Kim took a week long trip up to Washington to help out her friend Kim. Kim's son Tommy has Ewing Sarcoma and is going through chemo. She also has a beautiful almost 2 year old daughter and this past week her husband was working in Afghanistan (US Air Force) so while Kim was at the hospital with Tommy for chemo I left my crew behind to bake in AZ and I stayed with Mags. I have had many people say what a good friend to come help Kim out in this way but I feel like I am just a regular friend that has an amazing husband and mom who would send me off and take over my crazy life with 4 kids and besides Kim needed me and that's just what friends do for each other. I also had a chance to relax and reflect on how fortunate I am to have healthy kids. Tommy has been through 2 surgerys, 6 chemo treatments and has 9 more to go. He is quite a little trooper and an absolute riot to be around (quite a little joker). Check out his blog at www.tommyjanes.blogspot.com

We took our annual trip to the mountains. The kids had a blast! It was so nice to have our own trailer for the first time. The weather was good, rain daily as expected. Cool temperatures were a welcome change from the valley heat. Unfortunately it's wasn't much of a vacation for Dave, he had to work during the week, hopefully next year he can spend more time relaxing!! K on the dirt bike

C on the dirt bike My three sons

I just really like this picture of C taken while we were in Chicago.

We took a trip to visit Illinois and in spite of the stress of traveling with two 2 year olds we had a good time.

D LOVES Gina

C met his cousin Jason and his second cousin Little C. Now if we could just get rid of that darn Yankees jersey this would be a perfect picture!!

C even got to play some ball with Johnny

We love our Grandma Sugar

We went to IL to see Gina graduate from high school-yea Gina!Pictured is Earl, John, Gina & Val

C in front of our hotel. The big kids thought the city was so COOL!

The kids on the bus...

P loved the water room at the Chicago Children's Museum

The 4D Sponge Bob show at the Shedd Aquarium was a real hit with all of us.

Mother & daughter FINALLY got to go to the American Girl Place and we had a blast! To bad we only got a hour to shop before we had to meet up with the boys.

P & HoneyBear watching TV in Grandma Sugar's chair

We went to Chicago to visit Jennifer & Buc. We had a great time and especially love the roof top deck over looking the Sears Tower!!

We had so much fun at the beach this year!