Boise Trip

So we went to Boise this last weekend for a tennis tournament for Russell. We had a really great time. The car ride was probably the hardest part. Because as most of you know that children are always asking--after you have been in the car for about 5 minutes---

"Are we there yet?"

So we heard this most of the way there. And because of this trip--Logan has learned how to arch his back when I put him in his car seat. He totally hates it. Oh well he has to sit in it anyway.

So we arrived in Boise on Thursday night. Friday morning we got ready and then took a little trip to Costco (good thing because it saved us $7 a ticket for Roaring Springs). Then we went to Roaring Springs for the rest of the day. Here are a few pictures.

This is Brock and Breanna. They had a great time going down these kids slides!! The boys went on a few bigger slides but I think the favorite for all of the kids was the wave pool.

Hattie enjoyed playing in the kiddie pool--there were these inner tubes and she would spin herself around and around.

Logan had a little nap

We had icecream for a late afternoon snack

Russell was supposed to play tennis Friday afternoon--but he was a little late getting to the park and they already had the line up--so he watched for a little while

and then came back to the water park.

Saturday he played in two tennis matches. Both of them they split sets--which means they won one and they lost one and so they had to play a third set to see who actually won the match.

So each match took them about 3 hours plus to play. Then they ended up losing both matches. Don't worry though--they were both great matches and he had a great time playing.

In the afternoon match-- I went to watch and

it looks like we have a future tennis player on our hands. We had a great time in Boise, at the water park, playing tennis, shopping, and most of all spending time with Aunt Darlene and Uncle Garry!!

Breanna wanted to stay at their house FOREVER!!

Heading home--the kids reallized that it was a long trip so they were content to watch movies

It was a good ride home!!

Boise Trip

We had a great time in Boise this weekend. When I get unburied from the laundry and housework--will that ever happen???---then I will download the pictures and let you all know the fun we had.

Joy's 200 Things

I saw this idea on another blog and thought it would be fun to do...Things that have been bolded are things I have done.

200 Have and Have-nots!
1. Touched an iceberg
2. Slept under the stars
3. Been a part of a hockey fight
4. Changed a baby's diaper
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Swam with wild dolphins
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a tarantula
10. Said "I love you" and meant it
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Stayed up all night long and watched the sun rise
15. Seen the Northern Lights
16. Gone to a huge sports game
17. Walked the stairs to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown and eaten your own vegetables
19. Looked up at the night sky through a telescope
20. Had an uncontrollable giggling fit at the worst possible moment
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Bet on a winning horse
23. Taken a sick day when you're not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Taken an ice cold bath
28. Had a meaningful conversation with a beggar
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Ridden a roller coaster
31. Hit a home run
32. Danced like a fool and not cared who was looking
33. Adopted an accent for fun
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Felt very happy about your life, even for just a moment
36. Loved your job 90% of the time
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Watched wild whales
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Gone on a midnight walk on the beach
41. Gone sky diving
42. Visited Ireland
43. Ever bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited India
45. Bench-pressed your own weight
46. Milked a cow
47. Alphabetized your personal files
48. Ever worn a superhero costume
49. Sung karaoke
50. Lounged around in bed all day
51. Gone scuba diving
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Done something you should regret, but don't
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Been in a movie
60. Gone without food for 3 days
61. Made cookies from scratch
62. Won first prize in a costume contest
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Been in a combat zone
65. Spoken more than one language fluently
66. Gotten into a fight while attempting to defend someone
67. Bounced a check
68. Read - and understood - your credit report
69. Recently bought and played with a favorite childhood toy
70. Found out something significant that your ancestors did
71. Called or written your Congress person
72. Picked up and moved to another city to just start over
73. Walked the Golden Gate Bridge
74. Helped an animal give birth
75. Been fired or laid off from a job
76. Won money
77. Broken a bone
78. Ridden a motorcycle
79. Driven any land vehicle at a speed of greater than 100 mph
80. Hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon
81. Slept through an entire flight: takeoff, flight, and landing
82. Taken a canoe trip that lasted more than 2 days
83. Eaten sushi
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read The Bible cover to cover
86. Changed someone's mind about something you care deeply about
87. Gotten someone fired for their actions
88. Gone back to school
89. Changed your name
90. Caught a fly in the air with your bare hands
91. Eaten fried green tomatoes
92. Read The Iliad
93. Taught yourself an art from scratch
94. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
95. Apologized to someone years after inflicting the hurt
96. Communicated with someone without sharing a common spoken language
97. Been elected to public office
98. Thought to yourself that you're living your dream
99. Had to put someone you love into hospice care
100. Sold your own artwork to someone who didn't know you
101. Had a booth at a street fair
102. Dyed your hair
103. Been a DJ
104. Rocked a baby to sleep
105. Ever dropped a cat from a high place to see if it really lands on all fours
106. Raked your carpet
107. Brought out the best in people
108. Brought out the worst in people
109. Worn a mood ring
110. Ridden a horse
111. Carved an animal from a piece of wood or bar of soap
112. Cooked a dish where four people asked for the recipe
113. Buried a child
114. Gone to a Broadway (or equivalent to your country) play
115. Been inside the pyramids
116. Shot a basketball into a basket
117. Danced at a disco
118. Played in a band
119. Shot a bird
120. Gone to an arboretum
121. Tutored someone
122. Ridden a train
123. Brought an old fad back into style
124. Eaten caviar
125. Let a salesman talk you into something you didn’t need
126. Ridden a giraffe or elephant
127. Published a book
128. Pieced a quilt
129. Lived in an historic place
130. Acted in a play or peformed on a stage

131. Asked for a raise

132. Made a hole-in-one

133. Gone deep sea fishing

134. Gone roller skating

135. Run a marathon

136. Learned to surf

137. Invented something

138. Flown first class

139. Spent the night in a 5-star luxury suite

140. Flown in a helicopter

141. Visited Africa

142. Sang a solo

143. Gone spelunking

144. Learned how to take a compliment

145. Written a love-story

146. Seen Michelangelo’s David

147. Had your portrait painted

148. Written a fan letter

149. Spent the night in something haunted

150. Owned a St. Bernard or Great Dane

151. Ran away

152. Learned to juggle

153. Been a boss

154. Sat on a jury

155. Lied about your weight

156. Gone on a diet

157. Found an arrowhead or a gold nugget

158. Written a poem

159. Carried your lunch in a lunchbox

160. Gotten food poisoning

161. Gone on a service, humanitarian or religious mission

162. Hiked the Grand Canyon

163. Sat on a park bench and fed the ducks

164. Gone to the opera

165. Gotten a letter from someone famous

166. Worn knickers

167. Ridden in a limousine

168. Attended the Olympics

169. Can hula or waltz

170. Read a half dozen Nancy Drew or Hardy Boys books

171. Been stuck in an elevator

172. Had a revelatory dream

173. Thought you might crash in an airplane

174. Had a song dedicated to you on the radio or at a concert

175. Saved someone’s life

176. Eaten raw whale

177. Know how to tat, smock or do needlepoint

178. Laughed till your side hurt

179. Straddled the equator

180. Taken a photograph of something other than people that is worth framing

181. Gone to a Shakespeare Festival

182. Sent a message in a bottle

183. Spent the night in a hostel

184. Been a cashier

185. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt

186. Joined a union

187. Donated blood or plasma

188. Built a campfire

189. Kept a blog

190. Had hives

191. Worn custom made shoes or boots

192. Made a PowerPoint presentation

193. Taken a Hunter’s Safety Course

194. Served at a soup kitchen

195. Conquered the Rubik’s cube

196. Know CPR

197. Ridden in or owned a convertible

198. Found a long lost friend

199. Helped solve a crime

200. Commented on someone's blog

This was an interesting activity!! It brought back many memories!! Try it if you'd like. Copy and paste it on your blog and then bold the things you have done!!

Six Random Things

I have been tagged a couple of times and so I better at least reply to one of them.

Rules:
1. Link to the person who tagged you
2. Post the rules
3. Write six random things about yourself
4. Tag six people
5. Let each person you are tagging them by leaving them a comment on their blog
6. Let the tagger know when your blog entry is up

Here we go!! Remember they are six random things--(pretty much the first things that come to my mind :))

1. I love to throw parties. I have been like this for a long time!! In high school my friends would come to me and say--hey let's have a party this weekend. Well I am married with children and I am still one to throw a party, offer to have a party at my house, or bring the party somewhere else.

2. I get migraines--I know this is not a positive upbeat thing--but I do get them. If I consistently go to the chiropractor then I get them less frequently. If I catch it soon enough--I can take tylenol and caffine and it will go away fairly quickly.

3. Russell and I are the nursery leaders in our ward. Let me tell you that with 16 children who come regularly each Sunday--I end up going home and needing a nap. And we are one of two nurseries in our ward. Don't get me wrong--I love teaching the little children and we are getting into a good routine--it just makes me tired.

4. I love to give gifts. In fact I make baby blankets for all of the people who are having babies in our ward. (and that is ALOT!!) But I do it because I love to!!

5. I love to play cards. Ever since I can remember my mom and dad playing cards with my aunts and uncles--I wanted to sit at the table and learn how to play the games. (pinnocle, hand and foot, etc) When they thought that I was old enough they let me play. I remember one time we went to my Aunt's in Arizona and there was a card game that went on for about 36 hours. When someone got tired and went to bed--someone else would get up and fill in. I also remember going to my Aunt's house in Las Vegas and as soon as we were done giving hugs we would pull the cards out and play. I am glad that Russell shares with me the enjoyment of playing card games.

6. In December-- Russell and I will be going on our second cruise. We will be gone for 8 days to the Exotic Mexican Riveria--so our stops are Acapulco, Xtapa, and Manzanillo. This will be a great thing for me to look forward to--however it also gives me a little bit of stress because I will have to be very prepared for Christmas.

Now to tag some 6 people: Jana, Julie, Kristina, Natalie, Takara, and Janae

Breanna's 6th Birthday

Yesterday Breanna turned 6 years old!! We have had quite the birthday cakes this year and so a couple weeks ago I asked Breanna what kind of cake she wanted for her birthday. She went to her room -- found a Little Pet Shop monkey and said, "this is the kind of cake I want". So I had a few days to contemplate it. Well I wanted to make it so that the body was underneath and the head was round and on top of the body--but I wasn't quite sure how to construct it. Anyway this is how the cake turned out. I think it turned out pretty good (they monkey is in the corner of the picture) --however when I put the flesh colored foodcoloring in-- I added a little more than I should have--so the monkey face turned out darker than it should have. Overall I think it turned out pretty good.

After spending the morning making the cake, it was finally time to take Breanna somewhere for her birthday, so we went down to the NailSpa--she and Hattie got their fingernails painted. Then we headed to the movie theater to see Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. (We have been waiting a while to go and see this movie) It was great.
When we got home we ate pizza, Breanna opened her presents from us, and then our family and friends came over to help celebrate by singing and eating cake and icecream.

Did you know that Hannah Montana and her little sister live at our house???

I just found them here the other day!!

River Trip

So as most of you know Russell spent the first week of July (2nd through the 5th) on the Main Salmon River. He had a great time. He went with his brother Nathan, some uncles, some cousins, and a nephew--10 total people went. The river was so high that they were only in the boats on the river for a few hours a day. Then they set up their camp and ate yummy food and played a game called Scum. He had a great time. He didn't fall out of his boat but a few people that were in the kayaks did. He even took one shower while he was gone



I am glad that he made it home safely and next time I will let him go but not over a holiday!!

Dad's 70th Birthday

Yesterday we had a birthday party for my dad's 70th birthday. We had dinner in the backyard, visited, played ping-pong, and croquet. It was a great evening. Doug's family, Kim's family, Kirk and Jaden, Jay's family, Nancy & Bill, Nick & Michele, Frank & Evelyn, and Zina all came to help us celebrate.

Great Day!

So I ended up having a great day yesterday. Thanks to a great husband who told me he was going to work but instead got up and rode his bike to his mom and dad's house where he picked up the old pick-up truck and went shopping (at Sam's). Meanwhile I was home getting ready for the day and ready to run a few errands. Well, I went in the girls room to help Hattie get dressed and I usually always look out the window to see what was going on and the pick up was in our driveway--I said to the kids, "what is the pick up doing in the driveway???" We went around to see what was going on and in popped Russell through the back door saying he just brought my birthday present home (a new gas grill :)) and my other present was that he took the rest of the day off and would stay home with me. He had also stopped and got balloons!! The kids loved that!

What a happy surprise. He went with us to golf and a ran a couple errands, then he did my grocery shopping for me, then he cooked me a yummy steak on the new grill.

Also a big thanks to all of my friends who wished me happy birthday either through phone calls, emails, visits, and presents. It is great feeling to know you are loved and appreciated so thanks for making me feel that way yesterday!!

My mom and dad stopped by and visited with me for a while in the afternoon and they brought me a present and a cake.

Breanna had some friends over. They were pretty funny. They had all jumped into the pool with all of their clothes on. Then they had some great poses for me and the camera. They also put a great High School Musical dance performance on for us.

And last but not least--remember the birthing story I told you yesterday??? Well- last night I got a phone call that my friend who lives down the street had her baby yesterday. So welcome to the world little Vennis. And boy does she have the story to tell about her birthday!!!

Birthday

So today is my birthday and with all of the neighbors and ward members who are pregnant I was thinking about birthing stories, we all have them and talk about them.
Well this is the story that my mom tells me about the day or week I was born. So I was due in June and I came 2 weeks late--and the week that I was to be born my dad was working out of town and the raspberries were on to be picked and if anyone has seen my mom and dad's garden it is huge!! and back in the day there were 4 long rows of raspberries. The day before my mom had spent the day picking berries, I think they (my Grandma and my mom) were make jam or bottle the berries the day of my birth. Well, the morning had passed doing berries and around noon my mom decided that it was time to go to the hospital. So she drove herself-with my grandma with her. Back in the day someone had to admit you to the hospital- my mom wanted to stay down and admit herself but the nurse told her no--so the nurse wheeled my mom up to the room and my grandma stayed back to admit her into the hospital. Before my grandma even made it to the room they called down to the front and told my grandma that she had a new granddaughter. ((I guess I can say I am grateful for preregistration and that our husbands can be with us when we deliver!!)) I have heard this story many times in my life and am grateful to my mom for all that she has done for me over the years. And maybe the raspberries the day I was born attributes to my love of raspberries.
I am grateful to all of my friends and family who make this day so special for me each year!! I think today will be no different!!

Patty Cake

Patty Cake
Bakers Man
Bake me a cake as fast as you can.




So a week ago when I went golfing with the boys my mom watched Logan for me---when I came to pick him up

she said "I didn't know Logan knew Patty Cake."

I said, "I didn't know that either"


Now the favorite thing for the kids to do with Logan is Patty Cake and they also like to see how long they can get him to follow them around-- they take a toy and then lead him like a puppy. The other day Brock said, "He followed me clear to the girls bedroom!!"

Since it is all about Logan---I also gave him a haircut. The big boys hair had grown out in a months time so they needed haircuts. Well since I was cutting I decided Logan could have a little bit of a trim up too. (dirty face and all) we had just finished dinner and since there was a mess I thought I would only clean up one mess. Logan did a great job sitting there for me. He didn't so much like the cape--but we got it done!!

Brock was the photographer on the haircut photos!!

Happy 4th of July

These were the days activities minus a couple BBQs

Diving Board Day

Thursday was diving board day for the kids at swimming lessons. This is always a day to look forward to for my children. It is fun for them to jump. It is also the day that they find out if they passed their class. (Brock is the only one who passed--we will be signing up again!!)

Here are a couple pictures of them jumping.

Yes--Brinton likes to flip off!!

Breanna was to quick and I only got a picture of her swimming to the side.

Hattie wasn't really sure if she wanted to or not.

Brock was very cautious

Grateful Wife

So I am a grateful wife... Russell has been gone on a river trip down the Main Salmon river for the past four days. And last night he returned home safely. I am grateful that he is safe and even more grateful he is home. He was gone the week before on business and then only home for four days before he left again. (Let's just say it was a little stressful at times at home--trying to juggle the schedule and the kids) So--I am grateful he is home and that he doesn't have any more trips planned for a while. It is nice to have him home.

We have a CRAWLER!!

No NOT a night crawler--a baby crawler. Last week (Friday to be exact) I was playing with Logan on the floor and he was being so cute. So I took a couple snapshots of him attempting to crawl. Each time he would lean over to reach something he would sit up and be a couple inches away from where he started--so he was actually crawling backwards. Well since last Friday he has figured out arm, arm, leg, leg. He is still moving pretty slowly but he is doing it!!

(You can see how much farther he is away from the toy.

The kids thought this was pretty funny)