BACKPACK DRAMA

Don't worry....we have finally found it! Hopefully, it is the perfect one!! It has zippers, pockets, a great name brand....& it might even carry books! Our sweet Kamarin, has had such a difficult time finding a backpack to start the new school year. It couldn't be too girly, and definitely not for a guy. No hearts, no stars, absolutely nothing pink!! It was a struggle. I wasn't sure that my patience was going to hold. She picked out backpack #1, & before we were even home, she knew it had to be returned. So, the next day, we returned to the wall of backpacks...to stare at them yet again. The final choice is EXACTLY like the one she had last year, just different colors. (To be honest, the one she chose, was the one I recommended from the start.) Let this be a lesson to all 13 year old girls....MOMS DO KNOW EVERYTHING! *grin*

FEAR FACTOR BIRTHDAY 2007

I wasn't blogging last October when we held Parker's Fear Factor Birthday party. And, I wanted to show what we did. It was very gross & disgusting...just perfect for an 8 year old boy. There were 5 stations: worms & dirt, killer crickets, kitty litter, insect & reptile memory & the fitness challenge. The kids had to eat a plate of worms & not throw up. I had spent weeks collecting killer crickets from the Amazon forest (Petco)....the kids had to reach into a huge jar full of pennies & crickets. The most pennies out won! The kitty litter was real...but the clumps were not. Grandpa Duncan helped to form them from large tootsie rolls. GROSS!!! The kids had to fish them out of kitty litter, the most found was the winner. It was a party that will never be forgotten.

SALT RIVER TUBING

It was such a treat to have Branden's brother Richey & his wife visit Mesa to play for the weekend. We planned a tubing trip down the Salt River on Saturday morning. Our tubing party consisted of Richey, Cindi, Chad (Branden's other brother), Dana (Chad's girlfriend) Branden & me. I didn't take any pix because I was afraid of taking a camera near water. So, a verbal discription will have to suffice. We left the house a little after 7:30....which put us at the tube rental place around 8:15. Ummm, Dana being the only one to actually research the Salt River Tubing place knew that it didn't open until 9:00. So, we applied sunscreen, & then melted, while waiting. We enjoyed our 2 hour float down the river. Poor Cindi was heckled about her arms not being long enough to keep up with the rest of the us. Finally, we all hooked together...and made it safely down the river & back to civilization. Later, we enjoyed a delicious dinner @ Texas Roadhouse. Our boys, Parker & Everett only complained a little bit. Park was upset because the meat on his ribs kept falling off of the bones....& Everett accidentally lost his hot dog on the floor. We all left stuffed anyway. Thanks for playing guys!!!

SCHOOL DAYS

With our third child starting kindergarten...I thought I would take a look back through the years at these beautiful kids. The month of August always brings: new clothes, school supplies, back packs, excitement & apprehension. We are so proud of our kids & their accomplishments. Now, if I can just keep up with their growth spurts!!

FIVE O CLOCK SHADOW

I think they got them all!!!!

ROLL OVER.....IM CROWDED....

So they all rolled over and one fell out.....3 bears in the bed and the little one said, "IIIImmmm crowowowowowded....roooooll overererer."



Branden & I went to see a movie the other night. This is what we found when we got home. Usually big sister is adamant about NOT letting little brothers sleep with her. You have witnessed history in the making. It was a tight fit...but they were mighty cozy!! (Oh yeah, & nobody fell out...that is just how the song goes!) *wink*

Technical difficulties

Apparently SmugMug is having some down time....so until then, my "Scene of the accident" pix will be smaller than I like & my other pix won't even show up. Hmmmpf!! I will fix it when it is back online. Please stand by.....BEEEEEEEEEEEEEP!

NO BODY CAN SAY MY KID AIN'T HARD HEADED

Poor, sad Everett. After swimming lessons on Thursday, we stopped at the library & then went to Costco. My boys were tired of going on Mom's errands & as soon as we got home, took advantage of their freedom. They chased each other all over the house as I was putting groceries away. While running in the living room, Everett jumped onto the ottoman. It launched him into the window sill. CRACK!! Screaming and blood everywhere. After, a quick trip to the ER...he is now the proud owner of two staples in his head.



What is so sweet & just a tad comical, is that after Everett hurt his head, every he time he started to cry so did Parker. It was a chain reaction. I told him he needed to be strong for his little brother. He replied, "But, I know how it feels to need stitches...and I just feel so bad for him." Which of course, started Everett crying again...and then Parker too! Sweet boys!!

EVERETT, THE MIGHTY SWIMMER

Everett has been taking swimming lessons again this summer. Here are a few action shots of his swimming skills:


He is still terrified of the swimming pool cleaning vacuum & the deep end. But, keep him in the shallow part & he is a very slippery fish!!

A TALE OF TWO BROTHERS

Last weekend the boys went to Branden's parents for a few days. They look forward to their visit to Grandma & Grandpa's cabin every year. They love to build forts, hike, shoot BB guns & be spoiled. The cabin stay was cut short, by a never-ending supply of rain. So, they packed up & went down the mountain to Grandma's house. While there, Parker & Everett accidentally locked themselves in the bathroom. They were stuck. They knocked, but no one heard them. So, unsure of how to escape, Parker suggested that they pray. He asked Everett which one of them should say the prayer. Everett volunteered. He offered a simple prayer asking for help to get the door opened. When he finished, Parker decided he should offer one too. Before his little prayer was over....the boys heard their Grandma calling...."Boys?" To which they answered, "We are in here & the door is locked." Unbeknownst to her, she had come as an answer to their prayers.
When they later told me this story, both boys said that they were so glad that Heavenly Father hears their prayers. I am glad too! I love these sweet boys!!!!

OREGON JULY 4TH 2008

We recently got back from our trip to Seaside, Oregon. We just love to spend the Fourth of July there!! Nice cool weather, gorgeous scenery, hiking, the beach....a small piece of heaven on earth. This year we took our dear friends, the Cederstrom's with us. The more the merrier!
A family tradition is to eat elephant ears while watching the small town parade. An elephant ear is a giant(& I do mean HUGE)sopapilla covered with butter and cinnamon sugar. My kids love them. The surf on the beach was mighty chilly, but the kids didn't care. We just put jackets over our swimming suits. Lots of shells were gathered....we even brought home a little sand too.
Our hike up Tillamook Head was absolutely gorgeous! The kids took turns hiding in the foliage. The older boys even camouflaged their faces with a little mud. It really was a green wonderland.
Fireworks, fireworks & more fireworks!!! Creating a large and deep sand pit, fitted with a bon fire, is a must on the fourth. After the sun goes down, it gets pretty cold. But, you wont find a better fireworks display anywhere!!

KAMARIN'S BIRTHDAY PRESENT

You saw pictures of her party & now here are a few of her present from Branden & I. Kamarin & I went to California Pizza Kitchen for dinner before the show. She ordered.....SURPRISE!!...macaroni & cheese. She always orders that! We both left stuffed!! Then we drove out to Glendale Arena, it was about 45 miles away. We talked girl talk & sang to music the whole time. We have never been to an American Idol concert so we weren't sure what to expect. The 10 finalists each sang about 3 songs. They started with 10 all the way to number 1. Of course, Kamarin was the most excited to see David Archeletta. There was a little girl sitting behind us that kept screaming.."I love you David Archeletta!!" Kamarin wanted to punch her. Thank goodness she didn't...now that would have made for an interesting news story. Hee, hee!! We had a great time.