LONG Post~ Primary Party, and Water Park! 6/30/2009

Seven out of my nine primary kids have summer birthdays, so I decided to have a Primary Birthday Party! It might just be the easiest party I have ever done. I love throwing parties and usually go WAY overboard-not this time! I even bought already made invitations from the store!
Kate was the first to arrive. She helped us finish setting up, then they headed over to the playground to wait for the reat of the party guests.
Lunch was also kept VERY simple-Hot Dogs, Chips, Pickles, and Juice! The kids all scarfed down their food so they must have liked it!


The party games were so funny to watch. The started out by putting a big straw hat on, then running to get a net that their team mates would toss water balls into. After that they had to pop a piece of bubble gum into their mouth and blow a bubble, every one of them had issues blowing the bubble, and sticking their tongue through the gum soon passed as a bubble. Then, they had to throw on the flower lei, and tie on a hula skirt. After that they hopped on the hopper balls and bounced through Koda's spray gun path making their way to the water balloon toss. Finally, they had to throw on a pair of goggles and hula hoop before running back to their team to tag the next person to go!


After the relay games the kids all grabbed a squirt gun and had a water fight. Somehow Kenna ended up in the water bucket and they all ganged up on her! She loved EVERY second of it!


Cupcake time! Since it was a birthday party for each of the kids they all got a cupcake with their own candle on it. The plan was to light the candles, sing happy birthday, and everyone make a wish. The wind had other things in mind! The kids loved it anyway and chowed down!
Everybody seemed to have a good time, and the kids all got along great! We missed you Kiersten and Kaden! Thanks for coming kids I hope you had, have, a very HAPPY Birthday this summer!
Yesterday we walked over to the water park to make sure they had what I needed for the party. It was HOT. Really hot. Just walking from our house to the park I thought I might die! So of course when the kids asked, with sweat running down their cheeks, if they could cool off in the water I said yes! They weren't dressed for the occasion, since I didn't think we would stay-but when have the wrong clothes ever stopped a kid from getting wet?!
Koda decided to dry off on the playground for a while. That lasted 10.2 seconds! Climbing up the stairs, sliding down the slide, scorching his buns, and darting back to the cool water was enough for him!
Jaden and Bailia loved trying to jump over the spraying water! Koda apparently enjoyed having his insides flushed out!

Happy Birthday Thell~St George Tournament! 6/29/2009

On Saturday we were invited to the birthday party of one of the nicest men in the world! Thell Gubler is THE funniest man you will ever meet. He has the quickest mind, and has something funny to say about everything! Adam made the comment last night that it will be a sad day when Thell dies. He said "I will be so lonely on the course"! Adam and Thell have become good friends on the golf course, and golf together 2-3 times a week. Now that Adam plays so much golf, most of his friends fall into the 65 and older range! It is so funny to get a phone call at 10 o'clock at night asking "hey are we playing tomorrow?" from one of the old men!
On a side note the girl that does our hair now, Kensey, (thanks Kate for the recommendation) came walking up. What are you doing here I asked-Thell is my grandpa she said! I would have NEVER put two and two together. Just shows what a small world this really is, and that in some weird way we are all connected in one way or another!
Thell we hope you had a great birthday-and have many more!! Thanks for feeding us (we weren't expecting dinner-YUM!) and for inviting us to share in your special day! We love you!
Bailia loves Grandpa Gary so much! At the party she came up behind him to surprise him with a hug! So Cute!
Today the kids played at St George Golf Club. Bailia kept her attitude in check the entire round-until she got her award for 5th place-shooting a 39-for the girls 10 and under age divsion.
First of all I am so sorry Meghan! I am SO embarrassed for the way she acted!
She expects to take first every time-which is GREAT to have such drive! The problem is that when she competes in the 7-8 year old division she has a good shot at winning, if she plays well. Competing with the 10 and under is a different story-she should feel REALLY lucky to even place-there are some really good ten year old girls! So when she took 5th today she got really upset. She had a very big teaching moment from her dad on the drive home!
Jaden had a "REALLY bad day" on the course today-three putting almost every hole! He ended up shooting 33-taking 3rd place. I wondered how he would feel not taking 1st-he informed me that he WILL take first next time "for sure"! I guess that is the drive one must have to be a winner! Congratulations to both of my kids-and just remember ~You can't win 'em all!

Great Grandpa, Snake, Springdale, and Young Love! 6/26/2009

Yesterday we went to visit Grandpa Milne. The kids were playing with the bunnies for a while, then Sis came running around the corner with "Snow White" in hand! Oddly enough I had my camera with me and snapped a few pictures!

Today when I had to drop a few things off at Becca's house I thought I saw something peeking out of the bush. Looking a little closer I saw that it was a snake. I am not a big fan of snakes, and we get a LOT of rattle snakes around here, I didn't want to look hard enough to know what kind it was, so I got in the truck and bolted! I called her to let her know and she had her neighbor come over to take care of it!
We took my parents out to Springdale to eat at Oscar's. If you haven't ever eaten there, you need to try it! They have really good, unique food! One of our favorite dishes would have to be the baked tortilla topped with pesto, pine nuts, tomatoes, chicken and cheese-YUM!
Since my parents had never been to the Elk farm, we walked down to see them after dinner. The kids never get tired of feed the elk, and look forward to seeing them every time we go to Springdale.


After dinner we went to my cousin, Swen Sandberg's, wedding reception. The kids loved watching the first dance-especially Bailia-she was in awe! Koda LOVED the cake and didn't want to wait for a fork, so he DUG right in! As we waited in the line to congratulate them Jaden looked up at me and said, is this like a funeral? What do you mean I asked. He said you go through the line and shake hands with all the people standing there and then your done? Yes, like that I said, except people are happy instead of sad! Crazy that my kids have been to more funerals than weddings in their short little life!
Swen and Chloe were absolutley glowing! I remember having those feelings like it was yesterday-where has ten years gone?! The young, innocent love where you think you know what you are doing, but you are actually just two fools trying to make a life, not knowing what to expect! I am so lucky to have what I have. Adam and I have come a LONG way-starting out living in the 500 square foot "breeder" young, broke, and in love! Looking back I know that I loved Adam then, but it is nothing compared to what we have now. I hope Swen and Chloe will have a LONG and HAPPY marriage! Congratulations you two!

Quail Lake 6/25/2009

We had so much fun a few weeks ago going to Quail, I couldn't wait to take the kids back! I really wanted to take the kids yesterday but they all had attitude problems, so we didn't go.
So this morning I dropped Jdog off at Gym and ran home to get everything ready. We picked Dog up from gym early because the weather started looking bad-really bad. Yesterday there wasn't a cloud in the sky, it was HOT, and there wasn't the slightest breeze. Today it was WINDY, sprinkling, and chilly! Crazy St. George weather! But we weren't going to let bad weather stop us from having fun!
Bailia found a crawdad on the shore and thought it was the coolest thing! Then I saw a dead one in the lake, and she couldn't wait to get it! She had goosebumps she was so cold, but that didn't stop her determined little mind! She popped out of the water holding the biggest of her finds!
Once again I had to take a photo shoot with myself and the kidlets! The bad weather wasn't so bad after the wind died down, and the partly cloudy made great lighing for pictures-notice no squinting from the sun!!
Before picking Jaden up we swung by Jimmy Johns to pick up lunch. Why is it that food always tastes better when eaten outdoors?
Jaden enjoyed floating on the tube, until he started getting to far from shore. He started to panic but quickly calmed down after being told he could still touch! Koda and Sis LOVED swimming together!
The kids were so happy to go to the lake, and can't wait to go back again! They love finding rocks, crawdads, swimming, and skipping rocks!

We are also happy to announce that Harley absolutly LOVED the water this time, and she can swim like a dog now!

Red Hills round two! 6/23/2009

Today the JAG Tournament was held at Red Hills. It was H O T! We didn't tee off until noon-the good news is I got quite a bit of SUN, the bad news it was HOT! I can't complain much since the past few weeks of tournament weather have been fantastic! Today Bailia golfed with Erika, Tori, and Danielle.

Since I have to golf with Bailia I don't get to take pictures of Jdog. It is too distracting for A, and if you know how much I love pictures you know this is really hard on me. Today when Bailia and I were on #3 I look over and see Adam and Jaden on #5! Knowing that they were so far away I didn't think the pictures would even turn out, thank heaven for zoom! I snapped a few pictures before helping Sis with her chip shot. I got a picture of Jaden's tee shot, and of Adam giving Jaden a high five after the great drive! SO CUTE!

Sis had a few issues today-I actually almost walked off the course to take her home! If you have seen Bailia's tantrums-I am sorry. If you haven't witnessed one, count yourself lucky. Yes it is that bad! Anyway after three holes she FINALLY pulled her self together and dropped the attitude-lo and behold she started playing so much better! She ended with a 41 taking 1st place in the girls 7-8 year old division!

Seriously the GIANT basketball sized glass golf ball trophies are AWESOME!

On top of taking 1st place, and winning the cool trophy, Bailia also won a Utah Utes/BYU checker game! Letting Koda hold it for a picture satisfied his desire to win something for himself!
Jaden did AWESOME again today! Taking 1st place with a score of 27, winning the giant ball trophy, and a $15.00 gift certificate to Zion Golf! Leave it to Meghan to make every tournament great, making every kid feel like a winner! Thanks again Meghan, you are the BEST!

Happy Father's Day! 6/21/2009

Happy Father's Day to three very special men in my life.
My sweet husband, for without him I wouldn't be complete.
For my Padre, without his strength, and unconditional love I wouldn't be the woman I am today.
For my Father-in-Law, for without you I wouldn't have the husband who continues to learn and grow from you.
To all of you-I love you.
I found a few quotes that I really like and pertain to all three of the Dad's in my life. Because I feel that weather you are my husband, my dad, or my father-in-law, you all have a very strong influence in my life, as well as my kids lives.
A daughter needs a dad...
who will never think she is too old to need him, to be the safe spot she can always turn to, to show her that true love is unconditional, and my favorite~because without him she will have less in her life than she deserves.

Of course Father's Day is supposed to be a day all about DAD. When the plans to go out of town fell through I was pretty bummed. I had already found a substitute for my primary class, so instead we took a much needed day OFF! We have been going SO much that I am completely exhausted! We hung out for most of the morning, with a breakfast of pancakes and eggs. Followed by the U.S. Open, then heading to the golf course for a little practice time of our own.

The kids always love when Kenna and Jake come over. Yesterday when they came to play they couldn't wait to show them their WIPE OUT course. They all ended up a little wet, but somehow Koda and Jake were SOAKING wet! So they ran around in their under roo's for the rest of the afternoon!

While the big kids watched a movie inside, Jake and Koda, who always seem to get bored with movie, went out back to chip and putt.

WIPEOUT! 6/19/2009

Koda Bear has had a few nightmares this past week. Coming into Mom and Dad's bed always makes the kids feel better. Yesterday Koda came in my room about 5:00 (luckily I was already awake) asking if I would sleep in his bed with him. I told him lets go in Grandpa's room~his bed is more comfortable than Koda's. Of course my shadow, Harley, followed us in. Koda fell asleep on my chest, and Harley fell asleep on my legs! I stayed like that for two hours because every time I would try to get up Koda would pop his head up and ask "What are you dreaming about momma?" Nothing Koda I can't sleep. "Oh, I am dreaming about the mumblemumblemuble" and he would fall back to sleep!
My kids just might be the biggest fans in the world of the show WIPE OUT! We record it for them and they will watch it over and over, until somehow someone deletes it (I wonder who would do such a thing!?!) Today they decided to set up their own version of Wipe Out in our backyard!
They played for HOURS~how does that saying go~It's all fun and games until someone gets hurt! Well Koda is the one that took the fall. As he tried to jump over the bridge (a rug draped over two chairs) for the 100th time his foot caught, and he went down. Hard. So hard it knocked the wind out of him, which I think scared him more than it hurt. But as he tried to catch his breath he cried "Jumping over the bridge was not smart. I could have killed myself!!" I had to laugh as I held him until he stopped crying. He is such a crack up!