Kirk Travels=I Don't Cook...

I don't know why it is that when Kirk is gone, I rarely cook.  It is not like Kirk puts any pressure on me to have a meal prepared at home when he is here, but when he is gone, we just get by on whatever.

Last night we sorted through all the "free meal" coupons my kids have been bringing home from school.  Chuck-a-rama won, the place where you "get your own food" as my kids remember it.  I was perfectly fine with that because I do love a salad bar and it was over 90 degrees and salad sounded perfect.  Plus, have you had their scones?  Yum!

So off we went for dinner.  We got all settled in after a trip to the bathroom and help getting food.  I left the kids at the table and went to get my salad.  When I came back, Jacob was nearly in tears.  Now don't talk about this to the boys, they would DIE if they knew I was putting it on my blog, but I want to have this recorded.  As I sat down, they told me they were telling Ethan about Where the Red Fern Grows and that it was a sad story.  Jake continued on a bit, his eyes red and tears ready to spill.  David tosses a napkin to him and tells him he is tearing up and to stop talking about it.  I look over at David and his eyes are red and full of tears as well.  They tell us again what a sad story it is.  They both read the book at school.  David tells me he excused himself to the bathroom when he read it because he was getting tears.  It was such a sweet little thing to see that they did in fact read and understand an entire book on their own at school and that it had made such a powerful impact on them.  I'm so grateful for boys who really enjoy reading and are vulnerable enough to let a good story have an impact on them.  

Another Dream Fulfilled

Tyler always wants to sell things.  And by things I mean the junk in his closet.  Saturday he casually visited with the neighbor and sold her a rock and a bouncy ball for $2.  He asks constantly to have a yard sale or lemonade stand.  So we set him up a little stand hoping to catch a few kids on their way home from school.  I not sure whether he really likes to sell things or he just really likes to spend money.  Either way I have a happy boys who is a few dollars richer!

Lake Powell June 2011

Pretty good title don't ya think?  At least that way I will know what this is about when I want to know when was it we went to lake powell that one time...

 Despite freezing cold temperatures in the north, the weather at Lake Powell was so warm and absolutely lovely.  Except for that first night when we tried to camp.  This picture was taken on Lone Rock.  We went with good intentions of camping, but the wind was so fierce the day we arrived, we couldn't even get tents up.  So we stayed in Page.  Then next day we set up camp only to have it blown over later that day.  Alas, we did not spend one night on the beach.  The wind was non-existent on Friday and Saturday, the hotel had clean beds and warm showers, and lots of great memories were made, so the trip was an absolute success!

 Watching Tyler knee board was one of the highlights of the trip for me.  I can't believe how brave he is!

Lucky for us we are headed back for another trip in July, we can't wait!

Brownies For Breakfast???

Yes, please!!!  This cereal called to me from across the aisle as I was checking out at the grocery store.  Of course I bought some.  I'm sure it's not that much different than cocoa puffs, but with a name like that, I couldn't resist:)

The Running Mudders

The dirty dash is a 5K up at Soldier Hollow in the mud that I did it with 6 of my great friends and we had a blast!  Our team name was "The Running Mudders."  It was the best race we have ever done and we will be back next year!  As we arrived at the race we were quite the spectacle.  People would point, laugh, and even take pictures.  Some people were even brave enough to ask to take pictures with us.  I laughed so much before the race even started that my stomach was sore.  

My Duster....

Tomorrow I am running in the Dirty Dash with 6 of my fun friends and neighbors.  We are "The Running Mudders" and we are all going to be wearing some snazzy dusters that we picked up at the DI today.  I can't wait to get a picture of all of us together.  I hope mine survives the mud, I kind of like it.  I know it's not cute, but what a handy article of clothing!

Poor Dog/Poor Bank Account

We went to Rockville for Memorial Day weekend.  The weather was great, I almost forgot what warm weather felt like.  We hauled all the boys' bikes down and they enjoyed their first mountain biking experiences.  We ate our weight in chips and salsa, the kids swam, the big boys worked on the hut, football passes were thrown, games were played, babies were cuddled (one of my favorite parts), good times were had, and Reggie got foxtails.  And the foxtails would not come out.  

Our dog disowns us in Rockville and literally will not leave my Dad's side.  Whether he is on the tractor, lawn mower, four wheeler, in the bathroom, on the couch or in his room, Reggie is there in his shadow.  So after following my dad, chasing lizards, and playing with dead gophers, the dog was covered in foxtails.  We took out all we could see, but by the end of the weekend, one ear couldn't stand up and he took turns limping on different legs.  He was a crippled mess.  We wondered if his ear got bitten or maybe he broke his leg.  When we got home, I made an appointment with the vet.  Yesterday we got in and they determined there were more foxtails deep inside his ear and foot.  They told me to leave him there (they were going to put him out) and come get him in the morning.  It was a little traumatizing, I wasn't planning on having him spend the night, but he did.  So we got him back today, bandages and antibiotics, and a nice bill as well!

If Reggie looks a little red/pink, it's because he is dirty from Rockville.  Then they told me not to get him wet for 2-3 days, so he will not be getting a bath anytime soon, poor dog.  Tyler asked if he could sign his cast.  It is just a soft bandage, but it makes me laugh.  You should see him hobbling around the house, it is hilarious!

Since we have been home, the suburban has been in the shop.  While we were away, the back decided not to open.  And then the dome lights wouldn't go off.  After being in the shop for a day and a half, they finally got it open.  Bad news is that we have to buy a whole new motor and it isn't cheap.  Also I have been to the bike shop twice!  One bike is fixed and one is still there.  I hope everything will work properly for awhile.  Our bank account could use a break!