Cousin Camp 2009

We just had our 2nd annual Cousin Camp.  It was crazy and the kids loved it, so I guess it was a success.  Cousin camp for us consists of a new matching shirt, playing together, doing crafts together, watching a movie, and having a sleep over.  And there is always a lot of noise and a lack of sleep.  This year was especially fun when I lost my camera (my son hid my camera because he was mad at me) and missed lots of picture opportunities.  Highlights this year were the bug catching jars from oriental trading (the kids caught all of the bugs in my yard and left none to eat all of the flies, who are now all in my house, driving us crazy!), the water slide without the water, and new cousins who got to stay overnight for the first time. 

David

Tyler

Jacob

Ethan

Emma and Ella

Rebekah (a second cousin) and Ethan

All of the cousins who couldn't wait to get outside and play in the water!

Getting ready for crafts!

 

A New Love

After turning 8 years old, my twins fell in love with scouting.  They still love cub scouts.  It is fun to see their excitement and energy when it comes to all things scouting.  And now that they are 8 years old, they can play football.  I fought Kirk about signing them up and didn't think it was a good idea.  When the week of sign-ups arrived, David begged to play.  I decided that if he really wanted to do it, I would support him.  Minutes before leaving to take him to try-outs, Jacob decided he wanted to play as well.  We are only 2 days into it (practice/try-outs are everyday for 2 hours), but they are loving it.  And I must admit, it has been fun to watch them practice and get dressed up like this.  Tonight they practice in all their gear.  Up until now, it has just been helmets.  I hope they can move with all of that stuff on....

Family Camping, It Doesn't Happen Very Often....

We don't go camping very often.  So when I packed up what I thought we needed, I had no idea there was a separate bag of poles that went with the tent.  Luckily my dad had packed a few extra tents, unluckily, one of them had been in a sand storm at Lake Powell.  I woke up all sandy.  The boys had a blast, it was a great weekend and we all survived!

Jacob and his dad practicing with his pocket knife.

David

Ethan, who got all wet in the creek.

Roasting marshmallows at night.

Dutch oven potatoes, yummm

We killed a Diamond Back Rattle Snake.  Tyler is holding its rattle.  

Of course we played a little Guitar Hero at Grandma's house.  Tyler is the newest fan.  And my mom can still beat me.  There just wasn't enough time to play....  Maybe next time.  

My Fingers Are Itching

We are going to my parents house today.  And you know what I am looking forward to?  Guitar Hero.  Especially the song "Middle".  I have it on my ipod and listen to it as I run and ever since I have played Guitar Hero, my fingers want in on the action.  I can't wait.  With a little practice, I might be able to beat my mom:)  

*I just added the song to my playlist, if you haven't heard it before, check it out, it's a good one.

Tyler The Handy Man

After we put Tyler to bed, he goes to work.  With his toy hammer and plastic screws, he had done some pretty good damage to his bedroom walls.  

Yesterday I was on the side of our house weeding.  Tyler rode his bike around and starting whining about getting his training wheels off.  I told him later tonight when his dad got home.  Before I got done weeding, he had them off.  He took his bike back into the garage, found some tools, and removed them all by himself.  If only learning to ride without the training wheels were so easy....

It's Finally That Hot!

Last year sometime we came home from our Saturday morning run hot and exhausted.  We crashed on my front lawn, turned on the hose, and laid on the grass.  Needless to say with the wet spring (or non-existent) that we had, I wondered if it would ever be that hot again.  Well today it is that hot.  After running this morning, I was ready to lay down and have someone spray me off.  I wish we had a boat or a swimming pool because I don't really want to do anything else.  It is too hot!  

Missing Two Boys

Jacob, David, and Garrett leaving for their 2nd day of Cub Country

For the past 2 days, David and Jacob have been able to attend "Cub Country."  It has been such a fun time for them.  Both days they left at about 3 in the afternoon and returned about 9:30 at night.  The first night they were gone, Kirk and I got a babysitter and went and saw Harry Potter.  The next night we sort of missed them.  Ethan and Tyler were asleep before they got home.  They kept asking for David and Jacob.  And Kirk and I wondered, "how would it be if we only had 2 kids?"  We agreed that it would be lonely.  Starting out with 2 kids, life has always been really hectic for us as far as kids goes.  We sure enjoyed reuniting with the boys each night and hearing all of the excitement in their voices about all of the fun things that they got to do.  I feel blessed to live in an area with such great people who volunteer their time and make such great experiences for my boys.

Back home and not so clean

Who Wears Short Shorts?

Unfortunately Ed (the Bachelorette) wears short shorts.  Holy cow!  What was he thinking?  That would have been enough for me to give him the boot.  Forget the rest of the night, I am not sure what really even happened because I couldn't bear to watch it.  Short shorts, no chemistry?  Buh-bye!  Ed is giving me a creepy vibe.  I am still excited for the finale, looks like it might be just as interesting and the Bachelor.  

Songs Of The Summer

Isn't music just wonderful?  Every time I hear "Viva La Vida" I will think of the summer of 2008.  Not only did I run to that song a lot, but we always heard it at Seven Peaks.  I still love that song, but I am wondering what will be the summer song for 2009.  I just updated my playlist with a few new favorites, but what are some of yours?

All By Myself....

My running partner has had a life altering couple of days.  Someday we will run again, but for now I am on my own....

gu+ipod+water=12 miles by myself.  I can't believe I did it!

Last Night We Had A First....

About 8:30ish, the phone rang.  On the other end were giggling girls.  They wanted to know if Jacob and David were home.  The conversation lasted about 15 seconds.  And then the phone kept ringing, they kept calling back.  Jacob finally said, "Quit calling, you are freaking me out."  I had to get after him and remind him to have good manners. I thought that would deter them, but they called again.  I could tell my boys were flattered at all of the attention.  David lit up when they asked for him.  I can't believe it!  They are only 8 years old....

Fourth of July 2009

We started out the holiday weekend with a little fishing at Fishlake.  

It is such a beautiful lake!

The next day was more fishing and lots more fish.  All of the boys caught a few.  

The morning of the 4th we raced in the 5K and the kids 1 mile race.  Parker's girlfriend took first for the women.  I did not take first, but I still enjoy running it every year.

Ethan came in 7th overall.

David did a great job too, it was his first year running.

Ethan took 1st place in his age group and got a $2 bill, which is pretty darn exciting.

Jacob and cousin Ryan both had accidents on the swing set and grandma's house.  Ryan broke a couple of bones and Jacob only got a sprain.

David and his Grandpa Eric.

Doing fireworks.  You can't beat Richfield for the 4th.  It is the best.  Not only does the town swell to capacity, but it has the best fireworks ever.  Kirk and my dad were invited out back behind the firework stand where they sell the "good" fireworks.  Growing up we always had the good fireworks and I always enjoyed them.

And only in Richfield will you find that the neighbors fireworks can actually rival the city's fireworks.  I love it!

Denied!

I just tuned into the Bachelorette last week for the first time.  I could not believe that she kept that Wes guy.  What an idiot!  Thank goodness she finally got rid of him.  As far as I know (and I haven't watched all of the seasons) that is the first time I have seen them reject the "fantasy suite."  How refreshing!  I kind of liked Reid, but I have not watched all season so I don't know much about any of the guys.   What do you think?  

Inspiration

I believe that inspiration is all around us.  The past couple of weeks have been enjoyable as I have been able to see it working.  I know Heavenly Father loves all of his children and of course He is looking out for us and helping us along the way.  I know there are some days when I don't feel this way so I decide to blog about it so that I can look back and remember all of my blessings.  A few of my blessings include-conversations with friends, a simple phone call, finding a good sale (you may laugh, but I believe it was inspiration), and family.  

More Pain(t)

We had to have all of the carpet stretched in the basement, so we moved all of the furniture.  It was a pain, but good to de-junk.  Having rooms emptied out inspired painting.  We painted the one room green and got new shelves and a day later decided to paint some more.  It was a lot of work, but it was worth it.  The twin's got new bedding as well, which they needed.  Maybe someday I will get around to decorating, or maybe not.

Ethan's Big Day

Ethan turned 7!  He got new "Tiger Wood's golf clubs".  He didn't really want a party or a cake.  When his brother suggested a BYU cake, he was all over that.  So he got a cake.  Ethan is growing up into a fiercely competitive and independent boy.  It is a joy and and a pain all at the same time.  He is a good helper around the house and gets along with everyone just fine as long as no one is "cheating".  We sure do love him lots!

Coming Soon....

Looking forward to seeing lots of family and friends, the annual 5K, fireworks, ice cream slushes, shopping at Christensen's, and salt water taffy at the parade.  Happy 4th of July weekend everyone!  Lots of fun pictures to come.

New Shelves

Saturday was a busy day.  I ran 10 miles, went to a family baptism and luncheon, picked out a new paint color, painted a little room in my basement, and went to IKEA where I bought these awesome shelves.  I am loving them and they fit my space perfectly.  I keep thinking of lots of other spaces where I might want more of these.  I can't wait to get organized and fill it all up.  But then it won't be as pretty.  

Family Fun

Last week for our little family fun night, we went and watched my brother race his motorcycle. It was a lot of fun. Highlights included the little kids who raced on tiny motorcycles and four wheelers, a girl on a motorcycle who was an amazing rider, and watching my brother, who's not too shabby! It was a lot of fun!

The next day we went to the Oquirrh Mountain Temple Open House.  It happened to be pouring when we went.  We got great parking, right across from the tent where we watched the movie, but I was still drenched by the time I got in the tent.  And I even had an umbrella, it was quite the storm.  Every time I have driven by this week, it has been sunny and beautiful with lots of families snapping photos.  We will have to go back....

This week we have been plagued with the fever/swine flu.  I took Tyler to the doctor because he had a fever and I wondered about the swine flu.  The only symptom he had was a fever, but they are calling everything swine flu right now.  So I guess we've got it.  Kirk woke up freezing this morning.  I thought for sure I would get it before him.  So far Jacob and I have gone unaffected.  I really hope I don't get it.  So no family fun this weekend:(  Lucky for us whatever we have is super mild, consists of headache and fever.  No vomiting, coughs, runny noses, or sore throats, knock on wood!

The Principal's Office

Jacob was off to the prinipal's office today.  Well, actually the Assistant Principal.  And he went fighting all the way.  Apparently he and a girl got into a fight at recess yesterday.  They were both to blame and according to the principal they are now friends.  She called me today so I would be aware of the situation and let me know she was sending home a note for me to sign.  Jacob forgot to mention the situation to us.  I had no idea until the school called.  And when they called I figured he must have been sick because this morning he was trying real hard to get a temperature and complain about feeling weak.  I almost fell for it.  I am going to have my hands full when this kid is a teenager.  Right now I think it is pretty darn funny though...