Austin is 8!

So, I can't believe my Austin is 8. Where does the time go????? He had a friend party tonight and this was the cake. I thought it was amazing. Shane works with a lady who makes them and she did a great job. Obviously the theme of the party was Super Mario Bros. and WOW... a room full of 8 year old boys was more than enough fun. Austin had a GREAT time and I am exhausted. Just had to post the cake picture.

I can't believe it!

That's right, the title says it all. I am in love with my puppy. I never knew I had it in me to be a dog lover, but I love my Lizzy. She can sit and lay down now too...she's super smart. In fact, Shane was teasing me when I was bragging about her and said she's so smart she can even bite and poop as well (ha ha ha, funny Shane)! We LOVE having a dog!

Just on a side note, I just got called to be back in the Young Womens organization and I'm so excited. I get to work with the Beehives...wahoo!!! I will totally miss Primary, that's kind of my comfort zone, guess there's something new for me to learn.

Oh and we just got back from a B-Day party for sweet Tiffany Searle...I couldn't ever sing Happy Birthday without bawling like a baby. What a great event! Happy Birthday Tiff, we love you!

A little seriousness!

So I just have to voice my opinion for a minute. As many of you know this past week a speech was given by our President to the school children in the country. Many, many people didn't want the kids to watch. I know that we all get to have our own opinion, but I was really hit hard by an email message that our school principal sent out...in my opinion she is very wise. She said ..."Certainly, as part of our school curriculum we teach about the Executive Branch of our government and the importance of respecting the office of the President of our country. Someday, all of our students are going to have a teacher, or a boss, or a political leader that they don't like. I hope that they aren't learning that it's o.k. to disrespect or to not still listen to those people." Go Mrs. Crandall!!!

All though I may not agree with what is happening in our government (have I ever?), at a certain point isn't it my responsibility as a citizen of this country to teach my children to show respect and act accordingly. At first even the jokes about Obama were funny, but now, I just feel like I owe it to my children to act like the adult I am. I don't want them to hear me talking bad about anyone...especially someone we should be respectful of. Now don't get me wrong, I know sometimes the people "in charge" don't earn the respect they are given...however, I think respect can still be given to the position.

It seems lately that my children are like little sponges...even more than usual. I have heard things repeated to me that I have said and that others around me have said, and I'm not so sure I like that coming from my kids. Almost everything our kids learn will come from home and I am making a new goal to be better aware of the information I am passing along to them. I would hate for them to grow into the obnoxious adults I come in contact with a lot these days (you know the ones that are never happy, and problems are never of their own making, no teacher is good enough, etc.)

WOW, I know...think about it!

Meet Lizzy!

Austin with Lizzy

Morgan

Allee

Lizzy!

We finally took that big step as a family and got a puppy. She is a border collie and she is the sweetest thing EVER!!! We are having such a good time with her and she is a great puppy so far. The kids adore her and Shane and I think she's pretty great too. In fact, she has Shane wrapped around her little finger.
Hopefully we can love her and train her to be a great dog as well.

Summer Fun!

Me, Lisa, Marcia, Susanne
This was just Saturday night at a meet & greet with the best author EVER! Marcia Lynn McClure writes the best romances...and they are totally clean...I'm a big fan!

So, I have been neglecting my blog, sad I know. The main reason is that I have been having too much fun! Thanks to Sally and her fabulouse fieldtrips. Thanks Sally!!!!!

The other reason I have been neglectful is that I have been taking care of my parents a lot!. It all started with my mom having surgery on her foot. I had planned to go to Fillmore to help them out for a few days. Well, to make a long story short, my dad had some MAJOR health complications while I was there and it just went down hill super fast. He almost bleed to death and spent a while in ICU. He was able to come home and is recovering well now. SHEESH, it was scary!!!! I've decided that I'm the bad luck charm in my family, because when something bad happens, it seems to always happen on my watch...what's that all about????? Anyway, I have been back again for a few days and both my parents seem to be doing much better now. It's still gonna be a long road to recovery, but at least they're on the mend.

The pictures are from a few of the activities we have participated in this summer.





This picture is from our fieldtrip to Kennecott...wow that was cool. This is a tire from the bid trucks they use down in the mine. It blew me away to read that this one tire costs $25,000. WOW!!!
This is one of my new favorite pics...Allee and Tyler. She just loves him so much!


These pictures are from our excursion to Ogden to the Treehouse museum (it has nothing to do with treehouses) there were tons of activities for the kids and they had a great time.

Not sure what that face is all about???

The 4th in Fillmore!

So, as always the 4th of July in Fillmore was so much fun. We got there on Friday afternoon. We ventured to the childrens parade and then played games and had treats. Then Saturday morning was the parade...the kids got to ride in the parade this year and they had a BLAST!!! Then we went to the park for more games, snow cones and more fun. We just hung out all afternoon with the family.

This is the kids riding on the little buggy with Uncle Morgan...our "Real Cowboy"

The wagon in the parade (my dad built the wagon and trained the horses...I have to brag)

Allee got a VIP ride on Johnny...he's a "BIG BOY"

I have to say, the Fireworks show was the best one yet. It went on and on and ON! It totally ROCKED!!!!!!!!!! Here's to the 4th in Fillmore! Can't wait until next year.

Vertigo and all that is busy...oh I mean DIZZY!

So for those of you who don't know I have been suffering from benign Vertigo this week. I woke up Friday and my world was literally spinning. In the past I have been known to laugh at this very illness because it seems so totally LAME!!! I'm here to say very LOUDLY (can you hear me now?) that vertigo is a REAL illness, not just some made up excuse.
Over the past few days, there have been many people ask what causes vertigo. I can't honestly say I know the real cause, but I'm gonna guess at a few of them.
Here goes: stress (caused by the fact that the neighbor kid fell off the tramp last week and broke his arm), stress (caused by the fact that no matter what I do, someone isn't happy), stress (caused by helping plan and orchestrate a frozen meal trade...WOW is all I'm gonna say), stress (caused by stress), stress (caused by nothing besides my own brain and the workings therein), stress (caused by summers with all the kids home all day).
Is that enough of a reason for vertigo??? Not sure, but it sure worked in my case.

The best part of the whole things was when Allee was tired on Monday and she came to me and said "Mom, my head is busy!" She cracks me up. I think a few people might remember about 6 months ago, Allee was spinning in the living room here at home, she stopped for a minute and while laughing she said "I'm gettin BUSY!" Apparently busy really means dizzy. It was seriously hilarious. Probably had to be there, but Monday was a sweet little reminder of that incident.