Trip to Ogden

This last weekend we were able to run up to Utah for the weekend to help Grandma clean out her garage. Mom and Dad and Jeremy were going, and Jeff and Jared were flying in to help so we figured we could go and help. We all got there Friday afternoon and finished going through everything by that evening and through together a garage sale for Sat. We were able to get rid of everything, clean the garage and yard, trim trees and take numerous loads to the dump. We were all happy to do it. Grandma put up with a lot of crap from up growing up and this was the least we could do, of course Jeff is the one who shot her with the bb gun years ago so we figure he owes the most!! Aunt Carol has been staying with grandma to help out and it was good to see her too!! It is amazing how much work we get done when there is just as much goofing off when it comes to my family.

Uncle Jeff, Carol and Mom (sisters) and nephew Merrick

The bishop was kind enough to lend his truck to make numerous trips to the dump. Dad and Jared

Four generations of girls.

My kids love spending time with their grandma great. Grandma has 26 grandkids and over 50 great grandkids....I kept losing track when i was counting. She lived across town from us and I am so glad to have had her in my life growing up.

I miss Mister E

The other day Nick sadly said that she missed Mister E. Now I failed to blog that but last month we found a cockroach and caught it in a jar and she carried it around and named it and even had to take it to mother daughter night at the church. One the way home I told her she was going to have to let it go and she was so sad but decided that he missed his family and needed to go home to them. After she informed the bug of our plan we released him across the street but he kept trying to come back to the house. Love was lost because it wouldn't listen to her and she scooped it up and threw it across the canal. I am sure it is doing fine.

Victim #2

On Monday evening the kids went swimming (so dad could take a nap to recoup from the weekend) and Nickola was so excited to find another lizard on the pool steps. I do not know where these are coming from but she was so happy about it and named him Lizzy. After petting it and swimming around with it I finally insisted she put it somewhere "safe." The next day it was still where she left it (the birds took the other one but apparently they didn't want this one) so she was petting it and playing with it again. Animals get no rest here, dead or alive!

Weekend news

Darin finally decided to go to his reunion up in Washington. He has been thinking about it for 6 months and buys his ticket Thurs night to fly out Friday morning (men and their last minute decisions). Yesterday Randy took Darin to the airport because I had already made plans to help a friend that morning (thanks Randy!) then we were watching another friends child that afternoon so I let each person invite a friend so we had 8 kids in the pool but they did great. I was able to sit outside under the umbrella and read my book. I told Darin all I needed was a cabana boy and I would be set. Afterward I was able to go to my scrapbook workshop with Sheila. I love these!! We did a mega 18 page one and we just talk, relax be silly and enjoy a nice evening with great ladies. So today we are off to a birthday party, baby shower and helping set up for the ward party!

Stomach bug

Wednesday morning I woke up with a horrible stomach bug. I literally laid on the couch all day long. My friend Christianne or Bellas mom (which is what my kids call her) was dropping Bella off and brought lunch for the kids and got them all fed. Kim brought us a new movie since my kids missed the summer movie that morning. The kids were so good. Dar had told them to take care of mommy and they did. Conner swept the floor, Zackery took charge and watched everyone, everyone cleaned up their stuff and got themselves food and drinks. I had to cancel for enrichment that night which i was suppose to help teach a class. I went to bed at 7:30 and work up about the same time this morning. I feel much better, a little weak still but I am able to eat and get around. Thanks for awesome friends!!!
Darin now informs me he may have what I had, lets hope not!!

Any one for swimming?

Tuesday evening Darin took the boys swimming and I heard this loud banging sound on the back door I went to find out what was so urgent to find Zackery holding a lizard. Apparently they had found it in the pool. We think it got in and couldn't get out. This has happened before with a baby bird that we found in the filter. So not only do you have to watch your kids around water but also small animals too.

Happy Fourth of July?

Well the fourth came and went. The one thing I can say that I don't like in Arizona is the lack of fireworks. Not the big shows that are put on by the cities but the stands where you buy them and light them yourselves. I grew up with that. My dad would take us and float down the river and then we would come home have a big meal with friends, family or neighbors and then have a big fireworks show and I miss that for me and my kids. We usually go to California for the 4th just so my kids can have that experience of lighting fireworks. This year we stayed here and I have to admit I did not feel like having a party but when it was time for bed I regretted not having any kind of celebration for our country!! Darin got to have Friday off so we did go to the movies and see Ice Age 3D it was very cool and the boys got to assemble some star wars models that Darin found. They had a great time. So I guess we will have to start new traditions for the 4th (except when we travel to california)