May Happenings

May was a busy month with all the end of year school activities plus Sarah's shower and birthday.

Megan flying through the air at a track meet.

Megan helped at a Kentucky Derby party.

Megan, Me and U

Megan and Me joined by a horse?!?

Megan playing in the final concert of the year.

Matthew playing with the jazz band.

Megan received the Outstanding Bandsman award.

Matthew and Megan were inducted into the National Junior Honor Society.

We got a new tree that the children have named Tiny Tree John. They often say goodbye to him as we leave and hello to him as we return.

Megan and Matthew went to Sean and Ethan's birthday party.

At the party, they pulled out instruments. Here Megan is playing a clarinet. Matthew played the French horn.

U and Me went to Serrano's for a combined Mother's Day/anniversary dinner.

Happy Mother's Day!

Me with her flowers.

We did a few puzzles including this one of the Polynesian Cultural Center.

Artemis, living a tough life...

We had a mac and cheese tasting dinner where we sampled three different types of mac and cheese.

The Bogle Band performed at the West Alley BBQ again. (They'd also performed here on New Year's Eve.)

Matthew and Christian at our house the day after the baby shower.

U and Artemis

Christian, Matthew, Sandy, Allison, Megan

Allison, U and Christian

Playing the hokey pokey and turning ourselves around....

Matthew continues to find new places to sleep.

A few memorable conversations/sayings:

Megan: Unless I'm going hallucinoid crazy.....

Megan and Matthew were discussing states they have been to one evening:

Matthew: I beat you to Nevada!

Megan: Oh yeah? Well I beat you to Arizona.

Ma: That’s because you were born first. 

M: Yeah, well technically I did beat you. 

They then proceeded to discuss how they stuck their legs out in the car when we were going to Canada so they could get to Canada quicker. They also commented that Matthew got to Hawaii sooner than Megan because he was sitting a row ahead of her on the plane.

After school one day:

Megan: ____ asked me if I thought any of the boys in our class are cute.

Matthew: Do you?

Megan: I asked if I could say my brother. 

Matthew: You think I'm cute?

Megan: Well I live with you and you aren't exactly hideous.

On the 3rd to last day of school, someone asked Megan: Do you know Matthew?

Megan: Which one?

Someone: Matthew O

Megan: Yes, I should know him. He’s my brother….

Someone: stares back blankly

Sarah's 19th Birthday

 We headed down to Tucson to celebrate Sarah's birthday on Memorial Day. We brought her gifts, which had a definite gardening theme. Matthew gave her a strawberry bush and some seeds, Megan gave her a basil plant and some seeds and we gave her a gardening box and a sunflower decoration.

We headed to First Watch to eat and then went to Coldstone for dessert. Champion did come with us as well although we apparently didn't get any pictures with him.

Sarah enjoying her birthday dessert.

Matthew and Megan enjoyed their ice cream as well.

Silly Sarah!

U thought this spot was for him but apparently it was for Champion.

Megan, Sarah, Matthew, Me and U

For her actual birthday the next day, Champion took her out for a nice birthday breakfast as well as a picnic dinner while watching the sunset.

Sarah's Baby Shower

 Sarah had her baby shower the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend. It was at an AirBnB in Mesa that was rented for that purpose. It had some good open spaces for people to sit and mingle. Many people came to show their love and support for Sarah and the baby.

Megan helping with the decorating.

Sarah showing off her pregnant belly.

Sarah and Sister Michie

Sarah and Champion

View of the large room from above during one of the games. One game was seeing who could answer the most questions correctly about Sarah, another was measuring a string as large as her belly and another was melting an ice cube with a baby in it.

Sarah opening gifts.

Some photos of the guests. It really was well attended. There were 37 people in person and at least 12 online. And many who couldn't make it still sent her gifts.

Cute jacket!

Pooh books. (We gave her a number of favorite books from her childhood.)

Screenshot from the online group.

Amber provided commentary about the gift opening for those who were on the computer. They appreciated her attention and humor.

Sarah with Coach Nelson, her swim coach. They had some nice time to visit after the shower.

Sarah and Champion leaving.....or not. After a short time on the road, they decided they were too tired, came back and ended up sleeping at the AirBnB.

Beautiful flowers from Seth and Ana.

Matthew trying to give Christian a piggyback ride.

Awesome and Matthew playing with the toy kitchen.

Fun in the pool.

Playing games.

Me and Coach. It was nice to be able to visit with her and Taraleigh.

Matthew in the sauna (which did not get very warm).

Hanging out around the pool.

U relaxing in the hammock.

Funny story: This was Grandpa A's first baby shower. As people were coming in and starting to visit and eat, he asked Grandma A and Cheryl-Lynn when the shower was starting. They said it had started--this is what happens at showers: people eat and visit, play a few games and open gifts. No talks or prayers or anything else.