Derek's Summer Wrap-up

One of my favorite views is of these girls spontaneously dancing together. 

At the church parking lot in the morning riding bikes.

I couldn't help but to get a picture of this.

We've gone to the library a few times to watch demonstrations/shows. They've been pretty good!

Brinley and I (Derek) went on a date to petsmart. We had a lot of fun. Brinley was looking at some of the different toys and things that can be put in tanks. She was holding a painted mermaid and accidentally dropped and broke it. I told her that she needed to buy it but I would give her some work she could do to earn the money. She was very sad about it.

So after the pet store we went to Home Depot, bought some red bark/mulch and took it to the office and spread it around. Ashlyn was also given an opportunity to get on payroll.

These girls were sweaty when they were done! They worked hard!

We went as a family to see Despicable Me 3 and we had a great time. We enjoyed ourselves and the popcorn.

Ashlyn learned how to climb up doorways and has taught Brinley as well. I often wake up to the sound of the girls climbing up the doorway outside our bedroom to play with the pull-up bar.

This little girl took a while to walk but she IS walking! She had a great support team!

Playing in the rain! The girls are lucky to have a fun, spontaneous mother.

Caught red-handed! Forget the fries! Just eat the fry sauce!

Desi's "cheese" face.

Ashlyn and Brinley enjoyed a week at Art Camp. They both worked hard and enjoyed their time there.

Family trip to the mall! These girls had fun playing on the toy cars.

Olive Garden! This may have been the first time since we have been married that Jenny got something other than Fettucini Alfredo at Olive Garden. I'm proud of her for trying new things!

Paycheck dinner! After finishing the week of work, we ate at Cafe Del Rio as a family. They built a new location that looks very nice.

And they have train rides out front!

Celebrating Angela's 50th birthday at Mar Teres Tea Room. Our server was so nice to bring out tea cups and a kettle for the girls.

Date night! Jenny and I really cherish our date nights together. Here we are eating at Which Wich.

Then hitting the courts playing tennis. I don't think I had ever been covered in so much sweat in all my life. We had a great time though.

Gotta love this girl and her faces. Sometimes we sit at dinner and just all look at Desi and laugh at the faces she makes.

This was the highlight of the summer for me. Not having to leave for work until 8:00 really gave us an opportunity to get out each morning and ride bikes and jog together. It was great.

We had some friends come over and spent 20 mins watching an episode of Sofia.

Found these two in the front yard while taking out the trash.

Jenny and I had so much fun playing tennis that we decided to get rackets for the girls and play as a family! The girls had a blast and didn't want to quit! I thought they would get tired and discouraged quickly, but they were positive and did really great.

These two enjoyed riding around the courts on the wiggle cars.

On a Saturday night, I had an idea to clear away the couches and have a dance party. We had a blast. We played different songs that we enjoy as a family. This is when Desi really started walking on her own. She had an absolute blast!

Waiting for a chance to relieve ourselves at the mall. A woman just told us that there was an open bathroom. Jenny is thrilled about the news. Joking aside, this picture really shows the energy that Jenny shows when she talks to other people. She is so kind and caring.

Enjoying the massage chair at the mall!

We had our roof replaced due to hail damage. It was very loud for a couple days so one of the days we spent a few hours playing at McDonalds. The girls thought it was such a treat to go to McDonalds!

Ashlyn and Brinley love Uno! They will play for what seems like hours!

These girls LOVE reading! It is so fun! We have been reading chapter books with Ashlyn. We have read the first book of Wayside School and just finished the first Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle.

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL! We thought about possibly driving to Missouri to see the total solar eclipse. When we presented the idea to the kids, Ashlyn was devastated that she would miss the first day of school. We decided against going and this girl has absolutely loved her first week of school! We are so thrilled!

Saying good-bye.

Looking at the eclipse. One of my employees brought a welding helmet that we were able to look at the eclipse with.

Ashlyn and Brinley were at school, Mom went shopping, Desi was napping, so Claire and I decided to take a dip! I love this girl! She is very sweet and creative.