Neus Family Reunion

My mother-in-law thought it would be nice for the Neus Family to do a vacation together. So we did a staycation at a local resort the weekend of July 24th. We went to The Pointe at Squaw Peak. We went Friday night to Sunday morning. It was fun to go swimming and just get away from the house and veg at the pool all day long. Here are the only pictures I got: Camby, our cousin, and Sawyer waiting in line for the cannon ball contest.
Sawyer's turn, look at that awesome ball. If you ask me I think she won!

Camby and his try at the cannon ball contest.
I also got one candid shot of a few of us in the pool!

We went out to dinner at Aunt Chiladas on Saturday night with everyone. It has been a long time since we have done that and the family has multiplied quite a bit. I believe there was 26 of us! It was fun to be with everyone and enjoy one another's company. I know the kids had fun with their cousins. Thanks for the great idea Sue!

This was Sunday morning the girls got up real quietly and started watching TV. I woke up a bit later and found them sitting real close to the TV because it was turned down really low, as not to disturb us.

Sawyer and Ruth's Fort

Megan, my sister-in-law, was scheduled to have her baby Adele in the morning on July 22nd. The night before Ruth spent the night so they didn't have to worry about her the next day. We ate, played, watched a movie, made cards for Megan and Adele, and went to sleep. The next morning the girls decided to make a fort. They did a pretty good job, it was just really big and they didn't have enough blankets. Plus they were trying to keep the blankets together and they kept falling. I finally came and helped them make it a little sturdier. Too bad they didn't get to play long because soon it was time to welcome Adele into the family.

Ruth trying to keep the blanket on.The girls playing in their fort, I think they had a little too much going on. Oh well, at least they are using their brains and being creative.

Eagar

The next day after Aubs got home we went to Eagar. It was me and my children, my parents, and my sister Aubrey. We left Saturday morning because it was my mom's 40 year reunion up in Snowflake that day. We drove up ate and visited with my friend Carly for a bit. We walked around the craft and arts fair. We also had to do a drive by of my mom's old house. It looks nothing like the house I used to go to as a child. We were then off to Eagar to enjoy the beautiful weather. My mom and dad went back down for her reunion that night while we went to the park, ate, and watched movies. It was a relaxing trip to get out of the heat. It was also nice to spend time visiting with my sister. It rained and hailed on Sunday, it was almost cold. The girls also found a rabbit and the poor thing didn't know what hit him. They would not leave him alone, poor thing. For two days they kept catching him and holding him, and Peter Rabbit thought Mr. Macgregor was bad, he never met Animal Obsessed Sawyer and Crazy Abby!

Irma Evans is Home!

On July 17th my sweet sister Aubrey came home from her mission in Porto, Portugal. I missed her greatly and was so excited for this day to come! She looked great and for the first time in a long time her hair was longer than mine.

Her flight got in at 10:45 pm, not conducive to children. We put our children to bed at like 6:30 and they slept until about 9:00 and we woke them up and went to the airport in PJ's. It's a good thing we love Auntie Aubs. Here are they are waiting for Aubrey.

Waiting with our posters for Aunt Aubs to come home. I didn't recognize her walking down the ramp because her hair was blond and I was expecting it to be brown, oh well!

Here the group is welcoming Aubs home!

Babysitting Kellen

For the past few weeks I have been babysitting my friend Carly's little boy Kellen. I watch him while Brett, his dad, goes to school and Carly isn't yet off work. He is adorable and smiles when he sees me, love it. He is pretty easy to watch because he has a chill personality and is a cute little guy. Plus most of the time I watch him he is sleeping and it's only for 2 hours. I know tough job. The other day I had both him and Matthew lying on the ground for diaper changes. It was cute they kept grabbing each other's hands and they would look at each other every once in a while. Those were a bit hard to get on camera, I tried.I thought this one was funny because they both had their hands up in the air.
Here was a holding hands picture, so sweet. Even though Kellen's legs are tucked up Matthew is huge compared to him, I guess they are 4 1/2 months apart.

A Day Trip

To start off on Monday I went to Phoenix Children's to get Matthew's blood drawn. They poked him in both his hands, his foot, and his head. They only got half of what they needed. I was happy though because that was better than the previous times. I needed to go back and since Matthew has therapy on Tuesdays, Wednesday was the winner. That morning I dropped my girls off at my friend, Natalie's. I took Matty in and they got part out of his arm and the rest out of his head. So after 5 visits to the lab and 11 sticks mission complete. I am only going there for draws, they were wonderful. Not only is Matthew a bit of a hard draw but once they stick him his blood flows so slowly that it clots before they can get all that they need. Unfortunately this isn't the last of the blood work. Depending on what these tests say we may need more. Side note on Matthew, he is doing well and is improving slowly. Slowly being the operative word. I can't ask for more than that though. He is now batting things with his hands and he is better about grabbing things. I still don't think he's made the connection of, "I'm the one doing this!"

Anyway, on to my day trip. After Matthew was done we headed back to Natalie's and loaded up the cars and a group of us went to Michelle's cabin in Strawberry to surprise her for her birthday. It was so fun. We visited, played games, got pedicures, ate cake and ice cream, and did a music video. It was a fun and exhausting day! My girls did really well. Sawyer was off with Michelle's nephew all day long and Abby stayed in or around the house playing with others.

In the process of getting pedicures. And boy was I in need of one. I hadn't done a thing to my toenails in months. It was sick, thanks Nat.

Our cute toes after our pedicures.

Michelle's yummy Oreo ice cream cake.

Hanging out after the dance add-on game. I love Michelle's family. They are crazy and are willing to do anything. The party group, it was fun to drive up for the day and just again relax and have a good time. Me, Michelle, her son Michael, Bobbi, Stephanie, her baby Nevaeh, Becky, and Natalie.

Wicked

July 7th I took Sawyer to see Wicked. It was so fun! I just love that Musical. This is the 3rd time I have seen it and it is still just as good as the first time. This was Sawyer's first time. I have been looking forward to the time that I could take her. I got really good seats because of her. We went out to eat at Matta's and then we drove with some friends of ours, The Jones', thanks for driving. Our seats were on the 5th row and it was amazing. I had good seats when I went and saw it in LA, but these were even better. I am glad I was able to spend the time with Sawyer on a mom and Sawyer date. She had a really good time and on the way home asked if we could go see it again. I told her unfortunately no. Tickets are kind of expensive and we already saw it. She said can't we just use our tickets again and come back? Boy do I wish we could, but sadly no we can't. We'll have to wait and see it again some other time. It was fun spending time with Sawyer watching an awesome musical.

Sawyer in front of the stage where we sat, unfortunately it is dark.Some nice people took a picture of Sawyer and I by our seats, it was hard to get the front of the stage.
Out front, Sawyer and I with our Playbill. What a fun night!

Fourth of July

We went up to Eagar Thursday night, July 2nd. We got there late and went to bed. We got up and just hung around Friday, ran errands, and the girls played. Brendon had taken Abby to the skate park and she got wet so he took off her pants. She ran around most of the day in a shirt and panties. We lost track of her and couldn't find her. I figured she had run across the street to the park. Sure enough she was running around the skate park in her shirt and panties. That night we were trying to roast marshmallows and Abby had just a shirt on because we were going to get in the bath. All of a sudden she spreads her legs and just pees. I think she had been doing that all day because she went through like 5 pair of underwear. I think it felt like her swim suit and so she went like she does while swimming. So fun that girl. Saturday morning we woke up and went to breakfast at the park. The firemen cook breakfast, it was yummy we had pancakes, sausage, and OJ. Here are the girls at the park. I thought I got a picture of Abby on the merry-go-round, her favorite thing but I didn't, oh well. My sweet Sawyer
Abs and Sawyer on the wall. This was one of Abby's favorite things.
She loved walking along the wall. Then we went to the parade. Here is Matthew and Me at the parade. Doesn't he look thrilled?

The girls waiting for the parade and candy.

Matthew in his 4th of July outfit.

Don't you just love the bum?
The girls got shirts from Grandma Evans and Grandma Neus. The red ones were from Grandma Evans and these blue ones were from Grandma Neus. We changed half way through the day.

Abby actually had another one but it was white, not gonna put that on the dirt magnet.
That night we went to the airport to watch fireworks. Here we are eating goodies while we wait.
It was pretty chilly up there. It was so nice though to have to wear pants and jackets. I love the cool weather. We had a great time and enjoyed getting away. It was my first vacation since before Matthew was born. It was a well needed break.

Girls Night Out

I guess I'm on the update every month plan? I always get caught up and think I will keep up with it, then life happens, oh well! At the end of June I did a girls night with all my girlfriends. It was so fun! I live for these nights once a month, and this month I definitely needed it. It had been a particularly bad day. I got the orders for Matthew's blood work for his genetic testing. I thought I would go to therapy and then go get it done since we were going to be leaving later that week. I went and it took forever and by the time they knew what they were doing they stuck him twice, dug around, and no blood. They told me to come back so I went back later that day to a different location. Again two sticks, and digging and they got a tiny bit of blood, not enough to use. So it turned out to be a hard day so I was in need of a break. I went back Wednesday morning and they stuck him once and nothing. I then went to Phoenix Children's Hospital and they said they could but they had to do it M,W,F before 10 AM. So, I'd have to come back next week. So much for getting it done before I left. Anyway, on to my girls night. We had it at my friend Natalie's house. She taught us how to make these cute flowers to be used to accessorize as we feel.Here we are showing off our creations, everyone did an awesome job and we had fun hanging out together!

Sawyer

Sawyer started swimming lessons on June 1st. She was so excited about them. She did a really good job and has been enjoying them. She finished her 1st 2 week session of lessons. Only 3 more sessions to go. She did so well she advanced to the next level. Way to go Sawyer! I am sure it's because of her awesome 1st swimming instructor, Uncle Travis. I thought she'd need more work so I signed her up for the same class when I was first signing her up. Oh well, way to prove mom wrong!

Look at her go!

Sawyer has been wiggling another one of her teeth. Today before church she said mom look as she was able to easily move her tooth around with her tongue. I said, "Sweetie that is ready to come out, why don't we pull it out." She told me it wasn't ready. Later as I was getting ready I see her in her bathroom leaning over the sink. It took her probably close to 30 minutes but she pulled it out right before we left for church. I was sad but actually I think she looks a little better as a toothless granny!

The other day we were swimming at Grandma and Grandpa Evans' house. I looked and Sawyer had gotten my camera and was taking pictures of herself, the dogs, the horses, birds in the sky, the grass, and various other things (about 20 pictures worth). Thank goodness for digital otherwise I would have paid to develop film and been pretty upset to have spent money on those pictures. Anyway, I kept this one that she took of herself, most were a close up of the inside of her nose.
Here is one that she got of Abby and me swimming. I believe I am trying to get Abs to do "airplane". Amazingly she is frightened of the water. However, I am glad considering her personality. It is funny though. Count your blessings where you can, right?

Abigail

This wasn't what I was going to write, but as I was sitting down starting to post this event went about. Abby got up from her nap and has been trying to "go" since. She got dressed and then Brendon got up from the couch and came in and laid down on the bed. She then came to me saying, "Oh no, oh no daddy bed!" She was so distraught because daddy got up, she thought to go, and came and laid down on the bed. Anyway, I was going to say that Abby has been pretty good this last week or so. We haven't had to find her because she escaped, and she has been pretty pleasant and a good helper. With that being said a few days ago she was out in the backyard playing and I went to check on her and I found she had been picking grapes. Not just a few, but a whole bunch. I was sad, because they were almost ready. Oh well, hopefully by next year she will realize we don't pick stuff off the plants in the garden. She had to sit in time out for this one so someday it will sink in.

Luckily we still have a few bunches left on the vine. I don't think this is her first time picking them but this is the most she has picked. That's what you get with a curious 2 year old.

These are just some random pictures of Abby that I just love.

It's always fun to go into the girls room after they are asleep, you never know how you are going to find Abby. When she is trying to go to sleep she grabs random things around the room and falls asleep, how precious!

I thought this was hilarious for a few reasons, one the fact that Abby has fallen asleep with princess dress up shoes. The second reason being that her and Sawyer's legs are the same way!

Finally, Brendon caught a shot of Abby throwing a fit over something. This actually doesn't happen too often but when she does it's quite funny!

Matthew

So you'd think that in the hospital when Matthew was diagnosed with hypotonia that I would have looked it up and found out more about it. No, I just took it at low muscle tone and figured Matthew would get strong and grow out of it. Then I found out a little more from one of his therapists that it is his controlled movements that are hard. It's not that he has no muscles. I said okay and took it at that. Well, I was still wondering why he was developmentally behind. Well, we saw a geneticist and we will be running more tests to rule out disorders or to diagnose. Which is good. Hopefully we will find an answer, and know more of a plan for his life. Anyway, back to being behind. Well, the geneticist explained that muscle strength and muscle tone are different. Muscle strength is obvious it's the strength of the muscle, but the muscle tone is a neurological problem where the brain doesn't communicate to the muscles. So there is a delayed reaction, or they can be behind developmentally, answer to my question/worries. So, I finally came home from that appointment and finally looked it up. Hello, why I didn't do it 6 months ago. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypotonia Here is the website that I looked at to find the information, if you're interested. Matthew is doing well and is holding his head up pretty well. He even impressed his therapists. I am now really working on him realizing he has hands. Hopefully that comes soon. Overall he is really well. I will keep you posted on our findings when we start getting the testing done from the geneticist. Oh he also got his first tooth, yeah!

Here is Matthew posing for his picture, see how well he is holding his head on a flat surface. A few months ago this wasn't happening. Way to go buddy! He looked so cute in his Sunday clothes with his tie, shoes, and mohawk so we took a photo op. What a cutie!

The Spirit is Wonderful!

I just have to write that I love the Holy Ghost and I am grateful for it in my life. I am learning to listen to Its small voice. The past week or so there have been a few instances where I have listened, and I have seen the blessings immediately. I have also had the opportunity this past week to see how 14 or so years ago I listened to the Spirit and because of it I was able to help a friend of mine out this last week. It is such a neat blessing to see the benefits of that event, even 14 years later. The Lord is so kind and so good to me and my loved ones. I know that this church is true, even when life is hard and really crappy things happen, it never seems so bad with the Savior helping us through. And as long as we are faithful and endure to the end we won't be alone. Amid life and its heartaches and trials, I am truly happy when I stop and take a moment to think and reflect on my life and the blessings I receive daily.