june is almost over?

I cannot believe June is over after today.

All the rain & cool weather has been

GREAT

but through me off mentally.

(apparently it doesn't take a lot)

Some of the things I missed blogging about in June:

Chloe & Trent have had 3 weeks of swimming lessons!

This year it has been raining & cool, but still fun in a warm pool.

I think T- is actually picking it up!!?

{Zore's final resting place, covered with rose petals}

Our nearly FIVE Year Old Gold Fish- Zore passed away.

It was a heart wrenching couple of days....

as Trent passed by his floating body -- tears & more tears.

We finally buried him/her.

Trent did the digging- Chloe gave the eulogy & I said the prayer.

She tossed rose petals. Trent mostly cried.

I made another apron & because of the pattern on the fabric,

I chose to go simple on the design- bad idea- it didn't turn out like I wanted.

I've had the most beautiful roses thanks to all the rain- and now- the daisies are up.

June has been a slow, long, fast, short kind of month.

With the heat coming on & my favorite holiday of the year-

it feels like summer!

a brittany kind of saturday

Yesterday Chloe & I

headed down to Utah Valley for my new- going to be niece in-law's, wedding shower. This is Brittany

My nephew Marcus's fiance.

She's darling & a perfect match for Marcus!

We have a wedding coming up in two weeks & a load of wedding activities that we are all really excited for here!

Chloe & I got to meet Brittany's mom & family. They were great!

We are so happy for her & Marcus. It's going to be a fun couple of weeks.

After the shower-

My niece Brittany, Chloe & I headed to University Mall & Provo for some more fun.

I finally bought some DARlIng baby things for my new grandson- YES it's a boy! I didn't want to show what's in the bag... since I want Megan to be surprised. But-- I found the cutest things!

My niece Brittany- this Brittany is Marcus's sister.

Yep- two Brittany's in the family.

We have found ourselves saying-

Which Brittany?

The new Brittany, the old Brittany (I have banned that one), Marcus' Brittany, Brittany the original, Brittany Ann... on & on.

{the original Brittany & chloe making cards at Archivers}

What do you think we should call- the new Brittany??

Whatever... it was a blast to spend the day with Brittany & Chloe.

After shopping-
In honor of Nie Nie's birthday
We went to get a VaNIElla cupcake at the
Sweet Tooth Fairy

Hooray- the vaNIElla cupcakes were nearly sold out!

We had vaNIElla, strawberry lemonade & red velvet-

they did NOT disappoint. WOW

The Sweet Tooth Fairy is a darling store- I would have gotten pictures of the inside but it was pretty crowded. I'm glad we got there in time to get a NIE NIE cupcake.

We headed to Zupas for dinner -

(Zupas has the most fantastic food, if you're local & haven't been there... GO!)

Then home

to visit with the Trekkers!

Or a least Hailey.

Jack isn't really a "talk about everything that happened" kind of guy.

Yes- she is sunburned.

Yes- she swears she wore loads of sunscreen & had on a bonnet... but three days on the Wyoming plains will just do that to ya, especially if you have your mother's sensitive skin, sorry hay.

She learned a lot, had a great trek family, ate great food, walked nearly 31 miles altogether... but mostly she was just so glad she went because it was so much fun!

GREAT SATURDAY

LOOK WHO'S HOME!

They are stinky, smelly, sunburned, tired, have a few blisters...

but they had the BEST time-

Hooray for Trek & being a teenager & having the time of your life!
*have you ever been on a pioneer trek?*

I went on a wilderness thing as a teen.

Really fun times.

I am so amazed at all the adults who put these things together for the benefit of these kids- wow- kudos for those who help parents raise kids!

BIG KUDOS & even

BIGGER THANKS

weirdest summer

This has been the weirdest summer ever.

Rain for 3 weeks

Now 1/2 the people we know (exaggeration?) are sick...

including this dude.

He has had a low grade fever for a day & 1/2 and after getting seriously nervous about the swine flu, which seems to be taking over utah- I took him into the doctor this afternoon to find out he has strep.

Strep?
The neighbors have the stomach flu- kids are coming home from trek with the flu- but strep?

I guess all kinds of junk is out there?

This means more sponge bob.

The sick guy has been watching sponge bob for two days.

which means two days of the yellow guy for mom.

my brain is mushy

It's the only thing that keeps him entertained/mezmorized.

it's worth it- right...?

everyone's a comedian in this house

After Jack & Hailey left for Trek-

I found this when I opened the medicine cabinet...

A couple of weeks ago, Brett had his yearly physical. The doctor told him to start taking fish oil- I myself... had been ribbing him about this huge Costco bottle-

I guess Jack couldn't resist either?

so funny

yesterday & today

Yesterday

it was my darling friend Karen's birthday.

Thank you, Karen for having a birthday during the summer so I could have an excuse to take you out to lunch & get out of the house & talk my full blown head off like an idiot & not let you have a word in edge wise.

I guess I needed a little time out.

Today

my house is a mess thanks to the two teenagers who left on a mock Pioneer Trek for 3 1/2 days. Their left over stuff is all over. I hope they have fun.

I'm so glad I am not going. It's good to be young, which I am not.
Jack, Megan, Brian & even Brett went four years ago- Brett was in charge. (what a big job) They had such a fantastic time that Jack really wanted to go again- and Hailey has been excited for months. (can you tell?) Silly kids didn't want their picture taken.
I am so glad these two are going- they are going to have a GREAT time!

trading places

Yesterday I ran to the pediatrician's office to pick up a RX for Trent. The RX wasn't ready & I ended up spending a half hour sitting in the waiting room- just me- watching all the mothers & their children. The room was packed. Near where I was sitting was a young mom with four young children. I couldn't help but stare. I remember people used to stare at me when I was a young mom with four young children. As I sat there watching them it hit me- she had a girl, two boys & a baby boy. It took me back- back to a very busy time when I had a little girl, two little boys & a baby girl. I remember taking them all with me to doctor's appointments, grocery shopping- everywhere. None of them could really shower or get themselves breakfast- it was a busy time. A hard time- A good time. A time I can never get back, not that I would want to. It was my time & their time- my time to be a young mother with young children- their childhood.
I have traded places now. I hope I was good enough. I wish I knew then what I know now. That they would grow up. I guess I knew they would, just didn't know how fast it was going to go. As I sat staring at this beautiful mom I wanted to say, "Enjoy." But I could tell she didn't need to hear it. I wanted to say- I used to have four young children & people would stare at us- and I would dress them all neat & clean & take them places & try to be patient so that people would know that I loved being a mom with small children & that it wasn't a burden- but a good thing.
I opted for, "Your children are beautiful."
She smiled.

happy father's day

Five reasons why we love dad:

1. mom- he is such a great dad, it makes being a mom a lot easier.
2. hailey- he is easy to talk to.
3. chloe- he makes me feel safe.
4. jack- I've learned this last week, that I enjoy talking to dad on the phone.
(jack just got home last Friday from spending a week & a half in Wyoming)
5. trent- he keeps the van running......

Chocolate Cupcakes with Carmel Frosting
recipe here

Father's day Cupcake pick by: chloe

raspberry cream cake

I've been dreaming up this cake for a long time.

Yesterday

I made it.

today

it is gone...

~I miss it~

Besides the vanilla cake part- I made up the rest as I went.

Now I don't think I could recreate it...

well maybe if I try right away?

The filling was something like whipping cream with cream cheese & raspberries. The frosting: butter cream. Thanks Karrie for inviting us over & giving me a reason to make this cake.

It was a lovely night

chloe's week of ballet

It's that time of year again-

ballet recital week!

It's a very exciting time for chloe & really fun time for us to see how much she has progressed & grown. these two pictures are from her dress rehearsal Wed. night.

The theme this year was "UTAH"

chloe was a square dancer.

It was so fantastic- a darling theme- the little girls are always fun to watch. There were bees, & tumbleweeds, coyotes... those little dancers are so darn cute. I can't believe Chloe used to be one of them! Now she is one of the big girls-- wow.

the video too- from Wednesday night-

It's a little blurry at times... my camera is slowly dying.

Pictures & videos are only allowed during dress rehearsal.

Chloe is the one in the back right corner, most of the time.

Last night was the big show.

It was beautiful.

The dancers & the orchestra- fabulous!

Allie, Tiffany, Hailey...

Brett, Trent & I were all there.

We had great tickets up in the balcony.

After the performance.

Chloe has been in ballet with mostly the same girls her whole 9 years.

Blair

Abby

Bren

On the way home we stopped at SOnic!

A real treat for us-- there is no sonic even near our house.

the choices are out of this world-- hard

there are so many drink options it's mind boggling.

We declared this night-

the funnest thing we've done all summer so far!

WE LOVe you CHLoe-

great job

beautiful dancer

pillow love

I just finished this pillow-

Oh how I love it!!

Even though...

it took forever to sew those buttons on.

I think it was worth it.

By the way,

buttons are 1/2 price at JoAnn's Fabrics this week.

list in the middle of the month?

1. brett comes home today-
2. he hasn't eaten dinner at home for almost 2 weeks.
3. he was home for a couple of days
4. friday & saturday...
5. then left sunday morning
6. I really miss him. It's getting to me-
7. He comes home tonight.
8. He has no plans for leaving again anytime soon- hooray!
9. i really love rain-
10. but it has rained so much that i miss the sun- truly miss it.
11. My house faces north & is very shady in the back
12. so unless it is really sunny- even with the lights on-
13. it's dark in here...
14. all the darkness makes the rain seem worse than it is.
15. the dogs won't stop barking
16. WON'T STOP
17. they are sick of being cooped up in this house too.
18. I finished two twin quilts for Chloe's room last week & they are off at the quilter.
19. They are the prettiest things I have ever made & I can't wait to get them back.
20. i am working on a pillow for the front porch right now that is taking 5 times as long to finish as I thought it would.... it's just a pillow--
21. I worked at my darling neighbor's wedding Saturday night-
22. the cutest wedding EVEr- loved it- absolutely loved it!
23. I miss creative thursday terribly.
24. even though we met for lunch last week- it's just not the same.
25. I wish I could sit & sew all day...
26. Tonight I am starting to read out loud a book with chloe & trent. I hope it goes well. Trent & I read a lot together during the school year- it's a little tougher in the summer.
27. We are reading one of my childhood favorites-
28. Ramona the brave by Beverly Cleary.
29. I want to write a post on the missionary.
30. Somehow I just can't. It's just too precious to me.
31. he is doing so well, only 157 days left- his letters are so beautiful, but then I am his mother...

blogging break is over

It has been almost a week since I have updated this blog- crazy fast how a week flies by- I guess I just needed a break?

But I am back-

The first official week of summer has been a good one.

Wet- but good.

Seriously, it has been pouring down rain for a week, more really. I'm not complaining... trying not to- the heat is coming & I hate the extreme heat. I just really miss the sun.

This week the scouts & I did some outdoor cooking with the help of propane. It rained most of the time, but it was still really really fun. A little rain never hurt anyone. Scouts are not wimps I kept telling them- we had to move the grill under the trees of the deck to avoid getting seriously soaked. Hot dogs never taste better than cooked on fire- marshmallows too. I tried to pop some popcorn in foil... didn't work.

I made cupcakes with Janae on Saturday for a wedding.

Cutest wedding ever.
I had janae's girls over Friday with wende & ethan- good times!
I should have taken photos???

more than taking a blogging break, I feel like I have been taking a photo break. My camera is acting up & I'm getting lazy dealing with that...

anyhow-

it's good to be back!

best friends?

Jack has no summer job---

His summer job for the past 2 summers - which we thought he would have this summer- has disappeared, gone, done, no more- because of "the economy."

The phrase "the economy," is really getting to me- in more ways than one. Kylie here- jack's cousin has a job up in Grandma & Grandpa's town.

she was scheduled to fly there from here today. Because of Gpa's back problems & the fact that he has been in the hospital for almost a week- not to mention a full week less than a month ago- Jack is going up now too. He will be in charge of the yard & the horses, etc. He's been up there every summer for at least a week & we are hoping he can help until his Aunt gets up there in a couple of weeks.
So Kylie- nice girl that she is- gave up her plane ticket & drove with her cousin. It's an eight our drive... I nagged at Jack- you know she has a plane ticket, she doesn't have to make the drive, it's very nice of her--- to which he replied-
"dang, that blows"
he is a real deep kind of guy.
They don't really know each other- have never spoken more than a few words.
That has all changed- for sure.
Jack is not known for being comfortable around girls...
I offered him & his buddy Zach $100 each to walk up to a girl on the last day of school- say, "I've always wanted to do this!" then kiss her right on the lips. I wasn't worried about my money NO NOT ONE BIT & loved hearing their plan on how to do it. hee hee hee, oh I am really an evil person can you tell? Jack is pretty much paralyzed around girls & comes off as a snot or stuck up, or just not caring, even though he does care- you know the type?
so- this trip with his cousin should be good for him. I don't know about her- but it should be good for him. A safe girl, a cousin- maybe he will lighten up a little?
Unfortunately I have been forbidden to blog about the fact I owe the guy....
$100

so maybe I will save that story for a year from now
when he is on his mission??

the last day of school, company edition

7:00 came awfully early on the last day of school this year...

after the all night party & all. None the less- it is a very important day!

Not to be missed!!

I stammered to get the gifts together for Trent's teachers & all the aids, etc. at school. Trent is affected by so many people- not just his particular teacher. I know all kids are... but really trent is more than the average student. With his asperger issues- they know him, & luckily I think they love him as well.

Being the room mom to his retiring teacher-

the kids in the class & I worked on some extra special gifts.

Lucky I got there before she left. Kristy called me & gave me the warning-
She was just running off to a wedding & darn it- I didn't get her photo! shoot golly- I know I have several somewhere...
this is trent & his special ed. teacher.
She is truly amazing- tears-
She teaches a little social class to trent & a few other students with aspergers- plus works on most of his core subjects with him. I will be eternally grateful for this woman. Trent adores her, which makes my life & his so much easier. She is a miracle worker.

I stayed for their annual end of the year patriotic program & flag lowering ceremony.
Love that.
Trent & I walked home together & talked about what a great year of school it has been & how he is now a fourth grader!
***
That afternoon Brett got ready to take off -up to his home town.
His dad is in the hospital again for some severe back problems. Brett has agonized knowing he has not been there to help & was relieved to get there & see what he can do.
Later that afternoon Jack ran to the airport & picked up my darling niece Kylie.

She & I had a delightful time visiting.
She is heading up to her grandparents house for the summer to work before going to art school. She is an artist- a real artist- with unbelievable talent.
(I am looking up some art here that she has won contest for... updated soon, I hope!)

We had a calm- unbelievably calm after the week we've had- night with nothing to do!

We had edemame, hot wings, & milk shakes for dinner, while playing cards- then went out & enjoyed a far off lightening storm on the front porch.

We lit off a few sparklers- just for fun.

Her parents flew in at 1:40 AM - another long night-

from Florida- they were headed to a family funeral in the morning.

We had breakfast together- her family & mine.

Her dad Cody-

I should have taken more photos- but they had to head out.

Just a few short hours later look who came by!!!!!

My sweet niece Johnna & her baby Drax!

Are they beautiful or what!?

My sister was with her too- but like a jerk I didn't take her picture either... I think the lack of sleep was getting to me?

So

Summer Begins-

It's officially here

company

fireworks

babies

and

all