Tagged.

10 interesting things about me

AND

10 things that would make my life sweeter.


COMING SOON!

Swimming... what else?

When you live in a desert and it is summer you don’t have many options as far as things to do outside, so spending the day in the pool becomes a daily ritual. You would think that the kids would get bored of swimming practically everyday, but they don’t. And I happily take them knowing that after they swim for a few hours they will be worn out and nap or relax the rest of the day. Making the day more peaceful in the end for me.

This week a few friends and family joined us.

Jared, Mindie, Conner, Courtnie, and Blake joined us a few times, along with Austin

Kirk, Jane and Bryson

and Michael.

We also went swimming over at the Mohlers house with the Terry’s, after all the kids hung out together in Worthen Circle with Briton, Aspen & Jaden in charge while we went to dinner with Joe and Leslie.

Jaden has been working really hard on diving this week and has gotten the hang of it. He has also been trying to jump SUPER HIGH off the diving board

Macy and Cloey have braved the diving board and decided that it IS way FUN

and Troy has mastered a front flip off the edge of the pool (Picture of that to come)

what a hard life they have.

Random.

Most of our week consisted of swimming. We are very grateful to have my dad’s pool around the corner and thankful that he lets us use it whenever we want. Thanks Dad and Judy. When we went swimming there this week we let the kids ride over in the back of the truck. They always think that is so much fun. We swam there a few times this week and Jason also took the kids out to his parents to swim and visit with them.

For mutual this week I took my class ice blocking and decided to bring Jaden along. He thought it was way fun and wants to go again with our family. I thought it was pretty fun myself. I haven’t done that for a lot of years and forgot how fun it is. I think everyone had a great time and I am sure we will be doing it again before summer is over. Another little thing that happened on Wednesday that I was a big thing for me was that I had left around 4:30 to run to the grocery store for a few items and some ice blocks. Jason thought I was leaving for the night and wouldn’t be back until after mutual was over. So when I returned home around 5:30 he had made dinner and was feeding the kids. It was so nice to not have to worry about dinner and just eat and enjoy a few minutes before I really had to leave at 6:30.

During the week Mindie and I decided to take our girls out for a girls shopping night. We went over to the Premium outlets on Charleston (my personal favorite mall) and to the mall at Town Center. I love that my girls are old enough to shop with me. I have always hoped that they would love to shop and they do. Not that we have lots of extra $$$ to be shopping every day with, but I love that they like to go to stores look around at everything, pick things out and try stuff on. My boys ALL HATE stores. They don’t like even being in them. When they do go they want to be IN and OUT and just get what they had to go for. They even get all grouchy when they have to go to the grocery store. So I am thrilled that I have my two little girls to be my shopping partners.

This is a random picture of Macy. One night this week I woke up hearing someone downstairs. So I went down to find out whom it was and it was Macy up to the table eating carrots and ranch at 2 in the morning. She has always been a night owl and I have tried so many tactics to get her to go to sleep with the rest of us. I finally decided that I can’t make her fall asleep and apparently she doesn’t need as much sleep as the rest of us. So we have an understanding that she can stay awake as long as she wants as long as she stays in her room (it seems that she ignored that rule this night). I have a feeling though that she will decide to go to bed earlier once she has to start getting up for Kindergarten.

Friday my stepsister Shayla went through the temple with her fiancé Cris Hilsabeck. I actually set them up last year and am so excited that it really worked out. They are the cutest couple. It’s always nice to be at the temple with lots of family and friends and was happy to be able to be there with them. Then on Saturday they were sealed and had their reception later that evening at my dad and Judy’s. Their reception was beautiful. Very simple yet very elegant. I was taking lots of notes for my daughters one day. Hooray for the happy couple!! Aren't they so cute?

Saturday was also the 3-stake Pioneer Day celebration. The different wards made floats and threw out lots and lots of candy, which was of course my kids favorite part. After the parade they had a breakfast and lots of game booths. Jaden beat and now holds the new record for the dunking booth. The score to beat was hitting the bull’s eye with 3 of the 4 balls. Jaden hit the target with all 4. Maybe he should give baseball a try!

Sneaking out of the house.

Friday night Jason had gotten home around midnight after doing some night flying with Stephen. He woke me up and said there was “something special in the air.” A storm was brewing, you could smell the rain about to come, and the sky was being lit up with bolts of lightning. So we decided to Sneak Out of our house while the kids were all sound asleep. We didn’t go far, just to Sonic for a milkshake and onion rings, then we snuck into my dad’s backyard and went swimming. It was really fun. We totally felt like teenagers sneaking out.

4th of July Rundown.

Headed to Provo, Utah bright and early Thursday morning.

Jason got a speeding ticket just outside of town. Determined to not let it spoil our morning.

Stopped at the Cheese Factory in Beaver, Utah for Squeaky Cheese

Visited Chuck, Diane and kids in Beaver. Toured their new BEAUTIFUL house, ate lunch, and let the kids get some energy out.

Stopped in Mapleton, Utah to see the Trapnell’s. So happy they are back on the West Coast. Toured their new BEAUTIFUL house. Visited. Laughed.

Got all settled at The Mohlers townhouse in Provo. Thanks Dad & Mom.

Met up with Trapnell’s again for dinner to celebrate Dr. Greg Trapnell’s graduation. 10 years of schooling. Congrats to them both for surviving.

Visited at the townhouse with Greg and Noel until we couldn’t stay awake any longer.

Friday. Got to the Parade late. Still got a good seat. Troy waved to everyone. Cloey didn’t want it to end. Thankful it wasn’t over 100 degrees. Nice cloud cover.

Took the kids to buy candy they had earned.

Staked out our spot for the fireworks. Only in Utah can you leave blankets on the lawn in the morning and expect them to still be there at night.

Stopped at a Farmers Market to buy Corn, Cherries and Peas. Love Utah for that sort of thing.

Went to the Movies. First time we have taken our whole family to a movie in a Theater. Realized how old my babies are getting.

Tried to go bowling. It was closed.

Went to the Creamery for Ice Cream. Sat on the lawn to eat it. Enjoyed listening to my kids laugh and be nice to each other. Soaked it in because it doesn't happen everday.

Went to the park. Ran around and played with the kids. Jason and I both realized how out of shape we are getting. Excited that we were together as a family.

Ate dinner. Headed to our spot for the fireworks.

Tried the wear the kids out. Took them up and down a set of stairs 20 times. Walked them. Played catch with them. (that sounds like their puppies) Waited for the Fireworks.

Spectacular Firework Show. Loved the look on my kid’s faces. Troy whispered Holy Cow softly to himself. Felt very blessed seeing my kids all cuddled up with their Dad.

Waited in traffic Forever. Me, Macy & Troy decided to walk back to the townhouse.

Saturday. Wanted to sleep in. Decided this trip wasn’t just for ME.

Went Bowling. Also a first for the whole family. Had a lesson from Jaden on “if you hit a pin on this angle it will cause this reaction.” Amazed at how he gets that stuff.

Ate at The Pizza Factory. We LOVE their Garlic Bread Twist. Bittersweet moment that I don't need to cut any ones food up anymore.

Spent the rest of the day and evening at Seven Peaks Water Park. Wished there was one in Vegas. Cloey showed her dare devil side. Jason thrilled he has a someone big enough to go on the scary slides with, since his wife is a chicken. Jaden can officially say he is much braver than his mom. Reminisced about Wet n’ Wild days with Jason.

Kids bathed and zonked out. Jason picked Stephen up from the airport; he spent the night with us. They brought back Ice Cream and a Movie. Enjoyed the kids being asleep.

Sunday. Jason took Stephen back to the airport bright and early. He climbed back in bed with me and we slept in. So did the kids. Decided we better get moving. Jason took the kids to the Laundry Mat to wash sheets and towels. I cleaned and packed.

Headed home. Grateful for a safe trip and Fun memories.

Little Disasters.

Last week while I was out running Jaden to Chess Club I got in a little accident. I have not been in a car accident for over 10 years and it was a little reminder for me of how easily accidents can happen. I was STOPPED at a red light, drinking a bottled water and talking with Jaden. The light turned green and I was in the motion of letting off the brake and putting my foot on the gas. I wasn't even moving just kinda rolling waiting for the cars to all get going. Well I looked down for a second to put my water back in the cup holder and BAM! The next thing I knew I had hit the lady in front of me. I guess she had slammed on her brake after the man in front of her had slammed on his all during the seconds I was putting my water away. The police came and I did not even get a ticket. I was sure that I would because I was the one behind and should have left more room in between us to allow for such a thing. But since we were on a hill the officer said her car could have rolled back more than normal. Works for me! He didn't even do a police report. The ladies car didn't have a scratch on it, although she thought her bumper didn't seem to be on as tight as normal. I gave her my insurance info just in case her bumper needs tightened? My car however got some really bad scratches and the silver H thing broke off. There are not any dents thank goodness. I was glad it was only a little accident to remind me to leave more space in between myself and other cars and just to be more aware and careful on the road.

(I already know that my car is in bad need of a carwash)

Disaster #2. Macy decided to cut the side of her hair off. Although it might not look like much to some it is HUGE for Macy's hair. She has not yet been blessed with lots and lots of thick hair that could handle a snip or two. (I say not yet because I am still hoping she will get more) So her hair is even thinner now. ugh!

And this one is gross. Lately my washer has been taking hours to wash clothes. Some days it has taken 3 hours for one load. After it is finished it flashes a code. I had looked the code up in the manual and it said it was a drainage problem. Then I got online to see if anyone else had this problem and how they fixed it. It seemed that the common problem was an article of clothing somehow getting into the drain and then stuck in the filter. I told Jason about it and he said he would get to it when he had time to take the washer apart. He has been crazy busy at work. So I have been waiting and waiting. Finally after being SO behind on laundry I decided to do it myself. I found a picture of where the drain and filter are inside my washer and I DID IT! Inside the filter there were 3 socks and a mitten all mildewy and nasty. The washer is now working and back to only taking 35 minutes. I was very proud of myself for figuring out how to take the thing apart, and put it back together.

A REAL baby

I started watching my nephew Ryker for a few hours on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Last week was our first week. He is such a cutie and we are LOVING having him around. I have often felt bad that my last 3 kids don't know what it is like to have a baby around. Macy was a baby herself when the twins were babies and the twins are the babies so they don't know either. My girls ask me all the time if they can have a real baby. Ryker is their wish come true. They LOVE him. And he seem to not only mind but LOVE playing into them pretending he is their baby. They hug, kiss and chase him. Bring him a billion toys. Want me to change his diaper ever other minute. And feed him. He was as happy as can be to let Macy feed him a yogurt and she LOVED that. I too am excited to get to have him around. Not only for my girls sake but also my own. I can hug, squeeze, baby him and kiss those cheeks. All the things I love and then he goes home. Isn't he just the cutest thing?