Yup, Still Alive!!!

I know, I know. It has been... er, a while since I've posted. You probably stopped checking in on me altogether. And to be quite honest, I haven't been checking your blogs either. There, I said it. How about we just forgive each other and move on??? Great, 'cuz I have lots to tell you!

I've been one busy momma. After getting the kids through the last weeks of school (chalk full of reports, parties, end-of-year testing, etc.) we packed our bags and headed to Cancun, MEXICO (sans Macy). We had such a great time. We swam every day in the pool and/or ocean, collected tons of sea shells, went on a private snorkeling trip in Isla Mujeres, spent a day at Tulum and Xel-ha, ate at some fabulous restaurants (El Shrimp Bucket, Margaritaville, hotel room service to name a few) and just had fun spending time together, which was the whole point of the trip. A couple of highlights: watching Parker and Summer playing and laughing together in the ocean, Aubrey jumping off the 'cliff of courage' not once, but twice at Xel-ha (probably 15-20 feet high - you go girl!), visiting a Mexican market and sampling the local fare, going to church in town and singing hymns in Spanish (Steve translated for me), making a trip to the local Costco (pretty much the same), and playing silly family games around the dinner table every night. So I don't have to bore you with every little detail, I will just post some pictures. Oh, and in case you were worried about Macy who didn't get to join the fun - she had the time of her life staying with Edie (her favorite neighbor and 2nd mommy), my sister Kandis, and Marmie and Poppy. Apparently, she never said she missed us even once. I guess thats good, right? We were all happy to see her though.

Upon our return from Mexico, our summer officially began. After 68 loads of laundry and picking up our freshly groomed dog from the kennel (he looked like a big rat), we headed up to Heber to celebrate the 4th of July with lots of cousins. My kids were in heaven. Marmie and Poppy pulled out the waterslide and the Diet Coke was a flowin'. The Texas sheetcake wasn't too shabby either (I should know since I ate about 12 pieces). We ended with a few fireworks for the kids and then some adult conversation on the back deck. All in all, it was a great day!

We came home and spent the next week trading kids with Alisa. The boys stayed in Heber and shot bee-bee guns, rode four wheelers, and probably never washed their hands once. And the girls came home with me and went swimming, had sleepovers in their basement "fort", and performed their trampoline tricks for any willing audience. Later in the week we took Nicole and Brendon while Alisa flew to San Diego for the weekend to see her long-lost husband (he's in training to become a lie detector specialist - pretty cool, huh?). I'm not sure why Alisa says they always fight and drive her crazy... they were perfect little angels for me!

So now we are in full-fledge summer mode. Staying up late, sleeping in, swim lessons, berry smoothies and Sonic milkshakes, 90+ degree weather everyday, waiting on kids 24/7, the constant messes, never getting to run errands alone - you know... summertime! You take the good with the bad.

Hope you are all well... will write again soon.

A few additional Ellis Family antics:

* Parker passing out cold on the floor of the doctor's office after getting 4 shots (boosters).

* Aubrey splitting her head open after falling off the couch. A Dr. in our neighborhood super-glued it together. Yes I am speaking literally, he pulled out a bottle of "Super Glue" and applied it to her cut, pinching it together while it dried. Who knew?

* Ask Macy to recite any nursery rhyme - chances are she has it memorized and will say it for you with a big smile on her face.
* Summer heads off to Girl Scout camp next week. Five full days of girl-power and not having to share with her little sisters. What could be better?
* Steven turned 38 last week. Happy Birthday old man!

At Tulum

Cute braids

Hotel pool

A definite highlight for Parker...

We rented a golf cart on Isla Mujeres. Way fun!

Have YOU ever swam with a shark???