June

June started off in a good way with my sister Angie and her then fiance, Matt and his little boy, Daxton, visiting for the weekend. They went to one of Aaron's soccer games with us. We of course had Sno Cones, did slip-n-slide, street hockey, the park at night (the only time it cools down to 99 instead of triple digits) and installed a basketball hoop. The four of us adults also got to take advantage of my Aunt Tammy coming to town and went out on a date on the strip. It was nice to be out with my sister and Matt.

Bill, Jared, Alex (Jared's dad)

The basketball hoop was purchased by us and two other neighbors. Jared, with limited help

from the dad's, dug the hole, the guys all poured the cement and EVERYONE has been loving it. We only received one letter from the association but after writing back and explaining that it builds community and helps promote exercise the left us alone.

Aaron had his last soccer game on Saturday the 12th and enjoyed a cupcake cake that we had picked out for the team.

On Wednesday the 16th my dear friend Natalie Cabezud flew in to town. Funny story, for whatever reason I had it in my mind that she was coming Thursday so when she called Wednesday and said her flight was a little behind I thought, "What?! It's an entire day early!!" Luckily Natalie was coming to see us and not our house, because needless to say, it was NOT ready!

Aaron with Calvin Powell

Livi with Lori Powell

Friday night we went camping with some friends that we met through school. Megan, Mike and Matt are triplets in Livi's class and belong to the Webb family. Jackson was also in their class and is a Powell. He brought his neighbor Gage along as well. (To the right is Misti Webb with Jackson, Livi, Mike, Gage, Megan, and Aaron.)

And of course we all brought our dogs who are as good of friends as our kids. Harley is a golden retriever like Annie, but red, and belongs to the Webbs. And Baxter is an English border collie who thinks Annie is his girlfriend and... a sheep. It's so fun to watch all the kids and dogs play. Needless to say we were all very dirty and Annie was more brown than white. It was a great overnight camp trip up to Lee Canyon at Mt. Charleston with tons of good food (we made cobblers!) and lots of great company. Livi and Matt were content just being together and us adults couldn't be sure but sensed a possible first crush. TOO CUTE! (Ahhhh! Aren't they too young?!

Left: Livi, Matt, Jackson, Aaron, Mike(in back)

The next day, Sunday, was my birthday and Father's Day. I wanted to celebrate my birthday with the ones I love so on Saturday evening, Bill, Natalie, the kids and I went to see Toy Story 3 in 3-D. It was Aaron's first time in a movie theater. (Aaron kept his 3-D glasses and wore them to church the next day. He said they helped him see better.) It was a great movie. Beforehand we had enjoyed pork salads from Cafe Rio, YUM!

Sunday, I woke up to a wonderfully decorated house with birthday signs EVERYWHERE! (Thank you babe and Natalie!) Natalie came to church with us to church and then we opened presents.

These were of me "opening" my gifts... most girls would be excited if it were a pink nightie or something fun. For me... anything exercise related is fabulous! Poor Bill. He even tried to make it a little more girly by getting pink, but these pale legs simply couldn't handle it. Black goes with more anyways.(The shorts were from Bill, the apron from Natalie, and the kids, with Natalie's help, made me a bracelet and necklace.)

For Father's Day the kids and I picked out new swim trunks and shirt. SCORE! He actually liked it!!!

Ice cream sundae's for dessert, with homemade brownie's... HEAVEN! and then an evening trying to figure out how to properly install/use my "real" birthday present: a fully swinging bike rack that goes on the hitch and holds 4 bikes! It took 3 of us with BA's, and a video from u-tube to figure the darn thing out. But we did and I LOVE IT!

The next day, Monday, Olivia had her very last spinal tap for chemo treatments!!! So great that Natalie could be there with us. Luckily Aaron was able to hang with some friends for the appointment. I was glad to be able to get these pictures as they are a good reminder of what I hope to never see again. I still remember when it was all so new. How my heart ached when I saw her drug induced tears. How I giggled when she would ask through almost impossible to understand slurred speech, "Mom, how'd'u do'at?"

Me: "How'd I do what honey?"

Livi: "How'd'u have chu (2) nozes?"

Me: "Does mommy look funny with 2 noses? That's funny. It's just your medicine."

But now we are done with the yucky sedations and have 1 more chemo treatment left in July.

Unfortunately good things come to an end as well and Natalie flew home after lunch at Jason's Deli.

The rest of the month was spent playing in the late evening 'til 9 or so at night outside with the neighborhood kids. We have come to accept our very small backyard and appreciate what it has given us, a large driveway at the end of the street where all the kids congregate. SO FUN! Poor

Aaron though, on the night of the 23rd, it was late in the evening and the kids were playing hide-n-seek, or something. It was dark. Aaron went running across the street and tripped. The only thing that caught him was his face! Poor guy. I don't remember the last time I saw/heard

him cry over an injury, and especially this much. As with all face injuries there was a TON of blood, but we were able to assess the damage and get him cleaned up. And only a week before we got to see Grandma... what was she to think?!