com/)