SUMMER, SUMMER, SUMMERTIME

Sunday, June 16 - Father's Day

Cutest. Kids. Ever.  This is after Tanner Bishchoff's farewell.  Tanner did an amazing job, what a great kid - he'll change lives for sure.

Nathan was looking through scrapbooks to find a picture of he and Rick.  He brought one scrapbook upstairs to show us all what a cute little boy he was, and he and Britt had a blast looking at all the pictures.  When they were young, they would get up early, throw on the most random clothes, and head outside for some sort of adventure.  There was never a dull moment at the Finlayson home!

 

Monday, June 17

Nathan got a sweet new long board!

I can't get a picture of that kid with a normal smile.  Grrrrrr!  And yes, that is the Bachelorette on in the background - a recap is on it's way!


Tuesday, June 18

Britt and I in the car while Connor and his friend are in Storm Lacrosse for their weekly fix!  Thank goodness Connor brought a friend so that I didn't have to go in and look at the exact same things I have looked at for the past three weeks!

DRUNK ON YOU AND HIGH ON SUMMERTIME

Wednesday, June 12

Getting Nathan ready for his rafting trip with a quick run to the store to get the necessities - Pop Tarts and Pringles!  

Connor living thug life with his friends, playing video games and eating popcorn.  It's always a good day when mom lets you do whatever you want.

 

 Thursday, June 13

Brittani, Connor and I spent the morning at Trafalga playing mini golf, laser tag and racing go-carts.  The highlight of the day was when a boy came out of nowhere and asked for Brittani's phone number - it was awkward but the boy definitely has balls!!!  I'm sorry I didn't get a picture of that!

 

Friday, June 14

Connor is off to Scout Camp - he is so dang cute in his uniform I can't stand it!  I went to drop him off but he had forgotten a sweatshirt so he hopped back into the car and turned to me and said, "What did you think of Brother Pratt's camo fanny pack?  It's awesome he has the confidence to wear that thing." - I love that kid!

After months of my favorite ride being closed, I finally was able to make it to Vineyard!  I may or may not have had to walk my bike through closed streets and maybe had to take a few detours, but I did make it!  Finally!

And now I'm trying to figure out what I'm going to do with myself while Britt's at work and all the boys are at scout camp.  Chick flick and popcorn in bed?  I think so!

BROTHERS

A few weeks ago Connor stumbled up the stairs for breakfast before school.  As he sat there I could tell something just wasn't right.  I asked him how he slept and huge alligator tears formed in his eyes as he told me he had had a nightmare.  Between sobs he told me that in his dream Nathan had died, and then he quietly said, "life would suck without Nathan."

Since the minute Connor realized who Nathan was, Nathan was his hero.  Connor has always wanted to be just like Nathan, he has always thought Nathan was the very best at everything.  Connor loves Nathan's teams and his hobbies, his sports and his interests.  There have been so many times when they aren't getting along, or when Nathan is bugged by Connor, that I have told Nathan what a huge compliment and responsibility it is to have someone look up to him the way Connor does.

Nathan has been at camp the last two nights, and this morning I went down to wake Connor up and realized that every light in the basement was on.  I didn't need to ask why.  Nathan isn't here to protect Connor and Connor gets a little scared downstairs without his big brother.  It hit me that in two short years Nathan will be gone serving a mission.  What will Connor do then?  And then I quickly realized that once again, Nathan will be being the example that he always is to Connor.  Connor will look to him and want to follow.  I am so thankful for the big brother Nathan is.

"Sometimes being a brother is even better than being a superhero."

-Marc Brown

THE BACHELORETTE - WEEK 3 - EXPERIENCED BALL HANDLERS

Brittani and I decided that the world needed to hear our opinions on the Bachelorette each week.  So to all you 9 readers that look at my blog - get ready... this is going to be a good season - and we have a lot to say about it!

The Bachelorette needs to pull a "Biggest Loser" and give these men makeover week.

The amount of pastel v-necks on this show is disturbing. Homosexuals, raise your hands.

Speaking of homosexual, Brooks needs oxygen for "the most pain I've ever felt" a.k.a. fractured finger. You'd think he'd be a better ball handler. We liked you last week, Brooks, but you're a pansy.

"Winning team goes to the after party!" Good one, Des, good one.

Props to Chris and his good shoes for romantic roof time. Sorry your girl isn't too bright. "How did you find this roof?!" Most buildings have roofs, darling.

Private concert? With your other dates watching? Smooth.

The color nude is for lips only, not pants. While we're giving the men makeover week, might as well get her a stylist, too.

Brian, you're in trouble! Your face said it all when your rock-throwing, leather pant-clad girlfriend walked in. Des, you better send him home in the kidnapper van for having another girlfriend, good thing you have fifteen boyfriends to choose from.

Brandon, you have way too much emotional baggage. Hop in that limo and get some counseling, stat. Unless your counselor is going to leave you too.

Intimate group date! Of course the ranch is named "RT."

James, you plan on being Des' hero in your pink v-neck? I think you are going to gallop away on your unicorn.

Juan Pablo, I like you. "We walked in and there was popcorns and stuff!" You have personality and a nice face.

Michael G. Get a stylist on that thing. Your peacock hair landed you a great new nickname.

Oh no! Mikey's developing some roid rage.

Ben's a creep. Every episode needs someone who doesn't want friends. Stop your lurking and head on home, buddy.

Brandon, seriously, counseling is necessary. Maybe he can help you find more tears.

Des, you may have the style of a tuna can, but you're doing something right getting all those men in swimming suits. Props for that.

Some final advice to the men, use the "I don't share this with every girl. We just have a connection." Dear Desiree falls for that one every time.

Until next week.

LIFE LATELY...

 Friday, June 7

If Connor had his way, we would go and look at Lacrosse stuff EVERY DAY.  He doesn't go to buy anything, although he would if he had money or if I were willing, but that doesn't stop him from looking at and fondling EVERYTHING in the whole store.

 

Saturday, June 8

This is what my life looks like every Saturday morning.  The races are almost over, and the team is getting into LOTOJA training mode, so the long rides are here.  Thankfully Summer comes with me so that I'm not the only girl!

Brittani has been wanting a long-board for a few weeks but hasn't had the money to buy one.  It has been a good "learning experience" for her to have to wait until all of her bills are paid to purchase something fun!  She was SOOOO excited when she was finally able to go and get it, but soon after bringing it home she called and said she was taking it back because she had buyer's remorse!  Her comment to me..."Do you know how much food I could buy with that money?"  After taking it out for a spin she changed her mind and decided that a long-board was way more important than eating!

Sunday, June 9

Connor, Brittani and I started a Summer Health Challenge where we receive points for exercising and eating right, and lose points for not eating healthy.  Rick decided he was going to sabotage our efforts by making his delicious chocolate chip cookies.

These babies are minus one point each... not good!

Sunday ride on the beach cruisers

Monday, June 10

Connor and I tried to make home made bouncy balls...

They didn't work out so well.  Never trust a Pinterest craft!!!

Quote Of The Day:

Saturday:

Connor went to a birthday party and when he got home I asked him how another boy at the party was.  Connor said, "He's gotten mature."  Well, there you go!

Sunday:

Nathan walks into the office and says to me "Mom, the Church is true" and turns around and walks out.  Thank goodness for Nathan - he'll get our family to heaven even if he has to drag the rest of us there!

Happy Tuesday Everyone!  Go enjoy the sun.

SUMMERTIME

Summertime...the best time of the whole year.  Beautiful days, warm nights, popsicles, bike rides, pools, parks, and so much more.

This summer Nathan is working full time with Rick, and Britt is working at the Gap and will start teaching swimming lessons in a few weeks, so it's me and Connor!  I got home from my bike ride on Monday and Connor had the whole day planned out for us.  I thought to myself, "this is going to take some getting used to!"  I usually have a lot of time during the day to myself, and for the most part I make my own schedule, but the summer changes that.  After a slight attitude adjustment, Connor and I had a great day.  While we were on our walk on Tuesday, Connor told me some things he had never told me before about himself.  We had an amazing talk.  I realized at that moment how thankful I am for the opportunity I have to stay home with my kids.  I am so thankful for the walks, the talks, laying on the tramp chatting, for the summer, and for the amount of time I have with my babies.

I loved the Blog Every Day In May Challenge, and although I didn't do great at it, it got me blogging more than I normally do.  So I decided that during this summer I would try to take a picture a day of our life and activities.  I'll try to add some of our quotes of the day also because they are usually really entertaining!

Here Goes:

Monday:  Connor and I rode our bikes to a fun park in Alpine.  He is so big that I sometimes forget he's 11 and still loves going to the park.

Tuesday:  It's so windy in Highland that it shouldn't be a problem flying a kite even if it is the cheapest, dollar store piece of junk you have ever seen, but obviously it's too hard for us!  That dang kite would nose dive no matter what we tried. 

Wednesday:  Nathan's sliver from work.  OUCH!!!

And Kirk decided he missed all the attention he got for having brain cancer, so he went in for another brain surgery!!!  He is recovering nicely (after a severe bout with nausea) and should get to go home tomorrow.

Thursday:  Connor went to Costco with me at the first of this week, and picked out a few things that I NEVER buy.  The worst...Dino Nuggets.  His favorite thing in this world.  So this has been his lunch every day since Monday. (I can't wait till those dang things are gone!)

Quotes Of The Day:

Connor:  "Mom, have you seen the movie Constipated?"
Me:  "What! No!"
Connor:  "That's because it hasn't come out yet!"

Nathan:  "You should have seen dad today - I thought he was Asian!"   (Rick's allergies are killing him and so his eyes almost swelled shut at work.)

Nathan:  "I heard a commercial on Pandora today about a man who went to Harvard and did a 10 year study on how to pick up the ladies and wrote a book about it.  I'm going to order that book.  You think I'm joking, but I'm not!"

Rick:  "The more time I get to spend with Nathan, the more thankful I am that he is our son."

Happy Summer Everyone!