Ward Campout

Our ward campout was last weekend at our stake campground in Ogden canyon. It's a beautiful area and a really nice campground. I love spending time with our ward in a casual, laid-back setting. Even though we camped alot when I was growing up, I'm not a big fan of it. I'd much rather be in a hotel with a nice bed and a hot tub! But, I love my ward and I love my kids. 2 plus 2= load 'em up and go camping.

Hunter learning to whittle. Why are pocket knives so popular

with boys? It makes me so nervous.

The campground has a nice, semi-heated pool, which is a great

way to end the campout- and it means we can bring home

clean kids!

Max making a basket.

Thanks to my parents for loaning us their pop-up trailer. It made sleeping in the woods much more comfortable! (Well, except for my 6'4" teenager whose feet hung off the bed no matter which way he turned.)

Better Late than Never

Ever since we moved into this house, four years ago, I've had plans to have a garden. I know it's late in my life to finally begin, but we'd never had a yard big enough. (Well, that was my excuse.) So, my husband cleared a small plot and turned the soil and on Saturday, we planted.
Yes, it's small, hey, I don't want to overwhelm myself. Honestly, it makes me nervous to even plant the 9 that I did. We have tomatoes, both large, cherry and grape. There's a green pepper, a red pepper, spagetti squash and pumpkin. Also, there's a cabbage plant that Hunter brought home from school. It's been living and growing in my windowsill for almost 2 months, so I have high hopes for it. He was so excited to plant it himself.

I felt a little discouraged when I saw my mom's garden on Sunday. Her plants are HUGE compared to mine. But, I know there are alot of lessons to be learned from gardening, maybe the first one is to go at your own pace and not compare yourself to others. I'm excited to see how it grows, then next year, we may try a bigger one.

Good-bye, Farewell and Sayonara

After 17 1/2 years of having at least one in diapers, I'm done. It still seems a little unreal. I've walked past the baby aisle several times and had to catch myself and remember that I don't have to go down there. My 'baby' is now officially potty-trained and I am a happy girl!
Here's a few facts about diapers and me-

• I've tried almost every brand from Pampers to the generic. Luv's were always my favorite. I would try the generic when I was feeling thrifty and always regretted it.
• I did cloth with Adam for about 2 months. I'm just not 'green' enough for the effort.
• Five of my kids started out in size 1, only Hunter and Noah were small enough for newborns.
• When Max was born, the hospital didn't have anything but newborn diapers, they taped two of them together until they could send someone out for bigger ones. (Don't even get me started about Salt Lake Regional.)
• Right before Adam was pottytrained, when Sadie was a newborn, I had three in diapers for about two months. That was a very expensive 2 months!
• I have a 'thing' for newborn diapers, they're so cute. (Size 5's, not so much.)
• I figure this is about how many diapers I've bought/changed over the past 17 years.
  

This is not a bittersweet good-bye. I'm thrilled! Noah has had a few accidents, but is doing so well. It's actually quite liberating. No more diapers, diaper bags, diaper rash or wipes. (Of course, I'll always have wipes around for other uses.) That is until I have grandkids, but, by then I'm sure I'll be happy to change diapers again.

Happy Birthday, Max!

Max turns 7 today. My kids, being as deprived as they are, (just ask them) only get a birthday party every four years. Yeah, yeah, you try to have 7 parties a year. Not happening! So, since he didn't get a party, I asked what he wanted to do. First, he wanted to sleep out in the backyard.
So, Daddy put up the tent, with help. They were so excited, got their sleeping bags and pillows-

and played in it all afternoon.

When it came time to sleep, they all chickened out and slept in the living room instead. (It was windy and that's a little scary out in the tent.)

After his choice of breakfast- cinnamon rolls- we went to the park. His choice was one with a skate park. Every time we visit one of these, it takes 3 1/2 years off my life. We have come to an agreement that he MUST wear a helmet. He was the only one there with one on.

He is the most active of my kids and is rarely home. He loves to be outside, riding bikes, skateboard, rollerblades, whatever. You should see this kids calf muscles!! I don't know where he got his physical abilities, but it wasn't from me or his dad. He's also very sweet, always telling me he loves me and that I'm the best mom in the world. I'm enjoying it while it lasts, just 6 short years till he's a teenager!

Happy Birthday, Maxwell!

Memorial Day Picnic

We had a family picinic yesterday for Memorial Day. The weather was perfect, not hot, but not cold, either.

Who knew a couple of $1 kites from Wal-Mart would be such a hit?
Noah rolling down the hill.

Grandpa, Grandma and Lexi.

Ellie on the swings. I can't tell you how many
pictures I had to take before I got ones of these

girls faces, instead of their legs.

Thank goodness for digital cameras!

Jocelyn having a great time.

The oldest grandchild (Amanda) with the

youngest -(Danielle and Gabrielle).

Can you believe school is almost out??? I'm trying to enjoy my last

few days of freedom. I think we should all have a 'mommycation' in

September to recover from our summers!