July Snippets

7/2019

Last year I had resumed on getting pictures printed and placing them in photo albums, I had been slacking. Riley doesn't even have a photo album, that's how far I've fallen behind! Can you believe that? All this began when I got myself a digital camera and you know how much easier it is to take pictures, not to mention how many more one can take without having to run out of camera roll. 

Anyway, I began separating pictures ... a stack for Sydna, a stack for Nathan, and a stack for family & friends. I wonder if anyone still gets their photos printed and then put them in photo albums anymore?? I think that's become a lost art/hobby which is a sad thing. I know it takes time but anything worthwhile usually does. 

A favorite past time of mine is to watch a good movie and either journal or blog. This is the best way I destress during the day (because at night I like to read). 

When Riley's on summer vacation I like to make plans to get out of the house every other day. Some days we stay home and other days we sometimes go to the park. I try to take him to a different park each time since there are so many nice ones here. This particular park is right across the street from a library. It also has a splash pad but the weather wasn't warm yet so Riley played at the playground. The city community center is next to the park too so kids that attended summer programs were all over the park. That's why there were so many kids.

During another outing we went to the movie theater to watch Secret Life of Pets 2. I actually liked the movie (and the first one too) but I noticed that the main dog's (Max) voice was not the same as in the first one. Darn, I thought Max's voice was cute. Another character I liked a lot is Chloe, she's a big white blunt sarcastic cat. She makes me chuckle every time. 

Riley loved these reclining theater chairs. They are very comfortable.

Had my in-laws over for dinner. Riley had grandpa play a nerf gun battle with him, lol. 

Sometimes, to change up my reading I select books to read that compliment the season. For the first time I decided to read books about sharks for summer (2019). I believe I selected seven books, but ended up reading only four. I have a thing for sharks. I believe them to be amazing creatures and hope the Mako shark stops being killed because their species is quickly disappearing. Whenever shark week comes around each Summer on the Discovery Ch. I am glued to the tv. I also watch Jaws non-stop which, I end up getting a hard time about from the boys, lol.

I love to read whenever I treat myself out for lunch but it does take me forever to finish my food, lol. I used to think how lonely it must be to eat out alone but now that I eat by myself I actually love it! At least it's a pleasure to eat alone if you're an introvert like myself.

I rarely bake sweets but once in a blue moon I like to bake a little which surprises even me. I found this simple Apple pie bites recipe on Pinterest and have since made it several times. 

They were very tasty and a hit with the kids. I baked them midday and were gone by the evening. I like treats like these because they are small and just having one satisfies the sweet tooth. 

One of my favorite meals that Jacob cooks for us is Alfredo whether it's with chicken, scallops, or shrimp. On this day I was craving shrimp. It is so good. Doesn't it look delicious?! and I can't eat pasta without crushed red peppers. Seriously, I can't. To me adding this precious spice completes the meal. So good.

It starts getting hot here by mid July. I have a treadmill in the garage and I exercise several days a week but during the hot summer days I have to wait until 10:00 pm to walk. Obviously it's hot during the day, so on these days (which I'm thankful aren't many) I keep the blinds closed, lights out and stay comfortable indoors watching movies, reading or playing games with Riley.

Halloween is a favorite, has been since I was a kid. I'm not the type of person that watches a certain type of movies on their respective season or holiday. If I like a movie whether it's a scary or a Christmas one I will watch it year round.  

VBS week. It would be great if it lasted longer than a week.

Took Riley to a fairly new park. It's nice for the kids but I did noticed that it lacked shady areas. Even once the young trees mature there's still not much shade. 

So to cool off we got some Baskin-Robbins ice cream. 

Lila doesn't really like to be held for long or cuddled so it's very cute and funny whenever she craves affection, like in this case. She just jumped up on the couch and laid on Riley's lap. 

This chutes-and-ladder style slides were built in June 2019 on Ruston Way in Tacoma. We visited a month later.

And this park is new as well. It's called Dune Peninsula Park. The views are beautiful. It's a great place for a picnic. However, this area is a popular tourist spot so it can get crowded at times. 

And on a clear day, one can see Mt. Rainier. 

A trip to the beach is a perfect getaway during the long Summer months especially here in the PNW because it can be chilly at the beach even in July. It is such a relief. We got take-out and ate it in the back of my Tahoe. It was cozy.

We saw several dead jelly fish. 

Every time I go to the beach I look for sand dollars but it's been a long time since I've found any (dead or course) in good condition. I've come across a few but they were broken.

She likes to lay on my left side when I'm in bed so I have to scoot out of the right side of the bed when I want to get up. She looks too cozy and comfortable to bother her.

Eating lunch along with my oldest and youngest.

Lila's 2nd birthday.

She looks funny here, kinda like the famous grumpy cat, lol. 

Even though you're grown, you should never stop having fun.