It seems like we've been going to one party after another party for a few weeks now! There have been a couple of retirement parties for Joyce (who retired this year after 32 years working for Johnson County Public Schools!), birthday parties, parties just because it's fun to have a party, etc.! We hosted a party to celebrate Maya and Marco's 2nd birthdays a couple of weeks ago. Luckily, we had a nice evening to let the kids run around and play outside. My Mom and Dad were visiting from Iowa, so they even got to be in on the fun!
Joe and my Dad were able to put together our new playset before the party started, so the kids had a great time breaking it in!
Papa Don takes his turn at swinging Maya....she could swing for hours!
The kids hard at work decorating and planting flower pots:
Maya and Marco blowing out their "2" candles and digging into their extra-large cupcakes:
Maya shares her cupcake with Papa Dave...most of the time it is Papa Dave sharing his treats with Maya. :)
All of Don & Phyllis' Great-Grandchildren were in town this week, so we were able to get a picture of them all together!
My parents were in town for 4 days over Memorial Day weekend. It was so fun to have them here. It was pretty close quarters in the trailer, especially on the days it rained, but Gabi and Maya had a ball anyways! It finally cleared up on the last couple of days they were here, so we were able to get outside and even show them a few sights around Buffalo.
Maya doing the her two favorite things at the same time...swinging and reading! She is really growing up fast and gets sillier everyday. Her new favorite thing to say is "I DO IT!" and her new favorite thing to do is to give cheek kisses...one on each cheek. I swear I didn't teach her to do this! It must be that little bit of French blood she has in her! Maya loves to dress herself and put on her own shoes and I must say, is getting quite good at it! She had her 2 year old well-checkup a couple of weeks ago. She weighed in at 29.8 lbs (81st %ile) and was 33 inches tall (27th %ile). Gabi is our string bean and Maya is our kumquat! Hee hee! She passed all of the developmental questions with flying colors.
Both Gabi and Maya took swim lessons the past two weeks and really enjoyed them! Gabi has been eating like a horse lately and I swear grows an inch every day. She has learned how to pump her legs to swing herself and is becoming quite the nature nerd (wonder where she got that?) She is always finding worms and bugs and noticing interesting things outside. Her favorite thing to do is ride on the 4wheeler with Papa Dave to check on the irrigation systems or to see the cows. She also loves to "help" in the garden. :)
It was finally warm enough one day last week to turn on the sprinkers. Gio and Marco came over to join in the fun! Joyce bought Maya the bikini she is wearing...she looks really cute in it as it really accentuates her figure!! ;)
The big "community garden" is now finally underway. This was quite the project and all of the rain we had the past month definitely hindered the process. We're hoping in a few months that it looks much more colorful than it does here:
Joe is still enjoying his work and has been landing all kinds of jobs. He set some goals with his bosses before he left and so far he is surpassing their expectations! We have both really enjoyed living here so far! Everyone has been so kind and helpful.
I recently accepted a math/science teaching position at Buffalo High School. I had wanted to stay home with the girls for another year or two, but teaching opportunities don't come open very often in Buffalo, so I had to jump on this one. I am really excited about the position and so far the support that I have received from my fellow teachers and administration has been awesome. Even the custodian was pumped that he could take Joyce's "Mrs. Hall" sign off of her door and move it down the hall to my door! Child care seems to be working out as well. I've talked to a number of in-home providers that would be willing to take the girls and both Amanda and Joyce are going to each watch them one day a week. Gabi will be going to preschool this fall.
My 50 mile trail race is tomorrow! It is going to be a big, muddy mess, but I'll try to just enjoy the beautiful scenery and visit with the amazing people running along beside me. I always meet some really cool people during this race!
Lots of love,
Joe, Tara, Gabi & Maya
We were also able to go swimming at The Splash with Char and her girls. We went out to dinner with Chad & Khara and enjoyed a BBQ at Brian & Julia's house. The girls and I enjoyed Golden's parks and even met "Grandma Angie" at our old stomping grounds -- "turtle park." We had so much fun visiting good friends that we miss so much. 
Last Saturday, I ran 50 miles through the beautiful Big Horn Mountains. I enjoyed it tremendously. Immediately after finishing most of my previous long races, I have vowed never to run another. Well....I already want to run another one of these. Yes, my body hurts. Yes, it takes a lot of time and physical toll. Yes, I know I'm crazy.
The rain has been frustrating mostly because construction of our house has been at a standstill and also because the girls get fiesty when they're cooped up inside all day (as does their mom!) However, I know there is nothing we can do to control Mother Nature, so we try to make the most of it. My washing machine has gotten quite a workout washing all of the muddy puddle jumping clothes! Maya's new thing to sing is, "Rain, Rain, Go Away..." and "Look Mama...blue sky!"
