catching up

This past weekend Brett & I went to a movie. did you read that? A MOVIE people! We never go to movies... so this was a big deal. Trent was at an over night scout camp & the girls had plans- so what's up? A movie -- that's what!

We saw The Big Year & I loved it! Of course we don't go to a lot of movies so maybe we are not the best judges. Still- I really loved it.

On the way in we saw this ultra cool car. I had to get a photo! It's in perfect condition & look at those sweet tires- wow. On our way home we had to run over to the camp sight (good thing it was only a couple of minutes away!) to take Trent a new pair of pants, socks, shoes .... ya- he had gotten wet- then gotten wet again. His pants, his extra pants & his pajama pants were all wet. They were camping near a pond & there was a marshy area- I guess we are lucky he wasn't soaked- or drowned? What in the world? We picked up the girls & headed off to get late night Chinese food! Ya- we're pretty hip~ going to movies~ getting Chinese food. We got into our favorite local place just 1/2 hour before it closed & chowed down on the best ever egg rolls & sesame chicken- yum. I can't remember the last time we did something like that- really fun. The girls & we visited & laughed & laughed. Good times- I wish I would have had my camera. (The view of our mountain on my way home from work Saturday afternoon.)
I got home from work the next afternoon right after Brett & Trent finished riding a 15 mile bike ride. Brett had met up with the scouts in the morning. Trent's hair was singed & he was missing a bit of eyebrow & eye lash hair... he had tried to help a leader light the propane stove----- poof. Oh my- I'm thinking maybe Brett should start going along on these camp outs?? Sunday we had a house full of company!Johnna & Clyde were in town so Ruthie & kids came down too. I'm starting to feel like our house is too small. The kitchen & eating space is always so crowded! I'm thinking we need to start eating out more, move, or remodel?
It would probably just be easier to eat out? So much for my healthy, home cooking ways-- I need a better/bigger kitchen. See what all this cooking has done for me? I'm certainly not getting any thinner & I'm seriously thinking I need a new kitchen. Golly if it's not one thing- it's another. At least I have all my eyelashes!?

a fourth of july recap

I love Independence day!

Everyone who knows me...

knows- it is my very favorite holiday- by a long shot!

I love the flags flying, the patriotic music, picnics, parades & all things red, white & blue.

This year as I write this post- I can't help but wonder??

where are the photos of the flag?

I didn't take any photos of my sweetheart & me together?

dang it!!

oh well, it was a great weekend & these will have to do :)

Around 4:00 on the 2nd- my sister Johnna & BIL Clyde arrived for the weekend.


They had their daughter Aimee with them & I was so EXCIted & SURpriSed that I got all teary & nearly started to cry!!!
I hadn't seen aimee in way too long.
She's Lola's mom. (I sent her the Lola quilt a while back, if you remember?)

Marcus, Brittany, Brit & Aimmee

Ruthie's family came too.

We headed over to the concert in the park. With fried chicken, my special 4th of July shrimp salad, veggies & dip, glass bottles of soda, and these- mmmm

I have to admit- I was really missing Jack.

Missionary Jack loves the 4th... and all that goes with it. He is a history major & knows American history better than anyone I know.

BUT-- It was SO GREAT TO HAVE...

Brian with us!!!

This is his first- 4th home & it was glorious to have him here. Just think- last year I was missing him? Only one more 4th until Jack is back- (speaking of the missionary, I am working on a big Missionary Jack update to publish soon, hopefully tomorrow.)

Marcus & Brian posed for Jack

the concert was amazing.

The band made up of 15-18 year olds from around the state.

YOU WOULD NOT BELIEVE they were teens!

They played big band music- a lot of michael Buble type stuff, it was fabulous.
They were so good & so talented.

Brittany & Marcus

Last year they were engaged- they celebrate their first anniversary on Sunday!

The fireworks did not dissapoint. they were specatcular - although

They usually go off to patriotic music.

NOt this year...

we were sorely dissapointed.

Actually I was pretty ticked off- Brian too.

WE had talked earlier in the day about how beautiful & emotional it is to watch fireworks while listening to America The Beautiful & the like...

they played movie show tunes? BLAH- Maybe it's a good thing Jack missed it?

Bright & EArly

on the 3rd- we were in our spot for the parade!

Trent sported his coon skin cap-

if you want one? RuN down to a gas station between here & St. George- hurrry quick!!!

(that was sarcasm)

hey-

there's some flags!

There were service men & women- love that- and great floats.

Cool cars with kids throwing candy to the audience.

and this exterminator type company with this guy in a bee suit.

I took his picture because I could just imagine Jack making fun of him...

Oh funny

I'm sure that was the "old jack" not the new & improved missionary jack?

It was perfect weather & so fun to be all together.

After the parade we headed home, then off to the park for the carnival food & quilt show.

Clyde & trent had a GREat time.

Trent spent their whole visit being Clyde's shadow. so cute.

He spent the rest of the 4th washing all of our cars.

Or should I say, putting extremely hard to get off water spots on all of our cars?

While the boys were watching a movie- the girls ran to target. When we came home trent had filled up the back of Brett's truck with water- house water-? So not cool. Brett backed up the truck & dumped it on the lawn. He had just a little too much water freedom & two old burned out parents. I guess that's what you get as the youngest of six- periods of freedom we would have never let the older kids have to get into mischief.

We went to sacrament meeting on the 4th-

what a delight

Then after lunch it was time for the gilsons to go.

dang

Brian took this lovely photo of Johnna & I.

lookin' good- or drunk?

no, we were not drinkin' after sacrament meeting.

better!

It was so GREAT to have you guys here!

we miss you

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

yesterday- no photo edition @$#^%*!*+#- updated

This is my neice's son- isn't he the cutest guy! Here he is in Jack's new cowboy boots.

He is so darling & came to play with me yesterday. He brought his mom & grandma, my sister Johnna with him. We had a great time visiting & shopping for the missionary's birthday presents.

We went to Gardner Village the day before that. Fun times for sure. I may not be getting a darn thing done since school started... oh those good intentions- but I'm sure having fun.

picnic & concert in the park

Patriotic - chocolate- filled with chocolate mousse-

cupcakes!

Every year my town has a bike parade, concert in the park & fireworks on the night of July 3rd. On the 4th there's a pancake breakfast, 5K run, parade on main street, carnival in the park & quilt/art show across the street in our elementary school. It's my favorite time of year!

The concert in the park was GREAT this year. My favorite band from 2 years ago came back. They were so great singing lots of earth wind & fire, disco, some buble- we LOVEd it!

We only live 2 blocks from the action, which makes it ExTra fun not having to load up the car & search for parking.

Here's t- at the bike/children's parade... so cute. I missed seeing him in the mass of kids... I was talking to my dear friend charli who just broke her leg really bad a couple of weeks ago. Poor gal.

Jack- he acts like such a tough guy who doesn't like photos-- he's full of it.
He loves to ruin my photos with pictures like this.... teenagers- they think they're funny.

Brittany & clyde eating our traditional dinner-
fried chicken, shrimp salad & watermelon, cupcakes for dessert, of course!

My sweet nephews- in the sun.

ruthie & her daughter...

and the peanut!
Notice the smile?? My nephew taught me to tickle his feet right before the photo to get a smile.
I should have known?

Hailey & chloe

I'm telling you- I've got a cupcake thing goin' on here.

these were extra yummy.

I am naming this one:

manly marcus & cupcake

All the guys & brett doing an impression of jack.

chloe found this heart shaped BBQ potato chip- cool huh?!

We had great seats thanks to Brett staking out our place early.

As it got darker it was so nice outside. Not a mosquito in sight!

Jack- I swear I'm gonna dip his hand in warm water tonight while he's sleeping.

Even thought it's dark I love this picture taken by trent.

The crowd, the loud music- by the end of the night- that guy was completely out of it. He really had been good earlier, but it was really hard for him waiting for the fireworks.

self portrait.

It's been so fun to have my sister's & their family's here.

It makes it easier having megan, tony & brian away. I hope brian's not homesick.

Of course, in his email he let us know he has been transferred. He's only 600 miles from the bottom of South America now & it's winter there. He is in the only area that they are allowed to wear hats & he has one of those big Russian ones. He said on Monday they had 6" of snow.

So- he's not feeling the 4th of July vibe I'm sure.