And They're Off... ;)

Jake (can't contain his excitement), Kyle, and Davis anxious to catch the bus on their first day back to school.

Davis is so excited to be a "ruler" of the school - going into 5th grade and being the oldest.
The night before school, Kyle said to me, "It feels like it's Christmas." He had a little bit of a hard time falling asleep before his first day as a 3rd grader. He's so excited to learn cursive.
Jake started 2nd grade and thrilled to be a "big kid."
Bennett wanted his picture taken even though it's not his first day of Preschool with Miss Kim. He's so excited to start and asks every day if today's the day. This will be a new adventure for him. Hopefully since he knows Kim it'll be easy for him.

Well, it's about TIME!

BEFORE...

AFTER...
ENOUGH SAID...

8

I was tagged by Alicia. I love these things (in no particular order).

8 Things I'm Passionate About:
1. Family
2. Friends
3. Home decor/crafting
4. Blogging
5. Reading a good book
6. Music
7. Church
8. Yard sales/Goodwill/thrift shopping

8 Books I Love:
1. Twilight
2. New Moon
3. Eclipse
4. Breaking Dawn
5. The Host
6. Uglies
7. Pretties
8. Specials

8 Words/Phrases I Say Often:
1. "Are you kidding me?"
2. "Totally"
3. "Seriously"
4. "Holy crap?"
5. "I love you FOREVER"
6. "Ummmm, Yah!"
7. "Are you SERIOUS?"
8. "Just a minute..."

8 Things I Want To Do Before I Die:
1. Have a clean house for longer than a few hours.
2. Watch my boys get married.
3. Become a Grandma and spoil my grandbabies.
4. Travel after Mick retires.
5. Learn to golf and be GOOD.
6. Get healthy.
7. Get up to date with my food storage. Be prepared.
8. Be a huge part in my boys lives.

8 Things I Learned This Year:
1. My house will never be clean for longer than a few hours (and it's okay)!
2. My boys are growing WAY too fast.
3. To be happy. Smile!
4. To be patient.
5. Serve others.
6. I can raise four boys. I can do it!
7. My husband is amazing!
8. I have it all! :)

I tag:
Catherine
Mollie
Terri
Amy J.

QUAIL, QUAIL everywhere there's QUAIL

We looked out into our backyard tonight

and discovered this wonderfully amazing sight...

I couldn't figure out my camera fast enough (they move so quick),

so sorry the pictures are blurry, but you get the jist.

Can you find them in the rock?? How many can you count??

Let's see who can get the closest to my amount...

Here's half the quail walking right by me...
Right before they decided to flee.
We're hoping they have a nest(s) in our trees. It really was cool to see. I don't know that I've every seen a group that big before. I'm just sad I didn't get a picture of ALL of them TOGETHER to share. I need some camera lessons Amy, Kim, anyone!!

LEMONS and SUGAR

My sister emailed me this and I wanted to share it with "everyone"... It's always nice to be reminded... This should probably be taped to your bathroom mirror where you could read it every day. You may not realize it, but it's 100% true.

1. There are at least two people in this world that you would die for.
2. At least 15 people in this world love you in some way.
3. The only reason anyone would ever hate you is because they want to be just like you.
4. A smile from you can bring happiness to anyone, even if they don't like you.
5. Every night, SOMEONE thinks about you before they go to sleep.
6. You mean the world to someone.
7. You are special and unique.
8. Someone that you don't even know exists loves you.
9. When you make the biggest mistake ever, something good comes from it.
10. When you think the world has turned its back on you take another look.
11. Always remember the compliments you received. Forget about the rude remarks.

And always remember....
when life hands you Lemons,
ask for Sugar and call me over!

Good friends are like stars.
You don't always see them,
But you know they are always there.

I would rather have one rose and a kind word
from a friend while I'm here
than a whole truckload when I'm gone.

Stop and smell the flowers?
See how many 'bouquets' you
end up with.

Happiness keeps You Sweet,
Trials keep You Strong,
Sorrows keep You Human,
Life keeps You Humble,
Success keeps You Glowing,
But Only God keeps You Going.

Thanks everyone for being my friend!! :)

So...

This is what our daughter would look like...



MakeMeBabies.com - What will your baby look like?

YIKES! Thank goodness we had boys! ;)

Summertime Fun

NOTHING better than watermelon on a hot summer day...

DO flippers really make you swim faster?
FUTURE swimsuit model with silly older brother trying to get in all the pictures...
Mmmmmmm...Delicious!
TRY to jump higher than this...
PEEK-A-BOO JUST chillin and looking good while doing it...
LOVING Summertime!

Storm

Okay, it's only been two days since I've had a computer and I feel like it's been forever. I'm way behind in looking at blogs and commenting. And I'll probably have to wait until Monday to truly look at them. Then I'll be REALLY behind.

Anyway, the reason behind my lack of computer...

I'm sure all of you Tri-Citians were aware of our very crazy storm a couple of nights ago. Well, Mick and I were out watching it and I decided to go out into the street to get a better look. On my way down the driveway - a HUGE lightning struck close enough that Mick and I heard a LOUD electrical sound and all the car alarms on our street started going off. Needless to say, Mick and I RAN inside (Mick in front without a look behind at me) and watched the rest of the storm from inside. The next morning we discovered our computer and phone weren't working anymore. I'm assuming from the close lightning. Anyway, I figured out our phone wasn't working because it was hooked through the computer. And today I decided to be proactive and got out our computer manual and followed some directions and it came back on. PHEW!!!!!! I can't believe it. I really have no idea what I did. But I'm soooooo happy it's back!! Here's some video I took of the storm right before the BIG lightning.

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Did you watch the storm - do you have any stories?

August 4, 1995

Mick and I were married in the Portland Temple on August 4, 1995.

This is the photo that was published in the TC Herald announcing our marriage.

And this is where we spent our 13th wedding anniversary...

with our 4 boys and my brother's daughter and later on we met up with Mick's mom, dad, brother and his 3 daughters and 1 son, and ended up running into our friends the Nilsens with their 4 boys and 1 daughter. I know, I know, VERY romantic. It just happened that our anniversary was the best date for us to go. You know, now that I think about it - Mick and I spent our 3rd anniversary there too (we left baby Davis with my mom).

This is the first ride we went on...the new Aftershock roller coaster. It was Davis, Kyle, and Jake's first time ever on a roller coaster. Mick thought we should start them out with that, thinking get the scariest one overwith first. I don't know why I agreed because the whole time the ride was going I was so worried about what they must be thinking. Towards the end I was shouting to them, in between my screams, "It's almost over! It's almost over!" I "interviewed" them on video after it was over, but somehow it got deleted. Their expressions and comments were hilarious though!!

Then we went onto the next roller coaster and ALL of us went - including BENNETT! He was barely tall enough to go with an adult. Needless to say, he did not like it. He held my hand the whole time. In his "interview" after, he said, "I don't like the big hills." He was a good sport though. No crying or screaming.

And for some strange reason Kyle wanted to go on Panic Plunge and the waterslide that drops straight down. Too scary for me. So, Mick went with him. I was freaking out for them. Kyle was very excited! Mick was too at first. I think I'll let the video explain (listen closely at the end). It was the funniest thing ever!!

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

The operator told Mick, "That was the best response all day!" (and this was 10 minutes before closing). Everyone within earshot was laughing "with" him. It was HILARIOUS!!! The response was very real!! Anyway, with all the roller coasters, rides, waterpark and waterslides we had a great time and we can't wait to go again next year. Hopefully it won't be on our anniversary again. Or if it is, we can leave our kids behind. ;)