Happy Birthday Will . . . you're a cub scout now!

Yesterday was Will's 8th birthday!  His birthday came just in time to be able to go to cub scout day camp - he was really happy!  We have about 24 boys in our den for wolf and bear.  They are such BOYS!  I LOVE IT!  To see them all get excited about gun range, archery, swim relays, crafts (boy stuff!) Out door games . . . most of all BALLOON FIGHTS!  Tucker is not quite a webelo yet so he was able to go around with our group.  I went up with the boys yesterday, and Doug goes today.  It was a treat to be about to go and be with both boys.

Today I will have no kids except Rowdy - My friend Judy is taking Baylie for the day - she knows I've been seriously stressed over getting this program done for dance recital - and have had so many functions to attend that I'm not getting much accomplished.  One thing I love about Judy is we have 3 of our kids that line up - they're the same age - it's a friendship that I truly cherish - I don't think I know anyone that doesn't get along with Judy - she has many friends because she is sooo great!  You're amazing Judy!

Life moves QUICKLY!!!

My life just never seems to slow down - But . . . I am loving the ride!  Last week we had two graduations in our family - for Carson in 8th grade and Baylie from 6th.  I was pleased that Rowdy did well being dragged around all day to all the different end of the school year events!  To top off the day my girls had a sleep over - probably for the first time ever - I went to bed and slept through it - the day really wore on me (I'm getting old - yikes).  I just loved all the girls that came over - they are such good girls and respectful to our big family situation - KUDO's to all you great parents for raising such wonderful young women!

So to try and slow down our family life - we got away - just our family, away from all the hustle and bustle of life - I guess we left great weather in the valley to go to a colder . . . much colder then expected up at our family cabin in Strawberry.  Things slowed down enough to be able to catch site of nature - there were elk everywhere!  It was so cool to see them come right out in front of you - in plain sight.  We went hiking to get ready for the "Trek" - We wanted Carson to really work in her new boots/shoes for it all.

We had so much fun - watching video's together, we had a family talent show, played cards, and read books - it was soooooo nice!  The boys collected their usual bugs, lizards etc. . .  Will tried to pull up tree stumps . . . every now and then you catch a hint of that future priesthood holder . . . I caught him picking flowers!!  I just loved seeing a tender side to him.

One day we took the sand rails out for a spin - while unloading all of our gear - Rowdy was put in one of the go-carts, after watching all the kids ride around all day - he had to have his turn - surprisingly he played in that position for quite a while - so cute!

This last picture is for Amy . . . every now and then I can get Doug to play card games with us - it took some coaxing, but he did play - when are we going to have that phase 10 night?

SCORPION KING

Sunday night Doug and I went to go and see Todd & Kathryn's new baby - sooo cute

"Finn Gooch" - hope to load up picture soon!

We kinda were enjoying the drive with NO kids, ha ha, we realized we were gone for awhile.  We walked in the door just in time to see Will get stung by a scorpion 2x.  He was sooo upset and crying.  We iced it and gave him motrin and made him sleep in the sofa chair sitting up.  We told him we were very sorry that this happened to him, but in a way were glad that this didn't happen to Rowdy.  "way to take on for the team!"  "You're a Hero!"  "You're the SCORPION KING"  This of course stopped the crying . . . you could see his chest puff up - feeling kinda tough and proud of him self.  However, Doug slept on the sofa next to him to watch over everything.  We have called poison control before over this - it's kinda a wait and see if there is a problem thing.  I guess our whole family was worried because Baylie ended up sleeping on the other sofa upset.  Tucker fell off the top bunk bed at 1:30 in the morning - he said he was trying to stomp/ jump on the scorpion in his dream - which woke everyone up.  Both Doug and I kept dreaming the poison had gone to his heart and he went into cardiac arrest.  (These kind of things we forget about with Will.)

So needless to say after a tough night we wake up to Will . . . being the first one up!  All Dressed!!  Hair combed, teeth brushed, already ate breakfast, huge cheesy smile on his face.  he came into the kitchen and slid across the floor in his socks "Good morning mom!" Whaaattt???  He was in the best mood ever - I guess he's OK, (thanks for keeping us up all night - ha ha)

We now call him the Scorpion King!

Picture of him about a year ago - Him and Tucker loved to dress up - they loved the movie scorpion king - here is their version of it - how do they compare???? HA HA

MY FUNNY FOR THE DAY!

HOME RUN!!!! . . . and character counts

Well, tonight we had one of Tucker's last baseball game before playoffs.  I haven't been able to go a lot this season because usually it's bed  time for Rowdy or the girls have dance etc. . . Tonight was a great night to go the entire time and enjoy it.  Tucker has a really good coach, he's really positive, but competitive at the same time - we really like that!  They were doing pretty good so the game could have ended and all would have been fine.  However it's the last inning, bases loaded and Tucker up to bat.  Tucker hit the ball left field . . . HOME RUN!! He brought in 4 runs, the game ended because they run-rolled the other team.  What a way to end the game!!  Tucker was soooo happy with himself, he's one of the youngest team members and sometimes he's not up to speed with the other boys, so I know he was happy to get a good play!

This is the winning hit! - I just love this guy!!! 

I just love his smile sooo much, he melts my heart

!

Rowdy just loves being out side - he was soo good hanging out!

Will had his 2nd grade singing program at Pioneer Elementary "Character Counts"  He had the biggest smile on his face the entire time as he sang and danced - it was sooo cute to see him up there on the stage - I left the program with such Joy in my heart - I had so much fun watching my son . . . have so much fun!  He has great kids in his class with lots of cute friends.

Baylie Boop & GNO

This week it was science camp for Baylie my 12 yr old.  She is such a soft spirit in our home.  They left Monday early, by that evening I was crying - I'm such a baby.  Baylie has a way of balancing our home life.  I could definitely tell there was something missing in our home.  However, I knew she was having a good time - and happy that she was having this experience.  She has some neat friends . . . and I was glad their mom's were on the trip to help watch over her.  I always think she is so shy and not really out there with her personality except at home - but after taking out her memory stick on her camera, I could see that there is more then the eye can see - ha ha!
Carson, although she wont admit it (because she pulling for her own room) I know she was a little off pace too with out Baylie - ha ha

The other night we had "GNO" Girls Night Out - it's our last one before the summer - We went up to Tempe Market Place and ate at Lucille's BBQ - soo good!  One of the gals just bought a new corvette and took it out for the evening - it was sooo funny - this is their version of "Thelma and Louise" - ha ha, we got a good laugh - Marla made GNO music CD's for the cars - sooo fun! - Just good silly fun!

Go figure - I would be the one with my eyes closed - OH WELL!

My made up funny for the day!

OK - once a month I cook up chicken in my roaster oven - shred it and freeze it.  I learned this from Lori Gehring.  I thought I was really on the ball with it this month.  Started to cook it all- emptied out all my chicken etc. . .  I realized the cooker had been sitting next to my Bosh mixer too close - and it melted it!!!!  I was soo upset at first - but then I tried to make believe that some day this will be funny - so it this will be my funny for the day!  . . . and boy did I need a funny moment - we took our teenage daughter out to by hiking boots last night before it gets too late for a pioneer trek she will be going on with our stake at the end of the month.  We had to convince her that the shoes she needs to wear does not be a fashion show!  It was such a struggle to convince her that comfort is more important. . . . any way . . . 

my funny for the day.

Happy Mother's Day

Hey - Happy Mother's Day to all of you great ladies!I have been a little under the weather so I really wanted to sleep in this morning.  Rowdy of course woke up bright and early.  In my effort to still finish a good dream that I don't even remember now - I let Rowdy play on the floor a little bit - then I heard him choking - he was eating paper.  I tried to look around and see where in the heck he could have gotten a hold of some paper - I noticed that he was gnawing on a a cardboard box from costco.  Some mother I was - letting my 8 month baby gnaw on a box because he was hungry - now I get to get up and celebrate me being a great mother - YEAH, I'm the mother that lets her kids eat cardboard!!!!

No actually, I had a cute morning with my kids serving me breakfast in bed - all the cute handmade gifts etc. . .  After church we had lunch with Doug's mom MaryAnna.  Tally and Nate joined us - it was really relaxing and casual.

Last night we sat out in the front and hung out with just the boys - it was fun.  The girls were babysitting.  My boys can always entertain me so much.

My funny for the day was this:

That's what little girls are made of . . .

One of my callings in my ward (church) is to teach the 10 & 11 yr. old girls "Activity Days".  It's much like Girl Scouts.  We were working on a craft for Mother's Day.  There are aprox. 20 girls in our group.  I teach with anotherleader - Holly Dillard.  The girls are so cute and fun with each other - and to hear what their day is like at school etc. . . It's a load of fun - here are a few of the girls.

Part of Your World

My "funny" today

Women's Conference '08

This last weekend I went to BYU Women's Conference.  I have gone for the last 4-5 yrs.  I love it.  We had so much fun.  Just a bunch of us from here in Gilbert to all the way from Logon, Ut.  Our surprise speaker was the prophet Thomas S. Monson.  I think everyone (like faculty) came to see him . . . because the Marriot Center was packed.  

We had many late nights, dinner out, shopping . . .but most of all spiritually edifying each other and just having that greatness that comes from great women!

Just a few of us . . . 

My friend Carolyn that used to live here and moved to Logon, Ut

We even celebrated birthdays. . .