Memorial Day Weekend - Not our typical tradition

We were invited to go to St. George this Memorial Day weekend to stay at our good friends' in-laws home (they're snow birds.) It was a beautiful home with a gorgeous pool and hot tub. We basically swam, barbequed, swam, layed out, etc. Jill and I got to go shopping at Tai Pan just blocks from the house while Matt and Wally took in the new Terminator movie later that evening. Ahhh, this is the life . . .

I am so impressed my husband can still do full front flips and from the edge of the swimmintg pool. Here he is keeping up with 15-year old Tyler. Whoo - Hoo!!

I love how my camera takes up to 32 "shots" of a single setting when in the sports mode. The kids wore out this slide.

Ella and one of the twins - Cody.

Thoughts Tonight

It's quarter to midnight and I know I'm going to regret being up this late tomorrow but everyone's in bed and the quiet is so nice. So, I'm going to blog. . . .

I feel guilty at times that I rush to get my little ones in bed almost everynight because I look forward to "adult" time, whatever that means. Tonight was no different - bath, pjs, brush teeth, floss, rinse with fluoride, potty, stories, prayer, hugs and kisses, tuck in bed - Sigh! We didn't get to scripture tonight - twice this week so far but who's counting?

After some wind down time, I take time to notice pieces of my children's world around me like Ella's little stuffed animals and the details in how they are set up (little ribbons on ponies' manes, baby wash cloths used for saddles on her horses, Barbie Rapunzel's hair piece used as a leash for her stuffed puppy, a necklace of hers wrapped around her unicorn to "accessorize" and all of them sitting around a tea set.) I see drawings from the day on the fridge of rainbows, flowers, butterflies, a family- our family. I see Aidan's toy cars all lined next to each other where he used his other car to jump over them. I see little fingerprints on my just wiped fridge, my sliding glass door and bathroom light switch - where my children have been. I reflect on the day and don't want it to end. It's just a day closer to leaving childhood. My dad counseled once when Nicholas was little to "treasure every precious moment with your children because they pass all too quickly." I don't do it enough.

I keep thinking things will slow down then I can really get into my children's world. They don't and they won't.

Nicholas is now 17. 17!! Today, he was excited to tell me about a car he drove (he drives the cars into the car wash at Super Sonic where he works) but I couldn't give him my undivided attention because I was running out the door. That moment is gone.

On a happier note, I treasure my little ones and big one and their example of Christ-like qualities. I reflect on the day and picture Aidan shouting at the top of his lungs a number of times today, "Mommy, I LIKE you!" His thing lately. It melts my heart! I see Nicholas giving me a hug because I feel bad that I can't listen to his car story and saying, "It's okay, Mom. Go. I'll talk to you later. " I see and hear Ella, saying, "Mommy, I can rub your neck for you," at lunch time while I take my hand and rub the back of always - sore neck while we eat lunch. I see Aidan running to me when I get home tonight saying, "Mommy, where were you? I missed you!" He's my "little man." I've called him this forever.

What would the world be like without children?

I feel so blessed and honored to be a mother. I feel so privileged and often in awe that Heavenly Father would give me stewardship over His children. I hope I can take the time to be better at treasuring these precious moments.

Big Son, Little Son

One of our "highlights" from Arches . . . .

Keep in mind Nicholas is 6' 3" while Aidan is 3' 2". I was so scared. Luckily Aidan landed just a couple feet from rock in the sand. He was more scared than scratched - thank goodness!

Arches

I grew up camping with my family and loved it. I'm glad I married a man who not only loves it as well has it as part of his church calling description. I really want my kids to love and appreciate the outdoors as well as be active physically with nature.

This last week we had the long awaited opportunity to camp at Arches National Park in Moab. There is no place like this in the world. I was mostly excited to finally get some good hiking in. I so wanted to see Delicate Arch up close.

As soon as we got to our camp spot, Ella & Aidan ran up and down the red rocks. It was much better than a playground.

Aidan gets a little creative with his" rock" dance.

The kids were starving for hot dogs! Why? I don't know. I decided to go simple with food this trip. Many camp-outs have left me exhausted planning, packing, cooking, cleaning. I guess I am getting wiser as I get older.

What's camping without smore's?

After a surprisingly decent night's sleep, Matt and I cooked up some pancakes, and bacon (turkey, that is - the boys pouted), and warmed up with some cocoa. We hope it warms up soon!

Ella is our little monkey. She will seriously climb anything. She climbed this tree the entire camp out over and over and over.

Our first hike was relatively easy. We could only get two in before we had to head back home. Here is Landscape Arch. It's about as long a football field. Ella was grumpy the whole time. I think she was bored because of the "paved" path to this arch and Aidan whined and wanted to be carried. I was so disappointed about the rest of the trip. If they were like this already how would they last the 3 hour hike to Delicate Arch? Oh my. . . .

Surprise! This 2.5 to 3 hour hike acutally only took us 2 hours and 20 minutes and the kids hiked ( and ran during some parts) the entire way without a single complaint. They actually loved it. It was ar eally fun hike. I was pretty proud of Ella and Aidan.

Ahhhh! Isn't it beautiful? We actually went and sat right inside ( I was determined to go all the way up to it). This is so worth it!

We ate our lunches while looking at one of the most beautiful views in the world! We made it!

PROM

I seriously cannot believe I'm old enough to have a child who's old enough to go to Prom! Oh my! It doesn't seem too long ago, I was there so excited to wear my formal, do my hair, etc. etc. That was in California and long ago. Now and in Utah, Prom is an all day event and lots of money. I had so much fun planning it with him, you'd think I was going.

This is how it all began:

Nicholas decided to ask his date by making a chocolate cake with the word "PROM?" spelled out in orange and blue M&Ms, with orange frosting (Timpviews colors). I promise. All these details will be important when it comes time for your kids to attend high school! His date attends Provo High and they have been friends for some time. This is actually our second cake which started at 8:30 pm. When it was done, we put it outside to cool to make it cool more quickly. Matt was down working in the basement with our dog, Bo. When Nicholas went to check on the cake 15 minutes later, it was 3/4 eaten, yes by our dog. Nicholas was pretty upset and he was in a time crunch to have his buddies assist in the asking. By now it is 9:15. I bake another one. . . . Here it is. We didn't have enough room for the "?" It'll have to do. It's 10:15 pm.

This photo was wrapped in plastic and placed between the two cake layers. Nicholas and Chloe have been friends for some time (old ward) so, it the tone of this photo was acceptable.

We were getting a little nervous as we had not received a reply after a few days. Did she know who it was from? Did she actually get the cake? Is her answer 'no?' All kinds of thoughts went through our minds. Finally, the doorbell rings at 9:30 pm five days later. Chloe had a silver doile with a "glass" slipper on it all in the cake dish Nicholas gave to her. It said "Yes! If you promise to have me home by midnight."

I thought it was really cute. Oh, the memories!

We went "shopping for a tux. It was so much fun. The clerk at the shop asked if we were "together." I think he was on drugs." I think he looks rather handsome if I do say so myself!

Chloe was one of my Beehives in are old ward. She's awesome. I'm glad Nicholas asked her.

Wait! Is this really happening? Am I really a mother of a 17-year old? :)

Walmart - Customer Service and Therapy

I really hate to complain but I need to write this down. It will act as therapy for me. Once I get it out I think I will feel better.

Walmart.

I used to love grocery shopping. I never got it when I heard other woman say they hated it. I get it now. I try to be so prepared by going through the ads and match pricing (the main reason I go there). I plan my meals for the week or so then write my list accordingly and by the route I take so I follow my list in the order I am walking through Walmart. I know what you're thinking but it's supposed to help me get out of there quicker. If I have coupons, I asterick the items so I know to pull them out as well.

Anyway, after a good hour and a half (grocery shopped out and two hungry but pretty well-behaved children asking to ride the horsie), I pull my heavy ladened cart to the check stand. I can tell the clerk already seems irritated as soon as I mention "price match" items. I only have a few. I think, "Okay, I certainly wouldn't want to have to deal with customers all day on my feet." I try to be pleasant.

When the total is called out flatly, I swipe the good old debit card and proceed to follow the prompts. In the background, Ella and Aidan are excitedly inquiring about riding the horse (her name has been Isabelle/Tinkabell for as long as I remember now) and Dumbo.

I know that once the till is opened and closed at Walmart for a transacation it can only be opened again by permission from a "supervisor." I try to be courteous and ask the clerk for four quarters in exchange for my one dollar bill (horse and Dumbo ride) before the till opens. Here's the conversation:

Me - Could I please get four quarters for my dollar, if you have it?
Clerk - No. I can't.
Me (puzzled but trying to smile). I see now that with a debit transaction the till does not open. I also know one just has to press a button for a supervisor to give permission (from somewhere) and magically open the till.
Me - Do you know if the "Fun Center" gives change?
Clerk - No.
Me - Can you call someone to open your till? (determined to get some customer service in this dying practice and reward my children for enduring another long trip to Walmart)
Clerk - sigh, I guess.

Honestly, I was shocked. All it took was for this person to push a button. The supervisor (somewhere in some magical location simply grants permission intangibly and voiala, the till opens).

I remember when groceries were bagged for you, put in your grocery cart (yes, Maceys does do this), then a bagger would push your cart to your car and load your groceries. Call me old fashioned, call me demanding but I call it customer service. I just want a little customer service. Is that too much? I actually walked out of there thinking, "what is happening to our world? What is customer service going to be like when my children are adults?" It make me wonder and it makes me want to shout out, "Hey, I'm a paying customer! I'm nice to you. Be nice to me!"

And now . . . I feel better.

Stretching Our Legs

It's been a tradition of ours to take a walk on the river trail to stretch our legs between Conference sessions. We stop and take turns riding this huge swing our old friends made, skip rocks and always see people we know. We absolutely love it. This year we saw our dear friends Rob and Jill and new friends, Jen and Ryan.

Here the kids are skipping rocks.

Aidan has become quite the "poser." Here he says, "Mommy take a picture of me!" So, of course I had to. It didn't take much to convince me.

Oh my goodness! I saw this little snake cross right in front of me and told Matt. He ran and picked it up. What a man! Aidan was in awe and cried when we had to let it go. Ella was a little apprehensive (I was a lot). They actually held it. I couldn't believe it! I actually still can't believe I let them but then again Matt was there so I felt a little safer.

I can't wait to put this photo in Aidan's scrapbook.

I love this photo of Ella and the snake. I can't wait to put this one in Ella's scrapbook as well. Some day she might not believe she picked up a snake but here's the proof! We love Conference weekends.