Off To Maryland

I dropped these 3 cute girls off at the airport this morning. They are off to Maryland for 3 weeks! We sure are going to miss M around here, she add so much to our family. But, I'm excited for her. What a fun opportunity to go spend some time with her cousin. I hope they have the best of times!

30 Day Blog:" Why, Oh Why?", Day 3

3- A regret you have from/about high school.

This is kind of a hard one for me. I don't know if I have many regrets. I had a lot of fun in high school. I was involved in a lot of activities and I got good grades. I guess a regret would be giving answers to some of my friends during tests (can't believe I just admitted that). What a cheater!

30 Day Blog:" Why, Oh Why?", Day 2

2- 15 things you adore about your spouse.

1- He has a great sense of humor.

2- He is a hard worker.

3- He loves me.

4- He loves our kids.

5- He says the lamest things, but they are hilarious.

6- He's honest.

7- He honors his priesthood.

8- He has a testimony of our Savior.

9- He shares the same hopes and dreams as me.

10- He's a great kisser.

11- He has a cute bum.

12- He's smart.

13- He never gives up.

14- He has a lot friends.

15- He's all mine!!

30 Day Blog:" Why, Oh Why?", Day 1

My sister Ange tagged me for a 30 Day Blog. Holy Cow, that's a lot to ask. I'll try though.

1- A favorite childhood memory with your siblings.

I have a lot of wonderful childhood memories. One of them however is the same one my sister posted. We used to go camping at the beach every year for a week. I LOVED going. I loved the long walks, laying out in the sun, jumping the waves, walking on the trails, going to the peacock store, campfires, smores, camp songs, friends, family, and even all the sandy mess. I loved everything about our camping trips. I was just talking with my friend the other day and we were talking about how much fun it would be to go back to the beach with our families. I really hope this is something we can do. If my kids have the same fun that we had, they would absolutely LOVE it. We made so many good memories those summers!

1- A favorite childhood memory with your siblings.
2- 15 things you adore about your spouse.
3- A regret you have from/about high school.
4- Your favorite person to be around.
5- Your most dreaded house chore.
6- Create your life soundtrack.
7- A deceased person you admire.
8- The best advice your dad ever gave you.
9- Your biggest fear.
10- Your favorite winter activity.
11- Something you feel you've improved in yourself and you're proud of.
12- A simple pleasure in life you could never live without.
13- Your favorite outfit that makes you feel good.
14- A favorite amusement park you've been to.
15- A pet peeve you could kill over.
16- Your most prized material possession.
17- The best quality your mother passed on to you.
18- Your favorite part of the Christmas holiday.
19- Your top 10 bucket list items.
20- Music you never get tired of no matter how much it's played.
21- Your idea of the perfect retirement.
22- The vacation of your dreams.
23- Your most exciting sports experience to date.
24- Your favorite summer activity.
25- Your most peaceful place to be.
26- Your favorite childhood game.
27- The most romantic movie & song of all time.
28- Your favorite scenic picture.
29- Your go-to pick-me-up.
30- A quality you admire/consider a strength in yourself.

S with his Papa

Ever since S was a baby he has had a special tie to his Papa. Papa used to take S for long walks in the stroller, and he would rock him to sleep, and sing to him, and hold him, and play with him. Then, we moved to Utah and Papa thought S would not remember him. Oh how he was wrong. S has always asked how Papa is doing, when he can see him again, etc. It was always wonderful when Grandma and Papa came. S loved it. Then, when they went on their mission S had many tearful moments wondering when he would see his Papa again. We even had to Skype them in the middle of the night several times just to calm S down. He was thrilled when they came home and he ran into Papas arms and would barely let go. Now they live by us and S gets to see Papa all the time! They have a special bond, those two. They go on walks together, go eat french fries, run errands, play games, they love each other. I love watching them together and know that they will be close buds into the eternities!

Jenga

T and I enjoyed a few games of Jenga the other day. We got that tower pretty high! Check out that concentration, so cute!

Jenna is Going to BYU!

My cute niece Jenna started BYU on Monday. We got to go see her in her dorm while she was getting all set up. I can't believe my little "pickle" is in college.

Fire Pit

We got DH this fun fire pit for Father's Day! So, on Monday night we invited some friends over for a weenie roast. Then my friend made a yummy apple dumpling dessert. So fun!

Father's Day

My sweet hubby and cute pops on Father's Day.

I sure love these guys and am so grateful to have them in my life!

We went to my parents house for a Father's Day lunch. These are all the dads that were there. Greg and Jose are also great dads and I'm so glad they are in our family!

Activity Days Hike

I went with the activity days girls on a hike yesterday. It was more like a walk on a path, rather than a hike, but the girls all enjoyed it. Afterwards we stopped at the park and had a snack. This was M's last activity day because soon she will be going into Young Women's!

Homemade Pretzels

I made these yummy pretzels for lunch today. We dipped them in some nacho cheese sauce. Super delish!

So Rude!

I got to see my sister this past weekend for a few short hours. She was here to bring her girls to college. It's so rude that we don't live closer, I sure miss and love her!

Dragonfly

T was outside mowing the lawn and came in to show me this huge dragonfly!

Pretty cool!

Corbin

We've been watching Corbin again this summer.

We sure love this guy, he's just like part of the family!

Pack Night: BYU Reptile Show

Last night was pack night. Someone from BYU came and did a reptile presentation.

The boys all loved it. He talked about the difference between reptiles and other animals.

He brought a snake skin that was huge, a turtle shell, part of some alligator skin, and some iguana eggs. He also brought a monitor lizard, a box turtle, and a snake (I can't remember what kind) for the kids to look at and touch. Then it was time for awards. S earned a couple belt loops and his Citizen Merit Badge. It was a successful pack night!

Girls Camp in Manti

M got home from Girls Camp yesterday. She had a great time. DH went up Tuesday night and spent the night there, and then I was able to go Wednesday and spend the evening there for Bishopric night. It was fun seeing her interact with everyone and she was excited to tell me all about what they had been doing. I can't believe she is old enough to go to camp. I have many fond memories of all the years I went to camp. I loved it and I hope she loves it just as much. There were a ton of mosquitos there. I think I counted 22 bites that I have and I was only there for an evening. M is covered in bites, DH of course got none. He never does, so unfair. After dinner and testimony meeting Wednesday we walked to the Manti Temple to watch the dress rehearsal of the "Mormon Miracle Pageant". DH and I didn't stay for the whole thing because we still had an hour drive home. We got home around midnight. My parents stayed with the kids so we could go, which I thought was so nice. I felt bad that they didn't get home until almost 1:00 a.m. I was happy that we were able to go and spend some time at camp. I still love it even as an adult! M was exhausted when she got home and took a long nap. What a great experience for us all!

Parade and Our Saturday

On Saturday the girls danced in the parade for Art City Days.

They were exhausted by the end of the parade, but they did a great job. And of course they were super cute. After the parade we ate at J Dawgs, probably the best hot dog place ever. Then we went home, DH napped, I cleaned, J watched T.V., M packed for girls camp, S went to a birthday party, and we all waited for T to get home from his scout overnighter. After he was home and showered and everyone else was done with their stuff, we headed over to Seven Peaks for some water park fun. It was a great Saturday!

Boise Ironman 70.3

My brother competed in the Boise Ironman 70.3 last weekend.

(This picture is not from Saturday, but it is from one of his other races.)

He finished in 5:27! He is pretty amazing if you ask me. I wish I had his love for working out (maybe then I wouldn't be such a fatty). Oh well. We are all super proud of him for all his hard work and dedication. He did an awesome job. Love you Al!

We Don't Have A Lot of Secs

My kids are famous for telling us one sec.

Us: "Come clean your room, please."

Them: "One sec."

Us: "Time for dinner!"

Them: "One sec."

Us: "Let's go, we're leaving."

Them: "One sec."

We are so tired of hearing one sec. One day DH was calling the kids and M (who is usually the first to come) said, "One sec." Well, he didn't like that and responded with, "M we don't have a lot of secs!" Now what does that sound like? We both started cracking up immediately. Guess we need to be more careful and say something like, "You need to come now, not in a sec." That sounds a little bit better.

Rules

When I had dreams about being a mom, I dreamt about cuddling tiny babies and giving them kisses. I dreamt about first steps, first days of school, homework, learning to ride a bike, and going on walks. I dreamt about school projects, dance recitals, and scouts. I was not naive and knew there would also be rules. Like no hitting, no lying, no cheating, no throwing balls in the house, and no playing with fire. I did not think I would need to make rules like don't put pretzels in your ear, no breaking into the house, don't put marbles up your bum, no dancing on the tables, don't put rocks in the sink or in the speakers, don't pour water into the karoake machine, don't paint the table, and don't cut the furniture. However, those are all rules that I have had to make. Gotta love raising kids!!

S's Party, Finally

We finally had S's birthday party (only a couple weeks late). And now I'm finally posting pictures (only a couple weeks after that). He really wanted a party this year, but we were so super busy that it got put off. Finally we picked a date and went with it. It was probably the easiest party I've ever done. As the boys were coming they jumped on the trampoline. Then they wrestled on the trampoline. After that they came in the house for presents. I made cupcakes and punch which they devoured before I could even get a picture.

Then they headed back outside for some more trampoline fun. They decided that they needed a break and came inside to play Sing it on the wii. Some of the boys even sang to Hannah Montana, pretty funny. I had some games planned, but they had their own agenda in mind.

After the singing, they wrestled, and then went back outside. I think 1o for a boy is kind of a tricky age to know what to do for a party. I was a little worried the boys wouldn't have much fun, but I was wrong. They had a blast, and it was very little effort on my part!!

May Birthday Party

S is the only one who has a birthday in May (on DH's side).

We had homemade Chinese food-egg rolls, lettuce wraps, cream cheese won tons, rice, kung pao chicken, sweet-n-sour chicken, spring rolls, and a delicious dessert. It was a warmer day so the kids enjoyed some play time outside. Then, it was back in the house for gifts.

S got:

Slip-n-slide

Squirt guns

Silly Slime

Six pack of Shasta

Sobe

Sour Straws

Suspenders