Stanley in July

We took our one and only camping trip of this summer up to Stanley over the 4th of July. We love it there! Carter and I couldn't help but heave a sigh of relief as we passed the spot by GrandJean where our transmission went out last year on this trip. This year we picked up Jayden from Scout Camp on our way up, so he camped for a week and a half straight altogether. I asked him if he was dying for his own bed yet, and he said, "Are you kidding me? I'd live like this all year round if I could!" I have a feeling he'd change his mind about the time the snow starts flying in Stanley. He's cute, though, and he sure does love the outdoors.



We had a fabulous time. Here are the kids in front of our awesome garage sale tent. I love this tent! I love it even more because it cost me $20, but it is heavy and warm. Setting it up is a comical process. Every time we figure we'll finally remember how to do it. And every time we lay out all the bars and then ask each other, "Now, how did this go?" I'm not sure we've ever set it up the same way twice.



Brennan was proud to pack his own heavy backpack.



How's this for camping face?! I don't know how long we'd been camping at the point that I took this picture, but I'm sure it wasn't long enough to justify this much dirt. Where's his mother, anyway?



One afternoon Carter brought out this air-pellet gun (is that the right thing to call it, Carter??) and we all took turns shooting at cans. You can do that when you're the only ones in the whole campground. We had a great time at it.





Shaylie surprised us by being an excellent shot. Surprised herself, too. I don't have any pictures of Makenna shooting because she is a lefty and maneuvered herself akwardly around the gun so that when she fired she got a scope in the eye the first time. She refused to touch it again after that.






I liked this group shot. Such happy kids. The rest of the trip was awesome, too, but I forgot my camera every time we left camp! We attended church in the gorgeous Stanley branch, explored the fish hatchery where Carter worked as a teenager, and cooked some mighty good dutch oven grub. We spent a chilly day at Redfish Lake, one of my favorite places in the whole world. We didn't do much swimming, but we did play in a paddleboat for a while, play in the sand, read, and throw frisbees on the beach. Since it was July 4th, there was music from several live bands performing on the grass by the lodge. Can you picture the scene? I hope so, it was lovely. And we enjoyed Stanley's fireworks from the front yard of the Neider's ranch; they were so sweet to invite us to join their family shindig. They really know how to throw a fireworks party! They had yummy food, a firepit, and glow bracelets! We are thankful to have them as friends. (Not just for their front yard and glow bracelets, though). I'd have a picture, but...no camera.

Camping is soooo much work! To plan meals as well as how to cook each thing, cold-weather stuff, warm-weather stuff, bedding stuff, etc, etc, it's exhausting! And then there's the clean-up of all the equipment and the LAUNDRY when we get home... At some point I always ask myself if it's worth it. And I'm sure there are plenty of other ways to make family memories, but whenever I look back on a family camping trip and the wonderful time we had all together up in the mountains, I never regret it.

What Lies Beneath...

Carter and Jayden went fishing with Uncle Justin in the Snake River this summer. I think they started out cat fishing, but soon discovered they could have more fun with their crossbow and the carp. Justin is sure this one would have been a state record if they'd kept it to be weighed. Hmmm. A state record for carp?? Now THERE'S something to brag about... Anyway, they had a ball fighting it and reeling it in. I won't be swimming in the Snake River anytime soon.

Whee Heee! Brennan's Threeeee!

It's my blog - I can be stupid if I want to.

Anyway, I'm getting behind on documenting some important days this summer. Brennan's birthday was in June, and I can't fail to recognize his great achievement. He has lived three years as the youngest of five children.




He was so excited to help by being my "Sprinkle Guy." I was amazed by the herculean effort it took him not to lick his frosting'y fingers (too often, anyway).


Shaylie was excited to sort of re-gift a Little People Zoo which she had decided she'd outgrown. He's been playing with it for years whenever he wants, but now it officially lives in his room. Funny how happy the gift made him...



That's my Bro. This is the big hug he gave Kyler after Kyler bestowed upon him all the cars in the car bucket, which he's also been playing with all his life whenever he wants to, but now they officially belong to him. Does that mean now he has to clean them up himself? Smart, Kyler!




Isn't that just like a cat?! She automatically assumes the seat of honor belongs to her!




Happy Birthday, Sprinkle Guy! I officially don't have a baby anymore... Just a big boy who keeps up with the best of them, who knows what he wants in life, who learns quickly and smiles a contagious dimply smile. Love you Brennan!

Grandpa's Wedding Day!

Not long ago, Grandpa surprised us all by revealing that there was someone special in his life, and shortly after that they made a wedding announcement. Grandpa met Susan in his ward at church - in fact he has been her home teacher for four years! Their bishop teased Grandpa that loving the people we teach is important, but this is really above and beyond! Susan is a wonderful lady, very vivacious and fun. It has been neat to see the sparkle that young love has brought into Grandpa's eyes. And when we first met Susan she was so excited to show us her ring and talk about their wedding plans - she was positively giddy. We are so happy for you both.

Saturday, August 21st, Grandpa and Susan were married in the Boise Temple. My sister, Amy is about to have a baby any day now and couldn't travel to be here for the wedding, so I promised to post lots of pictures. It was a perfect wedding day at the temple, and Susan's daughters worked so hard and created such a lovely reception.

Congratulations!! We love you both!!!

Last Day of School!!!

In addition to Kyler's graduation, Jayden and Makenna were both thrilled to celebrate the completion of sixth and third grades. On the last day of school I attended a special mathematics ice cream sundae party. The kids had to earn each part of their banana splits, like the bowl, spoon, each scoop and topping, the banana, etc, by memorizing and passing off parts of the times tables. Makenna maxed out her sundae, and loved every bite!



I also attended the ceremonial burning of what remained of Jayden's school binder. I'm not sure a good mother would have allowed that, let alone photographed it. But it seemed like a satisfying conclusion for a long and difficult school year for him. Let him celebrate - he did it!

Kyler's Kindergarten Graduation

Sitting in Kyler's kindergarten graduation program someone asked me which one was my child. I told them it is the little guy in the striped shirt who is having WAY too much fun. Several people around me all commented that they had been laughing themselves silly watching his antics. He was hysterical. He was doing the same songs and dances as the rest of the kids, but he had that huge grin and some extra pep and boogie. They sang songs about things they'd been learning and it was so cute.









That's our Bubba!


But he's officially a first-grader, and we've got the diploma to prove it!

Memorial Day, 2010

We found ourselves with a free weekend and decided to enjoy some family time up at the cabin. The Thuesons joined us for part of it, and we were glad! Here's my quick memory recap; the best parts were....

The musical performances on the deck Hailey, Shaylie, and Aubrey.

Makenna, Kyler, and Brooke spent an entire afternoon creating their "secret fort."

For some reason, Jayden wasn't interested in joining in the performing arts show, so he spent his time chopping dead wood with a hatchet,

and climbing WAY too high! Do you see him up in the tippy top of this tree? I just about had heart failure. He must have been two or three stories up there. He tied a piece of string around a branch just to show off later to his other cousins that he'd been up there.

Suzanne, I know these won't still be blooming when you arrive up here, so I wanted to snap a quick shot so you can see how spectacular they are!

We took a quick fishing trip with the Thuesons. Not many fish, but we had cookies, so it was still successful. ha, ha...



We spent Sunday afternoon playing games. The kids are getting a little older, which makes it possible to branch out a bit from Candyland (thank goodness!) and we found several that most of us could play and enjoy. Yay!

Grandpa built a terrific outdoor fireplace which made some mighty nice s'mores. Here are some shots of the kids being silly with their marshmallows.









And finally, the perfect touch in a relaxing weekend...a nice nap. Looks comfy.

Great family, great time together, great blessing!

KITTY MAMA

I'm such a sucker... but when Carter called home from work and told me about a litter of three-day old kittens which had been found bagged up at the garbage dump, I agreed at once to take them in. They were sooo tiny and sweet and looked like drowned rats at first, like most newborns, hee, hee. My heart instantly went out to them. I don't think I realized at first what I was getting myself into. They had to be bottle-fed every three hours...around the clock. At first it took 45 minutes for each feeding. Carter was wonderful to get up with me at the 3am feeding so we could both feed and finish in half the time and get back to sleep. Middle of night feedings were bringing back memories, although I decided that bottle-fed babies are the way to go - that way Dad can help, too.


Now, four weeks later, the kittens have grown huge and plumped up adorably. Our cat Ginny despises them, but the rest of us have really enjoyed having the sweet little babies around.

Here is Shaylie reading a book to a kitty...



And Kyler helping at feeding time.



Who could resist such little sweeties as these? Which brings me to an important point... I have started the process of weaning them from the bottle and teaching them to eat cat food. They are doing great at it, so I figure they only need another week or so and then they will be ready to find new homes. Is anyone out there thinking you need a new feline friend?? Do you know anyone who might like one of the sweetest kitties ever?

Shaylie Sue

My Curly Girly...



A little ray of sunshine in my day, Shaylie's bright, bubbly personality is always fun to have around. Her unpredictability keeps things interesting, since we never know what she might say next.

Shaylie is in love with everything glamorous, everything romantic, and all things dramatic.


I have at least a million dress-up pictures of Shaylie. It's her favorite thing.



Shaylie spruced up my style for me while we watched General Conference. What do you think?? "Now you're fancy,"Shaylie said.

And speaking of hair, Shaylie's biggest trial in life is her own short, little curls. More than once she has announced to complete strangers in a very optimistic way, "See my hair? It's growing!"
But she was super excited recently when we discovered it is finally long enough to put into cute little piggie tails.



Here is a silly picture to introduce a few of the funnier things my little girl has said lately that made us giggle.



Shaylie-isms... She recently combed her hair all big and fluffy in front and announced, "Look! I have a bulbous bouffant!" Thanks to Aunt Amy and Dr. Dimento for that one...
She sometimes gets her words mixed up and prays for our prophet, "Heavenly Monson."
When she first turned three she used to be deathly afraid of "spagittos" because they give you "spagitto bites."
And she was feeling left out this spring as several members of our family became miserable with allergies, so she announced, "I am allergic to cars, 'cause they can run me over!"

We are so thankful for Shaylie's sweet, affectionate spirit and her energetic hugs. She is unfailingly generous and shares absolutely anything without prompting. Shaylie, we love you and we are so thankful to have you in our family!