Catching Up!

Gosh! I can't believe how bad I've been about keeping up on my blog. We had such a busy summer. I'm not used to working during the summers, so I have to adjust. Now I am working full time for the first time in many years. I'm working at the elementary school in the mornings as a special ed. aide, and in the afternoons at a day care. I didn't really plan to be working full time, it just kind of worked out that way. Anyway, I thought I'd catch you up on some of our summer activities and bring you up to date. After girls camp, we took a weekend trip to Island Park and had a really nice time. It was relaxing and some of our kids were able to come up and visit and relax with us.
The cabin we stayed in was called the Mooses Caboose

The closest Maci got to the hot tub. It rained a lot.

The cabin had queen bunk beds. The girls enjoyed being next to the ceiling and feeling tall.

Some of the family who visited.


We were able to go to Big Springs while there. When we got there, a moose was standing in the creek and was very unconcerned about all of us who were so fascinated with him. There are huge fish in the creek because fishing is not allowed there and the fish just eat, swim, and grow. It's pretty neat.
Me posing with the moose

Emmi and Maci trying to blend in (gives new meaning to the Moose's Caboose)


I had my birthday the end of July. My family wrapped my gift (or should I give credit to Wal-Mart where it really belongs) but at least they DREW a bow on it. Anyway, it was a great gift. I got a new camera, which makes me even more ashamed that I haven't kept up on my blog.


This year, the father/daughter campout was on the night of my birthday. So we celebrated a day early so the rest of the family could attend that. They always have a good time, even though my girls are usually the oldest ones there. For the last two years, they have taken Subway in a dutch oven (creative, don't you think?) But this year they actually decided to fry eggs in a dutch oven over the fire and have breakfast sandwiches for dinner. They were the only ones who cooked anything over the fire because everyone else thought their idea from the past two years was so good.

Tagged

Just like Linz. She doesn't blog for a month and then tags me as soon as she does. I know she is just trying to give me something to blog about because I have not been the best blogger lately either. Thanks, Linz!

What is your current obsession? I guess it is time to myself since I have so little of it. I have worked all summer and am now going to work almost full time now that school is starting. Don't mess with my time off!
What do you hate (or dislike) the most that everyone else seems to love? Talking on the phone. Most people can't stay off the phone and I hate calling people, answering the phone, or other phone related activities.
What's for dinner? Chicken burgers. When I get home from work, it's whatever I can pull out of the freezer the fastest.
What would you eat for your last meal? Cafe Rio's pulled pork salad. Lindsay made it for me for Mother's Day and I can't get enough of it.
What was the last thing you bought?School clothes for Maci. Emmi bought all of her own. Yippee!
What are you listening to right now? Diners, drive-ins and dives on the food channel. It's a hoot!
What do you think of the person who tagged you? Linz is a great daughter. I think she appreciates me more now that she's married, and I appreciate the fact that she needs me for some things now that I'm not always there to tell her what to do. She has turned out to be a great person, fun to be around and is a great joy in my life.
If you could have a house fully paid for and totally furnished anywhere in the world, where would it be? Within an hour or two of all of my children.
If you could go anywhere for the next hour, where would it be? To bed and sleep without any interruptions.
What is one of your hobbies? I like to sew and bake.
What are three things that annoy you most? 1) Utah drivers, 2) People who don't do their jobs and it affects others' jobs (especially mine, 3)not having enough money to do all that I want to do.
What is your favorite color? I am really drawn to reds and all its shades and tints.
What is your favorite item of clothing in your wardrobe? I had a dress that I just loved. It said "dry clean only" and I thought that washing it wouldn't hurt it. Now it is no longer in my wardrobe but I sure loved that dress.
What is your favorite fruit? I like grapes when they are really sweet. It's been a long time since I've had really good grapes though.
What inspires you? Going to the temple. It just makes me feel good and makes me forget all my worries for awhile.
Who was the last person you kissed? Unfortunately, it wasn't Doug. It was one of the babies at the day care where I work. He's adorable.
What are you currently reading? I started The Work and the Glory series again and am on the 2nd book. I don't get much time to read these days though.
What delighted you the most today? The smiles of the day care kids. But I must admit, I was tired when I got home and was delighted to put my feet up.

I tag Rani, Kati, Eliza, Michelle, and Tara

Challenging Girls' Camp

We had our girls' camp this year at Badger Creek Ranch, which is owned by BYU-Idaho. At this camp, the counselors hired by the camp challenge the girls to be courageous and to stretch their comfort limits. Most of them did it and for the most part were glad for the experience. One of the most challenging courses was the climbing wall, which once accomplished, ended in riding down a zip line. I estimate that it is about 35 feet high. There was also a giant swing where we were hoisted to the top of the same climbing tower and when we let go of our rope, we swang all the way across a clearing. What a rush!! I actually did this one but nobody had a camera. I was told I had the best scream though.




They also got to ride horses and go canoeing. It was a great time. That's Emma-Leigh in the green.



This is a picture of all of us after our testimony meeting as we were getting ready to pack up and go home.

An Oasis in the Desert

Doug and I just got back from Phoenix. He had a principal's conference and I had a vacation. We got to stay at the Desert Ridge Resort and it was really great. I spent a lot of time in and by the pools. The temperatures were between 113 and 115 the whole time we were there. But if you think of it as making the pool water warm, it's not so bad. It isn't like Idaho where you have to get used to the water one toe at a time. I also got to spend some time with my sister, who I don't get to see nearly often enough. It was great. The pictures look like I was there by myself but Doug never went to the pools because he was in meetings all day. I even had to take all of these pictures of myself on the last day we were there because I couldn't bear to come home without any pictures.

How did this happen?

Yes. It's a full pop can turned upside down in the garbage disposal. It's just the right size to fit in, goes down just far enough and is heavy enough that you can't get a grip on it or get your fingers around it. Emmi and I struggled to get it out and couldn't get it. Doug, genius that he is, took a pair of tongs and pulled it out. Life would be so dull without kids to create interesting puzzles for us to figure out. Thanks, Emmi.


Don't miss the two other posts below. It has been a long time since I've blogged.

New and Different Rides

We struggled for a month or so trying to get people where they needed to be this summer. Our van gave out and we were down to one car with 3 people working different times and places. Finally, we decided we were going to have to bite the bullet and get a new car. So we bought me a 2008 Ford Escape! I love it and it drives so well. But, alas, Emmi was driving it more than I was because my work was closer than hers. So I was riding my bike to work while she took my car. AND Doug has been wanting an older truck to haul things in and thought if we could find one that he could drive, we could teach Emma-Leigh to drive a stick shift and give her the Escort. So we went on a search for a truck, found one on Craigslist, and bought it. Then Doug took Emmi out yesterday to begin the driving lessons, and she did pretty well for a first try. With a little more practice, she should do fine. What more motivation does a person need to learn to drive a stick shift than the offer of a free car?

Turning 2

Gwen, our oldest granddaughter, turned 2 this week. She is very fun and had a great time at her birthday party. All of our available kids were there.
Lindsay & I had fun making ice cream cone cakes for Gwen

Gwen knows what to do with an ice cream cone

Uncle Nathan likes them too

Gwen loved her new doll and stroller. She was ready to take them for a walk.

Turning 2 is a hair-raising experience!!!