SUMMER TIME

With the first official school clothes bought and Brandon holding his first fall soccer practice for Isaac's team in the morning, I feel summer quickly coming to a close. What a summer it has been!!! We commonly refer to summer '08 as the summer we missed, summer '09 will be the summer of fun. Here are a bunch of highlights and maybe just a few low lights.

*NYC* Brandon and I kicked off summer (really late spring) with our first real trip with just the two of us since Bailey was born. Brandon had to do some work, but we still managed to see a show, shop and sightsee. (Did I mention shopping?!?) What a great time! Thanks to our parents for taking care of our kids!


*SWIMMING* My kids can swim!!! We have been taking semi-private lessons (the only way to go) for Bailey, Isaac and Reagan (along with her cousin Aaron). They have all loved it! Bailey really took to it and will probably be trying out for the swim team sometime next week! We have practically lived at the Legacy Center and finally bought a pass. We have had so much fun with family and friends at the Legacy Center. If we didn't go with friends, the kids were sure to either find one they already new or make a new one. It was in the pool that Gracie decided to walk! What a goof ball! In addition to the Legacy Center, we have loved going swimming with neighborhood friends on Weds. Thanks Lisa!! ( This also resulted in my worst sunburn in years)

*SNOW CONES* Bailey used her own money to buy a snow cone machine. She has almost paid for it by having a snow cone stand. So fun for her!

*GRACIE'S 1ST BIRTHDAY* Holy cow she's one! That is a good year to have behind us! She is so fun and we celebrated with an amazing cake that my good friend Jenn made!


*REAGAN RIDES A 2 WHEELER* no more training wheels (at least not on her little bike, the new one is still a bit big)

*4th of JULY* As always, foot races and fun at the Manti City park, Grandpa Bob, cousins, playing in the lake, golf, and this year, visiting with my 95 year old grandma.


*FAMILY GUESTS* It's always fun when Grandpa (and Grandma) comes to stay! It's especially fun when it's Grandpa & Grandma Pfunder plus the Kevin Pfunder Pfamily! We were even lucky enough to have Lauren and Morgan stay with us for a few extra days. What wonderful nieces!

*REAGAN'S 4TH BIRTHDAY* A fun friend party at Discovery Gateway, a fun day with our family, and a Hello Kitty bike from G&G Jensen... what more could a four year old want? (how about screen printed cupcakes?)


*YULIYA* Our next door neighbors brought home there beautiful 12 year old adopted daughter from the Ukraine. Bailey has loved getting to know her new friend!
lowlights
-my sunburn
-summer movies (Gracie and Reagan have been AWFUL!)
-kids (not mine) pooping in the Legacy Center pool
-coming home from vacation and having quarterly payroll taxes due the next week
-school starting on a Thursday!!!! What's up with that?!?!
-the Reynolds moving... so sad.

Just under three weeks until school starts. I am sure there will be many more fantastic (pruney finger) days to come

Pfamous???

My in-laws were featured as yesterday's, May 27th, "Sexy People". If you haven't checked out "Sexy People", you should. It is hilarious !!!

Finding My Inner Stupid Human Trick

About fifteen and a half years ago, I went to NYC with my family.  We went mainly for the US Open, but we also saw a show and toured the city in about 5 hours Cathy Jensen style (trust me, it's intense).  It also happened to be the week that David Letterman made the move to CBS.  I really wanted to go, but I don't think I ever mentioned it to my parents and getting tickets would have been impossible.  When Brandon and I decided that I would be going to NY with him, we submitted online to get tickets to David Letterman.  Tonight Brandon's cell phone rang while next to me with a strange number.  Always one to want to pry into my husband's secret life, I answered it.  

me "Hello"

Strange man  "Hello, Julianne?" 

(It's for me?)

m "yes"

SM  "This is John with the Late Show with David Letterman"

The strange man asked when we were going to be in NY and if we could come to a taping the Monday we are there.  After I assured him that we are available and MUCH older than 18, the conversation became a little uncomfortable.

SM " do you watch the show regularly?"

m "Um... it's been a little while."

(We have four kids and a DVR.  It's the only way we get to watch the shows we want to.  So, no I haven't watched DL for quite some time.  At that time were watching something we have recorded or TLC or Discovery Channel or maybe even Ghost Hunters.  Sorry TMI.)

SM "Well you do need to answer a trivia question in order to win the tickets.  No help and you can't look it up."

(crap)

Well, the trivia question was  "What is the name of the place that Rupert G works at?"

I was so proud that I knew the right answer with out any hesitation.

WE'RE GOING TO THE LATE SHOW!!!

OK, I didn't tell him that we are rather disappointed that Conan is no longer in NY.(We are pretty big Conan fans)  And we were kind of excited about maybe seeing Jimmy Fallon, but we would have been sad we weren't there for free Snuggie night.

But, now we have our first actual plans for NY!  Can anyone think of any stupid human tricks we have?  WAIT, don't answer that!

EASTER PFOTOS

Happy Easter!!!  We had a fabulous day!  I will post about that later .... maybe June, but first Easter pictures!!!!   I am posting these mostly for my mother-in-law (no offense mom).  Here's my reasoning.  Roxanne, my MIL, loves pictures.  They are everywhere in her home in Idaho.  She often asks for new pictures.  Eight of her grandkids pictures are always current and abundant, four are outdated and sparse.  Those four would be my kids.  Obviously, she must be playing favorites.  I'm afraid not.  You see, Brandon has two great brothers who have even better wives.  Jodi is amazingly talented.   She makes soap and paper, sews, decorates and is an incredible photographer.  You can look at her pics here .  Go ahead, go browse her blog.  I'll wait....... My MIL can see many pictures of the AZ Pfunder kids on a fairly regular basis.  Marolyn, my other SIL, lives in St. George and is nearly perfect, if not totally perfect.  Her house is always clean, remembers every one's birthday, and sends thank you cards frequently.  She also gives our MIL access to pictures often. (Now that I think about that, it is probably Kevin who gets her the pics. How did this responsibility fall in my lap anyway?  Maybe Brandon should send her pictures!:))  Roxanne has many darling pictures of Kevin and Marolyn's four perfectly groomed girls.   After little success asking for pics of my kids in person, Roxanne has resorted to asking for pics in comments on my blog and on facebook.  So as we took these pictures of the kids today, I was very excited to post them.  Of course Brandon had to play with them on photoshop first, so there are more to come.  Roxanne these are for you ..... whose the favorite daughter-in-law now?

The Gang

Children's Place ad?

Our sweet Gracie!!!

Roo was being so "cheesy" so we just played into it.

Ladies? Those teeth will come in one day, and after a few visits to the orthodontist.. stake your claim now, girls.

Bailey is growing up way too fast!

BTW, I had to use the Edit Html tab to move the pictures.  Aren't you impressed... anyone? anyone?

SIGH OF RELIEF

We received the results of Gracie's CT today.  Although her front plates of her skull are fused, due to her age she is in the realm of "normal" and surgery does not seem necessary at this time.  Upon hearing this a few things quickly came to mind :

1. Thank heavens! Literally, thank heavens!!!
2. What does it all mean for now and in the future?
3. Normal?  They did see the last name Pfunder, didn't they?

The neuro-surgeon still wants to have her come in for an appointment.  Hopefully we can get some more understanding of her condition then.  For now, we are grateful for all of your prayers and well wishes.  Thank you so much!!!  YYYYYEEEEAAAAHHH!!!!!!

PRAYERS REQUESTED

On March 5th, our sweet Gracie will have CT scan of her skull. She has some sort of malformation of the top front of her skull. As of now, surgery seems likely. We ask for your prayers and faith in her and our family's behalf. Thanks... we love you all!

LOSING A FRIEND

Today Larry miller passed away. I don't remember life with out Larry's name being spoken of at the dinner table. Not that he and I had a real personal relation, but he was a dear friend of my parents. When my dad first went out on his own, starting his CPA firm, Larry was one of his first clients. I was able to get to know his sweet wife, Gail, a little bit better, and have always admired her. Other Miller family members lived by my parents for a few years and I got to know them a little too. But mostly I know how Larry has impacted my life. As a huge Jazz fan, I am grateful for his involvement in Utah sports. I have heard of a small portions of his giving to the community. I have heard stories that tell of his testimony of the restored Gospel. I can indeed say that I am thankful that "after all, I knew this guy". He will be missed. You can read the press release here.