Happy 4th of July!

Snakes in the front yard. I won't tell you what Sydney said they look like!

Smoke bombs in the backyard...

What a fun time of year! And always a nice time to reflect and remember how truly blessed we are to live in America. I have been reminded of this a few times this year as our girls have learned patriotic songs and the Pledge of Allegiance in school this year. Those things coming from your children just melt your heart.

Pictures of my family! Impossible to get a good picture of Brandon because he won't hold still long enough. Sydney's always ready to pose. The sun was in Amanda's eyes and I couldn't get her to smile! And there's the dog! And my sweetie, looking thoughtful and reflective.

Mike had been on a business trip until very late on Tuesday, so Wednesday morning we kind of slept in! It was wonderful! Then, we had to do some yard work since the lawnmower broke while I was trying to mow and left a beautiful pattern in the front lawn. My handy hubby fixed the mower and we made things all right again. Then, we went to lunch and also drove around Kville's activities, since we've never been...just scoping it out for next year, I guess. We got some fireworks and back home so Brandon could sleep. Mike did smoke bombs and snakes with the girls and they loved it! While waiting for Brandon, we watched 'The Revolution' on the History Channel. We have been really into learning about this American history since Mike started reading 1776 and John Adams by David McCullough. We were fortunate to hear him lecture a few months ago (well, Mike and his parents did, I had to run home because the inexperienced babysitter kept calling my cell phone during the lecture! I finally just went home), and they were extremely impressed.

We ran to Winger's for dinner (Sydney's choice) and then back to our house for more fireworks. Soon, we joined up with the Francis', which usually happens every July, and watched fireworks with their family and the McCleary boys. When we were done, it was perfect timing to go see the city's fireworks, so we drove until we found a church lawn that had the perfect view. We could hear the music, also, and didn't have to fight the crowds or worry that Brandon would get lost. It was fun to hang with my girls and sing songs together. I had to hold back tears because it was such a sweet moment. Then, the girls noticed the American flag in front of the church, so we stood and said the 'Pledge'.

The fireworks master!
The big show!
And then our church fireworks view....
Little Sydney was so tired!

This is a perfect way to spend this holiday for me...with my family. I am so lucky!

A thought

Why are my weeds taller than my corn, carrots and tomatoes in my vegi garden? And why are they all green and beautiful and my vegi plants are struggling? I guess my green thumb is a little off! (No pictures...I don't need a reminder!)

School's out!

Yea! I feel like I had the longest last week of school and I'm so glad it's finally out! Going through June has not been a fun experience. I had to help with Field Day on Thursday and it was hot! But, it was fun to see Amanda and her classmates. There was a dunking tank and Mrs. Barton being the great sport she is let those kids dunk her over and over and over! She even got injured in the process and she had a migraine. It made their day to dump her in the water!


Now, an attempt to run down the rest of the week...


Wednesday night, Mike decided we should put the kids to bed, get a sitter and go see the 10pm showing of Pirates. It was fun to get out alone. We've been out, but usually with friends and it was nice to have some one-on-one and to stay up past 11pm made me feel like we were dating again! We liked the movie ok. There was a lot going on as far as storylines.



Brandon did great his last couple of swimming lessons! His teacher, Bri, has him doing a backfloat with his hands up under his head. Now, I'm thinking this is how he got his ear infection! Maybe he got some water in his ear from that and since the tube is gone in his left ear, it won't drain....probaby not medically correct, but Mommy intuition. He hasn't slept for 3 nights. We've been up like he's a newborn and I'm not handling it well. I feel a little warm tonight. ANYWAY, he's now on meds and I hope it goes away (last time it got worse and we had to do antibiotic shots!). Ask Mike about taking him to the doctor and what he wrote on the 'symptoms' chart. Ask him who was right!



Saturday we had a family yard sale! I got the bug a few weeks ago and asked my sibs if they wanted to do one. We talked my Mom into using her yard...thanks, Mom! I think it was a success! Darin sold his breadmaker and I think everyone came out with less junk and more $$

The cute pregger sis-in-laws and Amanda in the garage part of the 'garage' sale! The little girls sold treats and drinks and did great business! A quick lunch to Wendy's with G&G Gib after was the highlight for the kids. Thanks for taking the leftover stuff to the D.I. M&D! After we got home, Mike decided we should go see Ratattouille (I'm sure I spelled it wrong). The kids loved it, but good-night, it was long! The kids were soooo tired! We headed to Cafe Rio for dinner and home to bed!

Mike is on a business trip for a couple of days and I'm hoping that the kids sleep in tomorrow! I'm preparing the chore charts and am excited for some extra help keeping the house clean! I'm hoping Brandon will finally sleep tonight!

Oh, Darin & Kat blessed their baby today. I am always amazed at the power of the Priesthood and how the feeling just fills a room. D has some good buddies from high school that came to help and Kat's friends were there. I think they are so lucky to have support from friends, as well as their awesome family. Makayla is so sweet and Sydney and Amanda begged to hold her during the meeting. They did a great job and felt pretty special holding the guest of honor! Brandon was fascinated by 'baby hands' and 'baby toes'...it was fun to see him respond to her.

We also had a Activities meeting today. Mike and I chair this for our ward and I'm so excited about some of the activities we have planned! I'll keep you posted on those. Time for a trip to St. George (I know...run away to the heat!) to catch our breath. It's so relaxing for us down there. We want to see Uncle Bud's new putting green in his backyard! Fore!

Thanks for reading the boring details of this week, but sometimes it's nice for me to write them down to understand why I have felt so crazy and why I'm so tired! ttfn

Hot Summer Nights

Mike and I were out just pulling a few weeds tonight and spot watering in the front yard. Before you know it, the kids found the sprinkler and that was the beginning of their impromtu water party. It was funny to watch Brandon because he wouldn't run through the sprinkler, but stand right in it. He loved it!

Then, the party moved to the backyard where the girls were practicing their cartwheels and pretty soon Brandon came out back and started doing somersaults! They were more like head stand somersaults, but so cute! Who knew he could do that? Not the parentals!

Much screaming occured when I stopped the party and took them in for baths, but I did let them play until Brandon's teeth started chattering! You gotta love summer!

Excuse me, Laura Ingalls?

Amanda had Little House on the Prairie Day at school today. Doesn't she look cute? We got her shortish hair braided and she's wearing the dress my Mom had made me for a Raggedy Ann costume one Halloween! We've gotten good use out of this dress! They wore their dress-ups and played games all day, made lemonade, had a watermellon seed spitting contest and read the last chapter of the book by 'firelight' (flashlights the kids brought to school). What a fun memory!

When I was little, I loved watching 'Little House on the Prairie' and it was fun to hear Amanda talk about the book. When she came home today she said she for sure doesn't want to be a pioneer! They work too hard!

I have a little turtle....

So, it was Brandon's very first swimming lesson today and guess what? He hated it! He did alright for the first couple of minutes. He was kicking his legs, but as soon as his teacher tried to make him back float he lost it! Screaming at the top of his lungs and yelling for Mommy! Then, when that didn't work after about 10 minutes he started screaming for Sydney! So, we have signed up for the entire week and I'm hoping tomorrow goes better. Kudos to his teacher, she was calm and sweet to him even though he was screaming in her ear for 20 minutes straight!

My Pop is having a birthday!

My Dad's birthday is Tuesday, but he's going to be out of town, so we partied on Saturday. My Mom got brave and contacted McKenzie's mom to see if she could come to our family party! We were so excited that she actually came! The girl cousins had such a great time together! Their favorite thing to do is play in Papa's motorhome. We were also excited that when it was time for McKenzie to go, she voluntarily gave us all hugs! It was so great and I hope that we get more contact with her now that she lives in SL. Anyway, back to the party. We all pitched in and gave my Dad a GPS for his car. He was really excited! Of course, the party is not complete without the Gib's rowdy rendition of Happy Birthday. It's a classic, believe me. Fun times with our families this weekend!

The birthday kids! Dad, Aidan and McKenzie during Happy Birthday!
Sydney, McKenzie and Amanda with blue faces from the flowers on the cake...silly girls!

Lagoon on Friday night with the Arvys!

Brandon likes the boats! He's with Emily and this is the best picture I could get. Sydney and Brandon waiting in line. I loved how Sydney took care of Brandon by holding both hands. Good big sis!
Riding the helicopters with KelseySydney and Brandon on the Butterfly swings. Amanda was doing big kid rides. She and the cousins did the Tidal Wave and big Swings over and over for about an hour! I was getting sick just watching them!

Friday night we went to Lagoon with the Arvy's. We had a good time and afterward Scott & Kellie's kids came home with us so that S&K could celebrate their wedding anniversary. The kids had a blast! But, I'll tell you the one reason I hate sleepovers....it takes our kids 2 days to get caught back up on sleep and they are cranky until that happens. Poor Amanda tonight was just so emotional and tired! I put them all to bed early and she went right out. Ok, I'm tired tonight because I'm not making much sense! So, just look at the pretty pictures our crazy camera gives us and enjoy!

The sleep over kids showing us their best sides!

Amanda sings and dances and opens the show!

Can you see her above the cell phone?

Tonight was Amanda's 2nd grade program. She was the first speaker and welcomed us all to the show! She did a great job and out of three 2nd grade classes, they only had 6 speakers, so way to go, Amanda! They sang great songs and did some sign language and actions. Amanda clearly was enjoying herself. She was rockin' out! Grandma Arveseth came up for the show. We we excited to see that Amanda liked to perform and didn't have the blank stare that many of the kids did. The scariest part of the evening was that I was in the slide show! Yikes! The kids in Amanda's class were so excited to tell me. I volunteered quite a bit in her class and someone took a picture of me in action. Amanda loved having me volunteer. It meant a lot to her. It wasn't always easy to get there and I had to bring Brandon most times, but it was worth it. Amanda also liked when Sydney, Brandon and I would come to school and have lunch with her. It was fun to see her in the middle of the day and then watch her interact with her friends at recess as we weren't allowed (by Amanda) to leave until the bell rang to go back to class. It's been a fun year and I can't believe how much she's grown up this year. We are still working on a few projects and I will be volunteering 2 more times next week, but this school year is in the bag! Congratulations, Amanda! Dad and I are so proud of you and all that you have done and how much you have grown and matured this year! You are beautiful, Manda Panda!

Amanda doing her part at the microphone. I'm tired of our camera giving us fuzzy pictures!
Amanda and Mrs. Barton

After the program, we went to Jake's for shakes! Thanks for coming up, Grandma! It was fun to have you there and we are glad you and Grandpa are home from your travels!

It's so beautiful!

(Ugh! If anyone knows how I save the picture once I rotate it, let me know! I thought I had it this time and I didn't! I even changed the name and saved it in a separate file..right side up! So, sorry if you get a crick in your neck from trying to catch the vision of this beautiful piece of paved paradise!)

Look at it! How beautiful! We have honestly be trying to get someone to pour concrete on the side of our house for 8 months! Finally, we got someone to do it and after waiting 3 weeks, they came today! I was giddy! I'm so glad to have this finished and to get rid of the mud. I will also be glad to have our gate put back on so the dog can run free in the backyard and also so it will contain Brandon in the backyard! So, happy day!

We had the kids put their handprints in the concrete. Brandon didn't quite get it, but the girls really liked it!

Now, if anyone would like to walk into our backyard from the north side without getting your shoes dirty, come on in!!!!