Camping!

We finally made it camping!  It seemed like we would never make it out this summer, but Friday night we took off for the night and went up American Fork canyon camping.  We had so much fun.  The weather was perfect, the view was amazing, and the kids LOVED it.

We camped in the same area where there was a bear attack last year "that was smart!" and so towards the late evening (about 1 am), it started to stress us women out.  As we sat around the fire, we heard some rustling in the bushes (seriously we did) and we all panicked.  Steve went and moved the bushes around and said, "Shew... get out of here" and looking back now I am laughing, because like a bear would really respond to that.  They aren't cats!  Anyways, once we all settled down a bit I decided to conquer my fear and go to the car for toilet paper.  All of the sudden I hear a loud, "ROARRRRRRR" and something was coming at me and it grabbed me!  I screamed and almost passed out.  Well, let's just say that Steve was in BIG trouble. 

After that I couldn't sleep.  But don't worry, I have a plan for my next camping trip.

1~ We will park the car right next to the door of the tent (maybe 8

          inches away)

2~ If a bear comes we will hurry and jump into the car

3~ Then we will start to honk really loud and a lot of times

4~ If all else fails, I am going to run over the bear 

Note to Tim-  Please don't forget your gun next time!!!

Note to Steve- Please buy me a trailer to sleep in, and we might also need a bigger car that can handle running over large animals.

Note to Mandy-  Sorry I woke Elle up, it was Steve's fault, blame him!

The good news is that we all survived the night.

Day at the pool.

We had such a HOT Saturday that we decided to head to the pool to cool off.

Makenna went straight to the high dive and plunged in.  At one point she did a flip off the high dive, but decided that it hurt and that she wouldn't do it again for me.

Coren loved just floating around.  He got really comfortable and just kicked around the whole time.

Carson had fun playing keep away and even tried swimming on his own a little bit.

We had a great time, and hopefully all got a little bit of sun on our white bodies!

Tornado.

Coren:  "Mom there is a tornado on my finger."

Mom:  "What do you mean?"

Coren:  "It is a tornado you know, it is going around and 

               around."

Coren:  "Wait, there is one on my toe too!"

Mom:  "When we get out of the car I will take a look, I am not

               sure what you mean."

Coren:  "I am going to scratch it off."

Baseball

I thought these were cute!

Cute Kids!

Lemonade Stand

Makenna loves to sell stuff.  She has always loved to sell lemonade, but hadn't really made a killing from it like she did this time.  Let me just say that people that live around here are so nice.  I couldn't believe how great everyone was.  Kenna and her friend set up a little stand with a sign that read:           

                               Lemonade hear- 50 cents only!!!!  Ice-cream to!

We didn't really have ice-cream to sell, but hey, whatever attracts customers, right?  I warned her that she probably wouldn't sell anything, so not to feel bad.  About 10 seconds later I look out the window and someone was buying some!  I about fell over.  It was a steady stream from there.  She even had people just stop and give her money and not buy a drink.  Someone flipped a quarter at them (probably some nasty teenager) and she thought it was so COOL!  People are SO nice, and she made $10!  Not bad for 1 hour and a picture of lemonade.

We decided that next time we will go and buy cans of soda pop to sell, I think that people would prefer that.  I am so proud of her.  If she keeps up like this she is going to be rich.

Dear Kenna (our favorite daughter!)

Money for the poor?

Love,

Mom and Dad

Too sexy...

I'm too sexy for my...

Wheels... Too 

sexy for my wheels too sexy for reals!

And I'm too sexy for my skirt... too sexy for my skirt, so sexy it HURTS!

And I'm too sexy for my body, too sexy for my body cause I'm always SO naughty!!!

I'm too sexy for my love, too sexy for my love, loves going to leave me!

I'm a model, you know what I mean?  And I do my little turn on the catwalk... 

The gift.

When is a gift... Not really a gift?

~When it comes home in a can with a Dad begging, "Can we keep them... PLEASE?"

~When they are alive, and the can they are in requires a lid?

~When your kids are more excited than on Christmas morning?

~Or when you find out that THEY ARE FROGS!!!???!!!

I wish that I was kidding, really I do.  I am a no pet person, and with good reason.  Our last pet, Max, a hyper-active Jack Russell Terrier that loved to punish me, is no longer our pet after he decided to use my favorite pair of shoes as his toilet!  I think that if you looked in the dictionary under pet you would read: An un-necessary annoyance!

A dog is one thing, but frogs...come on!  Why?  However being the BEST MOM IN THE WORLD that I am (or at least was that day) I gave in.  I did however think (hope! pray!) that they would die quickly before things got too out of hand and we really had to keep them.  The next morning it was reported that they were still living and that they needed a home and food.  Now if there is one thing I hate worse than pets, it is actually spending money on pets.  But again, I caved and said that we could go to the pet store later if they were still alive.  Later came, and they were still alive.  We went to the pet store and the salesman who wanted me to buy $12 dirt looked at our two living frogs and and got us all set up.  $60 later we came home with all of our necessary items, including live crickets, and our ONE living frog!?!

They tell me that Steve will find them two more frogs at work tomorrow... I can't wait!

How Ironic!

A bird in a bird house... go figure!  

Coren came in today asking for scissors - never a good sign.  When I asked what they were for he explained that he needed to get something out of our bird house.  I made him show me.  Sure enough there was a little bird egg in the bird house that Steve and Makenna made me about 6 years ago.

I looked inside and figured out that I could get it out the hole if I was very careful (I saw that it was already hatched, don't worry, I am not a murderer of birds).

It came out (along with a car, a dead cricket, and other nasty stuff) and Coren was so excited.  He cried when I told him that he couldn't touch it, but it looked like some of the bird was maybe still in there... I don't know it was just nasty!  I let them examine it for a while and I was wondering how in the world a bird got in there and laid that egg, it just didn't seem like it was possible.  Then it hit me...

Last year, my parents found a quail's nest in their yard.

The Mom was gone and the baby's had hatched, so it was basically just a used nest.  My parents decided that it would be a great idea for the kids to take the nest to their schools for show and tell.  They put it in a plastic bag and we brought it home.  So far, no biggie.  Then, one day after the nest had been to show and tell at both schools, I was just in the house doing my thing.  The kids were no where to be seen, and very quiet.  SCARY!  So I went looking for them and found them huddled in the front yard looking at something.

I didn't really think about what they could be looking at , so I strolled over to take a look.  All of the sudden I see this dead bird laying there.  I was not expecting that.  I started to SCREAM like a mad woman and went running as fast as I could all around.  I am not even sure what I said or did, but I know it was one of the moments in life where I was a true 'freak'!  As I am losing my mind and having a meltdown I hear one of the kids say, "We hatched a bird!!!"  And that was my breaking point.  I sent them all in the house and put them in their rooms.  I told them that they could never come out.  

A few minutes later Steve came home.  I was in the house trying to breathe.  He looked around and asked what was happening.  I relayed the story and he started laughing really hard.  He went and got the kids out of their rooms and took them outside.  He couldn't believe I was mad, but seriously I think it was the sickest shock I have ever experienced.

As I looked at the egg today, it looked very familiar, and I suddenly realized where it had come from.  It is a dang good thing that a bird didn't come plopping out of that bird house, or seriously, I don't know what I would have done!  

Fathers Day.

We had a great Father's Day.  Steve wanted one present, an organized garage.  It was something that I couldn't give him, so I got him the supplies that he needed to do it himself.  It is looking awesome, and he is so excited and loving it.

Sunday, my Dad and Zak came over for a BBQ.  My Mom was at Brooke's helping out with the baby, so it was just us.

We had a lot of fun eating, playing, and hanging out.

Coren took this picture of my Dad and I thought it was the funniest thing ever when I saw it.  I am sure he would not like it, but it gives me a good laugh, especially his belly hanging out!  I guess I should be nicer and not post it for everyone to see, seeing as it is all about Father's Day, but I can't control myself.

 

Zak has no known children (Brooke and I joke that Hawaii is full of little Zak's running around) but one day when they all start to surface, we hope that they will come and spend Father's Day with us as well.  In the meantime, his nieces and nephews will have to do!

Coren's moving out!

This is a little sooner than I had expected one of my kids to move out, but today the three year old announced his moving plans.

Coren loves keys.  He really wants his own key to our house, but we haven't given him one... he also loves to lose keys.  He is always asking how he can get his own key to our house, "Where can I get me a key to this house?" he asks.  I tell him that when you buy the house they give you the keys, and then I tell him to ask his Dad where he could get a key.  Steve's goes into detail with where you buy keys and how they make them.

Today we got a flyer in the mail from a community near our house called Daybreak.  He asked me what the flyer was for and I told him that they are trying to sell us a house.  He walked around with the flyer and really studied it.  As soon as Makenna got home from school he took the flyer to her and proudly said, "This is the house that I am buying.  I have a lot of money, more than the money you have, and they are going to give me the key."

I hope that the house has enough room for all of my kids, I think that they would be very happy there, and I could use the break!

The Girl!

Say it ain't so!  It is true.  It is all true.  All of the things that she comes home and tells me that make me wonder, all of the crazy stories, and all of those boys!  Wow, we are in huge trouble.

Kenna is always coming home and saying that she plays kickball at recess with her and all boys.  She claims (claimed) that she was the only girl that they allowed.  She also told tells of how she was in charge and made the rules and the boys, well the boys did what she said.  I thought that she either had a big imagination, or was a real leader, but wasn't sure what to think.  I was just glad that she had fun and had friends.  I went to the school the other day for a book reading and found out for myself that her stories were true and that she is what she says she is.

We got there at recess, and I looked all around for my daughter.  I saw little gangs of kids all around but she was no where in sight.  Then, I saw the kickball area, and sure enough, there she was.  Well, her and about 10 boys.  She was having a ball and at the same time saying what was out, in, points, and what team won.  She saw us and ran up and immediately grabbed Carson and Coren and let all of her friends know that they were playing and that they needed to be nice them.  They all obeyed and treated the kids so well and even spoke to them in baby talk.  It was really funny.  I just sat there in awe and wondered what the next 10 years of my life would entail and how

 

many of these boys and others would be paying us visits and calling our house.  But, on the bright side, at least I don't have to worry that she has problems with social skills or making friends.  Right?

After recess, we went to her class and each of the kids read us the books that they had wrote and illustrated.  It was really fun to hear Makenna's book and to see how well she had done.  She really gets into art and writing so this was one of her favorite projects this year.

After the book reading I told her that we would stay and eat lunch with her.  She was really excited, and I was really scared!

I think I'll pass!

Our choices:  Turkey dinner, or a taco.  Hmmm, I tried to think it out in my head wondering which would be safer.  A taco has hamburger, which makes me wonder, is this real ground beef, or just all of the leftovers like the hearts and livers of the beef ground up into taco meat and hidden in a shell.  Scary.  Then there is the turkey dinner.  Turkey is usually pretty safe... that is if it really is turkey.  So we went in the turkey line.  After all, what this family does NOT need is mad cow disease!

I tried so hard, I really did, but the smell alone made me throw up in my mouth a little bit.  So I made the best decision for myself and I chose to pass on the food.  Ironically, Makenna told me that we were lucky that we came that day because this was one of the best meals that they had that whole year, and that it was much more food than normal.  How can an ice-cream scoop full of potatoes served with a spoon full of corn, bread, and a hard little cookie covered in some mystery lemon sauce be so great?

The boys were excited!  Apparently they did not realize that this could be the last meal that they ever eat if in fact this meat turns out to be imitation turkey, something that just should not be on the market.  They ate, and ate, and drank, and... lived!!!!

Confession time:  I tried the cookie, and it was actually kind of good, so I ate all three of them.

Five dollars later (yeah, RIP OFF) me and the boys walked home and talked about that yummy lunch and the milk in the boxes (I am not even going to start about milk in a box) and one of them made the comment, "I'm hungry!"  It was much better than the, "I'm sick!" that I expected to hear.

Carson Graduates!

After a lot of hard work, Carson has finally graduated pre-school.  He LOVED school and was always eager to learn, and work his hardest.  He sang all of the songs that he learned all year long, and we were so excited to see him perform them.  We were surprised to see that he had learned sign language for many of the songs, and he knew them all perfectly!  He sang loud, animated, and had a huge smile the whole time.
Carson loved his Teacher Miss. Amanda, and she loved him.  She was such a great teacher and had him reading after just a few months of school.
When they called his name, Carson came out giggling and smiling and was so PROUD!  Kindergarten here he comes... I hope that you are as read for him as he is for you!

Coren.

Coren is a little Mr. Fixit.  He loves to get out his toolbox and build stuff.  I always laugh and say that Carson looks like Steve, but Coren acts just like him.  He was out building stuff with Steve Saturday when all of the sudden we was just gone.  I wondered:  What could possible take Coren away from his favorite thing in the world??

Next thing I know I see him walk into the house...

...with a girl!  He has never looked so proud.  Usually Coren tags along with the other kids and their friends, but not that day.  He had his very own (cute) friend.

The future is a scary place!

Possible child abuse.

In an attempt to be a good mother, I think that I may have actually been a little abusive.  I asked Carson what he wanted for lunch.  He said a sandwich.  "Ok... what do you want on it?"  He began his list:  Bread, then cheese.  So far so good.  Then some mustard and some ranch.  Also, put peanut butter and jam, and then a few grapes, and then I will smash it all together.

So I did it.  "Your wish is my command, now dig in!"  He looked at it and said. "MMMMMM!" Then, he ate it!

Grow baby grow!

We decided that we really wanted to plant a garden.  I cannot make things

grow so the square foot gardening seemed like the most fool proof way to go about it.

My friend Mandy and I got together and actually built these boxes 100% on our own (I know they look amazing don't they?).  I got everything planted the first 

week of June, seeds and all.  I know it was a little late but it has 

been a cold spring.  Makenna even planted sunflower seeds

all around the yard!

The kids and I have been watering it really well.  So far the tomato plants 

look good, and today Coren and I went out and our radish's, spinach, and 

lettuce had sprouted.  I started to scream and dance around a little.  

Coren didn't know what to do, so eventually he joined me in celebrating.

Now we wait!  And pray...

Timpanogos Cave! The hike.

What better way to be close to God on a Sunday then to climb up really high on a mountain? And when I say really high, I mean up a really steep trail that has amazing scenery, and really works those leg muscles.  :)

I have not climbed to the Timpanogos Cave for years.  We were all so excited to go.  We got on our headlamps, water packs, and we were off!

The kids did so well.  They were troopers.  The hike up took just over an hour, and Makenna and Carson didn't complain once.  Coren on the other hand, did really well for the first half.  He ran out of energy when it was convenient, but once you put him down he would run to a rock hill and climb it.  Him and Carson were looking for snakes and lizards the whole time.  All they found was one ladybug (it was a huge ladybug, I couldn't believe it) which later fell to it's death.

It was so green and pretty and there was so much to see.  The kids were anxiously awaiting their adventure in a dark cave, and Carson was a little nervous.  Almost to the top we found the bathrooms.  Coren had to use it but wouldn't because it was too dirty for him.  I guess peeing your pants is cleaner??  Finally he went, and we made it to the top.  We had to wait for a little while to get in, and while we were waiting we saw a chipmunk (or squirrel).

All of the sudden Coren noticed the chipmunk and yelled ALVIN!  He then went on his way looking for Simon and Theodore.  It was really funny.  The hike up was great, and I am so glad that we did so well, it was harder than I expected, but it was very worth it.

Inside the cave.

It was dark in the cave.  Very dark.  It was also very cold, very

wet, and a tight fit in some places.  The kids thought it

was great.  They were so adventurous.  At the end I 

asked Coren was his favorite thing was that he saw.  He

said that he only saw on thing.  A guy.  I guess that the cave left a 

big impression on him, just not as big as 'the guy'.

Carson's fears were gone after about 30 seconds.  He realized

that it wasn't so bad after all and that he had nothing

to fear.  From that point on he had a great time.

The guide kept talking about all of the great formations made

by nature,  how it took years to build these amazing things

and that in the past when the cave was first discovered people

would steal the formations.  I looked up and noticed this 'unique'

formation.  I will let you form your own opinion of it, but all I 

thought was that mother nature must have a sense of humor.