Law of Physics

This is what happens to Gummy Vitamins in 100 degree weather on the back of a car.

I guess they won't be having their vitamins while we are gone, oops!

We sure are having fun with cousins we haven't seen in a really long time!

Oh the Grief I Get!

Amazing how much grief my family is giving me for a small little notebook.  They mock and tease.  But they won't be mocking and teasing when we aren't lost (given I don't fall asleep while they are driving.   THEY (he and my mom) did land us in the wrong state when that happened once) and we know what we are doing!

They say I'm obsessed.  HE especially laughed at the label on the inside.

But there was a lot of planning and work that went into this folder.  If it gets lost I would like it back!  And is a page for every day of a 10 day vacation really too much?  I don't think so!  Maybe I missed my dream job and I should have been a travel planner.

My New Accessory

I'd like you to meet my new accessory.  Introducing Benny the Boot!

Isn't he pretty.  He is going to match all my outfits, not!

His profile isn't much better.

Ever since we went to Las Vegas back in April (2 months ago and counting) I've had trouble with my heal.  I blame it on standing around at Circus Circus for six hours while the kids rode all the rides.  The kids blame it on all the shopping I did.

I've had two cortisone shots without much help except for the first 8 hours after the painful shot.  So the doctor upgraded me to some oral steroids and wearing the boot.  Hopefully this will help me avoid surgery.  He also suggested if I stopped walking on my foot for a month it might heal.  Not likely with our 10 day family vacation starting tomorrow and then I return and a week and a half later head to Chicago for our annual Pampered Chef National Conference where I'll do more walking than Disneyland.

At least I'll get some sympathy and I won't feel bad asking for the pass the line pass at Disney!

My Baby Turned Six!

It is really hard to believe this little guy and these little girls

Have turned into this . . .

And the girls turned into my right hand assistants during John's sixth birthday party today.

Because of our crazy schedule this week getting ready to leave town there was no time we could have his party when Mark was home to help.  I was a little worried about handling 6 six year olds, but we did it.

Pokemon was the theme.  We took a basketball Costco cake and turned it into a Pokemon cake

Gone are the days I try to create a cake from scratch, sorry bud!

The boys colored and played pin the tail on the Pokemon

The only time there was quiet was when their mouths were full

And he got from Mom and Dad what he has been dreaming of for months, don't ask me why.

The much wanted skate board!

How many injuries will occur because of this gift?

One and counting so far!

But to get the true affect here is a video of one of his first try.  Don't ask me where he learned to do a trick already?

Kelly Clarkson

Mark has been a huge American Idol fan since the very beginning.  Since I'm gone a lot in the evenings I haven't shared his same passion for it.  But I do enjoy the show when it gets down to the final group.  So when I heard Kelly Clarkson was coming to our fair town I thought getting tickets for us to go would be a great Anniversary Gift.

Thursday, June 11 was the grand day.  It was an outdoor concert and the afternoon brought a big thunder storm just like the rest of the week, we were a bit worried, but we survived!  And we were treated to an incredible full double rainbow just as she took the stage.

We were directly in front of the stage, but had a few obstacles in our view.  We were glad they had it on the big screen too.

We felt like we were two of the oldest people there.  But we did see a few others that we knew were older to help us feel a little better.  It was definitely fun snuggling under the blanket and listen to great music.

Dress Up

We had free time on our hands last Saturday (that never happens!)  So it was clean out the kids closets and get rid of old cloths.  In the process we pulled out my Wedding Dress.  I let the girls try it on and they had so much fun.

They got to feel like Princesses just like I did the day I wore it.  Scary to think in another 8 to 10 years they could actually be wearing their own.  I take that back, how about in another 18 to 20 years!

Elders Quorum Party

Since when do Elders Quorum Parties (one of the Mens Groups in our church)

 involve finger licking good BBQ Ribs???

Mouth watering Chocolate Covered Strawberries???

And lots of people???

When my dear sweet husband is in charge!

It was lots of fun and the kids had a blast with the Volleyball and Zim Zam.

Way to go MEN!

Smartie Pants!

The end of the school year brought lots of fun activities and recognition.  At the 4th, 5th & 6th Grade Assembly Jessica was recognized for an outstanding year

She received certificates for Perfect Attendance, Top 10% in Iowa Testing in the Nation for 5th graders, for being a Class Representative on the Scholar Council this year, Most Likely to be President in her class, and the best was the Spirit of NW award.  This award is given to only one boy and one girl from each class at the end of the year.  She also got a straight A report card.

John had fun with Mom during Mother's Tea

He designed this cute bonnet for Mom.

Made her a special present.

And enjoyed some cookies and drink.

The last day of school he got a special Kindergarten Graduation with all his friends.

He loved his teacher and his aide this year and will miss them.  His report card also sported straight A's.

And Ashley came home with the Spirit of NW Award from her class this year as well along with being in the top 10% for Iowa Testing in the Nation for 3rd graders.  And she had a straight A report card.

The kids loved getting free donuts from Krispy Kreme and getting cash from UCCU for their excellent report cards.  And we've heard they can get free cookies at Smart Cookie as well but we haven't had time to redeem them yet.

It sure is hard keeping up with these 3 smart kids!

Without Mom's Permission

Why is it that Dads and Grandpas love to do things they know the Mom does not approve of????  When we were in Santaquin visiting Mark's parents Mark decided to mow the lawn.  Neither his Mom or Dad have been feeling well so he knew it would help.  After Mark got all the straight lines in the front yard done he thought it was time to turn the wheel over.

To HER!

Have they not read all the reports of children getting hurt on these?  Of course he had to take the two younger children on a spin with him first.  But I refused to document such acts.  He kept sending the kids over to me to ask if they could ride with him.  I just said I would not grant my permission but I guess I forgot to say no they could not!

Jessica had fun mowing the pasture.  And she was very careful.

But somehow a water fight had to happen and look who was in the middle of that too!

Silly Kids!

Bloomin Flowers

Have I mentioned we have a beautiful yard?  Oh ya, I did back then.  Well it continues to be beautiful, no thanks to us.  Whoever planted all the flowers planted ones that come back every year and that bloom all summer long. Here are a few things that have come up on the last month or so.

The snow ball bushes were absolutely gorgeous this year.  Last year we may have pruned them at the wrong time and they did not bloom much.  We have lived and learned.

And this bush next to the snowballs is really pretty.  The giant bumble bee thought so too.  Sorry the picture is a bit blurry but he would not hold still.











And of course my favorite bleeding hearts were incredible again this year.  I really need to get more to add to the bed.

And the roses are amazing.  We have a whole hedge of these pretty little things.

This was the first of many Irises to come.  In another week or so they will be in bloom on all sides of the house.

Thank you to whoever knew what they were doing.  I could never have created this yard myself.  And even though it requires A LOT of weeding, we love it!

Remembering

Memorial Weekend was a busy one as always this year.  We went to Orem Cemetery on Sunday.  For awhile we didn't think we would make it because of all the rain.  But it let up for a few hours so we dashed over there.  The nice part was it wasn't as busy as usual because of the weather.

We stopped by my Dad's

And my mom's parents

Then on our walk over to my Grandma Pritchett's we stopped at my cousin Chase's

Then onto my dad's mom's grave

And next to hers is my Uncle's grave

Then on Monday we headed to Santaquin for their Memorial Day Program.

Mark's parents helped raise the money for their memorial, so they are always involved in the program.  Grandpa Jim was part of the 21 gun salute.

Doesn't he look dignified and important!

The program is a great way to teach our children what Memorial Day is all about.  Somehow I stopped taking pictures of graves, but we visited Mark's relatives in Santaquin and Payson Cemetery before the day was through.

I'm so grateful to live in a country where I am free to choose and free to live.  I'm grateful to all those who are brave and have fought for our freedom.